4. Chapter 4

Tygra stopped

off in the control room to check in with Lion-O and finish up last minute

conversations about what needed to be done in his absence. When he was done

going over checklists and file folders,

“Okay, I

think you’ve done enough.” Lion-O reached out and closed the cover of the file the

tiger was going over for the second time.

“We’ve got it, Tygra. Go. Go and have a great time. You deserve a

vacation. Believe it or not, we’ll be able to survive a few days without you

here at the helm.”

Tygra sighed

and stood up straight. “Yes, I know. I just want to be sure everything is

covered… it’s the only way I’ll be able to relax, not being here.”

Lion-O

chuckled. “That’s the problem with you

Tygra, you work too much which is why I am glad RK suggested you needed a

vacation.”

“Yeah, well…I

still feel guilty about leaving especially with Mum-ra…”

“The last

encounter we had severely weakened him so I wouldn’t worry. I doubt we’ll have any problems from our

enemy.” Lion-O’s thick eyebrows drew

together, “By the way, Bengali contacted me. He said he and Galina were on

their way back to the lair. They had an errand that needed to be done before

you all left on your trip which is why they ran off.”

“Oh?” Tygra’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “So

they didn’t take off on their own… Well, that’s a relief. RK was really

disappointed when Snarf told her they had gone to the spaceport. Did they say

what the errand was?”

“I didn’t

ask, but they should be back any minute now.”

He turned his head hearing the approaching sound of feet. “—and speaking of the devil…”

“We’re back!”

Galina and Bengali both exclaimed as they walked into the control room.

“Did you miss

us?” Galina asked the tiger, hugging him around the waist in a playful fashion,

flexing her right lower leg as she squeezed him tight.

“Galina, we

were worried you two left without us. Did you forget we are going to the

mountains this weekend?”

“No! Never!”

she exclaimed, releasing him and stepping back, grasping Bengali’s hand. “We

have been looking forward to this like you wouldn’t believe!”

Tygra folded

his arms across his chest. “Then why on

Third Earth did you both run off to the spaceport this morning? Ranger was devastated you had forgotten!”

“Oh no!” Galina

shrieked, looking at Bengali. “We have to let her know we’re back!”

He held her

hand tight, stopping her from racing out of the room. Confused, she looked back

and saw the smug look on Bengali’s face. “I think she’ll figure it out.”

“Figure what

out?” Tygra inquired noticing the

exchange between the white tigers. “What

have you to done?”

“Nothing,”

they hastily answered.

“Uh huh…”

Lion-O gave a

polite cough. “Okay, if you have all

settled that bit of conundrum don’t you think you all should be getting ready

to leave?”

Downstairs,

in the hangar, Argo and Crystalandra stood by the open bay door watching the

snow falling outside. They were both still mesmerized at the sight, and Argo

took a few steps forward and held out his hand palm side up watching the frozen

crystals touch his skin; then dissolve into tiny beads of water.

“This is so

beautiful…” he mused. Unfortunately Crystalandra

didn’t share his belief having grown tired of observing the falling snow. She tightened her scarf around her neck and

rubbed her gloved hands together.

“It would be

even more beautiful if we were watching it through the window by a warm fire.”

She added; he regarded her sideways with a smirk on his face.

“Oh come on

Marozi, we’re going to be immersed in this white powder all weekend. Try and

have fun with it. Please?”

Smiling Crys

leaned in kissing the corner of his mouth. “You have fun for me. I’m going to freshen up before we get on

another flight and drop in on my cousin, Lion-O, if he isn’t busy. Try not to

turn into an icicle while I’m gone.”

“Hurry back

and please, be nice.”

“Aren’t I

always?”

“No, especially when it comes to Lion-O.”

Crys gave the

tiglon a parting wave, “Well he should act more in a grown up manner; he isn’t

exactly a cub anymore.”

“Cut him some slack, hun—besides you’re no

better.” Argo winked and returned his

focus once more on the snowfall, “How truly spectacular.”

It was an

amazing sight watching the snow for the very first time, and the tiglon was enjoying

the peace and serenity the crystals brought with them. Everything seemed so

quiet, so calm, so tranquil, and as an empath he revelled in the beautiful

silence. Argo closed his eyes and leaned with his left hand resting on the

hangar door and breathed in the clean, crisp scent of the snow when suddenly he

detected yet another presence…One that he had greatly missed and held dear to

his heart: Rangerkitty.

