Speedy and Polly: A Match Made in Heaven

Story by: Phoenix710&Merigirl

Summary: After the destruction of the comet, Princess Vi throws a massive victory ball to thank the Samurai Pizza Cats and Good Bird for saving the city. In the meantime, Speedy is worried that he's ruined his chance to be with Polly, the cat he loves with all his heart. Can some advice from Uncle Irving give him the confidence he needs? Will Speedy and Polly finally be together?

Disclaimer: Neither Merigirl nor I claim any rights whatsoever to Samurai Pizza Cats, or to any of the characters. Samurai Pizza Cats, and all associated characters, are registered trademarks of Saban. This story is NOT for those who hate Speedy, or who think that Speedy doesn't belong with Polly. Also, Guido will be getting SERIOUS payback for all the mean pranks he played on Speedy in the show.

Chapter One: Speedy's Confession

The Royal Palace was filled with tinkling lights and brightly colored decorations for the Victory Ball that Princess Vi had ordered in celebration of the Comet's destruction. Almost everyone in Little Tokyo was there, enjoying the finest food supplied by the Royal Caterers, dancing to the best music by the Royal Musicians in their special box at the front of the Golden Dance Room, and just being thankful that they COULD be able to do this! All around the Palace was happiness, thankfulness, and pure joy…all except for one small place, near the corner of the grand room. Almost hidden in a small overstuffed chair was one lone Cat- ironically the one who should have been enjoying the festivities the most seeing as how it was all basically for him! If it weren't for him and a reformed henchman who had now become his friend, Little Tokyo would no doubt have been blasted into rubble! He of all the citizens should have been the one right in the middle of the enjoyment, basking in the victory…but he just couldn't be. In fact, he could barely concentrate on anything…..anything except one single thought that had hounded him ever since the party started.
"Why did I make that stupid joke?" he thought. "Why couldn't I just tell her how I feel?" He finally looked up at the happiness all around him…but he was unable to take his eyes off the amazingly lovely Cat that was in a corner talking to her friend. There she stood, in what was without a doubt an amazingly gorgeous new dress. The top was bright red . It was knee length and the skirt was a matching white. Her short red hair was held in place with a matching white ribbon. He sighed, she was so beautiful….and he had no doubt ruined any chance he thought he might have had with her by blurting out that dumb 'Make me a pizza' joke! God, why had he done that! Because he had grown nervous at the sight of the huge crowd watching them, that's why! What he wanted to tell her was personal and private…but how private could they possibly be when practically all of Little Tokyo was staring at both of them?! He couldn't say such a special thing in front of so many like it was just a show, so he tried to think of something, anything else to say…and the only thing that came out was that pizza joke…and he saw how irritated it had made her! "God, why was I so stupid?!" he thought. "What if she hates me now…what if she thinks I'm too goofy to be bothered with…what if she's still mad at me?" He looked down. "I was so stupid…so stupid.." Even Guido got annoyed with him for his joke until he had explained to him his reason.
He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder…until he found it belonged to his Uncle Irving. "Well, nephew, here you are! What are you doing hidden over here, we've all been looking for ya! It's YOUR party, ya know! Thought you'd be right in the middle of the place along with your friend Good Bird basking in your victory!" he laughed at his joke until he saw Speedy's face. "Hey…anything wrong?"
Speedy sighed. "Oh…nothing, Uncle Irving.."
Irving tightened his grip on his nephew's shoulder. "Come on, Speedy, I know you too well, and I know that with you..'oh, nothing', always means, 'oh, something.' Come on, buddy, you can tell me, I'm your Uncle! You know you can tell me anything at all. Come on, Buddy. What's wrong?"

