Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Someone Blue By Matt Bermann ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This story is based upon the Buster and Babs Trilogy, "Buster & Babs: No Relation?" "Whats in a name?" "And thats a wrap!" all written by Kevin Mickel, one of the best TTA fanfiction writers, in my opinion. The story starts on February 15, the morning after the Valentine's day party where Buster reveals he is Bugs' son, and his plans to marry Babs. I hope Kevin doesn't mind me blatantly stealing his story, but I thought it was so good, I just had to find out what happens, so I made up this story as I went along. The story was written in about 3 hours. Send any comments/suggestions/donations/death threats to: eddie@iprolink.co.nz That's not my address, but a friend's, as I don't actually have internet access . I'm currently working on another story, with no title, and, erm, no actual story as of yet. Any suggestions? Thanks to: Warner Bros. for making such a cool show. Kevin Mickel (aka HKUriah@AOL.com) for writing such a cool story. This is my first TTA fanfiction story, so please forgive me if it has an unusually high crapness factor. If you haven't yet read the Buster and Babs Trilogy, I highly recommend that you do, you can obtain it from: http://home.aol.com/HKUriah Of course, you can read this story first if you like, but it probably won't make that much sense. ****** Special note from the author of the Buster and Babs Trilogy: As you have been told, this story is a follow up to my three stories about Buster and Babs. I am very honored that Matt has seen fit to write a sequel to my Trilogy, and to be honest, a bit flattered as well. I feel that the story is a fine continuation of my storyline, and I do hereby give this story my enthusiatic endorsement. However, while I do endorse the story as good TTA Fan-Fiction, and encourage everyone to read it, I can't give it "official" status as a sequel to the Trilogy for a very simple reason; I'm working on a follow up of my own, and the events happening in this story and the one being written are downright contradictory. Perhaps therefore the best way to look at this story is to think of it as an alternate timeline continuation that is different from, but still just as valid, as my own. Kevin Mickel (HKUriah@AOL.com) ****** Excellent, an official followup should make interesting reading. Thanks for the comments, Kevin. They are mucho appreciated. I think I should point out, that although this story contains no explicit activities, it could be seen as more adult than TTA generally is. This story is centred more around drama, instead of laff-a-minute comedy, so if you are just here for laughs, you probably won't like this story. Anyway, on with the show... - Matt B, looking forward to the trilogy in four parts. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buster lifted the glove off his hand and glanced at his wristwatch. He frowned. Audibly. "Quarter past nine!" he thought to himself. "Boy, do I have to get that oversleeping under control." He walked through his burrow, and made his way into the bathroom. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he slowly remembered the events of last night. The Valentine's Day party. The podium. And then he remembered the most important detail of all; the announcements he had made. He stared at himself in the mirror and said, "Well, Buster, they know. They know everything. They know Bugs is my father, and they know that Babs and I are getting married. Now I can only wait and see what happens." He dawdled getting ready, and made no rush to get to Acme Loo, despite the fact that he was now nearly an hour and a half late for class. As he approached school, he was greeted by a deathly silence. "Everybody must be in class," he thought to himself. He looked up at the statue of Bugs, sighed, and walked inside. He wandered down the hallways, making his way to his class, Wild Takes 101. He reached the door. Placing his hand on the doorknob, he took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped inside. Everyone in the class turned to stare at him. Being late did not help things. Elmer Fudd approached him, put his hands on his hips, and said, "Wewl, wewl. What do we have hewe?". Elmer pointed to the Gogo clock hanging on the wall. "What time do you cawl this?" "I'm sorry, sir. Something urgent came up at home." Buster lied. "Wewl, OK then, but this had better be the fiwst and wast time you are wate!" Buster looked down at the floor. "Yes, sir." He briskly marched down to his desk, trying to avoid any attention. This was, of course, a lost cause, as all eyes were locked on him. He