Disclaimer: Dangermouse and characters are property of Cosgrove/Hall productions, and I don't own them. This fiction and the characters of M6 Lori Lamoure and her assistant and other craziness the other side of the pond is my own insanity, property of me, Trynia Merin.

Author note: I wrote this story back in 2004, but realized I can't leave people hanging for almost four years. I want to at least complete this story and then see what I want to do next. Thank the Box Set for my renewed interest in this fic.

What I Did This Summer

By Trynia Merin

Narrator Isenbard: Good Heavens I'm still being paid to come out of retirement for this? How long has it been? I've got to blow the dust from my microphone...

Now, as I clear my throat... let me see... the yellowed pages of this script... danger mouse, hmm hmm... on a vacation with his lady love Fifi... blah blah blah... oh here...

When last we left him, Danger Mouse was having a much needed holiday with his lady love Fifi Lamoure, and trying not to let his worries regarding his wild house guests ruin a good time. It took all the feminine wiles of Fifi to divert his attention though. Meanwhile Agent M6 and Bagel are introducing their beaus Penfold and Saul Stann to their families. While Penfold seems to have hit it off well with Bagel's clan in New York, Saul STann is having a different reception from Lori's family, a trapeze act from a traveling circus.

Will the vacation turn into a three ring act, or will Fifi be able to entice Danger Mouse NOT to leave his vacation! Find out today!

Danger Mouse had to admit he was having the time of his life. If not for one nagging worry in the back of his brain, it would be the most perfect holiday in ages. Reaching out he extended his hand to Fifi, who slid her small dainty one inside. With a heft, he helped her out of the gondola moored to the pier. Already in his other hand Danger Mouse carried a picnic basket loaded with goodies and treats she had prepared in the hotel room the night before.

Hand in hand with his sweetheart, Danger Mouse strolled down the boulevard of Venice towards a large fountain bubbling with cascades of water. The sculpture came alive as the various statues exuded tall ribbons, spouts, and sheets of clear liquid. Gentle waves glistened in the sunlight, rippling over the multiple coins tossed there by many a wish maker.

"I think here would be magnifique, mon Coeur," Fifi suggested, wrapping her arm around Danger Mouse's.

"Ah, most excellent. Right in view of the fountain, but in the shade. There are some umbrella tables. And a cracking view of the plaza," he agreed. Then he shaded his eye with his hand and motioned towards the nearby trees of a small park. "Though I would recommend a nice shady spot over there… if you don't mind walking a bit more."

"Tres bien," Fifi agreed. Minutes later Danger mouse shook the crocheted blanked with a snap, before letting it drift down to a square configuration over the fresh green lawn. At the gnarled rooted base of a grand tree trunk Fifi opened the hamper and unpacked silverware and plates. Dangermouse reached over to help her, only to have her lightly tap his hand.

"No, let me serve you, love," she scolded him in French. "You are on holiday, remember?"

"How silly of me to forget. It's quite difficult to leave my usual agent's life behind. I appreciate your patience, my dear," he said softly, allowing her to spoil him rotten by bringing out the cheese wrapped in wax paper, several bags of grapes, and whole grain crackers. Not to mention a bottle of wine that was wrapped in a thermal pouch. Danger mouse seized the bottle by the neck and peered at the year.

"Cabernet Sauvignon. Good year," he commented, reaching for his secret Swiss army knife and folding out the corkscrew. Peeling back the silver foil, he exposed the cork, and twisted the curlicue of metal into the top.

Fifi reclined on her side, pulling her dress to cover her knees out of the hot sun. Her tail gracefully curled around her body, the tip flickering up and down occasionally. She watched Danger Mouse expertly pop the cork and sniff it before pouring two glasses of magenta wine for him and her. At last, she had managed to chase his mind from the rigors of agent hood, and hoped that all her hard work would prove successful. It had been far too long since they had much time together, and she aimed to make it last.

"To us," he clinked his glass to hers. She twisted her wrist around his, and then they both sipped wine from one another's glasses. Accidentally their noses collided, and he managed to catch the glass as it fell, without spilling a drop.

"Oh drat, I am sorry," he apologized, seeing the slight stains that landed on her skirt.

"Don't be. They're a good souvenir. Do you know this is the first time I've seen you laugh and not tense up every five minutes since we arrived?" she asked.

"I feel as if I'm dreadful company," Danger mouse apologized again.

"Do I have to hit you over the head with the wine bottle, Monsieur?" she teased, cutting a slice of cheese and popping it into his open mouth. "If you cannot share your woes with me, who can you with?"

