A/N: This is the final chapter. Yay! Very light and very cute (at the end). Let's roll it!

Chapter 7

On their way back, they happened to meet Bugs. The rabbit was in a… not so good state to say the least. His usually calm demeanour had been replaced by pure panic.

"What happened, Elmer? Buster told me Elmyra was missing. Elmyra, are you ok?"

A few minutes were needed in order for Elmer to calm down his fiancé and assure him the girl was fine. When Bugs asked for more details about what exactly went on, the hunter simply whispered a name that made the bunny's ears perk up.

"Him? Here?"

Elmer nodded.

"But how?"

The older toon shrugged.

Bugs analyzed the situation for a bit. He had a feeling he knew what Robert had wanted to do to Elmyra, considering Elmer's experience with the man. It sickened him. That was the most vile thing to do to a child, and only someone with absolutely no morals would do it. Not even the worst and most despised villains in Toon Town would lower themselves like that.

Guessing his fiancé's thoughts, Elmer spoke. "Don't wowwy. Like I told you befowe, he didn't get to do anything. I got thewe on time."

Bugs knew that and it indeed calmed him down a bit hearing the older toon repeat it. However, the simple insinuation that Robert would have done something to the girl if no one been there, both sent chills down his spine and infuriated him.

Plus, what if the that meeting triggered something in Elmer? What if that garbage of a human had said something that had hurt Elmer or gave him flashbacks?

"Did he… do anything to make you uncomfoitable? Did he say anything?" Bugs asked, feeling like he should check. Elmer could be very good at hiding his feelings sometimes.

"A bit at the beginning. But don't wowwy, I put that rat in his place."

But the rabbit's gaze did not change and his eyes remained full of concern. "Are you sure you're ok, Elmer? You can tell me, y'know."

"I'm fine, wabbit. Really, I am. I told him to never come cwose to our children again, or I'll pulvewize him."

"Really? And what did he say?"

"Nothing. His headache fwom the anvil was still too stwong for him to respond." Elmer answered, grinning.

Bugs himself couldn't help but laugh, looking at Elmer both amazed and proud. He loved it when his partner showed the world what he was made of and how fierce he could be when protecting his family.

"Can somebody tell me what's going on?" Elmyra chirped, interrupting their moment.

"Eh, nothin'." Bugs said, still smiling. "You know how weird we, adults, can be."

"You sure can. You're the weirdest teachers I've ever had."

"We awe onwy teachers you ever had." Elmer pointed out, taking her hand again. "And don't you think I'm done with you, young wady. We still need to have a talk with you and the others about what happened today."

Elmyra knew that meant a lecture was coming. She sighed. This was going to be a long after-noon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When the trio arrived at the hotel, they were greeted, yet again, with worry and panic. Everyone wanted to know what happened and why did Buster claim that Elmyra was gone.

As all the Looney Tunes assaulted Bugs and Elmer with questions, Granny, along with Penelope and Petunia, pulled Elmyra aside to ask her if everything was fine. Meanwhile, the Tiny Toons were all happy that she was alright. Even Monty, who had called her names all morning, couldn't hide his relief.

At one point, Elmer and Bugs succeeded in calming everyone down and assured them that nothing serious had occurred.

"Now." Said Bugs, turning to his pupils. "Kids, I'd like you all to leave the room for a few minutes. Me and the other toons need to have a conversation which you guys can't witness." Seeing their disappointed faces, he added:

"Don't worry. You won't miss anything. It's just one of those boring conversations adults have. Now run along and go play outside. We'll call you in later."

With that, Bugs ushered the kids outside and closed the door behind them. Once he was absolutely sure none of them was eavesdropping, he turned to the other Looney Tunes. Each of them, except Elmer, was eyeing him with curiosity and worry.

Then Bugs spoke in the gravest voice anyone ever heard him use. "It was Robert Taylor. He tried to kidnap Elmyra."

A moment passed. It was clear from their expressions that the name did not register immediately.

Then, suddenly, with a gasp of realization, chaos erupted.

The room was filled with panicked voices, confused sounds and shouted questions, each of them expressing their disbelief at such news and also wanting to know more. Bugs tried to speak over his friends, but the noise was louder than a pack of elephants running away from a Tazmanian Devil.

"AH, SHADDAP!" He suddenly screamed, making everyone go incredibly quiet.

"Good." Turning to Elmer he added. "Ehhh, you mind telling us how it happened, Fuddsey?"

Elmer could tell – by the way Bugs looked at him and the way he spoke – that the rabbit was actually asking him if he was comfortable sharing what had happened.

And surprisingly, he was.

Clearing his throat, Elmer began to explain everything. His interaction with Buster, what the kid had told him, the realization that Robert Taylor was there and had tricked the children in an attempt to try and kidnap Elmyra, how he got in time to save the girl, the conversation he had with the man, his threats, and finally, him standing up for himself as well as for the kids.

When he was done, he looked around to see their many, different reactions. Some looked surprised at Elmer, while others were horrified at what Robert had tried to do.

Daffy was the first one to break the silence.

"I knew you were made out of tough stuff, Elmsey!" He then proceeded to put an arm around his friend's shoulders and give him a comical squeeze.

