Guardian Angels
Episode 33: "Things Not to Be Thankful For"
"Welcome to [i]The Lion's Den[/i] everyone. As some of you out there know, I've been in the hospital for a while healing from a major heart attack. As a result of that, this current season will be my last. But, don't worry. That means I'll be having a lot of special guests to bid me farewell. Starting with my good friend and leader of the famous Guardian Angels of Hollywood, Saipia," Isan greeted with a bright smile that hid her intense pain. Kammy was able to ease some of it, but not all of the pain was gone. The fact that Isan could even stand under her own power was testament to Kammy's work.
The live audience – a first for Isan for a while – applauded Saipia's entrance. The officer wore her blue fur but with more casual clothes as she didn't want to get her uniform dirty. "Hello, everyone. So, Isan, what are we going to make today?"
"Well, with Thanksgiving coming up and with you dining at my house, I figured I'd make one of your favorites, while you're here. Now, this is a bit more untraditional, and you humans in the audience probably won't enjoy this recipe, but I know more Genoids than just Saipia here that love it. Today, we will be making bone soup," Isan explained.
Saipia's eyes light up with earnest excitement at that. "My mouth is literally already watering in anticipation," the wolf said.
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"What the hell is this?" asked the chief as he watched the episode on a TV in his office while Saipia stood on the other side of the desk, hands clasped behind her, and an innocent look on her face.
"Isan can hardly move anymore. So, I offered to help her out. She's been my friend for over sixty years, Chief. I'm not going just let her suffer through her final season by herself," explained Saipia.
Chief Anderton glanced back at the TV and then at his officer. "Bone soup?"
"It's delicious. My new favorite food. And, now that I know how to make it, I'll be eating a lot of it," Saipia replied.
The old man laughed. "Whatever. As long as you don't use department time and resources, I don't have a problem with you helping out Miss Moore."
"Umm...it's Mrs. Moore, actually. Although, technically, I guess it would be Mrs. Zyn, but she switched back to Moore after Todd died," Saipia corrected.
"Whatever. By the way, we might have a lead on Gene's whereabouts," the human replied.
"Great. I'll get right on that after Thanksgiving. Seriously, I'm off the clock in about six minutes and Isan requested my help with getting things set up for the big dinner tomorrow," said older canine.
"Have you ever suffered from a heart attack?" the chief questioned.
Saipia shook her head. "Nope. By the time I was even close to being at risk, the majority of my body was prosthetic. That and both Kammy and my mother gave me a heavy duty heart because of my OCD and because of my job."
"That's good. You never want to go through that," said Henry.
* * *
"Bone soup sounds so disgusting," Gene commented as she leaned back in a chair in her large penthouse suite. Nearby was Linda Summers, Saipia's mother.
"Yeah. Saipia loves it, though. Speaking of, why is my daughter still alive?" the doctor asked.
"Because she's Saipia. I mean, she did survive getting blown up, didn't she. Hell, you put her back together. Which begs me to ask why the hell you suddenly want her dead?" remarked the rodent.
"Because she knows my little secret. She knows I'm the one who created you and her and the other Genoids. And she knows that I'm the one who blew her up," Linda explained.
"But, why did you do that? Simply because she's pretty much immortal?" Gene questioned.
"To test her immortality, actually. I've killed several Genoids and she and the original Fifteen are the most resilient. I can't explain it. Even you took a while to resurrect from a simple stab wound."
Gene clenched her fists in irritation. Linda's ignorance always drove her crazy and the rat knew the woman didn't care if Gene lived or died. To her, she was just a pawn to use for her own personal needs. Linda stood to her feet and headed towards the door. "Well, I've got an important meeting to attend. Try to come up with a good plan to kill my dear daughter for me," the woman replied and left.
From a very good hiding spot stepped Gene's own personal Guardian: a female squirrel known only as Rose. "You never told me you were killed by Saipia."
"Yeah, I was. But, it wasn't a simple stab wound. Saipia cut out my heart while I was still alive. Do you know what it's like to briefly watch your heart beat in someone's hand before you die? And that stupid bitch of a mother of Saipia's wants me to kill her? I'm going to do my best to stay as far away from Saipia as possible," Gene grumbled.