sat down next to Shirley the Loon. She looked across at him and smiled gently. She could sense that something was wrong, and she didn't need her Aura to tell her what it was. Shirley waited for Elmer to resume his boring lecture (noting that Elmer made even Wild Takes seem boring...), before leaning over to Buster. "Hey, Buster, are you, like, OK? I'm getting mondo negative vibes from you, or some junk." Buster looked up from his desk, and said, "Yeah, I am fine, but I have a bad feeling that life at Acme Loo is never going to be the same now." Shirley hesitated. She felt that he was longing to be happy at his engagement to Babs, but he couldn't, because he was preoccupied with being anxious about everyone's reaction to his revelations last night. He needed moral support, and she felt that she should be the one to give it. "Buster," she said, "I, like, think that most of the people round here will, like, react differently than you think they will. We've all kinda known you for a while now, and I, like, think that we all kinda expected it anyway." She sensed that she was having little impact on the dejected bunny, so she said, "Maybe you should, like, talk to Bugs about this." Buster looked up, and for the first time all day, he smiled. "You know, I think I will do just that. If anyone can help me, Dad can." * * * * * * * * * * * Babs sat in the library alone, save for a certain snoozing green duck slumped over the other end of the table. She chewed on her pencil, admiring the ring Buster had given her. A warm glow appeared in her stomach, and she smiled. She shuffled down the bench towards Plucky. She leaned over to his exposed ear, and shouted as politely as possible, "HEY PLUUUCKY! PLUUUUCKY! HEY! WAKE UP!" Plucky shot straight up, into the ceiling. Small chunks of plaster fell down, followed by one dazed duck. He wobbled around a bit, surrounded by small stars. Babs shooed them away. "You screamed?" Plucky asked. A serious look came over Babs' face. "Plucky, I need you to answer a question." "WHAT?!?! You woke me up for one question? ONE STUPID QUESTION?? Why don't you get someone else to do your homework for you?" "Just listen a second, duck. This isn't homework. I need you to answer this question honestly. You heard what Buster said last night, and well, what do you think?" Plucky sighed. "Listen, Babs. If I answer this, can I go back to sleep?" "Of course you can." "OK then. I think its great Bugs is Buster's dad. It's just what I needed... friends with contacts in high places..", Plucky said, rubbing his hands together. * * * * * * * * * * * * After what seemed like an eternity for Babs, and was all too short for Buster, the lunch bell rang. The cafeteria was filled in 2.6 seconds. Shirley, Fifi, and Babs went over to their old table. Shirley said, "Babs, there is something I need to, like, tell you. I was talking to Buster earlier, and..." She didn't get the chance to finish, as Babs leapt up upon seeing Buster and started off towards him. Buster looked around the cafeteria, surprised at the lack of stares he was receiving. From all outward appearances, it seemed to be a normal day. But deep down, Buster knew that those 'normal' days were gone. Everything was different now, and he just had to get used to it. Presently, Babs sneaked up behind him, turned him around, and kissed him square on the lips. At first he felt embarrassed, and tried to resist, but Babs' love overpowered him, and he softened. Eventually, the kiss ended, and a loud cheer rose up from all present, with the exception of Hamton, who was too busy trying to get an oversized slice of meatloaf out of a bag. "Darn clik-and-seal! I knew it would never work!", Hamton mumbled. Babs looked into Buster's eyes, but didnt see the usual affection there. Instead, she saw stony concern in his face. "Babs," he asked, "is there somewhere we can go to talk?" * * * * * * * * * * * * The two bunnies lay in the grass of the sports field, next to each other, staring into the blue sky. Buster turned to face Babs. "Babs, have you noticed everyone acting...... different, towards me, towards us?" "Of course I have, Buster. They are happy for us, that's all." "I don't think that is all there is to it, Babs. Now that everyone knows that Bugs is my father, they treat me differently. Like... I don't belong anymore." "How can you say that? It has only been one day since they found out!" "I know, but the rumours about Bugs and me have been around for a long time. I guess everyone feels... betrayed... that I didn't tell them." A tear formed in his eye. Babs leaned over, and hugged him. "Oh Buster, you HAD to tell Shirley you were Bugs' son! It isn't your fault that that