Speedy sighed. "You ever say something that just came out of your mouth and it turned out to be so dumb that you wish that you'd never opened your mouth at all?"
"Oh, of course I did. That I think happens to everyone!" Irving looked at him. "What happened, nephew?" Speedy looked down. Irving gently nudged him. Speedy sighed.
"I blew it, Uncle Irving. I had a chance…I had a chance to tell…I.."
"Put a sword in his hand there's no stopping him, but he can't tell his old uncle what's bothering him!" "I…I.." Irving immediately got what Speedy was saying. "I..I.." "Speedy, are you in love?" Speedy nodded. "Oh…THAT'S what's bothering ya!" He smiled smugly. "So…who's the lucky girl?"
Speedy turned his head toward Polly. "Uncle Irving…I don't know why it took me so long to see this, I mean we've been together since we were kittens.."
"How well I remember," he smiled. "You were both so cute!"
"Yeah, and I always thought of her as just my best friend…but now…Uncle...I can't stop thinking about her! I feel so funny also when I do. I mean, all this time I thought I loved Lucille…but she never made me feel like this whenever I thought of her…and I never stuttered or forgot my words whenever I spoke! Nowadays whenever I see Polly…she's so beautiful and so amazing I can hardly breathe! It was Polly the whole time…I've been in love with Polly all along! And only now I know!!"
Irving nodded. "Love is funny that way. Comes at ya when ya least expect it."
"Yeah…and I blew it! I had the chance to tell her..and I couldn't..not with so many people looking at us! And I ended up cracking a dumb joke!"
"So, go tell her now!"
"Huh?"
"She's right over there, Speedy! There's your opportunity! Go get it! Take her somewhere private, and tell her how you feel! Let it all out!"
"I can't do that.."
"Why not? She just might feel the same way about you and she might be scared!"
"After I made that lousy joke that was so atrocious even Guido beat me up over it?! What if she hates me now, or she thinks I'm a goof?"
"Oh no, you said it yourself she's known you since you were Kittens! She's used to your humor..I think you get it from your mother!" Irving smiled. "She's used to your jokes. So you can be goofy, if she loves you it won't matter!"
"But what if she doesn't, I'm gonna look like a fool!"
"At least you'll know, than you can stop torturing yourself wondering 'what if'. At least you'll have an answer. Speedy, you remember what your Dad always said, right? 'If ya want something, you can't waste time wondering 'what if I can't get it,' you just gotta make the effort to try'. well, nephew, there's your effort…go try!" He smiled. "ya know, when I was your age, I was afraid to ask your Aunt Lydia out on a date myself, but finally I asked her and…see what happened?!" Speedy gazed at Polly. "Go on. I'll take care of Guido if I see him. Go on, nephew. Take the opportunity..and good luck!" Speedy took a deep breath, straightened out his suit, ran his fingers through his hair, and made his way to Polly. Twice he almost backed away, but he glanced at his Uncle, who silently urged him on.

