Into the Fire
By Tiger

                        I

Tiger and Eric were inseperable, but they had a major 
argument after the argument she and the guys got into, 
Tiger still stood her ground... She made sure she was 
never alone, and went with someone wherever she went. 
Eric was still angry at her... Her heart cried in 
grief... Now all the guys were... She finally talked 
to Zan Chen and asked advice. The advice, though a bit 
harsh lifted her heart and spirits. Eric was pushing 
her away at every opportunity. She knew why, and 
finally reached the breaking point. She left quietly, 
one night, but stayed close with a trusted friend. 
Eric's heart hurt when Zan relayed the message. Damnit 
he was trying to protect her. She had been gone nearly 
four weeks now. Zan reminded him that she also had 
protected him one night. And had not tossed him away, 
that she realized the dangers. In fact she was at 
Zan's house in seclusion. He failed to tell them that 
she was being trained even more harshly than before to 
protect herself in the most dire circumstances. "May I 
see her?" he asked. "That will depend on her." so 
saying Zan called Tiger and she agreed to meet with 
everyone in a different place than where she was. When 
she finally appeared from behind a mimosa tree, all 
were glad to see her. She greeted them with the same 
exuberance that she always did. Teasing Ace and 
finally whispering to Eric Carr... "This Tazmanian She 
Devil has missed her Tazmanian He Devil!" and gave him 
a great big hug and kiss. Before anyone could say 
anything, she spoke. "All is forgiven and I ask 
forgiveness myself." "That easily?" Paul and the rest 
were a bit skeptical... "Yes... Guys, you should know 
that a hurt is not nursed, even when in the most fiery 
of tempers, even when words hurt." She was a lot more 
calm than she had been.. stronger, thanks to Zan's 
careful training. "will you come back?" Eric asked 
aching for her, to see her so remote and distant. 
"Maybe when this is over... I will not endanger any of 
you more than I have already done so. Slowly she 
smiled "But I will see you guys though..." Eric ached 
to break the barrier between them. He knew why it was 
erected. She disappeared through the mimosa tree 
heading over a path to a place that she knew she could 
hide... She knew that had hurt Eric, and she didn't 
want to hurt him. Damn. In spite of herself, her 
tender heart was breaking again. Silent tears fell as 
she sat by the stream, her heart and soul aching. She 
heard a noise and whirled around to find Eric standing 
there. He saw the tears spilling from her face and 
went to her.. his own heart breaking. Enfolding her in 
his warm embrace, they talked and talked and talked. 
The barrier between them finally exploded into shards. 
The fire became hot again between them. Together they 
came up with a legitimate plan, with Zan's backing 
that would work for them to see one another until this 
mess was finished. She grinned hugely at Zan's 
suggestion. The relief was enourmous as they spotted 
Tiger and Eric coming back, hand in hand. Zan grinned 
too. He knew how Tiger felt. Tiger finally picked up a 
water gun and aimed it at Ace... That started the 
laughter..... Everyone was relieved finally...


                         II

"She's gone from Gene's place eh?" Vinnie laughed.. 
his plans were working just fine... They had forced 
her out as they considered her a threat... perfect, 
and Eric Carr was dating again. Now to finish Tiger 
off completely... He had seen their last very public 
spat and it was soo good to seperate the two. He knew 
that Tiger was working at Seko's.... He had been 
watching her for months now... Time to strike soon, 
before she got suspicious. Tiger glanced up and saw 
Vinnie enter Seko's her blood boiled, but she just 
laughed inside. It was actually her twin that was 
working as a hostess. She had a different identity 
altogether. The erupution that occured was satisfying 
as Vinnie found out that it WASN'T Tiger that was 
working there... Payback! She smiled and bowed again. 
After Seko's closed, she followed her twin. Vinnie 
attacked her sister Amy... Thinking that it was Tiger. 
Tiger fought him off as well as some of the staff of 
Seko's. Amy wasn't hurt... she had been trained as 
well as Tiger had been. Eric had observed some of her 
training and realized why she was so sharp. Both girls 
went to Gene's as planned. "Things are starting to 
heat up" she quietly told Gene... Amy is going back 
home, and I will return as myself..."Oh no you don't 
sis! WE are in this together, or else no dice!!!" Eric 
Singer had found Amy fascinating... Amy whispered 
something to Tiger and both girls gave identical 
wicked chuckles and slid out of the room. They had 
switched disguises! Tiger slipped into an empty room 
to find Eric Carr there. holding his arms out to her 
he whispered "I've missed you".


