Hiya addicts! I'm forwarding on this story that Cousin Robi wrote in response to my recent car troubles. I loved it *and* my heroes - what a pair of men! Hugs, Bon (()) reflect the thoughts running through little Jakey's head. ************************************************************************* Missing in Action: The First Adventure of Jake, Nunkies Avenger by Cousin Robi ((Five o'clock. Five o'clock. I can hear her, oh yeah. Five o'clock and she's home. Won't you let me out, wait, stop at this door, right now! Oh, man, I forgot. She works out at five o'clock. But she's sure to let me run the house at 5:30 p.m. when she checks her e-mail. ((Let me introduce myself. I'm Jake, owner of a computer and work addicted pet who spends far too much time online and not enough time tending to my needs. Instead of being able to frolic through the house freely, I am forced to spend my days confined to a room with two other slightly annoying felines. I told her not to move back in with her parents. Whatever happened to that great loft apartment, you know, the one where I could see the birds resting outside on the windowsill? Now that was delicious and fantasy provoking! But enough of my complaining. Let me out! Now!!!)) The door swings open. ((Ohhh! Man. Stretch those legs. Gotta sharpen those claws. Wait a minute. I haven't got claws anymore either. If I ever catch the fella who did that! Hey Robi, where'd you go? Oh yes, computer time. I'd better check it out.)) The black shadow saunters down the hall. Jake is too cool just to walk, run or scamper. He slinks, bobbing his head gently back and forth checking out everything that could be happening in every room between the kitchen and the computer room. As usual, the house is almost empty. ((Man, the door's shut. I've had enough of this. Let me in!)) I demand. Scritch, scratch, scrunch. This is the sound of a declawed cat scratching on a door. It comes across more like a slight knocking. Robi begrudgingly slides the door open. "Just as long as it's you and not the other two," she says. ((I know what she means. The old man and that whiny calico really get on my nerves too. Ohhh, let's check and see what she's got on the screen.)) Jake bounds onto the couch positioned slightly behind the computer. Any feline can get a great view of the monitor from that position. ((Handsome fella. Must be on the Nunkies Anonymous page again. Now there's a guy with style. I think they call him Uncle? Or was that Nunkies? No matter, I suppose.)) Robi then accesses her e-mail account to find disturbing news. "Oh no, Jake, Bonnie-kins had her car stolen, can you believe that? I hope they find the perp, but let's face it, the chances of a stolen car being found in one piece are very slim. Oh, she wants us to write stories and fantasies to cheer her up. Well, here it goes. I've got a couple of fantasies that'll knock her socks, and other articles of clothing, off!" she spouted. ((Missing cars, sockless people. If my pet only knew how much I understood. I do understand cars though, my pet gets absolutely frantic if anything happens to her car, even if it's something as minor as a flat tire.)) He grinned, with a glint of light reflecting off his deep green eyes. ((I have sworn to defend the rights of all Nunkies loving humans out there. Why, I have absolutely no idea. I guess it's because Robi adores him. Or maybe I'm just a fool with too much time on my paws. ((Now to get outside and solve this little caper.)) The night grew longer, the household settled in for the evening and that meant one thing. ((My pet's mother will be letting in the older black cat from the outdoors, the old man, really soon. This time I'll be fast enough to get by her. Let's face it, she's the easy one to elude. Oh, did I tell you, I'm not allowed outdoors. What a ripoff. No freedom to run, no claws, no outdoors. Did I mention I'm also neutered? What a life!)) The door flew open. Time to make a break for it. ((A-ha. Legs, there, missed them, cleared kicking feet, hear screaming, "Go get your cat Robi!" Doesn't matter though, I'm off to look for Bonnie's car. That little hoodlum two houses down, if anybody had anything to do with the missing car, I'll bet it was him. All he does it work on cars all day, and you never see the same one twice.)) Jake slinked past the garage to face the foreboding neighbors' front yard. The youngest son was working on what appeared to be a silver Chevy Lumina. ((Chevy Lumina, that's Bonnie-boo's car. I read it over my pet's shoulders. Wait