Finally, he made it to Polly and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hi, Polly," he said.
Polly turned around. "Speedy!" she said. "where have you been all night? I've hardly seen you!" Speedy paused. She didn't SOUND mad. She didn't SOUND like she hated him. He gazed upon her, into her lovely blue eyes..God she was even lovelier than she had looked to him when he came back from destroying the comet. For a moment he was at a loss for words.
"No, I'm NOT going to screw this up again!" he thought. "Uh…that's a really pretty dress you're wearing, Polly. Is that new?"
"Yeah," Polly said. "I went shopping with Lucille this afternoon."
"It's really pretty.." Speedy said. The musicians just then launched into a slow, romantic song, and Irving sidled up to his nephew.
"Ya know, nephew, didn't you tell me once you loved this song?"
"Uh..heh, yeah.."
"Oh, Polly loves it, too!" Lucille said.
"Yeah," Irving said, winking at Lucille. "Ya know, you 2 should dance together!" he gently nudged Speedy toward Polly. "Go on." Speedy hesitated…but then walked over to Polly and took one of her hands and carefully wrapped his arm around her waist. Polly blushed as they swayed to the music.
Speedy tenderly gazed into Polly's eyes. "You…you look so beautiful, Polly.." he whispered.
"You look really handsome as well, Speedy," Polly said, running her hand through his hair. "You should go helmetless more often."
"Polly…I have something I have to tell ya…"
"Yeah?"
"Polly…I want to be alone with you," Speedy whispered into her ear.
"Let's go into the courtyard," Polly said. "No one's there right now." Speedy danced her out the back door into the empty courtyard. It was big and silent, except for the occasional whinny of Vi's horses. The ground was made up of bright white cobblestones in a circular pattern and it was shaded by all kinds of trees that were hanging over pure ivory benches. Right in the middle of it stood a huge ornate fountain that spouted water straight up and it trickled in a graceful arch. Speedy stopped dancing when they reached the edge of the fountain and cleared his throat, taking her hands. "Polly…there's something I need to say to you.. " He gestured to the farthest bench. The bench was pretty far away from the animals and was partially hidden by a huge weeping willow tree that shadowed it almost completely. The only bit of light came from the moon directly overhead. when Polly had sat down on it Speedy looked around once more to make sure they were alone, then sat down next to her and took her hands. "Polly…before I tell you anything else...I need to say I'm sorry. "
"For what?"
"For that stupid 'make me a pizza' joke I did last night. Polly…that joke was terrible and I know I shouldn't have done it. It's just that…well, I wanted to tell you something…I needed to tell ya something….something important…but it was private and personal. That's why I wanted to talk to ya after work, when we could be alone. Then, after the comet, I thought we were alone, and I could tell you then…but when I looked up everyone was looking at us… and I got nervous cause this was so personal. I tried to say something else…ANYTHING else to get them to stop looking...but all that came out was that terrible joke! Guido of course didn't help by jumping all over me…"
"Oh…Guido, " Polly raised her arm in disgust. "He can just be a real pain sometimes!"
"I know…and I'm sorry if you got annoyed by that joke."
Polly looked directly at Speedy. "Now that we're alone," Polly began. "Can you say it now?"
Speedy glanced around to make sure they were alone, then took a deep breath. "Polly, first I need to apologize for something else. All those times when I was chasing after Lucille and wasting time trying to woo her instead of delivering pizzas like I should. But I want you to know that's not gonna happen anymore. I mean all this time you thought I as a goof…you're right, I am a goof."
"Oh, Speedy, I didn't really mean it..you're not a goof ALL the time…"
"No. but when I'm out delivering, that's not gonna happen anymore. Lucille and I…we broke up."
'Oh, I'm sorry.."
"I'm not," Speedy said. "I couldn't continue to see her. It wouldn't be right or fair to either one of us." He stopped to stroke her hand. "I mean, you can't continue to woo someone…when you find out that you're in love with someone else, can you?"
Polly shook her head. She moved her hand up to the shoulder of his suit. 'You're wearing the suit I gave you," she said softly.
"Yeah, it's a great suit," Speedy said eagerly. "Fits like a glove and it feels great. Thank you for it."
"You're welcome," Polly said. "But, that's not what you wanted to say, was it?"
Speedy laughed a bit. "Polly, this should come as no real surprise…but I'm really no good at this kind of stuff…"
"What kind of stuff?"
"You…me…us.." Speedy stammered. "Oh, God, I'm blowing it again!!! Why can't I just SAY it?!" he thought. "Polly…I don't know why I'm having trouble…well, I've never said anything like this before to anyone."
"It might be easier if you say it very fast."

Speedy nodded. He looked on the ground and stroked her hand. "Polly, the whole reason I broke up with Lucille is that…..I realized I never really loved her. I only thought I did…but I don't. All this time and all these feelings I thought I had for Lucille, weren't for her at all. I discovered this a few weeks ago. Polly….what I felt was really...Polly Esther….I love you!" He finally let go and blurted out everything that was in his heart and soul. "Polly, I'm in love with you and I've been in love with you for years. I just thought I felt so strongly for you cause you're my best friend, but now I know you're more than that. Polly, I always thought you were so incredible, you're so strong and brave, compassionate and good hearted. I know a lot of people are scared of ya cause of your temper, but your heart is so big and golden and it makes you look so lovely. Polly, I realize it now that all that time I thought I cared for Lucille, Lucille is a lot like every other girl here, but you're not! You're one-of-a-kind, an original, and I know now that's what I love and why I love you. You're yourself and that's what I admire. Polly, I love you, I always have and I always will." He sighed. "Oh, man, who am I trying to kid? Polly, I love you, but I'm doing it all wrong, and you probably think I'm a bigger goof than before. I don't blame you if ya wanna laugh at me, I'm just a stupid clown who can't even say THIS right! I don't… someone like you with someone like me?! Oh what was I thinking!!" he stood up. "I don't blame ya if ya wanna laugh, but please do it after I'm gone. I'm just gonna go grab something to eat, at least I got this off my chest..I'll just.." he turned to walk away, but as he took a few steps, suddenly a voice stopped him in his tracks, saying something he just couldn't believe.
"I love you too, Speedy!" Speedy stopped with his foot halfway up. Maybe he had imagined it. was he dreaming? Life couldn't be this perfect..could it? Slowly he turned around and saw Polly still sitting on the bench, holding one arm out to him. He looked into her eyes, so soft and blue…and glowing with love! Speedy couldn't believe it and made his way back to her to hear her say it again. "I love you too, Speedy!"
Speedy took her hand and helped her up. "Polly…"
"I love you, Speedy…and I always have. I never really knew it either until I almost lost you in that Comet. Only then did I realize that the happiest moments in my life were spent with you! Yeah, you can be goofy at times, but you make me smile when you are…and I wouldn't trade you or your goofiness for anything or anyone else in the whole world! You're not a goof all the time, Speedy. You're also honest, kind, daring, brave, you never put yourself first, you always think of Tokyo and constantly risk your life to make sure it's alright…anyone would be lucky to have you! when I thought you'd died I felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest, and I knew it wasn't just cause I thought I lost my best friend..it was because I thought I lost the one I love. All this time I got mad for you goofing around with Lucille, now I know, I was jealous, cause I carried this love for so long and didn't even know it! Speedy, you're one of a kind too. You're an original, and you're all I want!"

