A week has past since Baloo spoke with Shade, He looked at the book nightly, and the image of Shade going through the test haunted the big bear's dreams, when He was finished he with the book he would lock it in the higher for hire safe to make sure that Kit didn’t find out what had happened, by Shade's requested, letting Kit to know only what Baloo had told him. Kit on the other hand seemed happier then ever before, it was like there was a new spring in his step, as he worked around the office.

One day the big bear walked down the stairs he smiled as he looked at Becky who just hung up the phone and looked extremely nervous. “What’s wrong Beckers, you look like you just lost all are clients.” Becky looked up at Baloo with the worried look on her face as she stood up slightly.

“No I just landed a really big contract, worth 300,000 dollars for one trip.” the big bear smiled as he looked at his future wife and started to dance around with her.

“That’s great, Beckers, where are we going?”

“Thembria.”

“Ha ha even their backwards laws couldn’t make this deal sound bad.” Baloo said, as he kept dancing until he stopped and looked at Rebecca. “This deal sounds to good, what’s the catch?” Rebecca looked away from Baloo, getting the big bear to let her go and give her a stern look. “You didn’t risk my plan again did you?” Rebecca shook her head, and started to walk away.

“I had to compete against Kahn’s cargo security for this contract.”

“Yeah so… wait Becky we aren’t putting no guns on my baby.”

“Of course not, I would never suggest such a thing.” Rebecca then walked behind her desk and sat down. “I just have to find away to get in touch with Shade.” Rebecca said, as she looked at Baloo sheepishly.

“Why would you have to get in touch with Shade?” Baloo was puzzled by the way Rebecca was acting.

“I kind of promised the client that the Ghost would be are security.” the office was silent for several minutes as Baloo looked at Rebecca stunned.

“You did WHAT!?” Rebecca cringed slightly as Baloo raised his voice at her.

“It was the only way to get the client to sign with us, it seems their a big fan of the Ghost, and when they mentioned that, I let it slip that we could get the Ghost to watch the cargo.”

“REBECCA!” Baloo yelled again, then calmed down slightly not liking how he was scarring his future wife. “We have no say in what that boy does, and he’s already done so much for this family.” As both adult realized what Baloo had said, a smile crossed both their faces. They were in agreement that they didn't need Shade to get new clients. “Alright so just call the client up and tell him that Shade can’t do the job.” with that Rebecca nodded slightly and then reached for the phone, only to stop and tap the receiver.

“You know Shade has done a lot for this city, and he hasn’t had a rest in a while.”

“Becky?” Baloo looked at Rebecca who smiled at him, then stood up and started to whisper something into his ear.

“You mean trick him into a vacation.”

“Precisely, we'll all go to Thembria drop off the cargo, and then on the way back we stop are Louie’s and claim engine trouble.” with that Baloo nodded slightly, he didn’t like it in one way, in another he knew that Shade had to find away to unwind or he would go bonkers.

“The kid does need the time off, but how are we going to get a hold of him.”

“I have an idea.” with that Rebecca whispered into Baloo’s ear and the big bear rolled his eyes.

“Are you loco? what kind of plan is that?”

“Well do you have a better idea?” with that Baloo smiled. Later that night Rebecca ran down an ally and screamed for help, as she found her self in a dead end, she turned to look at her assailant who was slowly getting closer.

“You came down the wrong street sweet cheeks.” As Baloo walked up dressed in pirate cloths, Rebecca kept screaming until Baloo got right up on her. “Now your going to get it.”

“You two are pathetic.” Shade said, as he looked down from the fire escape at the two. “Do I even need to go about how many different ways of what your doing is illegal? or should I just ask you what made you think this was a good idea.” Rebecca blushed slightly and then grabbed Baloo’s ear.

“Sweet cheeks?”

“OW! hey it was the only thing I could think of.” With that Shade jumped down from the fire escape and looked at the two adults.

“What do you want.” Shade was slightly annoyed, as he looked at the two adults, his heart still pounding from running from roof top to roof top until he saw what was going on.

“We need your help.” Rebecca said, as she walked up and smiled at him.

“What kind of help… you did get rid of that plant didn’t you?”

“Yes, you know we did before we even went to the island.”

“Oh yeah Baloo threw it into the propeller of the Sea Duck.”

“Darn right I did, sliced it up good to.” Baloo said proudly, as he looked at Shade.

“I also remember knocking you into the Sea Duck when a the Plant launched it’s darts to try and protect it self.”

“Yeah, yeah... but we need your help on a job.” Shade started to give Baloo a funny look as he looked at the big bear.

“You do know that I’m the crime fighter and not the criminal.” Rebecca rolled her eyes and smiled at Baloo.

“He means that we have a cargo run that we need some protection on and was hoping that you could do it for us.” with that Shade turned and started to walk away from Rebecca. “Please, It’ll be really quick just a fight into Thembria and back that’s all.” Rebecca said, as she rung her hands hopping Shade would agree so that they could put their plan into action. When shade stopped Rebecca smiled slightly.

“There and back, and I’ll be back before dark?”

“Well if there isn’t any trouble, and during the flight you can get some sleep.” Rebecca offered, and Shade nodded.

“Very well, I’ll help you with this, but the next time you want to get my attention just fly a white flag off the tower and I’ll come and see what you want, don’t do this again.” with that Shade walked away leaving the two adults on their own. The next morning as Rebecca stood at the entrance of Higher for Hire she smiled as she watched a short fat duck walked up and looked at her.

“Ah Professor Malord, I’m so glade that you chose to use Higher for Hire to ship the Thembrian golden statue of their patriotic flounder.”

