True Deceit

Part Three

"I don't know what to do. You're my only hope," Lion-O said. He was at a lost of what to do. He wanted his wife back and was now talking to the only person who could help him.

Tygra sat at his desk, taking all what Lion-O told him about Cheetara and their divorce. "Did she say why she wanted a divorce?"

"She said she wasn't happy."

"Is there any reason why she's not happy?"

"Well," Lion-O began. "I have been avoiding her lately, keeping my distance from her."

"And why have you been doing that?" Tygra asked curiously.

"I," Lion-O began to pace and ran his hand through his hair, trying to think of the right words to say. "I can't say."

"Why not?"

"I rather not say. Don't ask any more questions about it, Tygra. I can't answer now."

Tygra sat back in his chair. "All right. If that is what you wish. The best thing I suggest you do is that you stay away from her."

"Stay away from her? I can't do that."

"You have been doing that for a while. You admitted that yourself. A little more longer won't hurt."

"My staying away from her is why she wants to divorce me!" Lion-O shouted, losing his temper.

"Whose fault is that? It's certainly not mine. Don't take your anger out on me, Lion-O. Stay away from her a little bit longer so

she can cool down. I'll talk to her and find out why exactly she wants a divorce. Trust me, Lion-O, all I want is to help you two get back together." Tygra assured him a smile, a crooked smile that Lion-O did not notice.

"Thanks, Tygra. I knew I could count on you."

Tygra stood up and walked to the door. As he opened the door, he stopped and looked at Lion-O

"Just out of curiosity, Lion-O. Why didn't you try to stop her when she left?"

"I don't know, Tygra. I asked myself that the moment she left. What I wanted to do was throw her on the bed and made mad love to her so she would stay, but I didn't think it would help."

Tygra was quiet. He took that in and left his room. Lion-O left and went back to his bedroom. Tygra almost skipped walking to Cheetara's old room. Lion-O had come to him as soon as Cheetara left and confided in Tygra. The other Thundercats were still sleeping and they wouldn't know until tomorrow, which Lion-O most certainly will swear them to secrecy.

Tygra knocked on Cheetara's door softly. He heard a soft murmur to come in. When he did, he saw Cheetara sitting on the edge of her bed hugging a pillow and crying in it. He was by her side in a flash and hugging her.

"It's all right. Let it all out."

"I...can't...believe....I did...that," Cheetara said in between sobs.

"You did the right thing, Cheetara."

"I said....I wanted a divorce."

"Yes, I know," he soothed her while running his fingers through her hair.

Cheetara pull away from Tygra to look at him. "How do you know?"

"Lion-O just told me."

"Oh," she said. "I made a mistake Tygra. I should apologize." She pulled from him and got up.

"NO!" Tygra said sternly. "You mustn't do that," he pulled her back down on the bed.

"Why not? I made a terrible mistake."

"No, you didn't. You did the right thing. I'm surprised you told him you wanted a divorce. I thought you were going to ask for a separation."

"I know, but I blurted out divorce."

"Well, either is fine. I don't think he really cares, just only about his reputation."

"Why do you say that?"

"He didn't go after you when he left, did he?"

"No. He went to you. Maybe he wanted to work this out and has you helping us."

Tygra sighed. "No, that's not true. He just told me you wanted a divorce and that the other Thundercats are to keep this secret and not let it leak to the press."

"That's all he said?" Cheetara asked disappointed.

"Yes, I'm sorry to tell you that, Cheetara."

"No, it's all right, Tygra. I need to know the truth. What am I going to do now?"

"Avoid him. Don't talk to him. Don't believe anything he says about reconciliation because it's all a lie," Tygra told her. Cheetara was about to open her mouth to speak, but Tygra stopped her. "I know you want to work things out, but Lion-O doesn't. You must face that."

Cheetara held back the tears as Tygra told her that. "I see. Well, I, um going to go to sleep now. I'll see you in the morning. Thank you, Tygra."

"That's what friends are for," he told her. He gave her a quick hug and left.

The next morning, Lion-O went about his normal routine even though he didn't want to. He wanted to be home with Cheetara. He wanted to talk to her but Tygra advised against it. Cheetara woke up, hoping Lion-O had stayed home, but when she went to get breakfast, he wasn't there. No one was there except Tygra.

"Where is everyone?" Cheetara asked.

"The twins are helping the Snarfs in the Snarf village with the communicators. Panthro and Lion-O are out at the New Tower of Omens checking on the maintenance there, and I'm here talking to you."