"Are you sure that's wise? Won't Linda just have you killed?" asked Rose.
"Yeah. That's a good point and one I've been dwelling on for a while. I know I'm not going to killing Saipia or any of her family or friends as that will get me killed faster than working for Linda. I'm seriously considering a truce with Sai and become the 16th member of her little squad. That would insure that I stay alive a bit longer this time," said Gene.
"But how will you prove your point to Saipia?" Rose questioned.
"By screwing with the Jones Brothers. Those two want her dead in a serious way, but I figure if I screw up their plans I can just argue with Linda that I want to do it myself," Gene replied.
"And what if Linda hires them?" interogated the younger rodent.
Gene scoffed at that. "Those two won't be able to kill Saipia. Trust me on that one. She can hire them all she wants. I'm the only one that was ever crazy enough to try to kill her besides her own mother. But now I know my lesson. I know why anyone who's ever met Saipia tries to get on her good side."
Rose smiled. "So, what shall you have me do, ma'am?"
"Isan is going to have a very big Thanksgiving dinner. I would love to attend it. Please try to get me a seat at the table," ordered the rat.
"Yes, ma'am." Rose bowed before setting to work on her assignment.
* * *
"You guys do not know how much this helps me. My output has suffered since my heart attack," said Isan as she took a seat on her couch, letting Saipia, her siblings and her children all work at making Thanksgiving dinner.
"You say that like you're a robot. I'm the one with the full prosthetic body," Saipia commented as she worked on a nice big pot of bone soup.
"Right. It's really just that your old, sis," Kammy agreed. "And to be honest, that heart attack would have killed about three normal Genoids. Even Saipia would have trouble with a shock to the system like that."
"Besides, it's kinda nice cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a cook," said Isan's daughter, Niya.
Isan laughed at that. "I figured it would be a lot of pressure," she commented.
"Nah. We're are great students of your show," said Zimi.
"Why can't you two make it?" Vicky whined to her brother, Eric. "I don't care if you have other plans. Your future mother-in-law is here and everything. Besides, you're her Guardian aren't you?"
"Hey, yeah, what's to become of your little Guardian once he gets married?" asked Titran.
Saipia shrugged. "I guess I'll have to find a replacement unless Layta lets him continue to be my bodyguard."
"Which is entirely likely," Isan replied.
"Anyway, when's the wedding?" Avron wondered.
"Still no official date, but they've agreed to wait until AFTER the baby is born. Layta doesn't want the baby bulge while she's wearing her wedding dress," Saipia said.
There were several laughs around the room. "So, Sai, have you given Eric the ring yet?" Isan asked.
Saipia shook her head and quickly snatched the phone from Vicky. "Eric, I need you over here actually. You are still my Guardian. I mean, what if Gene or the brothers show up?"
"You've got Isan and her entire family there. I think you're fine," Eric argued.
"Details, details. I'm your boss, get your ass over here, now," ordered the wolf who handed the phone back to Vicky.
"Isn't it a little late for her to purpose?" asked Kammy.
"It's not just any engagement ring," explained Isan. "It's Saipia's engagement ring. And she'll be giving them Jack's ring, as well."
"And I actually have the wedding rings Jack and I had picked out. I've been carrying them around in one of my compartments for years. Waiting for the moment when Layta found that special someone she wanted to settle down with," Saipia added.
There was an unexpected knock at the door and when Isan slowly answered it, Gene greeted them with a smile and a turkey. "Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!"
"What the hell is she doing here?" Saipia instantly snarled.
"That is a very good question," Isan replied.
"I have my resources. Don't worry, though, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner and give you all some friendly information," said the rodent.
"And why in the hell should I trust you after what you did?" Saipia growled.
Gene visually showed her irritation at the question. "What I did? You cut out my heart, you damn bitch. And just being this close to you without attempting to kill you could get me killed again."
"You killed my sister, Gene. You cut my heart, so I took yours. I still have it, by the way, if you want it back," Saipia defended. "But I guess you're right. Mom's not going to be too happy with you if she finds out you're here and I'm still alive."
"Exactly. I'm trapped between two deaths. One by your hand and the other by Linda's. And I'm not sure which one would be worse. Please, may I come inside before I freeze to death?" said Gene.