“Yes, but where is the Ghost? You said that you could get him to protect the statue, yet I do not see him, don’t tell me you have miss lead me madam, if that was true I would use all my influence to make sure that you don’t get another contract in this city again.” As Rebecca gulped slightly, not realizing how much of a problem she had caused for her self, when a metal dart stuck in the ground between the two adults. “Oh my.” Rebecca looked up and on the overhang just over the entrance to the office Shade stood, dressed in his Ghost cloths with a grey trench coat on, and red tented goggles, looking down at both of them. “I stand corrected madam, please to meet you Ghost, I was rather shocked to find out that you would do this.”

“I figured this city was crawling with enough liars, fakes, and con-artist. I didn’t feel like dealing with a war.” Shade spoke with a lower growling voice, as he lept from the overhang, and looked at both adults.

“Ah good point, well Miss Cunningham I’ll be sure to tell all my friends about you and your business, if the Ghost is willing to work with you, you must be the most honorable, noble, and trustworthy company in all of Cape suzette.” As the Professor kept praising Rebecca, she watched as Shade walked down the docks and into the Sea Duck. After several hours Rebecca, Kit, Molly, and Baloo sat in the cockpit and smiled as they cleared the cliffs Rebecca sat Molly down with Kit in the navigator seat and kiss both children on the forehead before heading back into the cargo area.

“Hey Pa-pa bear, I don’t get it.”

“Don’t get what li’l britches?”

“Well why does Miss Cunningham care so much about Shade, I mean she hardly knows him.”

“Doesn’t matter, he’s a hero, he’s like Danger woman, and that means he’s great.” Molly said, with a big smile on her face as she looked at Kit.

“Well I guess, but it wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve dealt with con-artist.” with that Baloo nodded and then looked at Kit, some times he didn’t like the fact that the Kit could always see the bad in people, and right now was one of those times, as he thought about what Shade had endured for the young cub.

“Well li’l birches Becky has a really big heart, and even though Shade has proven that he can take care of him self, she still thinks he needs a shoulder to cry on, that’s all.” with that Kit looked at Baloo and nodded. Inside the cargo area Rebecca smiled at Shade who sitting on the crate holding the statue.

“Not sleeping?” Rebecca asked, as she walked up and patted Shade’s hand. As Shade pulled his hand away and kept looking at Rebecca with a stone look. “What’s wrong?” Rebecca knew what was wrong as she looked into Shade's eyes.

“You lied to me ma-am, you had promised someone something before you knew if you could full fill it, you were only lucky that I excepted to go on this trip.”

“That I am, but I didn’t lie.” Rebecca was very admit about this fact as she looked Shade in the eyes. “I said we needed protection on a cargo run, and you agreed.”

“But you failed to mention that you had already promised my services. If you wish for me to help you on cargo runs I have no problem with that, but try a stunt like this again and I will stand by and watch as your company goes under like I could have today.” with that Rebecca looked Shade in the eyes and could tell that he really wouldn’t, he was holding back his emotions like he always had but he was slowly loosing the battle in his internal struggle.

“I’ll remember that for the future.” Rebecca said, as she smiled at Shade who jumped off the box and laid down on the lower bunk. “So your finally going to get some sleep?” As Rebecca started to place a cover over Shade he grabbed it and threw it to the floor shocking Rebecca slightly as she looked at him. As he laid on his side facing the hull.

“Leave me alone.”

“I was just.”

“I don’t care what you were doing ma-am, just leave me alone.” As Rebecca looked at Shade, she clinched her fist and picked up the blanket once more, this time putting it on him and holding it down as she got close to his head.

“You might not think you need anyone young man, but no one, not even you, can make it through life alone, and the sooner you learn that the better.” with that Rebecca let go of the sheet and stood up, waiting a few moments to see if Shade would do anything. When nothing happened she returned to the cockpit leaving Shade to lay on the bunk. When the door shut Shade curled up under the blanket, He was finding it harder and harder to resist the feeling in his heart, Rebecca and Baloo had been nice to him, and to protect them he forced himself to be rude to them. He couldn’t let them get close to him, he couldn’t let them get hurt because of him. As Shade closed his eyes he let the engine take him back to his past.

**********************

Night Witch squadron

**********************

It had been a month since Shade ran away from Panda-la, as he found him self waking up in a cot, he started to sit up when a hand reached out and guided him back down. “Hold on sweetie you need your rest.” a tigress said, as Shade looked up at her. “Your lucky me and the girls were out practicing maneuvers.” Shade kept looking at the tigress with fear and concern, only to get the lady to use a wet rag and place it on his forehead. “Listen kiddo you need to rest, your burning up, and dehydrated which means your not getting up for at least three days.” with that Shade started to move again only to be pushed back down on the cot. “What did I just tell you young man. Your not getting out of this bed for the next three days, now ether you can stay in that bed freely or I can tie you down, your choice.” with that Shade lashed out at the woman and made a run for it as she grabbed her hand when Shade scratched it. As he made his way out of the building with the tigress yelling at him. When he made it outside Shade looked around and found him self on an old airfield in the middle of a canon.

“Hey the fuzz ball is up.” another female tigress said, as she hopped down from her plane and started to walk towards Shade. “HEY BARBRA THE KIDS AWAKE!!” As Shade found him self slowly being surrounded by Female pilots, he got into a fighting stance. “Oh looks like we found are selves a little spit fire girls, Barbra is really going to like your spirit kid.”

“Yeah but not before I’m done tanning his hide for scratching me.” the tigress from before said, as she picked Shade up by the cuff of the neck and lifted him into the air. “Kid I don’t know who your parents are and I don’t care, I’m going to teach you a lesson that they must have forgotten to teach you.” with that the tigress walked over to a stack of tires and sat down placing Shade over her knee.

“That’s enough Julia.” a white tigress said, as she walked up and looked at Shade and Julia who had her hand raised about to deliver a spanking.

