FSE

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Dale stood there, her back to the wall, breathing heavily. After all this time, Foxglove decided to drop by? After everything that's happened, she'd totally forgotten about her! What was she going to do- what was she going to say? She started to slide down the wall, until she was sitting down. She ran her her paw through her hair, her eyes bugging out. Why of all days did it have to be today?! She was brought out of her thoughts when she looked up at the pot and saw it starting to boil over. She darted over to the pot and adjusted the heat, and opened the lid for a bit. That did the trick. She sighed, as she turned the heat off. She turned back to the opening into the main room. Now, she had to think of away to explain to her- Dale gulped at the thought, and what it meant- girlfriend.

While Dale was freaking out in the kitchen, the Ranger Wing just landed up in the tree, with Gadget and Chip in the front seats. Gadget had made some modifications to the Ranger Wing and Dale said she needed a few things for the meal she was cooking. Chip volunteered to go and pick up the ingredients she needed because he thought it would be useful for her to stock up on, and he'd be able to to shoulder the weight better than Gadget. A chance to finally be alone with Gadget for a stretch of time didn't hurt, neither.

"Wow, Gadget," Chip said, climbing out the Ranger Wing, with a cloth bag over his shoulder. "The Ranger Wing flies a lot smoother, now!"

"Thanks, Chip," Gadget smiled, climbing out herself. It can fly faster, too. "But it also means that it's lighters and more like liable to break. I'm still working on the afterburner."

"Uh, Gadget," Chip asked. "Do we really need something like that? And second don't we need some kind of fuel for that?"

"Well, golly! Chip," Gadget answered. "Don't you remember all the times we got caught in tail winds, blew off course, oh, and that time we had to out-fly that hawk? And I've already been working on something for the fuel system, Chip."

"Oh, Yeah," Dale conceded. "So what have you been working on"

"Oh, just blueprints," Gadget replied. "I have one that I like the best right now. I'm still building it."

"Well, if anyone can do it, Gadget," Chip said, smiling at her. "You can."

"Thanks, Chip," Gadget said walking towards the door. "I wonder how Dale's doing with dinner."

"Knowing her," Chip smiled, "she probably came across the last bits of the stuff she sent me out to get. Just as we took off, too"

"Now, Chip, be nice," Gadget chided him. "You know- huh?" She cut herself off when they got to the door, which was open and showing a very worried Monterrey Jack.

"Um, Pallies," he whispered to them, hoarsely. "We've got a bit of a problem."

It only took a moment, for Monterrey to explain what had happened. When he finished, Chip slapped his paw on his forehead and pulled down his face, while Gadget stood there, her paws on her hips.

"You just let her in," Gadget scolded.

"Well, what' did you want me ta do," Monterrey asked. "Lie and say she was out? She's not stupid, Gadget, Love."

"She's not deaf, either," said Foxglove, standing right behind Monterrey- causing him to jump.

Monterrey turned around to see Foxglove standing centimeters from him. Her gentle eyes showed she wasn't happy, that and her wings bent against her hips. Her ears seemed to be lean back on her head. If Dale were standing there, she'd have told them that that wasn't a good sign.

"Will you please tell me what's going on," Foxglove asked as forcefully as her gentle nature and docile voice would let her. "All I wanted was to see my boyfriend, who I haven't seen in over a month, and now you two are whispering things behind my back. My hearing is very good."

"Well, Foxglove," Chip said after a pause. "It's a long story. And Dale's... Dale's not feeling like himself right now."

When Foxglove showed no signs of buying that explanation, Gadget sighed. Just telling her would likely do less damage than lying to her, and this was bound to shake Foxglove up as it was. But as kind and loving as Foxglove was, she shouldn't take it as bad as Chip did.

"Um, Foxglove," Gadget said. "Dale IS inside, but we need to show you something. Chip, Monty, you two stay out here for a minute."

"Right-O," Monterrey nodded. "But what about the things you and Chip went to get?"

"Oh, right!" Gadget exclaimed, as she turned towards Chip. "I can take that, Chip. Foxglove, will you give me paw? Well, more like a wing, since you don't have paws."

"Okay," Foxglove agreed, as Chip handed the sack to the girls. "When the girls carried in the sac in, Monterrey shut the door behind them."

"Okay, Gadget," Foxglove demanded. "I'd very much like to see my boyfriend, now."

