Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Phoenix ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

See Chapter 1 for disclaimer. Warning: Citrus overtones, read appropriately.

In the base's dining facility, Ranma was showing both sides of her curse. Her tray was piled high with food, a tribute to her Saotome heritage, but was eating at a normal pace; reflecting the training that Balm and Kuh Lon literally beat into her. Marx was duly impressed. "Chris, you've told me very little about yourself. I'd really like to know more about the man I'm going to marry."

Marx chuckled. "My life hasn't been as 'unique' as yours. I joined the Air Force right out of high school, got out three years later, and went into the Army Guard in my home state. Was a medic for five years while doing radio troubleshooting in the Guard, and went to school to get my history degree. Did Army OCS and got my commission as an armor officer, and became a school history teacher.

"During that time I was married, but lost my wife three years later."

Ranma laid her hands on Marx's. "I'm sorry."

"Thanks, it helps to know someone other than me cares. After her death, I just wanted to get out of there; too many memories. So I requested and received a transfer back to active duty with the Air Force, and went through undergraduate pilot training. After graduation from Sheppard Air Force Base, I went to Luke in Arizona, and trained in the F-106G before coming to Misawa." Marx smiled at Ranma and chuckled. "I'm the oldest lieutenant in the wing that's a pilot. All the other younger pilots, regardless of rank, call me either 'Grandpa' or 'Pops'. I'm almost ready to have them just call me 'Pappy'."

"So, what do they call you now?"

Marx lowered his head, and mumbled "Scooter."

Ranma strained her ear, but didn't hear him. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. What has that again?"

Marx looked at her sheepishly. "Scooter." Ranma started laughing at her fiancé. "Hey, come on, it's not my fault. One of my instructors saw me with my glasses on and went, I quote: 'Lieutenant, you look very Scooter-ish. From henceforth, you shall be known to all as Scooter.'"

Ranma couldn't stop laughing. Marx, although annoyed, smiled at his fiancée. The change was profound from earlier this morning when Ranma was a morose young girl, to this smiling, laughing, vibrant young woman. "Are you ready, Ranma? We still need to go shopping."

"Ah, um, yeah sure." That was a true hint at her past self. They left the dining hall; climbed back into Marx's GP and headed across the base to the Exchange.

-----

Not quite like a kid in a candy store, Ranma was still impressed with the size of the facility. Marx made sure that she was going to get the full gamut of clothes-exercise, casual, a few more formal pieces, shoes, and underwear-as well as necessities like makeup and bath supplies. As the cashier was ringing everything up, Marx could see his exchange credit card visibly crying at the use.

Once the cashier was satisfied that they wouldn't escape, Marx headed over to the jewelry counter, looking over engagement and wedding rings. He found Ranma a nice 1.5 carat stone in a very simple castle-type setting in white gold with a matching wedding band. Glancing at Ranma, he smiled and purchased the rings, placing them in his jacket pocket.

Returning to the officer's dorm, it took the couple well over twenty minutes to unload the back of the dangerously overloaded GP. Marx cleaned out one of his wall units and chest of drawers for Ranma's new clothes. Ranma, however, wanted to get clean for the first time in quite some time. She was standing in the shower, the hot water running down her back, breaking up the accumulated dirt and crud. Looking down at her unchanging form, Ranma came to a realization. It's time I leave my past there in the past. Now, Ranma Saotome, "man amongst men", is dead. I have a new life now, and I'll never have to deal with that old panda again. She reached up and untied the string that held her pigtail in place. Letting her vibrant red hair fall loose, Ranma rid herself of the last vestige of her former life.

After finishing her shower, Ranma got out and wiped down the mirror. Standing there, she inspected her permanent body critically for the first time since she was cursed. Her hands wandered up and down her body, wondering what it would be like to have the man who saved her caress her with his gentle hands; wondering what it would be like to conceive and carry her children to term, raising them with the man she really wanted as her husband. Ranma chuckled grimly. Husband. At one point, I would have been in that position. Now I am the one who will be the wife. Very simply, I am no longer a man, nor was I cursed to be a man half the time. I am fully female. And I've fallen in love with a man I've only really known for a few hours. Well, I hope I selected wisely. One last lingering caress and Ranma picked up the new hairbrush and started working out the tangles and knots in her hair. As she worked the brush through, her vibrant red hair took on a luster it had lost after she left the Amazon village.