Isan nodded before Saipia could say anything. The old lioness sat back down on her couch as Gene and Rose entered the house and shut the door behind them. "Just don't make too much of a ruckus. I'm on very strict orders not to get stressed."
"I know. Like I said, I am not here to cause trouble. Actually, I have come here to ask for a favor," Gene replied.
"What kind of favor?" Saipia asked as the preparations for dinner continued.
"Protection. I do not wish to kill you or anyone close to you, Saipia. Last time I did that, it didn't end well for me. However, I can't just sit around with Linda breathing down my neck. So, I figured if I could..." Gene started.
"No way in hell, Gene. I know your situation sucks, but you did kill Heather in cold blood. I won't forgive you for that?" Saipia replied.
"Doesn't a grudge clash with your OCD? I mean, one would think that a grudge would be messy," remarked Gjai.
"Yeah, but missing a sister is worse," Isan said calmly.
"Kiss my ass, you two," barked the youngest of the two wolves in the room.
"Look. I can help you out with keeping the Jones' Brothers off your tail," said Gene.
Gjai heaved an unexpected sigh at the name. "I can handle those two. They won't kill me, anyway," Saipia said.
"I know. But, I need to do something," the rodent pleaded.
"If I were you, I'd move as far away from Hollywood as you can," Isan suggested.
"Where could I go that would be out of Linda's reach?" The rat asked.
"Japan. Mom always hated it. I doubt she has any spies there," suggested Saipia.
Gene sighed and set her turkey on the counter along with the other food. "Looks like dinner's almost ready."
"Yup. The soup is almost done. The last thing should be Kammy's delicious ribs," Saipia replied as another knock sounded at the door.
Again, Isan slowly rose to her feet and walked across the room to open the door, but it was slower than before. "Gene, could you make yourself useful and guide Isan back to the couch and Gjai, since you're not doing anything, get the door," ordered Sai.
"Don't bark your orders at me like I'm one of your little Angels," said Gjai as she went to get the door while Gene silently obeyed her command.
At the door was Layta and Eric who brought with them more food. "You two don't have to stay," Saipia commented.
"I know. But Eric failed to inform me of this gathering. Apparently, he wanted to spend the evening together. Which is sweet. And I really wouldn't have minded it. But with Isan's heart attack...I mean, couldn't this be the last Thanksgiving with her," said Layta while Eric groaned next to her.
"Right. Anyway, set your food on the counter and take a seat, please," said Sai who waved Kammy over to stir the soup.
Layta and Eric did as they were asked and after the quietly taking a seat next to Isan on the couch, Saipia walked over to them and got on her knees. "Alright. So, since you two are serious about getting married. There is something I have been meaning to give you for a while." Saipia rolled up her sleeve and opened a little compartment. Out of it, she pulled a long cylinder which appeared to open lengthwise. Closing the hatch, Saipia opened the box to show the couple four rings. "I only got to wear an engagement ring and not for very long. Since I have no use for them, I figured it would be nice if you two were to have them."
"Your engagement and wedding rings?" Layta asked and Saipia nodded.
"The wedding rings, by the way, I bought shortly before Jack's death. I intended them to be a surprise for him, but he never saw them and they have never been worn. If you need them resized let me know. I know an excellent jeweler who will do it without completely destroying them," said Sai.
"We would be honored to have and wear these. Thanks, Mom," Eric said with a smile.
"Okay, you calling me that is a little weird. At work, please don't," commented the older wolf.
Layta and Eric laughed and both wrapped their arms around Saipia in love and gratitude.
* * *
Linda Summers sat quietly at the end of a very large table with other business men. Some one was going over monthly spending reports. In the middle of the speech which Linda couldn't care less about, the door opened and her secretary wandered in and straight up to Linda. The old woman was more interested in what the human girl had to say than what the meeting was about. "Wait, what did you say?" Linda asked the woman who repeated her information."Damn it!" Linda sighed to calm herself and stood to her feet. "And she was such a good minion. Too bad I'll have to kill her now."
"Actually, ma'am, it would appear that Gene is preparing to move to Japan as quickly as she can. She's already booked a plan and a moving company," said the secretary.