“But he attacked me.” Julia said, as she showed her hand to Barbra.

“No he escaped thinking he was in trouble, let him go so I can have a word with him.” with that Julia looked at Barbra and then at Shade.

“You got lucky kid, but do something like that again and you wont be able to sit for a week.” Julia warned, as she stood Shade on his feet and sent him towards Barbra. As Shade looked up at Barbra he tried to look tough, he tried to look like a hardened warrior. But as the tigress knelt down to him and gave him a warm smiled he slowly started to falter.

“Hey there little one, why don’t you tell me your name?” Barbra said, as she placed a gentle hand on Shade’s shoulder causing the young wolf to break down into tears and hug her. As she wrapped her arms around Shade she tried to comfort him, looking rather concerned on Shade‘s well being.

“Oh Julia look what you did, you made him cry.”

“Shut up Brianna I didn’t even give him one swat.”

“Your right, might have been waking up to your face that scared him so bad.”

“You want to say that again Gloria!?” Julia said, as she started to head for the tigress that had made the last comment. As the ladies started to poke fun at one another Shade turned his head to them and slowly started to calm down enough to tell his tale, about Panda-La and how he had to run form it. As a result the squadron took Shade under their wing, teaching him everything they could from flying, to making gadgets from spare parts, and military strategies. The times he enjoyed the most was with Barbra who took him up in her plane, a modified P-38, giving him flying lesson. As time went on with the group, they learned from him, and he learned from them. As his dream kept going he recalled one time flying with Barbra as she wrapped her arms around him and smiled, they had grown close over the year and she had became another mother to him, list like the rest of the squadron. “Look around sweetie, your as free as a bird.” As Barbra held him close Shade looked around at everything around him and smiled, as he felt Barbra hugging him. “Now let the plane fly Shade, listen to what she wants and let her guide you sweetie.” with that Shade nodded as his grip tightened on the stick only to have Barbra cup them and smiled, as she loosened his grip. “Let her lead you honey, let the plane show you her world.” with that Shade nodded and let the plane lead him. On the ground the Squadron smiled as they looked up at the plane Shade and Barbra was in.

“Kid’s getting pretty good.” Gloria said, as she smiled at Brianna. “Think we should give him his present early?” Brianna smiled as she looked at Gloria.

“Don’t even think it you two Barbra wants to give it to him on the anniversary when he joined the group.” Julia said, as she gave the two a stern look.

“Oh your still mad at him for that glue on your seat.”

“Oh course I’m still angry with him for that, I haven’t been able to fly into town and enjoy some R and R with out being dressed in my pilot gear thanks to my hairless backside.”

“Yeah but you got even with him, when Barbra found out and let you deal with him. Still say you where a bit rough with him for that poor thing couldn’t sit for a day after that whipping you gave him.”

“Serves him right, he knew better then to play jokes with are planes, and he glues me to my seat. What would of happened if the Hausers would have attacked, and my plane got shot up, I would have been stuck, and toast.”

“So you would have been in a Jam?” Brianna said, with a smile on her face.

“That’s not funny!”

“Oh calm down Julia, the Hausers haven’t been acting up for a while and even if they did I couldn’t see any of them taking you… DOWN!!” as the group hit the deck flying just above the plane, Barbra’s plane flew over head, upside down. As Gloria got on her feet she reached into her plane and pulled the mike out.

“Barbra are you crazy? You have Shade in there with you remember, don’t give him any idea up there.” after a few minutes across the radio came the sound of Barbra laughing.

“First off Gloria, I wasn’t flying that was all Shade just then. Second, you three should have seen your faces when he came zooming past.” As the three looked on in shock they watched as Barbra’s plane moved through the air and pulled insane stunts until it finally came in for a landing with a beaming young pilot looking at them.

“ARE YOU INSANE!!” Julia yelled, as she started to come towards the plane getting the smile to leave Shade’s face duck back into the cockpit as Barbra stood up and looked at Julia. “Barbra please tell me you had some kind of control of that plane, please tell me you guided his hands and you didn’t just sit back for the ride.”

“Julia calm down, he was sitting in my lap I could have taken control at anytime that I thought he was in over his head, but Shade just followed the plane and did what it wanted.”

“But he’s a child, how in the world could he possible have any idea of what he was doing up there?” with that Barbra smiled at Julia and then jumped down from the plane and started to talk to her squadron, during the talk Shade poked his head slightly out of the cockpit and looked at the women who several times looked out of the huddle in his direction. After a they stopped talking Barbra walked up with the squadron smiling slightly.

“Alright Shade that’s enough flying today.” Barbra said, as she picked Shade up out of the cockpit and started to walk him to the hanger of the small airfield. Later that night, when Shade should have been in bed, he was out on the grounds following Barbra as she walked to the mechanic shack and found her with a meeting with the other pilots. As he looked into the small window he listened closely as they spoke, he had done this many times before and knew what would happen if he got caught. As he listened in on these secret meeting he learned about a group known as the Hausers, as wanted to learn more about them.

“Alright girls first still nothing from command on the Hausers, and we haven’t had anything on radar, but that doesn’t mean we can get sloppy we keep practicing and we keep an eye out for them, second how is the jacket coming along?”

“It’s all done Barbra, we even got that flight cap in today on the mail run.” Gloria explained as she smiled at Barbra

“That’s fabulous, and how does the jacket look?” with that Gloria pulled out a small flight jacket dark grey in color, with two fearsome looking eyes on the back. “That looks great, and the call sign tag?”

“Don’t worry Barbra they got it just the way you told them.” with that Gloria turned the jacket around and Shade could see the name on it in red lettering the word GHOST.