blabbermouth Plucky went and told everyone! That is just the way he is. If you hadn't told Shirley, we might have never found Clyde." "Yeah, I guess so. I think it's about time I talked to Bugs about this." "Good idea. That's the best thing you can do." "I just hope he can help me with this." Babs waited until Buster was out of earshot, then said under her breath, "I hope so too, Buster. I hope so for both of us." * * * * * * * * * * * * Hamton and Plucky watched the two bunnies from the other end of the field. "Gee, Buster doesn't look too happy considering him and Babs are getting married." Hamton said. Plucky didn't respond. He didn't need to. Hamton knew what he was thinking. For the first time in his life, Plucky was thinking entirely of someone else other than himself. A hint of envy crept into his mind, as he wished he was related to some bigshot toon, like Buster was. On the other hand, he realised why Buster was so down. "If I was him, I don't think I would be very happy right now either." Plucky said. "C'mon, Ham. Let's give them some peace. God knows, they need it now." "OK, Plucky. Say, why don't we go down to the film vault and watch a few early movies? I want to know if they used clik-and-seal bags back then!" "Yeah, why not." Plucky agreed. As the pair walked back round to the film vault, they passed the two statues by the entrance to Acme Loo. Plucky stopped, and looked up at the statue of Daffy. "Hey, are you coming?" asked Hamton. "You go ahead. I'll catch up, Ham." replied Plucky. Hamton shrugged, and carried on to the film vault. Plucky turned, and looked at the statue of Bugs. "Well, big guy, your kid sure has a lot to live up to." He ran off, after Hamton. Buster, who had been watching, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He frowned. * * * * * * * * * * * * Bugs was sitting at his desk, working, when he heard a knock on his door. The silhouetted ears on the door gave him a fairly good idea who it was. He called, "Come in, Buster. I've been waiting for ya." Buster opened the door, and entered Bugs' office, with some trepidation. "Come in, come in, have a seat, son." Bugs said, sensing his discomfort. Buster felt reassured when Bugs called him "Son". He sat down in the comfortable leather chair. "Are you mad at me, Dad?" Buster asked. "Mad? Why would I be mad at ya, boy?" Bugs asked. "Well, I just thought that..." "Listen, son. When we agreed to let ya attend Acme Loo anonymously, we BOTH knew that some day ya would have to tell everyone. Just that dumb Montana Max forced yer hand when he kidnapped Clyde." "Gee, I never really thought of it that way." "Ya have to carry on. Be proud of who ya are. Everyone will accept it with time. No son of mine is going to live unhappily. Cherish life, son. It's a precious thing. Ya have it good, ya know. Ya have got youth, ya have got friends, ya have got ya health, and.. ya have love.". Bugs sighed. He stood, and walked over to the window behind his chair. "You miss her, don't you." "Yer mom was a special lady. Now ya have a special lady too. Don't waste a moment with her." Buster stood up. "Thanks, Dad." Bugs turned to face Buster, and smiled. As Buster left, Bugs called out, "Hey, Buster!" "Yeah, Dad?" "Just cause ya are my son, don't expect any special treatment, from me, or any of the professors here." Buster smiled widely. "Don't worry, Dad. I don't." He closed the door behind himself. "That's me boy." Bugs said to himself. He smiled. * * * * * * * * * * * * Over the following weeks, life pretty much returned to normal for the students at Acme Loo. Buster was just starting to feel at home again, with Plucky only occasionally requesting that Buster "Pull some strings" for him, which was normally followed by divine retribution from Shirley. One Friday, Buster and Babs decided to head to Weenie Burger after school. When they arrived, they spotted Plucky sitting by himself, sporting a mallet in the kisser courtesy of one angered Loon. The bunny pair walked over to him, and Buster removed the mallet from Plucky's face. Most of Plucky's teeth had fallen out. "Sheesh. You'd shink that ashking for a date would be a lot lesh painful than thish!" Buster sighed. "Plucky, Plucky, Plucky. Will you ever win?" "Not at thish rate!" Plucky said, picking up tooth fragments and re-installing them into his head. "Ahh, thats better!" he said, as he got the last tooth in. "So, whats up with you guys then?" he asked. He noticed that Babs was preoccupied with something, and he pointed it out to Buster, who simply shrugged. The two bunnies sat down. After a few moments of silence, Plucky piped up. "Well, Shirl has pretty much killed my appetite. I'm outta