till I tell...)) A shadowed figure dropped out of the sky. The pale man grabbed the young'en by the throat and slowly tightened his grip. "Where, might I ask, did you acquire this vehicle?" "It's, it's, it's my brother's!" he sputtered as his windpipe was slowly being crushed. ((Liar, liar! The only car you own is that stupid purple Volkswagon. You know, the one with the loud stereo that keeps half of the neighborhood awake at night!)) "Then why does it have east coast plates? Am I mistaken, but we are in Iowa, my child." With that he tightened his grip and the teenager lost consciousness. Lacroix rapidly restrained the youngster and placed him in the trunk. After the trunk was closed, Jake leaped onto the trunk lid. ((Good riddance!!!)) Even Lacroix could read the meaning in that cat stare. "Where did you come from little one?" He reached down to stroke the cat. Jake almost pulled away, but then recognized him as the handsome man on Robi's favorite web page. ((This is the man whose followers I have sworn to protect.)) "Now who do you belong to?" Lacroix examined his leather collar and silver name tag. "Jake, well, that's a fine name. You belong to Cousin Robi. Hmmm. Your pet's a Nunkaholic, isn't she? It's always wise to know where my minions are, even if she is fairly new. I'll have to repay her for your help this evening, Jake." Nunkies shook his head assessing the damage. Dent to the front fender, smashed window, damage to the steering column. Bonnie would not be pleased. But because she was a lover of Nunkies, he felt he should do everything to ensure the v-room v-room's safe and restored return. "Now how long has it been since I've driven one of these? No stick shift, but I think I'll manage," Lacroix said to no one in particular. "Jake, would you like to come along?" His black sleekness responded by leaping into the passenger's seat. Lacroix would need a phone book to find the quickest fix it up shop in the area. Little did he know in rural Iowa, the streets literally fold up at 9 p.m. He would just have to make due. ((If you just go to Schau's repair shop and junk yard, I'm sure they've got a window. And body work can be done at Wilson's Auto, they're got spray paint, the works. Trust me, my pet and I lived over that body shop for about a year. They do good work! And Linda's Floral Boutique would have a lovely arrangement to help Bonnie get over her traumatic experience. I'm sure they have roses. Damn. This is one occasion where I actually wish humans could hear me.)) Lacroix nosed through the phone book. "This looks promising, Schau's junk yard, Wilson's autobody and Linda's Boutique. Let's get to work." ((Great minds do think alike!)) Jake curled up on the confescated phone book, purring slightly. After a full evening of car repairs in closed businesses, one could hardly recognize the car from the vehicle the twosome had beheld earlier that evening. In repayment for the unknown use of the area auto body facilities, Lacroix had left five crisp one hundred dollars bills resting on the front desks of both businesses. Now for the last, Lacroix gained entrance to the floral boutique and selected two dozen of the finest long-stemmed white roses and placed them in a delicate vase. The card read "To Bonnie: In return for your dedication and continued devotion. With affection, Lucien." He adequately supplemented the floral boutique for their unknown services as well. After spending the day resting in the only area hotel, he would return the car to its restless owner. He pulled in front of the half-underground house to let Jake return home. A relentless pounding and demands for someone to "let him out" could be heard emanating from the shiny, clean silver trunk. Lacroix jumped out of the driver's seat and swatted the surface. "Your apologies are needed in Charlotte. After you grovel before the young lady and ask of her forgiveness, only then will you be allowed to make your way home. That is, unless she wishes to make you her personal slave. If she chooses to grant you freedom, I promise you, you will not be receiving a ride from me!" he chuckled slightly. "Thanks for your help Jake. It's really been quite....fun. We must do this again some time." ((We shall Lucius. We shall. My pet would be so jealous, if she only knew!)) *********************************************************************** Now who else here thinks Robi should write more Fanfic???? I do!! Nunkies pets Jake = Bonnie melts I am soooo easy where kitties and Uncle are concerned! Bon-bon