"Usually Penfold, although I think he's having the time of his life trying to learn Bagel's chicken soup recipe. I've been told its top secret," Danger mouse whispered. Fifi leaned over and brushed a kiss to his cheek, and he almost dropped his wineglass.

"Now who's losing himself in the moment, eh?" she teased him, and he began to laugh. Genuine peals of laughter, not strained polite reserved chuckles. It was a welcome sound to her ears, and she accepted the grape he held up to her. Before long he lay with his back propped to the tree, and enjoyed how nicely she fit less than one enveloping arm, her cheek pressed to his chest to hear the steady thump of his heart. Lazily her tail curled around his ankle and they enjoyed the warmth their bodies shared.

"I'd forgotten what having a real picnic was like," Danger Mouse murmured.

"C'est que cest?" Fifi asked, lifting her head as she gently smoothed her hand over his chest. She played with the buttons on his polo shirt, red and white striped that matched the khaki trousers and neat leather walking shoes. Her own floral print skirt matched the pink sweater top she wore, and the strappy sandals on her feet. Long forgotten, her straw hat sat next to the hamper and the emptied plates arranged on the blanket.

"Penfold will have a stroke when he sees those stains. But I'm sure Bagel has a secret for getting them out," Danger Mouse pointed.

"Club soda?" Fifi asked. Both of them shared a knowing wink and a chuckle.

"I could get to like this," he murmured, rubbing her back gently. He wrapped a lock of her blond curls around his index finger, admiring their silky texture. Unlike some artists or stars, she didn't strip or dye her hair with unnecessary amounts of conditioner or hair coloring. Rather she enhanced what she already possessed, and Danger Mouse found it beautiful.

"Bien," she cooed, curling up to him even more. Then she frowned.

Noticing the long face, he tipped her chin up towards his with a finger. "Now I must be remiss in my mission. Why the somber expression my dear?"

"I hope Lori is managing," Fifi sighed. "Her family is quite… unusual. I know this Monsieur Stann is a professional, but even he might be off put by her… big brothers…"

"You said she grew up in a circus. Good job that since she's a class M agent. Excellent preparation for her career. However, would it be so awful if he DID get frightened off? There's something about him I can't put my finger on that disturbs me," Danger Mouse muttered.

"Oh stop. He seems perfectly lovely," Fifi answered.

"That's the problem. He seems to be trying TOO hard to prove his worth. Recently his performance reviews are close to exemplary, when only months before he was resisting authority," muttered Danger Mouse.

"You mean you're bothered that he's actually behaving?" Fifi asked, straightening up.

"It's just strange. I'm certain it must by partly due to his need to prove himself worthy of Lori. Yet I can't help but wonder…" Danger Mouse trailed off. "Ever since that affair with the Roman relics, he's been more of a gentleman then ever."

"What are you suggestion, mon Coeur?" asked Fifi, narrowing her blue eyes. "That a Rock star can't be a gentleman?"

"Well yes and no. I would almost be relieved if he's rude like his teammates. However, there was one case where he was particularly rude and extremely defiant. I warned him not to use his powers on the case, and he told me off in front of Colonel K. Then on the Roman Relic case he seemed to refrain greatly from using any of his special abilities," muttered DM.

"So he has listened to you. Why are you so worried? It pleases me that you care so much for my dear cousin Lori, yet still…" Fifi nudged him.

"Perhaps it's nothing. Perhaps I HAVE gotten through to him," said Danger Mouse. "But he seemed quite comfortable when he took one of Squarkencluck's transformation pills. Any other agent in his position would suffer considerable psychological trauma changed into a human being. But he was quite comfortable."

"Why shouldn't he be? If he is psychic, then he would be able to read the minds of those he is trying to emulate, no?" Fifi asked.

"Lori herself was quite shaken. But when Squarkencluck tested him, he passed with flying colors. Almost no one can take aftereffects of a transformation unless they've passed the Disguise and Transformation course. He hasn't taken it yet, and he's had no previous experiences to indicate he's comfortable in any manner and that's what worries me," Danger Mouse mused, thumbing his chin.

"Are you suggesting he isn't what he says he is?" asked Fifi.

"I'm just very worried that he isn't what he says he is, and… Good Grief, it can't be," Danger Mouse gasped, flinching. Fifi straightened up and blinked at him in shock.

"What is wrong my love? You look as if you've seen a ghost…"

"I'm very sorry, Fifi. But if my suspicions are correct, she could be in GRAVE danger!" DM gasped, leaping to his feet. He reached down and pulled Fifi up to her feet as well, panic wrinkling his features.

