"Grandma's Cooking"

Catchy theme music played that Isan really didn't care for and her disapproving scowl before the cameras came up informed everyone of that fact. As soon as it was indicated to her that she was live, a bright smile jumped on her face. "Hello everyone and welcome to another addition of The Lion's Den. Since the holidays are just around the corner, I thought I would teach you all some of my personal holiday meals. So stay tuned. We'll get started after these quick messages." After some more music she didn't like, the camera's turned off and the scowl returned to Isan's face and a hand quickly went to her hip. "I've got a good question: What the hell kind of music was that? These are holiday specials and we punk rock bringing us in? Really?"

"Well, you weren't a part of the planning process," said her producer.

"No one invited me. This IS my show, right. I would LOVE to be invited to important meetings like that. Which I would if my secretary would do his job," growled the lioness. "And who the bloody hell thought up these recipes. None of these are my holiday favorites."

"They were chosen during the planning process," the human producer commented.

"Dammit! I'm the freaking cook on this show. I really should be the one to pick out the recipes, right?" Isan shouted.

"She's got a point there," Larry, Isan's secretary agreed.

"I own the controlling stock in this show and this network. And yet, you people insist on leaving me out of the process," commented Isan as she prepared to come back from commercial break.

The recipes chosen for the show were various holiday pies. Most of which Isan actually hated. What made everything worse was the script called for her to eat one of the pies she hated at the very end. Like a good host, she did it, but just barely. "Alright, that was pretty horrible," she said after the cameras were off.

"If you would come to the..." Gillian began.

"We'll your fired, so I guess you won't be coming to planning meetings, either. Seriously, people, these holiday specials are supposed to be the highest rated shows of the season. I've said in previous shows that I hate the very pies I just made. I'm the chief, it's my show. You don't pick the recipes or the music without my approval. I can't believe we come back from a short hiatus to this crap. People are going to think I've gone senile in my old age," snapped Isan.

The human producer glared at her with shock and horror. "You can't fire me. I'm the producer."

"I own the show and you obviously have never seen my show before because this show sucked," Isan retorted.

The woman cried as she hurried off to pack her things. "Wow. You actually made her cry," Larry commented.

"Oh, bite me. I'm not going to have someone like her come in an sabotoge my show. It's taken me a long time and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get this show on the air. It pisses me off when producers like her come in and think that I'm just some two bit actor. The only reason I even hire a producer is to relieve some of my workload. However, I still would like to be included in the process of making shows as I've always been," said Isan.

"I'd have to agree with that. This show is much better when Isan's involved in the creative process. Makes no sense to having a cooking show and not let the cook choose the recipes," Saipia said from a chair near the back of the studio.

"See, even this bitch knows how to run a show. I should make her the producer of the show," said Isan.

Saipia and Isan giggled at that while Larry just shook his head. "Damn you, Saipia. You are such a bad influence on her."

"I know. But actually, I helped this time. Notice how she's not shouting anymore and now has a big smile on her face," Saipia replied.

"No one likes a smartass," Larry muttered.

Isan shrugged. "I get along with her, alright."

"Alright. Fine. I'm going to get some coffee. By the way, here are the recipes for the rest of the week," Larry said and handed the lioness a stack of papers he had in a folder.

"Crap. I hope these aren't as hopeless and the one's today," muttered Isan.

"Whatever happened to rehearsal? And you pouring over scripts until late in the morning?" Saipia asked.

"I got old. I can't do that anymore. Hell, at this moment all I really want to do is go home and take a nap. I mean, I used to run the entire show pretty much by myself. Write the script, direct, produce even edit and come up with the music. Now, I think I'm getting a little too old for this," Isan said honestly.

"You're not seriously thinking about retiring, are you?" Saipia asked.

"Actually, it's been on my table for a while now. I mean, this job took me away from my kids. The only time I see my grandkids is at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And the majority of them live twenty minutes from my house. I do know that there won't be too many more seasons of this show. I'm thinking three at the max,"  Isan explained.