                        III

Finally came the 48 hours of hell that Tiger dreaded, 
but knew she had to pass. Amy stayed with Eric 
Singer... knowing if something went wrong... she'd 
know. Tiger was alert to every sound... This was no 
easy training. she had been nearly suprised four 
times... She could not let her guard down. Day faded 
into night. the bruises were worth the hell. The 
second day began with an all out attack on her. She 
fought like a hellion, with all she could muster. she 
finally passed the test at the stroke of midnight on 
the second day... She was now ready...She returned the 
next day to Gene's... She was going into the fire and 
she knew it. That night, she and Eric Carr got back 
together again, publicly as well as privately. Vinnie 
was furious. Gene was throwing a party at his place... 
Tiger got the sense that Vinnie wasnt quite finished 
with her yet. She looked up and around carefully, 
sensing a malevolent presence....Vinnie. "So we meet 
again, Tiger. This time Eric won't be able to save 
you!' That said, he made a move and three other people 
stepped out of the shadows. Four to one odds. She knew 
she would not scream for help....She hoped her sister 
heeded the warning she silently sent. She braced 
herself for the fight. All four jumped her at the same 
time. She fought, bit kicked, and did everything in 
her power to score hits on them. Still it was not 
enough. The music was so loud that she knew she 
couldn't scream. A blow to the head finally stunned 
her. "Into the water you go!" he laughed.. Tiger put 
up one hell of a fight as she realized what this was 
leading to. Someone shoved her under the water. 
Kicking and thrashing, she started to panic then a 
certain lesson that Zan had taught her came clearly 
into her mind's eye. She slowly went limp and let some 
of the air out. She heard a yell and the fight was 
joined. Someone plunged into the water. She was 
jerked up and gasped in a breath. She was still 
stunned as strong arms bore her up and out of the 
water, carrying her away from the fighting. She was 
shaking as the police came in and she pressed charges. 
Finally she hoped this would stop. She was so damned 
tired of this and wanted it stopped now. It was put 
paid to... She was checked over... It was finally over 
with.. She fell asleep, unsure of what tomorrow would 
bring...


