Oh, L'amour by Matt Bermann ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 July, 1996. Hiya, and welcome to my latest story, "Oh, L'amour". This is basically a transitory short short short story that I wrote to provide me a break from working on the final part of the "Bugsnapped!" trilogy. Enjoy it and don't forget to email me and tell me what you think! You don't have to be an editor to just email me your opinion! (Don't worry, I don't bite. Much.) For the next week or so, you can email me at my new email address, which is: pw@wave.co.nz A brief thankyou to HKUriah, who organizes the TTA fanfiction mailing list with its monthly package of new fanfiction. His editing and archiving talents also get a large dollop of thanks from me. Check out his archive of stories at http://home.aol.com/HKUriah and enjoy the excellent stories written by many talented writers. Original Tiny Toons Characters, their names and likenesses are (c) Warner Bros Inc. / Amblin Entertainment, and are used without permission. This file is freely distributable as long as no alterations are made. This file may not be used in a commercial compilation without my express permission, which you probably won't get if you're trying to make money from it. Feel free to make private hard copies of this story. This story has yet to be given an official WIFA rating. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Call now, for this spectacular offer!" *CLICK* "..and that's a home run, folks! Jones has-" *CLICK* "..today, at the Acme Acres Mall, with several minor injuries-" *CLICK* "..seen here instructing their young in the art of flying-" *CLICK* "..go ahead, make my-" *CLICK* "..made significant gains today on the stockmarket, with-" *CLICK* Buster sighed as he flicked through a zillion and one channels. "A world of TV programming, and all of it's boring." he thought to himself, gazing at the screen. He looked around his burrow at the several empty soda cans littering the floor and sighed again as his eyes caught sight of the telephone, which wassitting on a table near the entrance. He'd originally planned to go out with Babs tonight for a night on the town, but she'd had to cancel. Again. She seemed to be pulling out of their social life more and more lately, and he was becoming bored and depressed with watching late night TV. He idly wondered what was stopping Babs from going out with him. He pulled out a carrot and started munching on it. "I wonder why Babs has been so busy," he mused, chewing on the carrot, "It's almost like she doesn't want to..." He dropped the carrot as the realization hit him. "Like she doesn't want to see me anymore. But that can't be it, can it?" * * * * * * * * * * * * Babs leaned her head on her hand and sighed, chewing the end of her pencil intently. This was the fourth night she was bogged down with homework this week. It was Friday night and she was sitting in her room working on Toon Physics projects. She'd been bogged down with assignments for the past month, and she pondered whether it was an increase in workload or if she was falling behind. She hadn't told anyone that she was working on homework, it just wasn't something she would normally do, and she was happy with not telling anyone, not even Buster. She'd come up with excuses as to why she was stuck at home, but she knew that they were wearing a bit thin on him, and he was starting to wonder about her. Unfortunately, there was little she could do about it. She took her pencil out of her mouth and resumed working. * * * * * * * * * * * * Buster wandered down the sidewalk towards Weenie Burger, looking up at the bright moon illuminating the night sky. He took in several deep breaths and thrust his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He shivered slightly and wondered why the night was so cold. He was glad to be wearing a jacket, that was for sure. He eventually reached Weenie Burger and saw the familiar hordes of toons inside, eating and talking as they always did. He pushed the door open and walked inside. The air was warm and slightly moist inside, lending a comfortable and cosy ambiance to the place. He glanced around and saw Plucky and Shirley sitting at a table, Shirley nibbling petitely at some tofu, Plucky attacking a burger with his usual gusto. "Hi, guys," he said, approaching their table, "Mind if I have a seat?" Plucky shot him a glance as if to remove Buster's interruption from his efforts to seduce Shirley, but then Shirley smiled and nodded. "Like, sure, Buster." "Thanks," he replied, taking a seat, "So what are you guys up to?" "Nothing much," said Plucky, swallowing a mouthful of the burger, "Just sitting around here and eating, as usual. We were thinking of maybe heading into town to see what's going on tonight." "Yeah," added Shirley, "I, like, heard there's going to be a mondo party tonight, or some junk." Buster nodded, his mind still on Babs. "Mind if I tag along? I'm feeling pretty bored tonight." "Sure thing, Buster." said Plucky, finishing off his burger. "We're just going over to the park for a while first, though. It's early for a party to be starting, so we're gonna pass the time there." "Okay. I'll come along to the park