Saipia nodded. "Yeah. I've seriously considered retirement a couple times. Hell, most of the 15 are retired. You, Gjai, Liv and I are the only ones actually working. But, I made a commitment and a promise. I mean, I'm about to be a grandmother and I want to badly to leave the police force to spend time with the baby, but I don't think I can."

"Oh yeah. I heard Erica got Layta pregnant. How're the two love birds? They decide on a date yet?" Isan questioned.

The canine officer shook her head. "Nope. Erica's freaking out. And it's Eric, now, actually."

Isan whistled. "So, she finally did it. Your life is changing and changing fast. I'm not surprised he's freaking out."

"Yeah. It's his first kid. And he really wasn't trying to get her pregnant. That, would be my daughter's fault, actually," Saipia commented.

A smile crossed Isan's face at that information. "She stopped taking her birth control pills, huh?" Saipia nodded. "That daughter of yours reminds me a lot of you."

"Bite me," said the wolf with a friendly smile. She had pulled the same trick to get herself pregnant with Layta.

"There are some recipes here I don't mind. But most of them I would never do in a million years. There's a couple of them that aren't even holiday meals. I'll have to come up with some better ones tonight," Isan announced.

"Don't over work yourself, Isan. If you need help, I know of a couple people who have lots of experience in the film industry that would be more than willing to help out. In fact, I know of a really great ex-producer would I think you'd get along with just fine," Saipia said.

"That would be very helpful. Now, what did you come down here for?" The feline asked.

"I always try to come to the studio to see your season opener. It also got me away from the house," Saipia replied as she searched through her phone for her ex-producer friend.

"Well, thanks for coming. Sorry you had to see such a crappy show," Isan apologized.

Saipia found her friend's number and dialed it. "Hey Rei, you ever heard if Isan Moore?" silence for a moment. "Yes, that's the one. Well, she is in desperate need of a producer to help ease her work load....Well, she's thinking about closing shop within the next few seasons. She said three at the most....Alright, great. Thanks a lot, Rei."

"So, is she going to do it?" Isan wondered.

"Yes she is. She was reluctant at first as she didn't want to do a entire series but, if you're not going to be on the air much longer, she'd be honored to help out. She's actually a fan of yours," Saipia replied.

"Your retiring?" asked the executive producer of the show, an albino fox named Elvira.

"Soon, yes. I'm seventy-six years-old, El. And I'm missing my grandkids growing up and the stress of this show is starting to get to me. I love cooking and I've enjoyed having my own show, but I think it's about time to hang up my apron," Isan admitted.

"Well, before you do, we should have a little meeting and discuss what you want to do for the finale and when that will be. But, if you are going to retire shortly, it would be best to be prepared to film the final episode," Elvira said.

"Right. Anyway, if you're done filming, I was thinking you and I could grab something to eat. My treat," Saipia suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Isan replied.

At a local steakhouse, the two friends were finishing their meals when Isan's phone rang. "Isaac, how are you doing?" she greeted her son. "I'm eating dinner with your Aunt Saipia, at the moment. Why? Are you thinking about stopping by for a visit?" Saipia shook her head as Isaac spoke. "Why is it every time you stop by to visit your dear old mother it's to drop off your kids?" Isaac ignored the question. "Of course I'll babysit them. I'm their grandmother, aren't I? However, I am in the middle of filming new shows, so I don't know how much entertainment I'll be."

"It's so sad. Then again, it's not like Layta ever stopped by that often, either," Saipia commented as Isan hung up her phone.

"Issac and his wife want to have a romantic weekend together, so they're dropping off my grandkids at my place. Hey, speaking of my place, I'm trying to get my siblings and kids and grandkids together for a big Thanksgiving feast. Would you, Layta and Erica be interested in attending?" Isan invited.

"Of course. I was actually half planning on having Thanksgiving alone this year. But, I'd be happy to join you. But you'll have to ask Layta and Eric about their plans," Sai agreed with a smile.

"Right. How's Gjai doing with the love birds in the house?" Isan questioned.