                         IV

A gentle voice calling her woke her out of a very deep 
sleep. It was dark and she couldn't see. She felt the 
strength of arms wrapped around her, holding her 
tight. "Tiger" he whispered... "I'm here" she 
whispered, her throat still raw. A movement on the 
bed, then she saw Eric's face in the darkness. "I'm 
ok.." She whispered. He just held her even closer. He 
remembered shaking with rage and nearly killing Vinnie 
for what he had done, and also remembered it took 
three to keep him away from him. A voice echoed out of 
the darkness. "How is she?" "Barely awake, but able to 
talk." Eric said, not once taking his eyes off of her. 
More faces appeared , lit by candle light. Each face 
was deeply concerned. She answered them as best she 
can, but her brain was numb, and her throat still raw. 
Eric wasn't letting her go, period. He held her tight, 
but loose enough so that she could breathe freely. He 
finally brought an end to the questioning. "When she 
recovers fully, then you can question her.. Right now, 
she needs to sleep. She took one hell of a beating." 
Gene chuckled evilly "Vinnie and the rest were in 
worser shape before we got ahold of them. WE just 
added to it!" Tiger smiled, as she fell back asleep. 
"We're free finally" was the last thing she 
remembered. When she woke up again, sunlight was 
pouring thrugh the window. She felt arms tighten 
around her... who?... She felt herself being pulled 
closer and more tightly.. It was Eric. She snuggled 
deeper into his arms, not willing to be away from him. 
Days passed before she finally awoke from the dream 
like state she was in. Drums sounded, and they were 
extremely angry sounding. Tiger slowly got up and 
dressed, wincing at the bruises. Dressing in black 
jeans and an orange t shirt, she headed out the door 
and wandered into the practice room, following the 
sounds of the drums... It was Eric Carr playing... 
That much she did know. She would recongnize Eric 
Singers , or even Peters playing. She finally moved 
into the practice room. He looked angry, very angry 
about something and was taking it out on his kit. She 
listened and the drums spoke to her of anger, pain 
fear and rage. And he said that his drums didn't talk! 
She had heard talking drums that sounded less angry! 
The playing suddenly stopped...Eric came to her 
immedately, enveloping her in his embrace as she 
enveloped him in hers. Both held on for dear life to 
one another for the longest. "I've never heard such 
angry drum speak.." she whispered, holding him. 
"because I am angry, beautiful, but not at you!" he 
whispered back. She nodded and just held him. They 
both knew why. Eric Singer peeked around the corner, 
noting that the music had stopped... they all were 
getting worried about both of them. What he saw made 
him light up. He winced to see the angry bruises still 
on Tiger. Everyone else also peeked around the corner, 
breathing a sigh of relief...Eric would be fine, and 
Tiger was now up and moving....What would happen to 
them depended on them now


				  V

Eric and Tiger stayed wrapped up in each other for a
while after that, just holding one another without
talking. Finally they broke apart reluctantly and went
to see what everyone else was doing...She noted that
all the girls were there, so this should be
interesting. Ace started with the one liners again,
Tiger let fly with another salvo.."Oh Yeah?!" came
from Eric Carr and Eric Singer, who along with the
rest, entered the fray... "Jeesh!" Tiger chuckled "Try
that one again Ace!, You're using the wrong bait to
catch THIS fish!" "I can name two people in here that
could catch you easily and not ever let you go... that
is a fact!" Paul stated vehemently. "Make that three"
said a voice that surprised Tiger to the core. Raven
just laughed at the surprised look on her face,
telling her. "Once again, you undervalue yourself!"
"Isn't that the truth!!!" Paul replied. Tiger waved a
white flag of surrender to that remark.... Ace was
grabbing a water gun again....Tiger tossed a pillow at
HIM to distract him from it. Eric Singer picked up a
pillow and hit her with it, which started a pillow
fight of sorts. Eric Carr swatted her from behind with
one... She got to laughing and couldnt stop. She kept
swatting though.... Finally she gave up.....
"TRUCE!!!!" "I yield" Paul died laughing "That's a
first for you Tiger!" She just stuck out her tongue at
him. "watch it! That's an invitation!" He laughed
again and Eric Carr bopped her with a pillow again.
She grinned evilly and tickled Eric Carr. He made a
grab for her, but she bounced off the couch, just out
of reach. "Here we go again!" Gene couldn't help but
laugh...Girl bounced back quick... He wanted to know
what kind of training Zan had given her... He was
curious...But that would wait. Or so he thought...
Bruce asked her about the training first. she stopped
dead in her tracks. She told them the bare bones of
Zan's training, then they realized she was under an
oath of silence. That brought the questioning of that
kind back to a halt. That is when Ace let fly and
Peter yelled to warn Tiger. "Look OUt!" She
defensively tossed a pillow in his direction, hitting
the watergun and knocking it from his hands... She
started, amazed at that. "ACK! Remind me never to dump
you in a pool!" Ace laughed.."I wouldn't be the only
one that went swimming!" her grin was positively
devilish..."Oh?" Bruce asked with a gentle tone to his
voice. "Try and see!" she countered... "Not until
those bruises heal up more!" Gene roared, a little
annoyed. Tiger agreed with Gene on that. "I agree
whole heartedly." "At least you have sense!" he
growled. "Gotcha!" Eric Carr grabbed Tiger gently from
behind and carted her back to the couch! He gave her a
gentle , but admonishing look.