later, then." Plucky and Shirley stood and left, leaving Buster sitting by himself. He rested his head in his hands and drummed his fingers for a while, before noticing Fifi sitting by herself on the other side of Weenie Burger, seemingly in a similar state of depression to his own. He stood and made his way over to her. "Hi, Fifi. Mind if I have a seat?" Fifi looked up at him and smiled slightly. "Certainly, Bustair. I am, 'ow you say, just passeng ze time 'ere." He took a seat opposite her and looked at her across the table. "You okay, Fifi?" "Oui," she replied, "I am just slightlee bored." Buster smiled. "Feef, I know bored, and that face isn't it. There's something the matter, isn't there? Wanna talk about it?" She sighed. "Vous can, 'ow you say, read me like ze magazine." "Book, Feef, read you like a book." She giggled. "Oui, le book." "Hey, don't you go changing the subject on me, Feef. What's the matter?" "Well, I 'ave just been dumped again by le skunk 'unk, and now I am passeng ze time until tomorrow." He looked at her, more sternly this time, "Fifi, I know that's not all there is to it. What's the problem?" She lowered her eyes and stared at the table, before finally looking up at him, a single tear in her eyes. "Bustair, I 'ave been le dumped again, and I am, 'ow you say, groweeng tired of ze chase. I don't zeenk zere is any skunk 'unk out zere for moi." He reached over and rubbed the tear away from her eyes, then took her hands in his. "Feef.. there's someone out there for you, you've just got to find him, and you can't give up on it. C'mon, I'm going to a party with Plucky and Shirley, you're coming with me." She sniffed. "I am?" "Oui," he said, with a smile, "you are." * * * * * * * * * * * * "Like, get crucial, Plucky!" said Shirley, shortly before slapping Plucky firmly. "I'm NOT going to do that, you lunchmeat!" "Darn," said Plucky, rubbing his face. Just then, Buster and Fifi appeared on the path leading to the bench where the two were sitting. Buster noticed them and waved. "Like, hiya, Buster," said Shirley, smiling, "and Fifi." "Hi," said Plucky, preoccupied with a small bag of chips he was struggling to open. He yanked and the bag opened with a loud pop, sending a few chips flying. He popped one of the remaining ones in his beak and chewed away at it. "So," he said, with a voice muffled by the chip, "you two ready to go?" "Oui." said Fifi, "Let's, 'ow you say, paint ze town red." Buster smiled and patted Fifi on the back. "Yeah, let's go." * * * * * * * * * * * * "I, like, thought you said you knew where this party was, or some junk." said Shirley, a tone of annoyance in her voice. "I do, I do," replied Plucky, frowning, "I just got the numbers a bit mixed up." "We shall 'ave to 'urry and get to zees partee, ozerwize eet weel be over before we get zere." added Fifi. They rounded a corner and saw a large building with varying colored lights shining out through the windows, loud music blaring out through the walls. "I think we've found the party." said Buster. "Oui, I zeenk we 'ave." The group wandered over towards the large building, which turned out to be a large warehouse, empty except for the dozens of toons partying inside. Tables with food stacked high on them lined the walls and music came loudly from the large speakers distributed inside. Plucky looked in through a window and saw the party inside. "C'mon, let's get inside!" "Yeah!" added Buster, grabbing Fifi's shoulder and dragging her towards the door. Plucky and Shirley followed, exchanging a glance and a shrug over Buster's behavior. "I wonder if Babs has him on her coffee regimen." whispered Plucky, smirking slightly. "Or maybe Feef's stink has finally warped his mind." "Hey," whispered Shirley, "It could be, like, totally worse, he could have bought Elmyra to the party, or some junk." The foursome entered the building and looked around, looks of awe on their faces. This was the biggest party any of them had ever seen. Absolutely everyone was there, with only Babs being conspicuous by her absence. Toons danced, talked, laughed, ate and drank, generally having a really enjoyable time. The music stopped briefly, before starting again on a fast pace. "Wanna dance, Shirl?" asked Plucky. "Hmm," replied Shirley, "Like, okay, but as long as you don't, like, try anything on me..." "Sure thing," replied Plucky, his fingers crossed behind his back, "I promise." Buster looked over at Fifi and smiled. "Care for a dance?" "Oui," she replied with a smile, "zat would be nice." She placed her hand in his and he led her out to where everyone was dancing. They danced together for several minutes, swinging and turning around everybody else, whilst Plucky's several attempts on Shirley went unrewarded. "Phew," panted Buster, after several songs, "I'm pooped. Let's go get some punch, shall we?" "Certainlee, Bustair." They made their way over to the drinks table. "Punch?" asked Buster, pouring himself a jumbo glass of punch. "Oui, zat will be fine." He poured her a jumbo glass and handed it over. "Enjoy." he said, with a smile. They both wandered away from the drinks table, over to a quieter section of the building, with a few tables and chairs. Meanwhile, Montana Max