“Perfect, are little ghost.” Barbra said, as she smiled at the jacket and took it from Gloria. “Shade is going to love this.” with the mentioning of his name Shade moved slightly causing a stack of loose parts to fall getting the group to look towards the window, and getting Shade to bolt back to the hanger, and into his bunk. “Wake up Shade.” Barbra said, getting Shade’s mind to quickly race remembering this event vividly he knew that he didn’t get into trouble with the squadron on this night, because they didn’t catch him.

*************************************

“Wake up Shade, Wake up.” Molly cried as she shook Shade several times, getting him to sit up and look at her.

“What’s going on Molly? Are we under attack?” As the little bear giggled slightly she held up her doll to him.

“No silly I want to play.” with that Shade looked at Molly for a second and then laid back down in the bed.

“Molly I need sleep.”

“But you’ve been sleeping for hours, can’t you play now?” with that Shade looked at Molly and smiled slightly.

“Let me think about that.” with that Shade rolled over and closed his eyes, only to have Molly climb over him and look at him. “Your not going to let me sleep are you?” Shade said, with his eyes still closed as Molly kept looking at him.

“Nope.” with that Shade sat up and looked at the little bear cub.

“Fine we’ll play… What do you want to play?” Molly got off the bunk and started o walk away, smiling.

“I don’t know, what do you want to play?” Shade narrowed his eyes at Molly then looked at his wrist guard where there was a hand full of sleeping darts ready to go.

“Molly I’m very tired, I had a long night last night, can I please get more sleep before we play a game?” Shade was trying to be calm and cool with the little girl and then saw her walking back dressed up as Danger woman. As he slowly reached for the darts he thought about using them on her, only to mentally slap him self for it, as he came up with another idea. “Ah Danger woman by friend from the day time, same deal as always you keep the streets safe during the day while I sleep, and I keep them safe while your sleep during the night.” with that Molly smiled as she looked at Shade.

“Yes no problem, there is nothing to worry about while Danger woman is on the job.”

“Oh that’s very good to know… good night.” Shade rolled over and went back to sleep while Molly sat on the crate and smiled as she pretended to be danger woman.

*****

fun run

*****

As Shade found him self back on the Night Witch airfield he was running in small fatigues with Brianna following a few steps behind, keeping pace. “Come on Shade you want to be faster don’t you.” with those words Shade started to sprint and found him self running in front of Brianna for a few minutes before slowing again. “Is that all you got little one, you’ll never be able to out run me with that.” Brianna said, as she passed Shade.

“But you got longer legs.”

“Save your breath kiddo it only mess up your breathing.” As Brianna kept running with Shade close behind, Julia and Barbra smiled as they watched the two from the tower.

“Looks like are little ghost is still having trouble keeping up with Brianna.” Julia said, as she smiled at Barbra.

“True but at least he’s still trying, and if he can reach her speed at this age when he grows up he’ll be much faster.” Barbra said, as she smiled at Julia.

“Hey Barb I found what was wrong with your engine.” Gloria said, as she walked up and held up a broken piston. “looks like your baby was working with out one of her pistons firing.

“Ah frap, I knew she was sounding funny, can you fix her up?”

“Hey who do you think your talking to Barb, when I’m done with her she’ll be better than new.”

“Great how long will it take you to fix her up?”

“I’ll need at least a week to fix her up right, but I can fix her up in an hour to work until I can get the parts I need in.” with that Barbra looked at Gloria and smiled.

“Alright you get her fixed up to work and.

“HEY!” Barbra jumped at Julia scream and looked at the radar to see nothing, but then looked up at the window. “He’s doing it.” Julia said, as she pointed out the window, as Barbra got to the window she saw that Shade was slowly catching up to Brianna again, only this time he was keeping pace with her.

“Start timing him.” as Julia did as she was told, Gloria came up beside them and kept a close eye on Shade and Brianna.

“Come on kid you can do it, just a little longer.” When Brianna finally stopped running Shade stopped shortly after.

“Good run kiddo.” Brianna said, with a smile on her face only to see a irritated look on Shade’s face.

“YOU SLOWED DOWN!!” Shade yelled, as he looked at Brianna only to earn him self a boxed ear from her.

“FIRST! I did not slow down young man, SECOND! the next time you raise your voice to me it’s not a sore ear your going to earn.” Brianna explained as Shade tried to knock her hand away from his ear. Once she let it go Shade stood in front of her holding his ear sniffling as he looked up at her, she still looked angry at him, but as he started to walk away whimpering her anger melted away, we she caught up with him she turned him back around to face her and knelt down rubbing his ear softly. “Now Shade I like you a lot, but you can’t be back talking me or the others, you know what happens when you do.” Shade looked away from Brianna as she made this statement and then got his face directed back in her direction, by a loving hand. “And you know that if I was Julia you would already be on a trip to the mechanic shed don’t you?” with that Shade nodded, looking at Brianna as she smiled at him, then pulling him in for a hug. “That’s are little Ghost.”

*****

As Shade was woken up once more he felt Molly climbing up into the bunk with him as he turned over and looked at her as she smiled when she let out a yawn, and curled up next to him. As she closed her eyes, he reached over and pulled his trench coat over both of them and closed his eyes once more, wanting to remember the days he spent with the Night Witch squadron. A few hours later Rebecca walked back into the cargo area to find Molly sleeping next to Shade with his trench coat over both of them. As she went back into the cockpit she smiled at Baloo.

“Their both sleeping like angles, Molly’s curled up in bed next to him.” Rebecca reported, as she smiled at Baloo who smirked and looked at Rebecca.

“Told you button-nose could get him to lower his guard.” With that Rebecca and Baloo smiled at one another then watched as Kit went into the back. Once in the back Kit walked up to the two sleeping on the bunk, the sight of the two sleeping so peacefully together started to give him flashes of his drug induced nightmares which made his hand move to try and take Molly away, only to have it caught before he touched her.