Speedy put his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. "This has to be a dream, it has to be! But if it really is, I'm gonna make sure I do this before I wake up." He looked into her eyes and did what he had wanted to do for a long time. He leaned over and kissed her. At first it was tender, than it grew deeper and more meaningful as he slid his arms around her and pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried it in his hair, kissing him again and again in the silent darkness. The energy that pulsated around them was unbelievable! He never felt anything like this for Lucille! True, her kisses were nice and sweet, but Polly's were unlike anything he had ever felt before! He felt like he was floating on air, like the whole world vanished and they were alone floating on their own special cloud. Finally they came up for air, and he knew he couldn't be dreaming! "Polly…Kitten," he said softly, kissing her forehead.
"Oh, Speedy..I need to apologize, too," Polly said. "All those times…when I yelled at you or when I threw things at you, or called you names like imbecile…I never meant any of that, it's this damn temper I have! I try and I try but I…it's so hard to control it, and I'm so sorry!!"
"I might be leader, but I don't think I'll ever understand why you and I were at each other's throats a lot."

Polly gazed thoughtfully at his well-built chest and handsome eyes. "Who knows," she said, looking into his eyes. "Maybe it was destiny."
For a moment, Speedy looked at the lovely form of Polly in his arms and a slow smile crept along his face. "I'll show you destiny!" he promised, sweeping Polly into his arms and kissing her with a deep passion, running his hands over her back and burying them in her hair, finally lifting her into his arms.
"Speedy," she gasped, before he covered her mouth with more kisses.
"I love you, Polly," Speedy gasped. "I've always loved you."
"I love you, too," Polly said, surprised at how easy it was to say. After a while she heard the band play an anthem and reluctantly pulled away from Speedy as he put her down. "Oh, Speedy, I think that's the song that Vi said was gonna be played when it's time for her to give us our honors. We better go.." she started to go…but froze in her tracks. She glanced at the direction of the Palace…then back to where Speedy was. She looked back at the Palace, then back at Speedy. Her eyes glanced at him, how he looked against the soft darkness, illuminated by the faint moonlight and shaded by the trees. Suddenly his blue suit could have been a tuxedo. He looked so handsome, it took her breath away. Her heart ached with wanting him. "Oh…hell with it, let them wait!!" Polly smiled and ran into Speedy's arms and kissed him with all the love in her heart. For the longest time they were unaware of anything, any time…any place, just each other as Speedy swept Polly into his arms again.
In a small corner behind some bushes Irving hid and watched this lovely scene in front of him with his wife, Lydia, and Lucille. "Hey, ya know what? We're in the wrong line of work! we should be matchmakers!'

Lucille laughed as she stared at this lovely scene before her. Other girls might feel funny seeing their old boyfriend in the arms of her best friend so soon after he dumped her, but she knew deep down this was how it should be. A tiny part of her would always love Speedy, but she knew she couldn't give him what Polly could, excitement and adventure! Polly loved him, he loved her, and they belonged together. She silently released him, and smiled.
"Be happy!"