"Japan? That must be Saipia's doing. Figures those two would find a way to make amends. Alright, gentlemen, I've got far more important things to attend to besides listening to you blow hards on e more second," Linda commented and left the meeting.
* * *
To get on Saipia's good side, Gene stayed behind and helped clear tables and clean dishes. "By the way, Saipia, that bone soup was pretty excellent," said the rat.
"It was, indeed. I'd even say it's better than Isan's," Kammy replied.
"Hey, if she wants..." Isan muttered and her voice trailed off as she struggled to stay awake.
"Don't try to fight it, Isan. We appreciate you inviting us all over here for dinner, but you really should get some sleep," Gjai said.
"And Gene, I wasn't aware that evil minions could cook," Avron replied.
"You can actually thank Saipia's mother for that. I stole it from her on the way here. Well, I was theoretically supposed to have Thanksgiving with her, but I came over here instead," Gene said.
"Well, at least she contributed positively in some way," Saipia remarked.
Gene laughed at that. "Yeah. It's been a while since she has, huh? Maybe, after you kick her ass, you can donate her research funs to charity or something."
"I really, really hope I never have to face her head on. I really have no idea what she's done to her body, but I'm pretty sure it's all illegal," Saipia replied.
"Um, Sai, if the chief knew all the little things you have in your body, you'd be in jail for life," Kammy said. "I'm very surprised he hasn't caught on to the fact that the cost report you give him is a tad high."
"But, it never is. Hell, the department only pays for a single prosthetic body for me every year. And that one I usually give to you to upgrade. And all the upgrades and any other bodies I pay for myself," Saipia commented.
Isan chuckled. "You and your little extra curricular activities. I always forget you make more than the rest of the Fifteen and our Gaurdians combined."
"I personally, don't care where the money comes from as long as I get paid," Kammy said.
"Anyways, Saipia. Thank you for having us for dinner. Rose and I have a plan to catch in the morning and our stuff should arrive at our new home in a few weeks," said Gene.
"By the way," Saipia quickly plucked a pin from a cup and a piece of paper that was laying around and scribbled some information on it. "When you get to Japan, contact him. He runs a dojo. He taught me all my martial arts and taught me quite a bit. He's part of the reason I'm still alive today. And I've been meaning to get back to Japan to do some more training. I could use some anger management especially if I'm going to be babysitting my grandkid eventually."
Gene took the paper from the wolf and smiled. "Thanks, Saipia. I appreciate this."
"Hey. With you gone. It's one less enemy I've got to worry about. And maybe next time I see you, you'll be a respectable, law-abiding citizen," Saipia replied.
"Let's hope. Hey, if you ever get over to Japan, to do some training. Maybe we can be sparring partners or something," said Gene as Rose headed out the door.
"Yeah. We could at least do dinner," agreed Saipia as she waved at the rodent. Gene returned the wave and left. "No one tell my sister that she was here, alright."
"What happens when you go to Japan and have dinner with her?" Kammy questioned.
"It's not like I'm going to Japan with Rozzie. If I were to take anyone it would be Isan, and she's out of commission for good. I probably would take Eric and Layta if they want to go, though. But, I need to make the reservations to get over there," Saipia defended.
"You can take Eric, Mom. I'll be fine without him," Layta replied as she helped finish up the cleaning.
"So, you're fine with him being my Guardian?" Saipia asked.
"Hell no, I'm not fine with it. Being your Guardian means he'll be in constant danger. Some times I which you would act your age, but that's never going to happen ever for all eternity. And I know Eric can take care of himself and is probably the only person alive that's capable of even remotely keeping your ass safe. And if you get out of line, he can kick your ass up and down the street a few times. If I thought there was anyone else better suited for the job, I would have already mentioned it by now," Layta said.
"So, you're not okay with me being her Guardian, but you are okay with it?" Eric questioned.
"I'm not okay with it, but I'm dealing with it because it's your job. However, if she dies or whatever, you're quitting your job and doing something less dangerous," Layta demanded.
Saipia laughed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lay."
Next Time:
One final misdeed pushes Saipia's patients
And ends Evan's career as a cop.
However, Saipia has never been one to abandon her team
But, although Saipia is willing to help him find new work
It is entirely up to Evan to decide if he wants to listen to her.
Episode 34: "Evan's New Job"