here. See you guys later." "OK Plucky, I'll talk to you later!" Buster replied. Babs didn't respond. A few minutes later, Babs finally said something. "Buster, lets go somewhere private. I need to talk." "OK Babs. Lets get outta here then!" Buster replied. He hid his concern in his voice. Babs seemed upset about something, and he had no idea what. The two bunnies left Weenie Burger, and started off down a path into the forest. Buster put his arm around Babs, and she smiled at him, and put hers around him. This, at least, gave Buster some comfort. What neither of them noticed was the green figure following them. Eventually, they reached a clearing with a park bench. "Lets sit here," Babs said, "And talk." Buster didn't say anything. He simply sat down next to her. Plucky crept around the clearing, until he was hidden behind the bench, in the bushes. "Listen, Buster. I have been doing some thinking." Babs said. "About what? Everythings pretty much OK at school now." Buster replied. "Yeah. But I have been thinking about us... about marriage." Buster's ears stood up at this, and he listened intently. He wasn't the only one listening though. Babs toyed with the ring on her finger. "I think that we might have rushed into this. Maybe marriage is not such a good idea." With that, she stood up, took off the ring, and burst into tears. She sobbed, "Buster, I can't do it!", and ran off crying. Buster stared at the ring that had landed in his lap. "But.. What... How... Why... Why not... Did I miss something?" "Don't just sit there, you stupid rabbit! Go after her!" Plucky said, emerging from his hiding place. "YOU!" Buster shouted, turning red. He had to get his emotions out some how, and anger seemed to be the vent he chose. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING THERE?" "I.. I.. was just, umm, looking for a book of mine?" Buster picked him up by the shirt. He had gone completely red, and was breathing heavily. Steam started coming out of his ears. "Mother." Plucky begged. When the dust cleared, a bruised, and conveniently band-aided duck sat next to Buster, trembling. Buster turned to him, and raised a finger to point at him. "IF! YOU! TELL! ANYONE! ABOUT! THIS! I! WILL! KILL! YOU!!!!" Buster shouted. He stood up, and suddenly, his anger was gone. He turned to tell off Plucky again, but all that came out was, "I'm sorry, Plucky." He turned, and trudged off towards his burrow. "Boy," Plucky said to himself, "Babs really knows how to mess with that rabbit's head." Buster arrived at his burrow, went inside, and sat down on the couch with a carrot soda. He looked at Babs' ring, and placed it in front of the photo of Babs he had put by the phone. He sighed deeply. "Babs, what did I do wrong?" he asked the picture. He regretted not going after Babs. Maybe he could have found out what was wrong. Maybe he could have said something. Maybe he could have done something. Maybe he should call her. Maybe he shouldn't. That was a lot of maybes. * * * * * * * * * * * * On Monday, Buster didn't go to school. The rumour mill had done its work, with Plucky telling everyone possible that the marriage was off. Babs arrived at school, to be greeted by an angry Shirley and Fifi. "Oh, Babs, how could you do zat to poor Buster?" Fifi asked. "Yeah, its like, totally grody!" Shirley said. "Oui, it was a terrible zing to do!" Fifi added. "I had to do it. I'm not ready for the committment of marriage." Babs said. Shirley and Fifi seemed unimpressed. "Well, you had better, like, apologise to Buster. And I think you should, like, explain it to Bugs, y'know?" Babs looked forlorn. "Yeah, I know." Bugs was furiously searching for something when Babs knocked the door of his office. He cast a cursory glance at the door, and saw the rabbit ears. He resumed searching, not noticing the bows tied to the ears. "Hi, Buster. Come in." Babs opened the door. "It's not Buster, Bugs. It's Babs." "Oh, sorry about that, little lady. Have a seat. What can I do for ya?" Babs sat down, hiding her hands. She didn't want Bugs to see that she wasn't wearing the ring. Bugs continued to search around the room for something as Babs started talking. "Bugs, I have to tell you something. I called off the marriage." She held up her ringless hand as proof. Bugs stopped searching, walked over to his chair, and slumped down into it. "Ya did what? Why? I thought ya two were happy together." "We were happy together. We ARE happy together. But I just don't feel like I am ready for marriage yet." "Why not?" "I don't know! That's the problem. Buster is the best thing to ever happen to me, but I don't feel secure in marrying him. I don't know why." "Babs, listen to me. A few