Despite her depress condition, Cheetara laughed.

Tygra smiled at her. "You're beautiful when you laugh."

Cheetara frown. "I wish Lion-O would say that to me."

"Don't think about it, Cheetara. If he's stupid not to see how beautiful you are, then he truly doesn't deserve you."

Cheetara wanted to cry, but she has been doing so much crying in front of him, she didn't want to embarrass herself anymore. She shifted her mind to business. She is a Thundercat after all. Lady of the Thundercats as a matter of fact. There were other things to think about than her marriage.

"When's the council meeting?"

"Today at noon, of course."

"I think it's best that Lion-O and I mention our divorce then."

“Cheetara, I couldn't think of anything better." Tygra smiled. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm here for you, Cheetara. Remember that."

"Thank you, Tygra. I will need someone to help me through this difficult time." She stood. "I'm going to take a shower and go about my morning duties. I'll see you at the meeting."

Cheetara went to the bedroom she shared with Lion-O. The bed was a complete mess. The pillows were on the floor and bed, the comforter was hanging halfway off the bed, the sheets were pull almost revealing the mattress underneath. Apparently, Lion-O couldn't sleep either. She had a rough night herself. Sighing, she decided to go ahead and make the bed up.

"I'll get that for you, Cheetara. Snarf. Snarf."

Cheetara looked at the furry creature walking in. "Thank you, Snarf."

"It's no problem. It's my job after all."

"Yes, but I should help you with some of the work since Lion-O and I are....married," she found that last word to be difficult and felt herself wanting to cry again, but she force it down. She didn't want Snarf to know yet.

"Oh, I don't mind, Cheetara," Snarf said now putting the comforter on the bed. She was kind of amaze at how he had nearly completed making the bed so quickly and neatly. "You know, Cheetara, for the longest time, I never thought you and Lion-O would get together. I think it's okay to tell you now that Lion-O was crazy about you for the longest time. When he was a little boy on Thundera he admitted only to me that he had a crush on you, and when we landed on 3rd Earth he was an adult. He was so happy that he now had a chance with you, but then...." he trailed off and continued with her work.

"Then what, Snarf?" Cheetara asked curious and concern.

"Well, when Lion-O left on his first exploring trip, he overheard you all when you thought he couldn't hear. He heard you ask Tygra if it was right to let you go about by yourself. He didn't mind that, but he was hurt when Tygra said that Lion-O grew in size but not in his mind, that he needed to grow up. That made Lion-O think you saw him as a child, and for years that made him not ask you out. He was scared of the rejection, and then something happened. I'm not sure, but he finally got the courage to ask you out and the rest is history."

"I didn't know," Cheetara said softly.

"Of course you didn't. I'm really glad you two got together. I've never seen Lion-O so happier. I can just see it now. A couple of years from now, you and Lion-O will be pushing the stroller of your baby. He said he couldn't wait to be a father."

Cheetara couldn't hold it back anymore. She started crying immensely. Snarf walked to her confused.

"Cheetara, what's wrong?"

Cheetara sniffed and wiped the tears. "It's just that I didn't know Lion-O felt that way. I'm so happy he does," she lied.

Snarf had a feeling something was wrong. He knew that if someone was happy, you don't cry like that. For her sake, he believed her, made an excuse to clean the rest of the room and left Cheetara alone.

Cheetara forced herself to stop crying. "Stop this silly crying, Cheetara. You're a Thundercat. You're stronger than this. You can handle it."

Feeling a little more confident, she took a shower, got some more of her clothes and her things. As she was packing, she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked a wrecked. She wanted to look better. She wanted to show that the divorce wasn't affecting her. So, she picked up the brush and brushed her hair, making it a little bouncy and lively. Afterwards, she put on some makeup: lipstick, blush, and eye shadow. She wanted Lion-O to be foolish for throwing what they had away. However, something about this whole divorce didn't make sense.

I'm really glad you two got together. I've never seen Lion-O so happier. He said he couldn't wait to be a father.

"If Lion-O was so happy to marry me, then why does he avoid me so? If he loves me, he wouldn't do that. Something's not right. It'll come out sooner or later, Cheetara. One thing's for sure, before the divorce is over, you must find out why he doesn't love you anymore. I just hope I'm able to take it."

*****

At the New Tower of Omens, Panthro and Lion-O were working on some neglected maintenance in the control room. Panthro had the top part of the control panel open out. He was replacing old gadgets with new ones. Lion-O was working on the rewiring. Well, not really. He had the wire in his hands but he wasn't concentrating. His marriage was in trouble. The wires were giving him a headache. He knew this. He knew which wire connected before but now he couldn't be able to figure out how to use the Sword of Omens.