"Sure, one moment," Gadget grunted as she took the sack in her arms. "Oof! Dale will be out in a minute."

With that, she made her way into the kitchen. When she got there, she saw dinner cooking on the stove, the plates and forks stacked for setting up the table, and Dale, huddled against the partition, sobbing. Wait- what? She put down her load and knelt down besides Dale.

"Dale," she said, silently, trying shaking her gently. "Dale!"

"Foxy's here, isn't she," Dale said, not looking up.

"Well," Gadget faltered. "Yes she is. And is the stuff you said you needed." Dale looked up at Gadget, showing she'd really been crying.

"Dale, I know you're scared" Gadget said. "But, Foxglove made it clear that she wanted to see you. And I don't think she'd want to see you huddled up in a ball, when you're supposed to be cooking."

"I guess not," Dale agreed. Wiping her eyes. "How mad is she?"

"Um," Gadget hesitated. "Uh, what does it mean when her ears lay back on her head?

"It means, Dale started, but stopped. "Oh, she's not...!"

With that, she sprang to her feet and washed her face and paws, making sure to re-apply her mascara. "Gadget, Can you give me a hand," she asked with a new vigor.

"Sure, what do you need," Gadget replied

"First wash your hands," Dale answered as she rummaged through the sac. She took out a dried, red pepper seed, a chunk of table salt, and a small container of oregano. Break the seed in half and crush and then crush a half as much as you can. And put in a small chunk of this salt in. about a Pinch of salt I'll do the oregano, myself.

"Okay," Gadget said, getting busy on the seed, and scraping the salt chunk.

"And when you have all that, stir it in slow," Dale instructed as she removed her apron. "Get me when it starts to brown, okay?"

"Got it," Gadget smiled, before focusing on her task

Dale took a deep breath before walking out into the main room, where Foxy was waiting. She cringed a bit when she saw the bat's ears leaning against her head. Gadget was right, she is mad! Nervously, she made her way to Foxglove, who was busy looking around, tapped on her her shoulder. Foxglove spun around, looked her. She tilted her head, and squinted at her. Dale felt self conscious for the minute, especially when she saw Foxglove's eyes widen as a sudden revelation hit her.

"Dale," she asked.

"Uh, hi, Foxy," Dale smiled sheepishly, as she wiggled her fingers. "I heard you missed me?"

"No, no," Foxglove said, backing away. "You can't be my boyfriend."

"But, Foxy," Dale pleaded, trying to walk towards her. "It's me."

"If this is a joke, guys," Foxglove said, obviously very upset. "I'm not laughing."

"It's no joke, Foxglove," Gadget called from the kitchen. "That is the real Dale. Dale's a female, now."

After hearing that, Foxglove stopped and looked at the girl chipmunk in front of her. She had Dale's face, even if her green eyes were. She had Dale's taste in shirts, and the coif was the same, if not a little bigger. As she thought about it, she even sounded like Dale! Ohmigosh, she thought a she gasped, bringing her wings to her mouth. Dale! Dale just stood there, tears starting to flow from her eyes, once more. Her fists were clenched and her body was shaking; this caught Foxglove by surprised because she'd never seen Dale this visibly upset. There was clearly a whole lot to this than just a gender change.

"Oh, Dale," Foxglove said, as she walked up to her, and placed her wings around her. "I'm so sorry!"

"Yeah," Dale said after while, tears streaming down her cheeks. "The guys almost didn't recognize me, either. And Chip took it really bad at first. So, why am I not used to this?"

"Dale," Foxglove said, "I'm so sorry! But, how?" she pushed herself away to get a better look at Dale, "How did this happen?"

"Dale," Gadget called from the kitchen, before Dale could answer. "It's starting to turn brown!"

"My acorns," Dale gasped breaking away from Foxglove. "Thanks, Gadget!"

With that, she ran back into the kitchen, leaving Foxglove feeling confused, and almost relieved. Only her Dale could be distracted so easily. But since when was Dale a cook? How did this all happen, and when. While those questions were flying through her head, Gadget walked out, wiping her paws clean. She saw Foxglove looking over at Dale, with a very look on her face. She led Foxglove back over to the dinner table and sat her down, and explained what happened to Dale- starting from the fateful night at the warehouse and Dale's dealings and choices with her new gender and life. Foxglove sat there, trying to wrap her mind around what she as hearing- with mixed results

"Hey, Foxy," Dale soon called out from the kitchen. "Are you staying for dinner?"