days ago, Buster poured his heart out to ya. He told ya everything. His hopes, his dreams, his joys, his sadnesses. I KNOW ya two were meant for each other. Everyone in Acme Acres does. If ya think that Buster isn't the one for ya, then at least return his favour. Tell him why." Babs wiped a tear from her eye. "You're right, as usual. Thanks a lot, Bugs." "Not a problem, little lady. Just promise me one thing. Take care of me son, Babs." "I will, Bugs. Don't worry." * * * * * * * * * * * * The next day, Buster found the strength to come to school. It was lunch time when he arrived. He walked dejectedly to the cafeteria, and saw Babs sitting at a table with Shirley, Plucky, and Hamton. He felt his heart tear in half. He broke down on the spot. Fifi saw him, and walked over to him. "Salut, Buster. I heard...." she was cut off as Buster charged past her, through the cafeteria, hiding his eyes so no one would see the tears. He ran through the opposite exit. "I zink zat boy needs zome 'elp." She thought to herself, "Eet looks like I am ze one to give eet. C'est la vie." She ran out after him. "Buster, wait!" she shouted. She caught up with him, and grabbed his shoulders. "'Old ze 'orses, Buster!" "Fifi, please leave me alone." Buster sobbed. "No. I weel not leave until you talk to me." Fifi insisted. They sat down on a concrete step, with Buster holding his head in his hands. "Fifi," he sobbed, "I can't take this. Babs is the only thing that keeps me going. She is what gives my life meaning. When I asked her to marry me, and she said yes, my life was complete. Now she has destroyed it. I don't know what to do!" "Well, she steel eez your girlfriend, Buster. Just give 'er zome time. I know you two were meent for each ozer." Babs leaned back from the window, where she had been eavesdropping. "Bugs was right." She thought, "As usual. The only question now is, what do I do about it?" "I love her, Fifi." Buster said, "More than life itself. But I don't know if she still loves me! If she doesn't, then my life is not worth living." "Buster!" Fifi said, recoiling in shock, "You cannot mean zat. Babs steel loves you. I know eet. Just give 'er zome time. She weel prove me right." "I hope so, Fifi. I hope so." With that, he left. Fifi watched him leave, then went back inside the cafeteria. She stormed up to Babs, unaware that she had been eavesdropping. "I can't beleive you, Babs. Why 'aven't you told Buster zat you steel love 'im? Go out zere right now and tell 'im!" "That's the problem, Fifi." Babs replied, "I'm not completely sure I still do." "WHAT?!" screeched Fifi. "Ever since the Valentine's party, Buster has been strange... different. He has been distant, cold. That is not the Buster I fell in love with." Shirley floated over. "Like, hows it going, Fifi?" "Not good. Babs sez zat she doesn't love Buster anymore! She sez 'e changed after ze Valentine's party, and she doesn't love eem anymore." "Babs, I like, think I know what you are talking about. I sensed he was.. different, too. But, I, like, think thats because of us. He took us finding about him and Bugs, kinda like, hard. He's mondo depressed, that's all." "Oui." Fifi agreed, "And Babs eez ze only one who can 'elp eem." Suddenly, the PA system jumped to life. All the students looked up at the speaker. Bugs and Elmer looked up too, annoyed that the announcement had interrupted their meeting with the other professors. The announcement began. It was Buster. "Hi, everybody. I have two announcements to make. The first is to get rid of a rumour that is flying around the school. It is true. Babs... and I... decided to call off our marriage." He started sobbing again, "The second announcement I want to make is that I am leaving Acme Looniversity. Goodbye to all my friends, I wish you the best. That is all." Buster turned off the microphone, and burst out in tears. He stood up, and ran. * * * * * * * * * * * * Bugs slammed his fist down on the table. "No son of mine is a quitter!" he shouted, and ran out of the room, heading for the PA room. Foghorn Leghorn frowned. "Now we are in for trouble. Big trouble, that is." "That poor kidth really methed up," Sylvester added, "Let'th jutht hope that Bugth can help him." "Y-y-ye-yeah." Porky said, "I hope he'll be al-al-al-alrig-alri, OK!" * * * * * * * * * * * * Babs closed her eyes. "What have I done to him?" "Like, don't worry about that now, Babs. We have to find him!" Shirley said. "No." Babs replied, "This is something that I have to do alone." She ran off. "We 'ave to 'elp eer!" Fifi said. "No, Fifi. Let her, like, go. We can't help her now, y'know? This is between her and Buster." * * * * * * * * * * * * Babs and Bugs arrived