"Panthro, I'm not getting this. Which wire connects to what?"

Panthro walked over and looked at Lion-O confused. "Lion-O, you know which wire connect to what. You knew the last time we did this."

"Well, I can't think of it now, so just tell me," he said angrily.

Panthro had a feeling something wasn't right. "Okay, Lion-O. The red and yellow wires connect."

"Thank you," he said curtly and put the wires together.

"Lion-O, is something wrong? You seem a little off today. Did you and Cheetara get into a fight?"

"This has nothing to do with Cheetara," he lied. "I just had a lapse in memory. Now let's get back to work so we can finish up before the council meeting." he ordered.

Panthro nodded and went back to work. He knew something happened between the Lord of the Thundercats and his wife.

Lion-O knew he shouldn't have snapped at Panthro. None of what happened between he and Cheetara wasn't his fault. "Listen, Panthro, I'm..."

"It's okay, Lion-O. I understand," Panthro assured him and kept working.

*****

Cheetara kept herself busy throughout the morning. In the control room, she spoke business with one of the elders of the cheetah clan, Candra.

"Lady Cheetara, the elder's wives and I were thinking of throwing a ball."

"A ball? For what reason?"

"Well, for the one year anniversary of the end of Mumm-Ra and his evil on New Thundera. The ball will celebrate our year of peace from him and you and the rest of the Thundercats will be the guest of honor of course, since you defeated him."

"Actually, Lion-O was the one to finally rid our planet of Mumm-Ra, but I see what you are saying. If you're wishing for my blessing you have it, Candra."

"Thank you, my Lady. I know it's short notice, but we are confident we will get enough volunteers for it to be a great ball."

"Very well, and I'll let the Thundercats know about it in today's meeting," she glanced at the clock at the bottom of the monitor.

"Speaking of which, I must get to the council room, the meeting will begin soon."

"Of course, your highness. Good day."

Cheetara said her good-byes and turned the monitors off. It was actually fifteen minutes before the meeting would start. Cheetara wanted to get there first, to mentally and physically prepare herself in meeting Lion-O again. However, she saw him sooner than she wanted when she entered the room. He was already in there, waiting in his chair. Cheetara started to back out.

"Don't leave, please. Stay. I want to talk to you."

Cheetara ignored Tygra's comment that she shouldn't talk to Lion-O. Cheetara found it hard to resist Lion-O. He never used that tone with her before. He sounded vulnerable to her. She never thought she had that affect on him. She walked in and stood near him in his chair. He turned around in his chair to face her.

“Hi," he said lowly.

"Hi," she said in the same tone.

"How are you?"

"Fine."

He looked at her, staring at her. She looked different this morning, more radiant than she had before. Maybe now being free from him is making her happy. He wanted to comment on how she looked, but he figured that wouldn't do anything.

He stood up and took her hand and put it in his. To his surprise, she didn't pull away. He looked at their joined hands and then in her eyes.

"I really meant what I said last night, Cheetara. I don't want a divorce. I love you. I'm sorry for avoiding you. I want to work this out."

Don't believe anything he says about reconciliation because it's all a lie. Tygra's voice played in her mind.

"Do you really?" Cheetara asked.

"Yes, I don't know what I will do without you." Lion-O released his hands from hers and rested it on her shoulders. "You're

everything to me, Cheetara." He moved in closer to kiss her. She didn't seem like was going to resist as she closed her eyes. They ignored a whooshing noise, as there were about to meet, but something else interrupted them.

"Whoops."

Lion-O and Cheetara looked at Panthro, Tygra, Kit and Kat who had just entered. Panthro put a hand over Kat's mouth.

"We'll come back in a few minutes," Panthro said.

"No, it's okay," Cheetara said. "Come in. It's about time for the meeting to start."

Everyone agreed and walked in. Lion-O pulled the chair out for Cheetara, so she would have no choice but to sit next to him and he was being gentlemanly. Tygra raised an eyebrow at Cheetara as he took his seat next to her. She didn't say anything. Lion-O reached for Cheetara's hand and rubbed it tenderly. Lion-O went on with the meeting holding Cheetara's hand. No one but Tygra thought it was odd. They figured it was their own display of affection. Near the end of the meeting Cheetara decided to add her news.

"Before we close the meeting, Lion-O, I have some news to tell everyone."