The tigress

was glad the travel suitcase she was using had wheels, but trying to balance

both hers and Tygra’s together proved a highly difficult task. Once again, the

top duffel bags slipped off the bigger rolling bag onto the floor. She twisted

as they did, righting herself to avoid falling on top of them. Exasperated, Rangerkitty

acquiesced to the reality she would have to make two trips to load the luggage.

Placing one set aside, the tigress resigned herself to just taking two at a

time when she looked up and saw the Tiglon’s silhouette at the entrance. Could it be?

Could it possibly be Argo? Rangerkitty

shook her head in negation and gasped.

She dropped

the suitcases and as he heard them fall to the floor, he swivelled and saw the

beautiful she-cat that meant so much to him. Argo smiled broadly. Oh that smile like a ray of sunshine and

Rangerkitty slowly realized it was really him… the tiglon was truly here in the

flesh.

The tiglon

wore a sweater over a black collared shirt, dark blue jeans and black combat

boots. His multi-coloured striped mane was spiked as it usually was, but Rangerkitty

could tell that he’d let it grow out a bit longer. His aquamarine blue eyes

were as mesmerizing as always, and before RK knew it, her legs were making her

sprint towards him. Argo caught her in his muscular arms and held her tightly;

she embraced him. Not a word was spoken as the tiglon gently released her and

ran his hands up the sides of her face and through her long striped hair.

“Ranger…” Argo

breathed happily. “It’s been too long.”

“Argo…” RK

replied, feeling spellbound, “Omigosh, I can’t believe you’re really here.”

“You look

beautiful….”

“So do you…”

He gave a

long deep hearty laugh. “You haven’t

changed one bit; I’m pleased my cousin Tygra is taking good care of you. Are you happy?”

“Very much

so.”

“Good…”

They took in

the moment, just gazing at one another, then hugged again and parted and turned

as one to look out at the snow that was now coming into the hangar. It had

formed a soft layer of white over the grassy plains, and Rangerkitty watched

Argo’s expression soften taking in this winter spectacle.

“I love this.” Argo waved his hand indicating the expanse of

snow. “It’s cold, but it’s fantastic.”

“It’s fun too;

there are a great many things about it.”

“Oh?” He asked curious. “Like what?”

“Here, let me

show you.”

Taking Argo’s

hand, Rangerkitty led him a few steps outside into the snow falling around

them. The tiglon’s eyes sparkled watching the delicate white crystals touch

upon her mane resembling twinkling diamonds. Tilting her head back, the tigress opened her

mouth slightly, caught a snowflake on the tip of her tongue and closing her

lips, relished the taste of it.

“You try…” RK

nodded. “Your turn—you’ll like it.”

He mimicked

her actions catching several snowflakes, and then closed his mouth savouring

the purity of the ice. “Wow, that’s… that’s one for the books. I won’t ever

forget this.”

RK grinned up

at the big handsome tiglon, “I’m pleased to hear that.”

They both

heard someone approaching and glanced over their shoulder in unison to see

Crystalandra slowly walking up to them. “Hello, Rangerkitty.” She greeted,

aubergine eyes fixed on the tigress in a calculating manner which the RK

ignored.

Seeing the

lavender haired Sh’iar warrior, Rangerkitty smiled and stepping forward,

embraced her, “Hello Crys! I can’t believe you both are here! This is such an

extraordinary surprise!”

Crystalandra

beamed and looked up at her mate who was smiling broadly as well. “Yes, it is a

surprise, one your little black and white friend, Galina, came up with. We’re

coming on vacation with you also.”

Rangerkitty’s

jaw fell just as Galina, Tygra and Bengali all entered the hangar from the main

part of the lair. “You’re coming too?

Really?”

“Yes.”

Crystalandra replied taking some offense to the tigress’ reaction; she ran her

hand through her mane flipping it over her shoulder. “Is there a problem? I thought you of all people would be pleased

by the news.”

Rangerkitty

responded by reaching out and grasping her for another hug. “No! It’s

wonderful!”