“Leave her be, she just fell asleep.” Shade said, as he held Kit’s hand tight.

“But she shouldn’t be.”

“Just leave her alone.” with that Shade let go of Kit and sat up. “If you fear for her safety then I will move, let her sleep.” with that Shade got up, covered Molly in the blanket that was next to the bunk, then moved to the cockpit door and sat down near it closing his eyes once more. “Now let me sleep.” As Kit watched Shade he saw a smile cross Shade’s face.

*****

Ingenuity

*****

It was a warm summer day as Shade walked around the Night Witch airfield, he smiled as he held up his first gadget attached to his wrist. “Alright Kiddo now you sure you have that thing set up correctly?” Gloria asked, as she looked at Shade who smiled brightly as he aimed at a target set up against the hanger. As Shade took aim he fired from his creation three sharpened cogs heading towards the target two hitting their mark where the third went through a near by window, causing some one inside to scream in fright. “Nice shooting kiddo, but it needs a little work, maybe a few more lessons about aerodynamics on a spinning surface with help.”

“Maybe a blistered backside will help him as well.” Julia said, as she walked out holding a flight cap with the missing cog stuck to it. “You think it’s funny shooting at me you little pest?” As Julia started to walk towards Shade, Gloria stepped between them in a protective posture.

“Cool your engine Julia, he didn’t aim at you, his little cog just flew off target.” Julia looked at Gloria and then at Shade, as she made her way past Gloria she grabbed Shade’s arm and pulled him to the mechanic shed. “Julia come on he didn’t mean to, leave him alone.”

“Nothing doing, he needs to learn this lesson before one of us gets killed.” With those words Gloria ran off to find Barbra who was working on her planes engine.

“Barbra… Barbra!”

“What is it Gloria?” Barbra said, as she set down an engine piston and looked at her wingman.

“I was helping Shade with his first gadget and it nearly hit Julia, she’s drug him to the shed, and she looked mad.” Barbra dropped what she was doing and headed for the mechanic shed. As Barbra barged into the shed, she was ready to read Julia the riot act when she saw Julia sitting next to Shade at the work bench.

“Alright Shade, here’s your problem you have a slightly defect in the metal here that is causing the cog to fly off balance, when your making your devices or repairing one of are gadgets you have to make sure of everything, even the slightest detail can cause some one to get hurt, do you understand?” Julia asked, as she showed Shade the defect getting him to node several times. “Now let me show you how to fix that little defect.” As Julia turned around to get a file she looked at Barbra and Gloria standing at the door. “Hey you two, come on in, I think we can all give him pointers on his first little gadget.” Julia said, as she smiled at the two standing in the door. As they walked in the three started to work with Shade showing him the errors of his device or how he could make it better, smiling at how much interest in making better creations.

*****

As Shade dreamt the time he spent with the night witch squadron in the real world Kit had returned to the cockpit and sat back in his seat.

“So when Miss Cunningham, is this going to be a normal thing or what?” Kit asked, as he looked at Rebecca who only smiled at him.

“This is just a one time thing, I made a mistake and Shade was willing to help us out of the trouble.” with that Kit nodded and then looked out at the map. Rebecca looked at Kit and noticed that he seemed to be bothered by something as he was working on the navigation charts. When she thought back to how Kit was scared that Shade might take his place in her and Baloo’s heart, she smiled softly and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “But he’s nothing compared to the best navigator in the world.” with that Kit smiled proudly as he seem to find a new reason to work even harder on his work. “Now while my flight crew works, I’m going start fixing lunch, so try and keep the plane steady Baloo.”

“Hey no problem Beckers, ol’ Baloo has everything under control.” as Rebecca walked into the back she nearly tripped over Shade sitting by near the door. As She looked at Shade she walked over and found Molly covered in the blanket.

*********

Von Biege

*********

It was early morning when the airfield alarm started to go off, As the girls ran to their planes Barbra grabbed Shade and carried him to hers. “What’s going on?” Shade asked, as he looked at Barbra.

“We got in coming Shade, and right now I’m getting you out of here.” with that Barbra got into the pilot seat and sat Shade in her lap. As the plane started to take off Shade could see Julia, Gloria, and Brianna heading off to head off the enemy fighters heading towards them.

“We got about 20 of them Barb all Hausers… Barb he’s here, Von Biege is here.” those words sent chills down Barbra’s spin as she moved Shade back into her lap and held him close. “Alright girls listen to me closely, take down as many as you can, and stay away from Von Biege.” with that Shade looked at Barbra who only looked ahead. As Shade listened to the radio he could here the girls conversation going back and forth warning one another, thank each other for watching their backs, and the ones he hated most was listening to the information of how they started to fall.the dog fighting lasted half an hour, while it seemed like an eternity as the radio seem to turn more and more silent.

“Barbra are they alright?” Shade asked, as he looked at Barbra who kept looking forward.

“Sure they are honey, nothing can take down are family remember?” Barbra said, as she smiled at Shade and kept flying. “Once we get the all clear we’ll go back and have a big party, heck we’ll be busy for a week getting all the scrapped planes in and you little man will have a lot of time to mess around with all those parts, except for those parts that we’ve told you about.”

“I know, I’m not aloud to use the ammunition from the planes, and I’m only aloud to touch the guns when one of you are present.”

“That’s right Shade, only when me or one of your aunts are near by.”

“Aunts?” Shade looked at Barbra confused, getting a surprised look from Barbra as she cleared her throat slightly.

“Well yeah, uh me and the girls have been talking about it for a while, and we where going to take you into town next week and get you legally adopted, I was… Am I mean, I am going to be your legal mother, while the other girls are going to be like your aunts, we’re going to be one big happy family back at that little airfield.” with that Shade smiled and hugged Barbra the best he could as he looked out at the sky. The silents was broken when Julia's voice came across the radio, sounding out of breath and tired.