"What? You don't think that... Saul Stann is a villain in disguise do you?" Fifi's blue eyes widened in fear. "Zut Alors!"

"Crumhorn is able to change his appearance and pass for almost anyone with his diabolical pills. What if he was trying to exact revenge by impersonating Stann? It would explain a great deal!" Danger Mouse gasped.

"Or that horrible Cam Eleon Rex! He too can change his shape, no?" Fifi shook her head, shuddering. "He would do something so dreadful! Danger Mouse, you MUST stop him!"

"We'd best hurry back. I'm going to call Colonel K and alert him. Moreover, get Professor Squarkencluck soon. Then I'll best drop you off at…"

"No," Fifi said firmly, grasping Danger mouse's hand. "She is my cousin. And it would look very… suspicious, no, to go running there to New York City. You need to be more… subtle?"

"Fifi… I'm sorry but I can't endanger you!" Danger Mouse rubbed the back of his neck in exasperation. Fifi simply dropped to her knees and began to collect the dishes, almost breaking them as she stacked them one on top of the other.

"I found that I could handle myself most well, you must admit!" she stubbornly glared up at him. With a firm yank, she tugged the entire picnic blanket out from under him, almost tripping the agent up.

"What… whoa!" Danger Mouse yelped, leaping as she balled up the entire blanket and tossed it into the hamper. "Now look, don't go flying off the handle! You know as well as I do that…"

"I will not be left behind. I know my cousin, and if this monster… Crumhorn is doing anything horrible to my cousin; he will regret it most sorely!" Fifi snapped. Leaping to her feet, she grabbed Danger mouse's hand and dragged him after her.

"Fifi, you're being exasperating! I can't take a civilian with me on a mission!"

"You don't even KNOW if your suspicions are correct! What if you're wrong? You need a cover… no, to unmask the villain! And who better than I… the cousin of M6 herself! No, Monsieur Danger Mouse, you need me!" Fifi glared at him, stopping cold so DM almost crashed into her.

"I won't allow it!" Danger Mouse stamped his foot, and wrapping his arms across his chest. He turned away, so his back faced hers. For a long moment, Fifi glared at him, biting her lip in frustration. Sometimes he could be so hard headed. Yet she loved his determination and principle.

"Strange words from the mouse I love, who risks that very thing himself," Fifi whispered. "If I cannot face a mission with you, then how can we hope to continue as we are?"

"What are you saying?" Danger Mouse asked, wheeling around.

"That I want to share your life. I am of the same blood as my cousin. And I swore to look out for her in one way or another. Please give me the chance to prove that I am NOT some baggage you can keep quietly aside when things are terrible, my love," Fifi answered. "Or am I simply a hindrance to you?"

"Now wait a minute!" DM stammered. "That's not how it is at all!"

"Do you so easily forget… that I was not a hindrance when saving your life? That I… fooled even a monster of a villain into thinking I was an agent?" Fifi reminded him, a slight smile quirking up her face. "I am a performer, mon Coeur. Is not the first part of being an agent, a detective… knowing your role? And if I cannot perform my role then I am not the star I claim to be!"

He blinked at her, hard. Fifi moved before him, her arms sliding around his waist. She pressed herself tightly to him, and Danger Mouse held her close. Bending down he kissed her hard, and then released her at arm's length. Sighing he relented, "All right then. But stay close and do as I say, my dear. I've no idea what I'd do if you were hurt on my account."

"I trust you will protect me, and I will listen to what you say, my love," Fifi promised. "But you must give me this chance. That is all I ask."

"I can't deny you anything," Danger Mouse sized as she gently brushed her lips to his. Under the rustling trees, Danger Mouse wrapped his arms around his woman, and reached for his watch. A quick tap of the controls alerted a signal miles away across the sea. He only hoped that the Mark III was still in working order.

Within fifteen minutes, something rumbled across the Venetian skies. Danger Mouse and Fifi broke their kiss to see the yellow and red streak slashing the trees with a slipstream of wind that blasted their faces. Her skirt fluttered in the breeze, and he steadied her against himself, watching the blur stop suddenly and hover overhead. Slowly the Mark III dropped down, its canopy open to them.

"Ah, thank heaven it's not scratched," DM commented. He opened the door for Fifi, and she gathered her skirt under herself before sitting down inside the passenger's seat. Leaping over her, he then landed behind the wheel. He only stopped to reach over the side, grab their picnic items, and toss them into the forward trunk before he pressed his foot on the gas. The Mark III threaded through the trees onto the main road. The touch of a control extended the red wings and tail, and the super secret car rose gracefully into the skies.