                   VI

Finally, the debacle with Vinnie was over. Tiger
wasn't sure what was going to happen to her next... a
certain hot blooded Fox had stolen her heart, and she
became fond of all the guys as well. Tiger and Amy
made the trip home in relative quietness, knowing it
was now safe for them to move freely. Tiger knew she
was leaving a big part of herself behind with Eric.
Tiger offered prayers of thankfulness as they returned
home. Daniel and Steven were waiting on them both,
with relieved looks on their faces... Their brothers
had been kept apprised of the situation. After a
family council, Tiger went outside for a while. Her
mind was on Eric and the guys, and something that was
revealed before she left.... Her heart was already
taken, but she had two more hot blooded males after
her. Which two was uncertain, besides Eric...But Eric
had her heart and that was all that mattered. The
other two had really not identified themselves....Her
thoughts returned to the Fox. He mattered to her a
great deal. "Sis, PHONE!" Tiger came in at a run... It
was both Erics! she happily spoke with them at length.
After getting off the phone, She knew that Amy would
be leaving in two weeks to return to college... Her
future wasn't quite as clear as it should be. Later
on... she had a very strange dream. She swore that she
heard them talking.. Then felt a very gentle , but
persistent kiss against her mouth. Groaning she woke
up and nearly fainted! She didnt have time to draw a
breath! Mischievious brown eyes laughed at her!
"gotcha!" his eyes sparkled with laughter as she gave
him a bear hug. She heard a familiar cackle. Eric gave
her another kiss, and lifted her up from the couch.
Feeling mischievious, she grabbed three pillows.....
Eric read her intent....She playfully threw one at
Eric Singer, one at Paul and bopped Eric Carr
playfully on the head with the other. "OUCH!!! " Eric
laughed and bopped her back. She started the
pillowfight intentionally. Eric Singer bopped her and
she bopped him back. She let loose with all the pent
up energy she had in her. "Girl, THAT was a
mistake!!!" Paul laughed as he joined in. Gene just
shook his head... Peter had been intercepted by Raven.
Ace just cackled and Bruce just chuckled...Tiger was
full of fire! They all were finally laughing at the
craziness. Tiger had a three way pillowfight going and
still didn't give up. "TAG TEAM!" Eric Carr yelled. He
tagged Eric Singer and Tiger bopped as close as she
could. "missed me Tiger-Girl! Now catch me!" That
said, he took off and she was in hot pursuit! Wrong
mistake.. she ran right into a two way ambush between
Paul and Eric Carr. The three of them finally beat her
down. "Yield?!" "NO WAY!!!!" was Tiger's reply...
"I'll bet you will" laughed Eric Carr, very wickedly.
A squeal, then nothing. The room erupted in
laughter... "That is one way to catch a feline!" Peter
commented as Tiger was finally let back up. Her blush
deepened a little. "Sounds like someone has been
playing in the catnip!" he laughed as her blush grew
redder. She just stuck out her tongue at him only to
be reminded that was considered an invitation! She
turned a real cute shade of rose pink at that! 