“Barbra, I’m all alone out here and Von Biege has already taken down Gloria and Brianna.”

“Did they bail out?” Their was no response from Julia. “Julia are you still there?”

“I’m still here Barbra.”

“Did Gloria and Brianna bail out, are they alright?” Again there was a long pause from Julia. “Julia.”

“He shot them while they were floating to the ground, they didn’t even have a chance.” At hearing the fates of two of his friends Shade started crying as Barbra held him close. “Barbra I don’t see him he’s.” the signal died and Barbra swallowed hard as she kept flying forward. It was half an hour later when Barbra heard the sound of another plane coming up from behind as she looked in her rear view she held Shade close and sniffled. “Shade I want you to listen to me very closely, I want you to hang onto the stick, and I want you to keep flying straight no matter what, I want you to keeping going straight until the fuel tanks are dry and you have no choice but to land is that clear?”

“But Barbra.”

“Please Shade listen to me.” Barbra hugged Shade once and kissed him on the forehead smiling as a tear rolled down her face. “Be a good boy Shade, make the Squadron proud.” with that Shade looked at Barbra and nodded. As he took the stick Barbra moved Shade lower and then raised her arms up. He heard the guns fire but the plane flew fine, as he heard the other plane moving up, and as he looked to his right side he saw a FW 190 black as night with a Reaper painted on the side of it, as the pilot looked at Shade their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity before the enemy fighter flew away.

“Barbra who was that?” Shade asked, as he kept looking forward, not getting a response from her. “Barbra?” Shade glanced back to see Barbra slumped in her seat. “Barbra?… Barbra?… mommy?” As the last word escaped his lips Shade looked forward as tears started to run down his cheeks. As pain filled his chest, he kept looking forward, the anger started to rise as he kept remembering the image of the FW 190. His blood started to boil as his heart want nothing more then for Barbra to sit up and wrap her arms around him to take away the hollow space that now filled his chest.

*******************

“RRRRRAAAAA!!!!!” Shade yelled, as he opened his eyes slamming his fist on the floor of the Sea Duck getting Rebecca to jump slightly as she looked at him. As he started breath hard through gritted teeth Rebecca took a few steps forward to see if he was alright only to get an evil glare from him telling her to stay back. As Shade stood up he flung the door to the cockpit open and looked at Baloo. “What do you know about a Pilot by the name of Von Biege?” Shade looked beyond angry, as he looked at Baloo.

“What?”

“VON BIEGE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?” As Shade yelled, at Baloo the big bear was partly shocked as he turned and looked at Shade looking like he had just gotten out of a large fight, and still ready for another ten.

“Only a few tales from pilots at Louie’s”

“TALK!” Shade looked at Baloo and then started to look around slightly, as he started to compose him self. Shade started to feel guilty for yelling at Baloo knowing that it wasn’t the pilot that had made him angry but a moment in his past that he had nearly blocked out of his mind. “I’m sorry sir… please tell me what you know of this pilot?” with that Baloo nodded then turned to keep flying.

“Von Biege, known as the reaper of the skies, works for a group of nuts calling them self’s Hauser, he’s a cold blooded killer, when he shoots some one down, if they hit the silk he swing back.”

“And finishes the job.” Shade finished, and watched as Baloo nodded.

“They say he can’t be shot down, and that his plane is made of a new kind of metal that makes it bullet proof.” Shade narrowed his eyes as he looked at Baloo.

“You don’t know much about him do you sir.”

“As I said, only what I’ve heard at Louie’s, from what I’ve heard unless your Hauser he doesn’t let you fly away.” with that Shade slammed the door and started to walk down to the end of the cargo hauled and then back. “What’s gotten into him.” Baloo asked, as Rebecca walked into the cockpit.

“I don’t know he just woke up screaming and now he’s pacing back and forth in the cargo area.” Rebecca said, as she handed Baloo and Kit sandwiches. “He must have had one heck of a nightmare for him to be bothered this much by it.” As Rebecca walked back inside the cargo area she found Shade still pacing back and forth thinking. “You want to talk about it?”

“Not really, I need to think.”

“About?” Shade stopped and looked at Rebecca, she was concerned about him and a smile crossed his face as he looked at her.

“We each have are secret ma-am, this is one of mine.” with that Shade started to pace once more only to stop when he turned from the back of the plane to find Rebecca standing in front of him holding out a sandwich. As he looked at Rebecca, she knelt down and put a gentile hand on the side of his face.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it Shade, but if you ever need anyone to talk to, I’m willing to listen.”

“Then would you mind answering me a question?” A smile crossed Rebecca’s face as she looked at Shade.

“Sure ask me anything.”

“Why do you try so hard to tame me? To bring me into your family? Why try so hard on a stranger that came from out of no where?” with that Rebecca was stunned slightly, after a few moments she stood up and looked at Shade.

“You like to get straight to the point don’t you.” As Rebecca turned back and walked up to Molly she stopped before waking the little bear cub and looked at him. “Mostly because I don’t like to see children get hurt, and something about you tells me that you’ve been hurt enough in your life.” with that Shade nodded and then took a bite of the sandwich and started to pace once more. After another hour Shade walked back into the cockpit and looked around, before turning to Baloo.

“I’m sorry sir, I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the better of me, I was raised better then that.” Baloo was rather shocked by this turn of events, since in the past Shade had never said he was sorry for the way he acted.

“So how did wild animals raise you?” Kit quipped, as he looked at Shade who just kept looking forward before he turned around and left the cockpit. As Kit smiled slightly as he looked back at the map he only looked up when Baloo took his hat off his head, only to get hit lightly with it before Baloo flopped it back on his head. “What was that for?”