Foxglove sniffed the air and sighed. "Mmm," she answered. "It does smell wonderful. Thank you, Dale- I'd love to stay."

"You're welcome," Dale smiled, poking her head out from the kitchen. "Zipper! Go tell the boys to come in, and that we have a guest for tonight."

Seemingly out of nowhere, Zipper flied out of the window. The door opened and in came Monterrey, Chip and Zipper. Greeting Foxglove, they set the table, making sure to set a place for Foxglove. Two by two, Dale served her friends a bowl of well seasoned and perfectly boiled bits of acorn and almonds- there was even a small bit of cheese on the side for Monterrey's dish. The rangers and Foxglove smelled the food placed before them- another culinary masterpiece Ala Dale. Foxglove sat there, staring helplessly, longingly at her food.

"Sorry, Foxglove," Chip said. "But we always wait for Dale to get her own plate before we eat."

"Oh, it's okay," Foxglove replied weakly. "It just looks, and smells, so very good."

"Thanks, Foxy," Dale said, walking to the table with a bowl of her own. She sat down, and led everyone in a quick grace.

With that out of the way, everyone dug into their plates. After eating their first spoonful, everyone- including Dale- let out a collective "MMMmmmm". Just like Mom used to make, she thought happily to herself. She looked around and saw everyone solely focused on eating their food. Foxglove was blown away. She rapidly downed one spoonful after the other. She felt ashamed of herself that she was greedily gobbling down her own food. She wanted to stop, or slow down, but it was simply too good- she couldn't. It wasn't long before her bowl was empty, save for her spoon.

"Oh," Dale, she sighed. "That was delicious."

"Thanks," Dale giggled. "I always make enough for seconds, if you'd like some more."

"Oh, yes please," Foxglove pleaded.

"The pot's in the back," Dale said after chewing and swallowing a bit of acorn. "Help yourself."

Foxglove did, and even went for thirds when everyone had seconds- there was just enough left for one last bowl. It always made Dale so happy that they loved her cooking. It may have been labor, but it was a labor of love. Even better- it was something all her own; Chip was the leader and an up and coming detective, Gadget was a mechanical and all around wiz, and a good pilot, and Monterrey had his strength, and even Zipper had contacts in the insect world, not to mention him being all sorts of handy in a pinch. Every one of those talents had helped them out of a few messes- each; Dale was happy to finally, genuinely contribute to the team, and not mess anything up. After everyone was done, it was Monterrey's turn to do the dishes. While he attended to the dishes, everyone moved to the love seat.

"Wow," Foxglove said, sitting next to Dale. "I just can't get over how good that tasted!"

"Dale's been cooking our Friday dinners for a few weeks now," Chip smiled.

"I'm going to have to come back next week," Foxglove smiled, leaning up against Dale

"Uh," Dale asked blushing. "So, what are you doing tonight, Foxy?"

"Well," Foxglove answered. "I was hoping we'd go out for dinner, but you already gave us that wonderful dinner."

"Well, you could stay the night," Foxglove, Gadget suggested.

"Really," Foxglove asked. "I wouldn't want to impose."

"Sure," Gadget smiled. "It'll be like a... like a slumber party!"

Dale's face lit up brightly at that suggestion. Her first slumber party! For some odd reason, it sounded like a fun. Foxglove smiled at the idea as well, if only for the chance of spending a night with Dale. It was going to weird having a girl for a boyfriend, but something just didn't seem right about that. Chip, Monterrey, and Zipper knew what was coming. After Monterrey got done with the dishes, he went over to his room to grab a few things, while Chip tried to make a dash for his room. Gadget caught him before she made it, pointing out that some "girl time" was what Dale needed, and that this would be her first slumber party. It needed to to have no interruptions. That meant no boys allowed. It also meant Chip would have to find another place to sleep- most likely outside.

"I'm sorry, girls," he said. "I'll take all the food and drinks I need to my room for the night. But I am NOT sleep outside."

"But Chip," Dale pleaded.