stood at a discrete distance from the drinks table, an empty bottle of vodka protrouding from his shirt, the cap in his hand. He put the cap back on the bottle and tightened it. "Ha, this outta be good for a laugh." he chuckled to himself. * * * * * * * * * * * * "C'mon, there's a couple of seats over here." said Buster, pointing to a table and chairs positioned near a large window overlooking the street below. He led Fifi to the table and pulled a chair out for her. She smiled and sat down, placing her half-empty drink on the table. Buster walked around to the other side of the table and sat, also placing his drink on the table. "It's a beautiful night out there," he commented after a while. "Oui," Fifi agreed, "eet iz a wondeerfully clear night. Ze moon iz lighteeng ze 'ole ceety up." "Yeah." said Buster, nodding. His stomach felt slightly warm from the drink. "This is some good punch." he said, taking another sip. "Non," said Fifi, taking a mouthful, "zees eez excellent punch." He chuckled. "Yes, excellent punch." They sat in silence for several minutes, the loud beat of the music dulled by the walls between them and the party. They each held their punch and sipped occasionally at it. Buster placed his drink down on the table, gazing out through the window, as did Fifi. "Beautiful night." he whispered, his speech ever so slightly slurred. He reached over for his glass and jumped slightly as his hand gripped something warm and furry. He blinked, and glanced over at Fifi. He blushed as he realized he had accidentally gripped her hand. "I'm sorry," he said, releasing it. He paused for a moment, "I think we should get back to the party." Fifi gazed at him and smiled, a slight blush forming on her face. "Oui, I zeenk we should." They stood and walked back to the main room of the party. They entered the main room, and Plucky noticed them coming in, and saw the light red tinge of Buster's face. "Hello," he whispered to Shirley, "look what we have here.. Methinks something has just happened with those two.." "Hmm?" said Shirley, turning to look, "I, like, doubt it, Plucky. I think your imagination is, like, totally running wild, or some junk." Buster led Fifi over to the drinks table, still blushing, as was she. "Want another glass of punch?" "Oui," she replied, a small smile on her face. The music ended and a slower tune began. Couples formed and started dancing slowly around. Buster's cheeks went a brighter shade of red, his lack of dancing skills at the back of his mind. "Would vous care to dance?" asked Fifi, interrupting his thoughts. "Y-yes," he replied, without thinking. They both downed their drinks in one and made their way over to the dance floor. Buster placed his hands on Fifi's waist and she rested hers on his shoulders. "Vous know," she said, as they danced, "I don't see what vous were worrieed about wiz your danceeng. Vous dance very well, for someone wiz, 'ow you say, ze large feet." "Thanks," Buster replied, spinning her, "you're not such a bad dancer yourself, Feef." The music drew to a close and Buster pulled Fifi against him as the song finished. Their eyes were level, locked upon each other. "Not," said Buster, pulling his face slowly towards Fifi's, "such.. a bad.. dancer... yourself." They both closed their eyes as their lips touched in a soft kiss. Buster wrapped his arms around Fifi and held her closely to him as he kissed her softly. She wrapped her arms around him and felt his chest heaving, his pulse racing. He broke the kiss shortly after and pulled away slightly. "I.. I.. I'm sorry, Fifi, I didn't mean to-" He was cut off by Fifi grabbing the back of his head and pulling it against hers. He gasped slightly and gave in to the temptation, locking his lips on hers for a long, deep kiss. Plucky and Shirley, meanwhile, were standing agape at the couple, standing and kissing in the middle of the dance floor, seemingly oblivious to the others around them. Plucky turned his head to look at Shirley. "Uh oh," he said, "I don't think Babs is going to be very happy with Buster after she finds out about this." "I think that's the, like, understatement of the year, Plucky. She's gonna go totally thermonuclear." "Now," said Plucky, "what were you saying about my imagination running wild, hmm?" * * * * * * * * * * * * The foursome sat in complete silence in the back of the cab, Buster and Fifi fully aware that Plucky and Shirley had seen them kissing. No eye contact was made during the cab ride, until Fifi spoke up to the driver. "Zees weel do for moi, I weel walk from 'ere. I need zome fresh air." The cab driver pulled over and Fifi opened the door. She got out of the car and gazed back in. "Au revoir, I weel see vous lateer." "Bye, Fifi.." said Plucky. "Like, see ya, Feef." added Shirley. Buster looked up from the floor and blushed again. "See you later, Fifi." Fifi shut the door and wandered off, leaving the three of them on the back seat. Shirley was the first to speak, as the cab pulled away. "You're, like, going to have to tell Babs about this, Buster." "I.. I can't, Shirley. I can't tell her." "Well, I'll tell her, then." said Plucky. Buster glared at Plucky. "I'll give you fifty bucks to keep your beak