Dressing quickly in an exercise suit of her trademark red and black, Ranma smiled at the mirror one last time, and left the bathroom. Marx was immediately surprised by the way Ranma had changed from pretty tomboy to stunning young woman. "Beautiful. Stunningly beautiful," Marx said, captivated by her newfound beauty.

Ranma blushed, as she smiled cutely at the same time. "Thank you, Christopher-kun. You have no idea how that makes me feel. Your Japanese is improving."

"Thank you. It helps when you have to use it constantly." He switched back to English. "Now, we just need to work on your English."

Ranma nodded, not wanting to embarrass herself. She watched as Marx walked over to his leather jacket and withdrew a velvet covered ring box. She was slightly puzzled when he walked back over to her and dropped to one knee.

"Ranma," he said, "earlier today, I said that I was willing to be your husband. Would you still be willing to marry this old man of a fighter pilot?" She looked at the man almost twice her age in front of her on bended knee. "I know we'll have our differences; we'll have our arguments. I know we've only known each other for the better part of a day, but somehow it just feels right…"

Ranma interrupted him by kneeling down and wrapping her hands around his. "Christopher-kun, you don't have to worry about the future. We'll get through those rough times when we get to them; there's no need to worry about it now. And yes, I'm more than willing to marry you. You've shown more compassion and willingness to accept me for who I am than my own parents." She let Marx slip the diamond ring on her finger, then leaned forward and kissed her now official fiancé. "But," she added with a smirk, "I'm not giving up martial arts."

Marx replied with his own smirk. "I have no problem with you continuing your training. But…" he fixed his fiancée with a firm gaze, "not at the expense of your education."

Ranma looked dejected but nodded in agreement. "Alright," she said sotto voce.

"Look, I'm a certified teacher, so I can help you with your studies, and the subjects even I have problems with, I can have some of the pilots in the squadron help."

Ranma perked up as Marx said that. Since she had started her training, not many had really helped her; her panda of a father didn't exactly encourage education, and the help she got from the Amazons was more towards living as a woman. Yet the Lieutenant rescued her from certain death, got her set up with a new wardrobe, offered to tutor her in her studies, and asked for her hand in marriage. "When do I start school?"

"I have to talk to the administrators about enrolling a dependent. But first thing we need to do is make you my dependent; so figure about two weeks.

"I can start testing you to see where you'll need additional assistance for your course work." Holding her hands, Marx could feel just how feverish she still was. "But first, I believe you need to lie down and rest. You're still fighting a bug."

"But I feel fine," she countered.

"No 'buts', Ranma. I'm not going to let my fiancée get pneumonia just because I didn't follow through on her care. It was bad enough we went out in this weather with you sick.

"So back into bed with you."

Ranma go a mischievous look on her face. "Well…only if you join me."

Marx growled for a moment. He had some paperwork to do, but soon realized that he was marrying this redheaded martial artist. Ranma was already in bed, with the covers pulled up. He climbed into bed and let his fiancée snuggle up to him. "Chris?"

"Mmm?"

"For the first time since I left home, I feel safe, content. It's like a void inside of me has been filled."

"And for me, Ranma, it's the first time that I've felt the same way since I lost my first wife." Marx said, stroking her red hair. She snuggled closer and rested her head on his chest.

"Chris?" She had a feeling, but she wanted it straight from the horse's mouth.

"Mmm?"

"How come you believe me? For all you know, I could have been making my story up."

"You have an honest face. Besides, who am I to judge whether or not magic, real magic, exists."

Ranma smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way," she said, closing her eyes.

In no time, she was asleep, snoring softly. He smiled at her, letting her nap. So she has her faults. It makes me remember that she's not a china doll to be placed on a mantel and looked at; she's a martial artist. And she was born a guy for Pete's sake. That would have broken even the strongest man, and yet Ranma's persevered. A true testament to her abilities. "Sleep well, my love," he whispered.