"She's fine. She's gone most of the day. Shows up for dinner and then usually goes to bed after some reading. I, on the other hand, am stuck with Eric all day and both of them all night," said Saipia.

"How is Eric taking to his new body?" Isan asked and Saipia almost choked on her water with a sudden burst of laughter.

"It's going to take her a while to act walk and act a bit more like a guy. One good thing, though is Layta and I have plenty of new dresses," Saipia answered and Isan joined in a laugh.

Two days later while shifting through her mail, Isan came across an odd looking letter. Without a second thought, Isan opened the letter and found a very colorful and threatening letter. "Crap!" she muttered to herself in the comfort of her dressing room. Instantly she got out her phone and took a quick photo of the letter before sending it to Saipia. Nearly instantly, Isan's phone rang. "Saipia, how are you?"

"I'm good, Isan. I'll be there in a little bit with Eric and Jimmy," Saipia greeted and quickly hung up the phone.

Isan sighed as there was a pounding on the door. "Miss Moore are you ready? We go on air in a little bit." called Rei.

"It's Misses Moore, thank you very much. I don't have this ring on my finger for decoration. And we've got a security issue. We'll need to wait for police to arrive before we can film," Isan corrected.

"Well, at least help deal with your grandkids. They're getting into everything they're not supposed to," Rei retorted.

With another sigh, Isan stood and went to her dressing room door. As she opened it and glared out, she noticed Rei was right. Grabbing a whistle off the the door knob, the lioness blew it as loud as she could. Instantly the lion cubs froze. "Alright, kids, I want to sit on the couch over there and behave yourselves. Larry, why don't you read them a story or something."

"Because I'm not a very good storyteller or babysitter," commented the snow leopard.

With a dirty look, Isan called Saipia. "Hey Sai, since you're heading over here with Eric, why don't you call Layta and those two can babysit while I film."

"Sounds like a plan. They need the practice, anyway. We'll be there shortly," Saipia agreed.

"Alright. Until the entertainment arrives, I guess I'll have to tell you all a quick story," Isan said as she approached her grandchildren who sat on a couch designed for friends and family to sit while the show was being shot. The kids always loved Isan's stories and they were more than willing to obey her to hear one. "So, there we were, your Great Aunt Saipia and I, back to back, surrounded by the worst gang we've ever faced..." Isan told them of another wild adventure that ended just as Saipia arrived with Layta, Erica and Jimmy.

"Don't tell them that story," Saipia ordered.

"Why not?" Isan asked.

"Because it ended with me getting blown to smithereens. I don't think it would be appropriate for little kids," Saipia scolded.

Isan laughed. "You're right. It did, didn't it. But it was one of the first times I saved your butt."

"I don't care. It's not a pleasant memory for me," Saipia replied.

"Ah, but you have your lovely prosthetic body because of that explosion," Layta commented.

"I don't want this body. I'd much rather be flesh and blood. Although it would have meant leaving you in the hands of my mother, I actually wish they would have left me to die there. If it was possible for me to die," Saipia said.

"Anyway, we really should start filming. Otherwise this show's going live," Rei suggested.

"Right. Layta, Eric, you two are in charge of babysitting," Isan ordered.

"Babysitting?" asked Eric, his voice still a little feminine and full of fear. "No one said anything about babysitting."

"Sounds like you could use the practice," Layta commented. "Especially since you've got a baby on the way."

Eric heaved a deep sigh. "Yeah. I know. And you're right. This will help prepare me for my own kid."

Layta and Eric shared a quick kiss before leading the kids away from the studio. There was a park close by and Layta figured it would keep them busy for a little bit. In the mean time, Isan was able to film a new episode without incident.

However, the following day, during rehearsal, things started going wrong. Cameras stopped working, lights randomly shut off among other things. Everyone knew something was wrong and everyone was constantly scanning for suspicious characters.

Layta and Eric were busy playing games with Isan's grandchildren when a hood figure jumped out from the shadows and shot Layta in the leg. Instantly Eric's fist made heavy contact with the intruder's face. The intruder quickly regained his balance and snatched up one of Isan's granddaughters. "You best put her down if you know what's good for you," warned the adult lioness as Saipia and Jimmy leveled their weapons at the figure.