“Kit I’m disappointed in you, that wasn’t very nice what you just said to Shade.” Slightly stunned Kit looked at Baloo for a few seconds before moving his hat back to normal, as Rebecca walked in. “Why don’t you go sit in the back for a little bit Kit, I have to talk with Rebecca privately.” Again Kit looked at Baloo then nodded as he got up and walked past Rebecca with a worried look on his face, getting concerned about what was going on. As Kit made it into the cargo area Rebecca shut the door behind him. As Kit looked around he found Molly on Shade’s back holding on as he did push ups getting the little bear to laugh. As Kit walked up Shade stopped and looked up at him then looked back at Molly.

“You still holding on tight little one?” the question only got Molly laughing a little more.

“More, do it some more.” Shade only smiled and started to do more push ups, as Kit sat down on the bunk looking at both Shade, and then up at the door worried about what the two adults might be talking about. As Kit let out a sigh to try and calm him self the plane banked to the right causing Shade to slide to right but quickly catch Molly before she fell off his back and hit the wall. “Thanks Shade.”

“No problem kiddo.” Shade got to his feet and started to head for the cockpit and look out and saw a massive storm outside the windows. “Everything alright?”

“Nothing I can’t handle go on back will be through this in a minute.” Rebecca turned and looked at Shade seeing the concern in his eyes and smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry sweetie Baloo can handle this.” Both Baloo and Shade got a shocked look on their faces, and as Rebecca sat back in her seat she smiled for a few minutes before she realized what she said, and quickly looked back around with a red face, but found that Shade had already shut the door. “Oh dear, I hope I didn’t make him feel uncomfortable.” Rebecca said, as she sat back in her seat and then looked at Baloo, who was snickering slightly. “And what’s so funny?”

“Oh nothing sweetie.” Rebecca slapped Baloo’s arm as he started to laugh as he navigated the Sea Duck through the storm. Kit sat in the back holding Molly while looking at Shade he was standing in the middle of the cargo area, his arms down by his side as the plane shifted right and left, he didn’t seem to move, as lighting illuminated the area through the windows Kit couldn’t help but see something inside Shade’s eyes, he had seen it in him self once before as he grew closer to his family, he saw a struggle behind Shade’s eyes that told him that Shade was trying hard to fight his own feelings.

‘I saw that look in my own eyes many times, I know what he’s doing.’ Kit thought to him self as he held Molly close to try and calm the sobbing child. ’Even when I wanted a family, I was so scared to let anyone get close because I didn’t want to get hurt, and now I see it in his eyes, he’s scared of being hurt, but all the stories on the radio I didn’t think the Ghost was scared of anything.’ As things seem to calm down Kit stood up with Molly in a bit of shock as he looked at Shade.

“The eye.” was the only words Shade said, as he looked at the two children.

“I’m going to go and check on the kids.” Rebecca said, as she stood up and headed for the cockpit door moments before the Sea Duck dropped forward causing her to slam into the control panel, followed by a loud thud on the cockpit door. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”

“Nothing honest, just a bad drop.” Baloo said, as he started to pull the nose up, back in the cargo area Kit held on to the cargo netting with one hand and only Molly with the other, while down at the cockpit door Shade had fallen only to land on his feet, looking up at the two.

“YOU TWO ALRIGHT?”

“Oh we’re just peachy.” Kit snapped back as he held onto the netting. Just then the plane was flipped and Rebecca fell towards the Cockpit door, but as she left the control panel her shirt caught on the cargo bay doors switch opening them up, while back in the cargo area the three children started to fly towards the opened doors. Shade grabbed the netting as Kit had before, and watched as Kit was able to grab his tow rope before falling out of the doors with Molly, but in horror he watched as when the rope hit the end the motor ripped from the wall and caught on the pulley, As the Cockpit door opened Rebecca looked down at the scene as Shade looked up at her.

“MOMMY!!” Molly screamed out in the storm still holding onto Kit out behind the plan.

“MOLLY, KIT!!! Rebecca yelled, as she looked them and then at Baloo still strapped into his chair. “Get the plane straight the kids are outside.”

“WHAT!?” Baloo struggled with the controls as storm tossed the plane back and forth. “HOW DID THEY GET OUTSIDE!?”

“THE CARGO DOORS ARE OPEN!” As Baloo looked at the control he reached up and flipped one to bring Kit’s tow rope in but nothing happened.

“Come on come on why aren’t you working.” Shade could see sparks flying from where the motor was once mounted and turned back to Rebecca.

“THE MOTOR IS RIPPED OFF IT’S MOUNT IT WON’T WORK!!”

“WHAT DID HE SAY?”

“THE MOTOR IS BROKE… I CAN SEE IT, IT’S HANGING OFF THE WHEEL WE HAVE TO GET THEM IN!!”

“NO WE HAVE TO GET THOSE DOORS SHUT.” Baloo said, as he flipped the switch to start shutting the cargo doors.

“BALOO WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”

“IF THE WHEEL FLYS OUT WE LOOSE THEM, IF WE SHUT THE DOORS THE ROPE WILL BE CAUGHT AND WE CAN BRING THEM IN AS SOON AS WE GET OUT OF THIS.” Baloo explained as his heart sank as he could hear the doors shutting, he hated leaving Kit out in the storm but at the time it was the best option knowing that if anyone tried to help them there was a chance that the plane would jerk again and send that person flying out. Shade watched as the doors started to shut his eyes glued to the motor wheel twisting slightly, when got free everything slowed down to fractions of seconds.

“MY BABIES!!” Rebecca yelled, as she reached for Kit and Molly, Shade looking up at her for a second before he turned back and jumped for the doors. “SHADE!!” Rebecca watched as Shade made it through the doors seconds before they completely closed.