"Nope," Chip said, crossing his arms, as Monterrey came out, with a big napsack. He knew how this was going to end. "Nothing you do," Chip continued, turning his head up, "is going to-"

SLAM! Chip didn't even get to finish his sentence before he found himself standing outside with Monterrey and Zipper. Chip looked around, as if dazed, then sighed. Yeah, he thought. I should have seen that one coming. Monterrey placed an arm around Chip's shoulder, saying he brought enough food [cheese] and other supplies for the three of them. Chip accepted, knowing his only other option was to sleep in the Ranger Wing, and its cushions were staring to ware. Monterrey promptly started to climbe down the tree, with Chip and Zipper close behind. As he followed, Monterrey, the big mouse lectured Chip about standing between girls and fun.

"But it's only 6:30," Chip countered. "And the early late movie doesn't come on until 9. What are they going to do for two and a half hours?"

*

Meanwhile, the girls were relaxing in Gadget's spring. Dale's hair which she let grow out, floated gently as she submerged herself. Gadget was lounging on the side wall of the soothingly hot water. Foxglove was sitting on the the side of the spring just behind Dale. She looked down at Dale and over Gadget. She saw little differences between the two- not counting their species. Gadget's hair was already long and luxurious, and Dale's wasn't that far behind; in fact, looking at Dale's hair as it was- a wet, undone mess- it was hard to see her wearing her trademark coif. Having seen both of them in the all together, and there being a stitch of clothing between them, She noted another similarity- their slender attractive figures. While it made since that Dale filled out a bit more- as she was a chipmunk, it still didn't feel right to her. She was stirred from her thoughts when she saw someone pulling on her wings, pulling her in! After she got over the brief shock, she heard a familiar laughter. She looked up and saw Dale smiling. Looking behind Dale, she saw gadget, right behind her smiling- trying to keep from laughing, then she looked back at Dale, and put up a brave smile, before splashing her. Foxglove had never seen something look exactly how she remembered it, and yet look so different. It wasn't long before all three girls were engaged in a splash fight. The hot water, oddly enough felt very nice when in their faces. Dale and Gadget didn't notice Foxglove's tears because they blended in so well with the water splashed in her face.

After a good while of that, they were all drying off in Gadget's room. Gadget looked at the time, and saw that it was going on eight. That left an hour and a half till movie marathon time. Just enough time, Gadget thought, for a few make overs. Since it was Dale's first, the decided Dale should be first. Nervously clutched her towel as she agreed. She soon found herself on her knees with Gadget working on her hair. Foxglove surprised her by opening her towel, and started working the fur on her sesnitive bits. When the two were done, they showed Dale a mirror; she was astonished at what she saw. Her hair hung more freely down to her shoulders, with a single bang draped over her left eye. Looking down, she saw her bare chest, but it was covered with fluffed up chest fur.

While Dale was posing, Foxglove looked at her, and realized that her attraction to her was starting to fade- she couldn't love another girl like that, could she? But this was Dale, her boyfreind! Just, minus the boy part. She was stirred from her thoughts when it was her turn, then Gadget's. Since the two didn't have much to work with- Gadget's hair being perfect as it was, and Foxglove's hair always worn short- so they settled on doing each other's nails.

Before the girls knew it, it was almost time for their movie marathon. Dale took care of the snacks, popping ten corn kernels in a popper Gadget made. With the snacks ready, all three girls sat on the loveseat huddled together- two clad in nothing put appropriately fluffed fur, and the other clad in only an overly long T-shirt. The first movie was an alien zombie slasher movie. All three of them cringed at the copious amounts of blood, and shrieked whenever something jumped out, and cried at the end when the two lover/ survivors were re-united. When it was over, Dale got up and cheered, jumping on the seat cushions- no matter how many times she'd seen that movie before, it always got that much better each time she saw it. Gadget and Foxglove sat there, smiling- their eyes following Dale up and down. She finally settled down for the next movie. The marathon went on like that, late into the night- the trend interrupted a few times from snacking. At about four in the morning, the marathon had ended, with Dale and Gadget having already dozed off. Gadget was slumped over on the edge. Foxglove was lying against her, with Dale snuggled against her. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't get to sleep. She couldn't stop thinking about Dale.

She sounded like Dale, mostly, Foxglove thought. She acts like Dale, kinda. She even looked like Dale- somewhat. So was this the chipmunk she fell in love with on that fateful night? She looked down at the chipmunk, snoring audibly, and forced a smile. She knew this was Dale, but it was certain that this new chipmunk snuggled against her wasn't her Dale- at least, not anymore. She couldn't love a boy that wasn't, she already knew that. That left only one more question, one that played through her head like a broken record.

Do I still love her?