"What's good for me? You fire me and then have the audacity to tell me what's good for me?" came Gillian's voice.

"I fired you because you're a crappy producer," Isan said.

"I am NOT! If you'd bother to show up to meetings I wouldn't have had to make..." Gillian shouted as she dropped her hood and raised her weapon at the lioness.

"You never invited me to the meetings. Hell, most of the time, I'd show up and the meetings would be over and I didn't even know there had been a meeting scheduled. You didn't do your job well, you made horrid decisions. You never actually watched the show and then you blame me when things go crappy? Do you realize how many complaints we got over that one show?" Isan defended.

"You ruined my life! And now you're going to pay!" Gillian shouted and fired. Saipia caught the bullet without much effort and Jimmy put a bullet through the hand that held the gun, causing the woman to drop it.

"That's enough of that," said the border collie.

"Stupid cops! Genoid scum! I hope you all burn in hell," the human woman spat.

"Kids. Earmuffs," Isan ordered.

Instantly the kids covered their ears. Once she saw all little ears were covered, Isan proceeded to cuss out Gillian while Saipia placed her in handcuffs and called for a cruiser to take her down to the precinct and an ambulance for Layta.

After Isan had finished, Eric decided to join in with his own colorful words. This continued even as the police hauled her off. Eventually, though, Eric calmed enough to ride with his fiancée to the hospital.

While the doctors were checking over Layta, Isan's anger continued to grow. This however, was a little too much for her heart. Just as the ambulance was getting ready to leave Isan tried to continue with rehearsal, but only got two words out before clutching her chest. "Hold that ambulance!" Shouted Saipia who rushed to Isan's side.

"I think I'm having a..." was all Isan could manage before she collapsed.

Isan awoke in the hospital later that night. "What the hell happened? I feel like a freight train just slammed into my chest."

"You, my dear old friend, had one hell of a heart attack. Which is impressive to say the least as you have a prosthetic heart that's supposed to prevent heart attacks. Rei has made an executive decision and is going to end your series after this season," Saipia explained from a chair next to Isan's bed.

"That's probably a good idea. How's Layta?" the lioness asked, still wincing from the pain.

"She's fine. The bullet barley nicked the bone, so she'll be on crutches for a while, but she'll heal. You, on the other hand, won't heal as nicely. As I said, your heart is designed to prevent heart attacks. And you having one means that it has malfunctioned. There was talk of giving you a new heart, but the surgery would be very risky with someone your age. In short, you're going to be a little winded for a while and won't be able to shoot and entire show in a single shot anymore," Saipia explained.

"That also would mean I won't be able to keep up with my grandkids, either," Isan replied.

"That's true. Kammy's going to do some maintenance on your heart to see what went wrong and try to get you as healthy as possible, but my own readings are telling me that you definitely won't be at 100% anymore. Gjai is even going to tell you NOT to work anymore," Saipia agreed.

"Ah, good, you're up," Gjai said as she entered the room. "I'm sure Sai's briefed you on what happened. Kammy should be in here in a moment. I would tell you to retire immediately, but I know you won't. However, your producer has informed me that she's canceling the show after this season. Please don't over work yourself. I would hate for Saipia to loose another good friend."

"Right. Wouldn't want her killing Gillian, now would we?" Isan replied.

Saipia smiled warmly. "Don't worry about your grandkids. Isaac swung by and picked them up when he heard you had a heart attack. In fact, all your kids are waiting in the lobby to make sure you're alright. Them and your siblings."

Kammy finally entered the room pulling a fancy computer behind her. "Yup, we are all here for you, sis. Now, let me see if I can't at least ease some of your pain and prevent you from filming your last season with a respirator constantly next to you."

Isan smiled at that. She was glad that her family actually did care about her and that she was going to see all her children over the next few days. It had been years since they were all together. Just having them there put her at ease.