                     VII

It was about 5 am when everyone finally went to sleep.
Tiger teased back and gave as good as she got... "She
ain't no shrinking violet" Paul noted laughing.
Finally, all was quiet. Tiger started to move, but
Eric held on to her. They talked for a little while
about future plans, then he carried her to bed, her
eyes closing despite the fact that she was fighting
hard to stay awake. He smiled at her, and just nestled
her in his arms. He knew she was full of mischief, but
too worn out to do anything about it. Yet. He grinned
mischieviously as he snuggled next to her. Suddenly a
meow... and a gentle poke in her side woke her up. She
sat upright... Damn.. she forgot to let the cat
back out! Struggling to sit up, she felt the poke and
the meow again... ERIC!!!! She bashed him with a
pillow! Then the cat scampered off the bed. She
hastily apologized to Eric, who had a good sense of
humor about it. She let the cat out, swearing under
her breath for clobbering Eric. He turned her around
and gave her a heart stopping kiss, which she returned
with much enthusiasm. His eyes lit up at that. He
chuckled. "Now that is a promise I can live with!"

                    VIII

 She smiled at that. Both knew that the house was
full.. No privacy, or so he thought..."C'mon. I know
of a place where we will totally be undisturbed" she
grinned at him, reading his mind. He chuckled wickedly
at that. She led him down to another house, which was
empty.. "Thank goodness Monica left me the key!" she
laughed wickedly, as she opened the door. Locking the
door behind her, she didn't have time to catch her
breath, as he spun her around, gently pinning her to
the door. He kissed her senseless, then picked her up
and carried her to the first bedroom he found. Kicking
the door shut, he dumped her on the bed. Clothes were
shed in a hurry.. the hunger was too hot and too
strong to even try to fight, not that either one
wanted to. Hours went by. Tiger stretched like a 
cat, earning awicked chuckle from Eric. Snuggling 
closer, shegrinned at him. "Like what you see?" 
"Damn right!" he laughed, pulling her closer "You 
aren't gettin away from me now! Think they'll 
notice we've split?" "Ohyes, but Amy will cover 
our hides.... She knows where I am at, but wont even 
tell where we are, not even under torture!!!" Tiger 
laughed wickedly. It was much later that evening, 
when they both reluctantly returned back to Tigers 
house amid knowing grins, smirks and catcalls. "You 
two are dangerous!" Paul laughed at the both of them. 
Twin wicked grins lit up both their faces. Amy 
whispered something to Tiger, and she blushed. 
"damn man, what were you trying to do, drink her blood!?" 
Tiger turned beet red, Eric just laughed and replied 
"You'll never know!" his grin glowing. Tiger managed 
an evil grin...Eric caught the look of that and 
whispered only so she could hear. Her rich laughter 
filled the room.

                         IX

Eric hid a knowing grin...He was up to even more
mischief, but she didn't know it! He and the guys
talked while Tiger and Amy slept. Tiger woke up first,
Amy right behind her as they both padded down the
hallway. Both read the note. "HUH, How about Pearson's
Falls? That is a good place to meet!" Sounds good.
Tiger got the feeling that a surprise was in store...
She looked at Amy and her twin confirmed it with a
nod. Later that morning, after leaving directions
Tiger drove up by herself, needing to think about what
her future was going to be, and with who, and why. She
finally pulled into Pearson's Falls around 11 am. The
place was deserted, as she expected it would be. She
made the mile and a half hike to the Falls. The sheer
beauty took her breath away. Just as beautiful as it
was the last time she was here. She sat quietly on one
of the park benches and let the sounds of the
waterfall lull her into contemplation. Scenes appeared
in her minds eye easily. She smiled, as she wasn't
trying to look into the future, just simply
meditating. She didn't hear Amy calling her...It had
been a good three hours since Tiger had left. Amy saw
her and let Eric know. He sat down beside her, noting
that she was miles away. "Beautiful?" he said softly,
so not to startle her. Her eyes refocused, and she
reached out and hugged him. He smiled at that. "It is
beautiful here." he whispered to her.. "I can see why
you come here." She smiled again, and just hugged him
closer. He chuckled. "Been thinking haven't you?" she
nodded cautiously. "So have I..." The guys had perfect
timing... he grumbled to himself. As soon as he could
get her fully alone... His eyes lit up and his
mischievious grin lit up at the thought of it.

(to be continued)