at the PA room almost simultaneously. "Have you/ya seen Buster?" they both asked each other. "Oh, God, Bugs. I'm sorry. So, so sorry. I..." "Theres no time for that now, Babs. We have to find Buster before he does something he will regret! I can't lose him, Babs. Not now." "I know. You aren't the only one." * * * * * * * * * * * * Buster sprinted towards his burrow. He dived in, and emerged a few moments later with a piece of paper, a pen, and a large piece of rope. He scrawled a note on the piece of paper, and attached it to his sweater. Then he made the rope into a hangman's noose. He threw it over a sturdy branch, and tied the end to a strong root. He went back inside and grabbed a chair. * * * * * * * * * * * * Bugs and Babs raced around Acme Loo, searching for any sign of Buster. "He isn't here." said Babs with dismay. "Where would he go? Where would he go?" asked Bugs. At the same time, they both shouted out, "HIS BURROW!" * * * * * * * * * * * * Buster placed the chair underneath the noose. Climbing up onto the chair, he let out a deep sigh. He placed his head through the noose, and kicked away the chair. Everything blacked out. * * * * * * * * * * * * Bugs and Babs arrived at Buster's burrow just as the chair hit the ground, in Bugs' Caddilac. They both jumped out, and ran over to his burrow. No one was there. Then Babs turned around, and screamed. Bugs turned around. There, in front of them, was Buster, hanging limply from a tree. They stood there for a second, in shocked silence. "Oh my God. No, Buster, No!" shouted Bugs. "Don't just stand there, let's get him to a hospital!" Bugs shouted. Babs snapped back to reality. Grabbing the chair, she stood up on it, and freed Buster's head from the noose. They carried Buster to Bugs' caddy. Bugs sat up front, to drive. Babs sat in back, cradling Busters motionless head in her lap. She was sobbing uncontrollably. The car took off at warp speed, headed for the Acme hospital. Babs looked down at the limp form of Buster. She noticed something. Attached to Buster's sweater was a note. In the panic, she had not noticed it before. She took the note, and read it to herself. "To Babs, now I have taken my life, because you wouldn't be my wife. I wanted to take you to the altar, but our love was destined to falter. When you returned the ring, I was torn apart, For you, Babs, had broken my heart. For, I loved you, Babs, more than life, I hope you make someone else a good wife. To Bugs, you loved me like a son, I wish I was a better one. I was ashamed, of my blood relations, Having them revealed, caused complications. My life was changed, when they found out, Which was something I could have done without. Bugs, you always were number one, I don't deserve to be your son. Goodbye forever, Buster Bunny." Attached to the bottom of the note was the engagement ring. Babs picked it up. "I loved you Buster, I always will. Why didn't I see that before?" asked Babs. She realised that she had always taken Buster for granted, always assumed. When Buster asked her to marry him, that assumption was shaken. She felt worried about her freedom, but she still said yes. Her love was tested, and she thought it had crumbled from around her. She had abandoned Buster when he needed her the most, and now he had killed himself because of her. She could never forgive herself. She held up the note. "Bugs, I think you should have a look at this." "Not now, Babs. I'm busy." replied Bugs, as he skidded the caddy round a corner. * * * * * * * * * * * * The caddy screeched to a stop outside the hospital. Bugs grabbed Buster, and carried him inside. He ran up to a nurse. "Ya have to help me. It's me son, he tried to hang himself! Get a doctor, please!" "Follow me, quickly!" said the nurse. Babs and Bugs followed the nurse, who ran to an operating theatre. She pointed to the operating table. "Put him there. I'll get a doctor." A few moments later, a pair of doctors ran into the theatre. The nurse came in, and said to the two bunnies, "I am afraid you will have to wait outside." The two bunnies went out to the waiting room. Minutes turned to an hour. Babs went to the payphone, and called Acme Loo. She talked into the phone for a few minutes, then came back to Bugs. "Who did ya call?" he asked. "Just a few friends." she replied, still crying. "I think you should have a look at this." She handed Bugs the note. He took it from her, and read it. His eyes widened. Bugs looked over at Babs, who was still crying. He hugged her, and a single tear rolled down his cheek. He couldn't let Babs see him like this. She needed someone to be there for her. He couldn't let his emotions show, not yet. He wiped away the