Lion-O smiled at her. "The floor's all yours, Cheetara."

"Thank you, Lion-O. Earlier I spoke with Candra of the cheetah elders. She and their wives would like to throw a ball for us on the anniversary of Mumm-Ra's defeat."

"That's coming up kind of quick. Will they be able get everything ready by then?" Panthro asked.

"I don't know, Panthro. Candra said they will get a lot of volunteers so we shall see."

"I think it's a good idea, though I don't think we deserve any thanks. We were just doing our jobs," Lion-O said. "Is there any

other news anyone like to announce before I close the meeting?"

"Um, yes, Lion-O, I have one more announcement to make," she said nervously.

"What is it?" Lion-O asked.

Cheetara turned away from him and looked at the other Thundercats. Deep down, Tygra was smiling. He knew what was going to happen.

"Fellow, Thundercats. Lion-O and I are getting a divorce."

Their were gasp and murmurs from the Thundercats. Tygra kept a calm face, hiding his true feelings. Lion-O turn Cheetara face him.

"Cheetara, why are you saying this now? We didn't talk about this. We didn't say we were going to tell the others. I thought we were going to work it out."

"So it's true?" Panthro said still shocked by the news.

"Why are you getting a divorce?" WilyKat asked.

"What's wrong?" I thought you two loved each other," WilyKit added.

"What happened?" Snarf asked.

Cheetara couldn't take the questions anymore. She got up and ran out the room.

"Cheetara...." Lion-O called after her.

"I'll talk to her, Lion-O," Tygra said.

"No, I'll do it," Panthro said sternly and ran out before anyone could disagree.

Panthro caught up with Cheetara as she entered her old bedroom. He walked in after her. "Cheetara, why are you and Lion-O getting a divorce?"

He saw her crying. He waited until she was ready to speak. It was obvious that she didn't want the divorce. He thought about Lion-O's behavior and knew he was upset about the divorce, which made the panther confused. If neither of them wanted a divorce, then why are they getting one?

"There's no more love in our relationship. Lion-O doesn't love me anymore."

"Lion-O asked for the divorce?"

"No," Cheetara said still wiping the tears away. "I did."

"I don't understand, Cheetara."

"Lion-O has been avoiding me."

"He is a very busy man, Cheetara."

"I know that, Panthro, but it's not like his duty as Lord of the Thundercats is taking away all his time. There's something else. I don't know what. It's like he doesn't want to be with me anymore. He's been avoiding me, spending nights in his study instead of our bed. I still love him, but I just couldn't take the isolation, the coldness from him anymore." She hugged herself as if giving herself comfort and looked away.

"But asking for a divorce doesn't sound like you. Where did you get that idea?"

"Tygra suggested it," she said still staring away at the window.

Panthro’s voice seems to change. "Tygra suggested it? Why?" He was curious and intrigue.

She looked at Panthro. "He made some observations about my relationship with Lion-O that I was too blind by love to see. I

didn't mean to ask for a divorce, it just came out and we got into this huge argument and I walked out."

Panthro wanted to ask more about Tygra, but it seemed the moment has passed.

"Lion-O doesn't want a divorce, Cheetara. Trust me on this. I don't know what Lion-O's problem is by avoiding you, but I'll try to find out. In the mean time, you two should still pretend to be married for the public sake, especially at this upcoming ball. If you give your marriage a try a little longer, you'll see how you and Lion-O are meant for each other."

"I thought that once too, Panthro, but I don't think Lion-O loves me anymore. I'm beginning to wonder if he ever did. I'll do anything to save my marriage, Panthro, but if both of us don't love each other, then we won't make it."

"Yes, you're right. So, will just pretend to be married to him in public and you can stay in your old room until you work things out and decide what's best?" Panthro asked.

It wouldn't be hard to pretend to be married to Lion-O. She loved him, and she wanted her marriage to work, but to live in a lie, a possible loveless marriage, that was the hardest thing to do, but if there was a slight chance that there was a way to save her marriage she would.

"All right, Panthro. I'll do it."

"Good. That's all I ask, and I think things will work out."

"I hope so."

"It will. I'll talk to you later," he said and walked out. He walked a few steps and stopped. "That son of a.....I still can't believe it, after all this time. Hmm. I better be sure before I jump to conclusions, and if I'm right, I'll be here to get it straight through Tygra's head who Cheetara belongs to, even if I have to beat it in him."

Go to Part Four

Return to Lady Thundera's Fanfics

Return Home