shut, Plucky." Plucky's eyes lit up. "You got it!" Shirley scowled at Plucky. "You might, like, be able to buy Plucky off, Buster, but you can't stop me. You'd better, like, figure out how to tell Babs, and quick, 'cause if you don't, I, like, will." Buster trembled, obviously worried sick about how he was going to tell Babs about it. "I think I should talk to Fifi first. I've got to tell her what happened can't happen again." * * * * * * * * * * * * Buster sat on the park bench, staring out at the rising sun, waiting anxiously. Fifi appeared on the path and made her way over to him. "I'm sorry to call you so early in the morning, Fifi, but I had to talk to you." "Eet eez not ze probleem. I deed not get any sleep, anyway." "I didn't get any sleep either." Fifi took a seat next to Buster, who shifted uncomfortably on the bench. "Fifi, we have to talk about what happened last night." She nodded. "Oui, we do." She turned on the bench and faced him, gazing into his eyes. "Fifi," he began, "I don't know what happened last night, but feelings came out, feelings that I think we both knew were there before, but.." He trailed off into silence as he noticed Fifi was leaning in towards him again. He sniffed slightly and smelled a sweet scent, not at all the strong odor of a skunk's spray. His head moved slowly forward towards hers again, and he fought an internal battle. His head stopped, his lips the merest fraction of an inch from hers. He pulled back, straining slightly, not knowing whether it was right or wrong, half wanting to take her into his arms and kiss her, half wanting to run away and hide. "Fifi," he said, softly, "we can't do this.." "Bustair," she replied, a whisper, almost inaudible, "I have had zese feeleengs for vous for a loong time. I just, 'ow vous say, dideen't know zat vous felt ze zame way aboout moi.." His hand raised up and stroked her cheek. "Fifi, I don't know what I feel anymore. I've always been attracted to you.. I mean, who hasn't? But I.. I.." "Vous what?" asked Fifi. "I.. I love Babs, Fifi." Her eyes dropped. "Oh. I see.." "Please don't be like that, Fifi," he said, stroking her cheek, "just because I'm in love with Babs, that doesn't mean we can't be friends, good good friends who care a lot about each other. I just can't go any further than that. I've made a committment to Babs, and I can't break it." "Vous really love 'er, don't vous, Bustair?" "Yes, Fifi, I do." She stood. "I understand, Bustair." He stood and hugged her. "Remember that I'll always be your friend, Fifi, and I'll always be here for you. You'll find someone." "Zank you, Bustair. I weel remember zees." He smiled. "I'm glad you understand, Fifi. Now I just hope that Babs will too." "Let me tell 'er, Bustair. I weel explain what 'appened." "I can't let you do that, Fifi, I should do it, after all, I-" "Vous nozeeng. I want to do eet. Eef vous care about moi, let me do eet for vous." He hesitated, then nodded. "OK, Fifi." * * * * * * * * * * * * Babs jumped slightly as there was a knock on her door. She pulled her pencil out of her mouth and sighed. "Come in." Fifi entered. "'allo, Babs. Your mozair let me een." "Hi, Feef. What can I do for you?" Fifi looked around Babs' room, noting all the pictures of Buster placed around. She sighed. "I am afraid I 'ave somezeeng eemportant to tell vous." Babs got up out of her chair and sat down on her bed. She patted the matress next to her. "Have a seat, Fifi. What can I do for you?" "I 'ave a confession to make, Babs." "Confession?" "Last night, at ze party.. Bustair and I.. we.. umm.. we keessed each ozer, Babs.." "You did WHAT??" said Babs, in shock. "We keessed each ozer. I do not know what caused eet, I zeenk it might 'ave been somezeeng in ze dreenk.." "How could you?!?" shouted Babs, "I'm going to kill him!!" "Babs, wait!" said Fifi, "I talked to 'eem earlier today, and 'e zaid zat he regretted what 'appened last night, and zat 'e couldn't let eet 'appen again, becauze 'e loves vous so much.." Babs calmed a little. "He did?" Fifi nodded. "Oui, 'e deed. I am sorree for keeseeng 'eem, Babs. I just couldn't 'elp eet, eet just 'appened.." Babs unclenched her fist. "It's alright, Fifi. If you're both sorry, and it won't happen again.. it's not worth losing our friendship over it." "So vous are OK weez eet?" "Yes." nodded Babs. "Just don't let it happen again, or I'll pulverize both of you." Fifi smiled and stood up. "I weel leave vous to eet, Babs. Just remeember what vous have weez Bustair." "I will, Fifi. I will." T H E E N D ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I said it was a short short short story, didn't I? I might write another following on this storyline.. depends what kind of mood I'm in. If anyone else wants to carry on this storyline, please feel free! I'll be more than happy to read someone else's continuation of this story.. I hope you enjoyed it! Remember to email me, my address is at the top of the story. If you get a bounced email, please try again. I will reply to every email sent to me about my stories, so if you don't get a reply in a day or two, try sending the mail to both the addresses, I don't want to miss out on anyone's comments. Thanks, and have a nice day!