I'm sorry its been so long, but real life has been playing havoc with my muse. I found the poor thing shivering in an alley, muttering something about plot bunnies and ninja turtles having a race with Jesus as the referee.

The First Blackmail

Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie were in a very good mood. They had just foiled another evil scheme by Limburger, Chicago was safe once again, and the three Martians were currently surrounded by dozens of very grateful women. The girls were working at the nightclub that Limburger had tried to swindle the owner out of, and they had been almost in tears with gratitude for their furry saviours.

Modo had been the one to call Charley and tell her about the major party the nightclub was having in their honor. He had eagerly invited her to come celebrate, but the mechanic had been having a very long, tiring day, and just wanted to go to bed. But as soon as he told her the club's address, she nearly teleported, she got there so fast. She even was thoughtful enough to bring a camera, which Vinnie greatly appreciated. He claimed so that he could keep track of his new fan club.

(Throttle claimed it was so he had proof that girls actually gave him the time of day.)

The next day, a group of slightly hung over mice made their way over to the Last Chance Garage. Charley greeted them warmly, eagerly showing off the pictures she'd had developed just that morning. The pictures were great; all those girls hanging off the bros was a sight to see! But then Modo finally got to ask the question that he hadn't gotten an answer to last night. "Charley-ma'am, can you tell me what a female impersonator is? When I asked the girls what they did at the club, they all said the same thing, but they all just blushed and laughed when I tried to get them to explain."

"Me too," said Throttle. "I mean, they were all really friendly--"

"Really friendly," Vinnie said dreamily.

"--but none of them would give me a straight answer when I asked either."

Charley just smiled, gathering up all the pictures before she would say a word. "Oh, boys, I thought you knew. A female impersonator is a man that dresses up like a woman. They look really convincing too! I bet you might even swear that they were a real woman, some of them can look that pretty." She ignored the looks of shock on the three distinctly green-looking Martians' faces, and even side-stepped to avoid Modo as he fainted dead away. "So I think I'll just be keeping these photos. After all, you guys were so happy I brought a camera, I'll bet you want me to keep these safe until Stoker comes to visit so he can see them--"

"NOOOOO!" Vinnie wailed. "Oh gods, no, have some mercy, sweetheart!!"

"You wouldn't," Throttle said desperately. "Charley-girl, he'll never let us live this down! C'mon, babe, we'll do anything, just don't let him see those pictures!"

The slow grin that spread over her face was pure evil. "Anything?"

Throttle actually gulped nervously at the look on her face. "Anything."

He would later swear that she spontaneously grew horns and a tail as she told him what they would have to do to keep her silent about the very juicy blackmail she had.....

The orphans laughed and screamed happily as they went down the road, costumes on and bags filling with candy. Three horrifically embarrassed Mice were escorting them for Trick or Treating that night, all in full costume. Throttle was a very Red Power Ranger, nearly bursting at the seams of his almost too small outfit. Vincent was absolutely fuming as his huge clown-shoes honked, the striped blue and white clown suit itching like mad as the night went on. And Modo, well....

He'd been terrifying children all night as a very disturbing Bride of Frankenstein.

As for Charley? She was happily soaking in the tub, the water loaded with bubbles and bath oils as she relaxed. She leaned back against the side of the tub with a smirk, 'That'll teach those three to make fun of my second favorite holiday!'

&*&*&*&

Happy Halloween!!!!