“WHAT’S GOING ON BACK THERE!” Baloo yelled, still fighting with the controls trying to get the nose down.

“THE WHEEL CAME LOOSE, AND SHADE JUMPED!!” Rebecca let the door shut as she looked at Baloo with tears streaming down her face. “We have to go back for them.”

“We will Beckers but right now we have to get are selves out of this mess.” outside Shade kept a close eye on Kit and Molly as he speed towards them.

“Kit it’s Shade.” Molly said, as she looked up at Shade coming towards them looking like his name sake.

“What’s he going to do.” Kit asked, Molly as he let go of the tow rope and started to reach for his airfoil only moments before the wheel of the tow rope caught up to the two and hit him on the head, knocking Kit out, causing him to let go of Molly getting the young bear to scream out as she clung to him for dear life. Once Shade caught up to the two he grabbed the tow rope he bit it free from the motor wheel and then tied it around Kit before grabbing Molly.

“Hang on Molly this is going to be a rough ride.” Shade explained as he wrapped the loose end of the tow rope around his right arm and then reached behind his trench coat. “You ready?” Molly only sniffled as she tightened her grip around Shade’s neck, before his cloths started to puff out slightly, getting them to slow down greatly, but also causing them to be subject to the winds a lot more. As the rope tied to Kit went taunt Shade was flipped upside down getting Molly to scream out in fear and Shade to wince when there was a loud popping sound in his right shoulder. As the three got tossed and blown every direction Shade held on tight to Molly and the rope holding Kit, with eyes squeezed Shut, and teeth clinched he cursed himself for ever letting this family get close to him, for letting his feelings tell him that everything was alright, the first night he met Rebecca. “Hang on Molly I’m not going to let anything happen to you I swear.” As he held the sobbing child tightly. They were tossed around in the winds for what felt like an eternity before they finally landed. Once on the ground Shade put Molly down, the little bear couldn’t help bust noticed that it looked like Shade had just gotten a little bigger in his upper body area, before Shade reached behind him and his cloths seem to go back to normal with a minor hissing sound. As he walked over to Kit still tied up he checked the cloud surfers head and noticed a large bump that was bleeding slightly. As Shade looked around he saw a cave in the distance, and grabbing Kit he looked at Molly and smiled as the little girl took his right hand. Leading Molly to the cave with Kit slung over his left shoulder, he kept looking forward as his face turned as cold as the surrounding area. ’I have to protect them now, from both the cold, and the curse.’ As they reached the cave Shade laid Kit down, then turned to Molly. “I need you to stay with Kit for a little while Molly I’m going to get some things to help him.” Molly nodded and watched as Shade walked back to the opening, once out of sight Shade walked around to the side of the mountain, looked to make sure Molly didn’t follow him, Once he was sure he looked back at the stone and braced him self before he slammed his right shoulder into it, popping it back into place wincing as he slowly rotated before gathering some snow and taking it back to where he had left Molly and Kit. As he started to pre-form first aid on Kit, as Molly watched on concerned for her soon to be older brother. While else where Baloo and Rebecca had just gotten through the worst of the storm.

“Alright I’m going back for the kids.”

“Attention Usland Plane this is cornel spigot perhaps you’ve heard of me.” Baloo glared at the radio he knew that they had flown in to deep to Thembria air space to turn around with out delivering the statue, other wise it would cause the short pest on the other end of the radio to send out the Thembrian air force. “Right Spigot I heard of yeah we got your statue and we’re landing in a few minutes.”

“So you have heard of me, very good and once you drop off the people’s statue you will vacate Thembrian air space.”

“We can’t Mr. Spigot there was an accident and are children were lost in the storm in your country we can’t leave with out finding them.” Rebecca said, as she grabbed the mice from Baloo and seem to almost plead with spigot to understand their problem.

“Oh no my dear, you will land and return are statue, and then you will leave are air space at once, we will send out a search party and then contact you when we find them. Or you will be shot.” As Baloo gripped the stick of the Sea Duck he sped up and landed the plane on the Thembrian airfield 20 minutes ahead of schedule. As he carried the crate out and nearly put it on Spigot head he was about to grab the little annoyance when Rebecca grabbed spigot and lifted him off the ground and gave him a cold glare.

“Now you listen to me buster, we are not leaving with out my children, and your ether going to stay out of are way or I’m going to take that hat off your head and shove it down your throat.” With the threat said Rebecca dropped Spigot and started to walk away leaving Baloo in shock.

“Never threaten mother when her kids are endanger.” Baloo said, as he looked at Spigot and started to head back into the Sea Duck.

“STOP THEM!!” As Spigot got off the ground a group and strong arm Thembrian Soldiers ran into the cargo doors of the Sea Duck and grabbed the two adults hauling them out. “So you thought you could threaten me and get away with it did you.” Spigot said, as he looked up at Rebecca. “AHEM!” the guards holding Rebecca forced her to her knees to face Spigot. “Well we don’t take kindly to people threatening superior officers here in Thembria.

“Not to their face anyways.” Dunder added, as he looked at Rebecca.

“Since you both want to stay so badly then allow us to give you a room, IN ARE PRISON!!” As Baloo and Rebecca got hauled away, Spigot straightened his collar and smiled proudly. “They’ll soon regret ever crossing paths with SPIGOT!”

To Be Continued

Baloo and Rebecca are in Thembrian jail, Shade, Molly, and Kit are lost in Thembrian territory.

Read the next installment, as the kids have to make their way across Thembrian territory, Baloo and Rebecca have to find away to get out of jail to try and find them, all the while an old enemy from Shade’s past is making it’s way to the Thembrian capital. Memories, Ghosts, and Dogfights in the next installment of the Shade Chronicles