tear with his left glove. A few minutes later, two cars pulled up outside the hospital. A large group of toons came running in through the door. Foghorn, Elmer, Porky, Sylvester, Tweety, Pepe, Plucky, Fifi, Shirley, Hamton, Furball, little Sneezer, Calamity, Gogo, and a whole pile of other toons poured into the waiting room. Even Montana Max made an appearance. Fifi ran up to Babs and gave her a hug. "Ohh, you poor zing! What 'appened?" "Buster hung himself, and it's all my fault!" Babs sobbed. Just then, a doctor emerged from the operating theatre. Babs ran up to him. "What's happened? Is Buster alright?" "He is just fine. He just regained consciousness a few moments ago. It was a close thing, though." "Can we go and see him?" asked Babs. "Well, he is still a little shaky at the moment, but alright. But only one of you can see him now, the rest will have to wait until tomorrow." Bugs motioned to Babs. "Go ahead, kid. Just remember what I told ya in my office, little lady." "Thanks, Bugs. I will." Babs pushed open the door, and walked in. Every other toon there was looking in through the window in the door. Fifi gave Babs a thumbs-up. She walked over to Buster. He looked terrible. He was covered in tubes, all pumping liquid into him. He was hooked up to an artificial respirator. He was mumbling to himself. "No. Can't leave... dark, too dark." He opened his eyes. When he saw Babs, he went red with shame. "Hi, Babs." his voice was barely audible. "Oh Buster, I am so sorry! I made you do this to yourself." "Its not your fault, Babs. I deserved it. I..." "It is my fault! Please, let me apologise. I abandoned you when you needed my support. I pushed you over the edge. I'm sorry." "Babs, I forgive you." "I thought that I had stopped loving you. But I was wrong. When I nearly lost you, everything became clear. I love you, Buster Bunny, and I always will." "Babs, do you really mean that?" "Of course I do. I would be honoured if you would consider taking me back." "Babs, are you saying?" "Yes, Buster. Will you marry me?" "Oh, Babs! Of course I will!" Babs leaned down, removed the respirator mask, and kissed him tenderly on the lips. Outside, Bugs said, "I knew she would pull through!" Babs took the ring out of her pocket, and gave it to Buster. He looked at it, and slid it on her finger. "Bugs was right. It DOES look good on you." said Buster. He leaned up, and gave Babs a hug. * * * * * * * * * * * * The next day, Buster was visited by all his friends. Most of them brought flowers for him. Shortly after Plucky left, Shirley arrived. "Like, hi, Buster." "Hiya, Loon Girl." "Buster, I, like, need to ask you something." "OK, shoot." "OK. When you were, like, I mean when you.. " she struggled to find the right words. "Just spit it out, Loon Girl." Shirley took a deep breath. "OK. When you were, like," she hesitated. "dead, on that table, what did you, like, see?", she seemed ashamed of the question. "Well.. It was mostly just darkness, just completely silent. I can't really remember... Wait! I remember seeing myself, lying on the table. I felt really light, and then I saw..." he trailed off into silence. "Buster?" asked Shirley, "Are you, like, OK?". He was staring at the ceiling. "Babs." he said, "I saw Babs. I realised how I was leaving without telling her, without saying that I love her... I knew that I had made a mistake, I knew I had to get back, if only to say goodbye. I panicked. I tried to get back, to escape the darkness. And then it was all darkness, Babs was gone. I thought I was dead. I thought I had missed my chance. The next thing I knew, I woke up to see Babs looking at me." "Wow. A, like, totally cosmic near-death experience!" Shirley exclaimed. "Yeah, a near-death experience." Buster replied, not paying Shirley much attention. He realised how close it had been. What a fool he was for trying to kill himself. Everyone must have thought he was crazy. "No, we didn't." said Shirley, reading his mind, "Just don't do it again, k?" "OK." Shortly afterward, Fifi arrived, bearing chocolates. "'Ello, Buster. 'Ow are you today? Feeling better?" "Hi, Fifi. I'm just fine. How are you?" "Me? Oh, I am fine." "How's Babs?" Fifi smiled. "Ahh, I knew zat was coming. She eez steel, 'ow you say, worried about you." "I'm not surprised." "You really 'ad us all scared last night, Buster. You are very important to us, to me." Buster seemed surprised at that last remark. He didn't reply. "When I zought you were dead, I eemagined what eet would be like to leve wizout you. Eet was terreble. You mean a lot to all of us, Buster Bunny." "Thanks, Fifi." "I was talking to Shirlee earlier, and she told me what you had zaid, about what you saw, when you.... died. I was just wondereng, what was eet like?" "Premature." replied Buster. Fifi looked puzzled, but said nothing. She thought it best not to question that. She stood up, pecked Buster on the cheek, and went to leave. "I will return later, no? Au revoir, Buster." "Goodbye, Fifi." Later that day, Bugs came to visit Buster. "Hi, son." he said, "Can I come in?" "Sure, Bugs." replied Buster, feeling uncomfortable. Bugs sat down on the end of the bed. "I read the note ya wrote. I had no idea ya felt that way." "Bugs, when everyone found out that you were my father, I was so preoccupied with what everyone would think, that I didn't even stop to think about how you felt." "Son, the only thing I felt was pride. I have waited a long time to be able to call ya son in public, and now I can. I have always been proud of ya, son." "Really?" "Really." "Thanks, Bugs." "I should be thanking ya. When ya were born, my life changed completely. I could never go back. When I thought ya were dead, my heart just stopped. It was then that I realised just how big a part of my life ya really are." Bugs walked over to Buster, and gave him a hug. "Thanks, son." "Thanks... Dad." "Just promise me something, son." "What's that, Dad?" "When ya get married, stay happy. Don't EVER do what ya did yesterday again!" Buster smiled. "Yes, Dad." "Oh, and another thing, ya aren't gonna leave Acme Loo, are ya?" "No, I don't think I will." As Bugs left, he said, "That's me boy." * * * * * * * * * * * * Two days later, Buster was allowed to return home. He phoned Babs, and told her the good news. The next morning, Babs came by his burrow to walk to school with him. She leaned down the hole, and shouted, "Buster, you ready?" "Yeah, I'll be right up, hon." Babs smiled. Only three days since they got re-engaged, and already he is thinking up names for her. Although "hon" didn't exactly take much thought. "That's Babs, blue boy! We aren't married yet, you know!" "Well, sooooooorry!" said Buster, emerging from his burrow. She offered him her hand. He took it, and they started walking to Acme Loo together. About halfway there, they were joined by Plucky, who interrupted them just as they were about to kiss. Buster noted that Plucky hadn't lost his impeccable sense of timing. "Hiya Buster! Welcome back!" "Hi, Plucky. How have ya been?" "Oh, OK. My dentist has been making a fortune from me, thanks to Shirl and her mallets." Buster couldn't help but laugh. Maybe things were going to be alright after all. The trio carried on to school, but Buster noticed something different about the way Plucky was acting, as if he was trying to stall for time. Buster deliberately hurried to school. As he approached the school, he heard hushed voices. "Quick, hurry up, he's nearly here." Buster ran around the corner, to be greeted by a wholly unexpected sight. Across the entrance to the Looniversity, tied to the heads of the Bugs and Daffy statues, was a sign saying, "Welcome home, Buster!". Hamton scrambled down a ladder leaned on the statue of Daffy. In the middle of the entranceway was Dizzy, demolishing a large block of slate. All around, toons stood, unaware of Buster's presence. "Ahem." Buster cleared his throat. Everyone turned to look at the blue bunny. "Erm, hi, Buster. We weren't expecting you so soon.", said Hamton. Buster smiled. "Maybe you should pick someone better than Plucky to do your dirtywork." Everyone in the crowd slapped their face in unison. A voice was heard at the back of the crowd, "Alright, who gave Plucky that job??" Then, a voice came from the Dizzy purple whirlwind surrounding the slab of slate. "Dizzy done. Dizzy ready!" Chunks of slate flew everywhere. Babs and Plucky arrived, and stood either side of Buster. Buster reached over, and held Babs' hand. "OK, Diz," said Bugs, stepping forward from the crowd, "Ya can go now." Diz span away from the slate, revealing a statue of Buster and Babs, holding hands. The Buster statue held it's other hand up, as if in a friendly wave. The Babs statue had it's other hand on it's hip, proudly displaying a ring. "This," said Bugs, pointing to the statue, "is just a little something we all threw together to show how much ya two kids mean to us all." "I.. I... I... I don't know what to say. I'm speechless." stammered Buster. "All ya have to say is that ya won't leave us again, Buster. The same goes for ya, Babs." said Bugs. Buster looked over at Babs. "Done, and done." he said. Babs returned his gaze, "And DONE." she said. He leaned over, and kissed her, squarely on the lips. Bugs walked over, and leaned on the Buster statue, patting it on the head. "That's me boy," he said, "That's me boy." T H E E N D