Meanwhile, Bugs looked proudly at his partner. Hearing all of the details of the story certainly made it more entertaining and the mental image of Taylor groaning in pain and cowering in fear at Elmer's rage was incredibly satisfying.

"Now wait just a dang minute!" Came a harsh voice from a corner of the room.

Everyone turned to see a furious Yosemite Sam approaching.

"Ya just let that varmint go?! No police, no nuthin'? What if he comes outta nowhere again and tries to kidnap one of the youngsters?!"

"Calm down, Doc." Bugs said. "I'm pretty soire Elmer scared that guy away for good. And even if he does retoin, we'll be ready to greet him in our own special way." He smirked and his icy eyes twinkled with mischief.

Sam only grunted in approval.

"What about, I say, what about the kids?" Foghorn's voice rang loud and clear, as always. "Ya gonna, I say, ya gonna let them off this easy?"

"Oh, no. I'm just getting started with them." Said the rabbit, then went and opened the door.

But, as soon as he did that, a pile of children (that were clearly eavesdropping) fell on the floor right at the hare's large feet. The Tiny Toons stared up at their principal, whose expression of shock immediately melted into a glare.

Buster gave a nervous smile. "Ya wanted to see us, teach?"

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"I just want ya ta know that this could have ended much woise!" The rabbit scolded the children, who remained silent.

"What if Elmer wouldn't have come at that exact moment?! What Buster wouldn't have woken up in time to realize Elmyra was gone?! Do ya see in what danger you had put yourselves in?!"

Again, no sound came from the kids. They kept their heads down to avoid making eye contact with any of the adults. They felt their scornful gazes upon them, heavier than an anvil, never softening, never losing any of their sharpness. Tears of shame formed into the eyes of some, occasionally even letting out a sob, while the rest resumed to just standing there and taking all the rebuke in silence.

Bugs continued. "What have we all taught you about stranger-danger? That man didn't want ta be your friend. All he wanted was an opportunity to hurt yo-"

"But why?" Babs interrupted. "What was the deal with that man?"

Bugs stopped for a bit, and considered if he should actually tell them the truth. Explaining what intentions Robert had could make the students understand how serious the situation was. But, looking at them, and also receiving looks from the other Looney Tunes that begged him not to say anything, convinced him to do otherwise. Their designed age was around thirteen and there had been only four years since their creation, after all. While some might disagree that they were old enough to know, Bugs decided they were still too young. He would tell them another time.

"I want you to understand something." He said much calmer this time. "Just because someone claims they know us, that they're our friend or that they worked with us, that doesn't mean it's true. What is true, however, is what we tell you. If we never ever mentioned someone that claims to be very close to us, that may be a clue that something isn't right, get it?"

The kids nodded and Buster mumbled something.

"What was that?" Bugs asked the blue bunny.

"It's just that… I suspected something was wrong…" Buster said. "I had a feeling there was something more to this guy that he was telling us… but… he seemed so nice."

"We-we-well, people pret-pret-pret- may seem like they're ni-nice only to t-trick you." Porky interjected. "Th-tha-that's why you sh-shouldn't tru-tru uh, believe them always."

"We know that. But… he was so cool and fun to be around… I'm sorry. Actually, we are sorry. Right guys?" The kids nodded and grunted in agreement.

"Good." Bugs said. "Now, all of you must promise to be more careful from now on and not trust or befriend any stranger, unless we say it's ok. And always listen to your gut. Promise?"

"We promise!" The kids exclaimed all at the same time.

"Poifect. Oh, and Elmyra?"

"Yes?" The sappy girl said, looking just as happy and clueless as always, like nothing had happened.

"You must also promise that you will never EVER leave with a stranger again, no matter what he says he's gonna give you, ok?"

"Ok, Bugs! I'll never do that again!"

Hearing that, Bugs looked satisfied and his usual friendly expression returned. Even the other Looney Tunes didn't look as mad now.

"So, now that we all settled this and no one got hurt… who wants lunch?"

The rabbits question was met with cheers from both kids and adults. The sight completely warmed his heart and he couldn't help but smile.

XXXXXXXXX

Elmer sat on his bed, contemplating what had happened that day. He was absurdly happy to find that the memory of today's meeting wasn't giving him any anxiety no matter how many times he thought about it.

Of course, he could still feel his heart give a painful pang whenever Robert's face appeared in his mind; after all, what the man did was unforgettable and it would hurt forever, at least a bit. But, the memories, although still there, were now easier to bare. Standing up to Robert had indeed relieved his pain and trauma more than years of therapy had. Now, instead of viewing the man as an immense monster, impossible to defeat, he saw him as a disgusting scumbag whom he would beat the crap out of if he ever came close to his family.

He wasn't afraid anymore; afraid to speak about him, afraid to face him, afraid to remember.

Now, he realized that the solution to reach the state of tranquility and content wasn't to run away from his past or try and forget it – like he did all those years – only to find himself just as panicked and helpless when he had to deal with the situation again. The solution was to face and fight his demons – like he did that day – then walk away proudly, knowing they held no power over him anymore.

"Elmer? Are you awake?" Bugs' voice interrupted his thoughts.

His fiancé exited the bathroom where he had been brushing his teeth and sat down near the human toon.

"Ya still thinking about today?" He asked, concerned.

"Well, yeah, but don't wowwy." Elmer said, smiling. "I feel pewfectly fine."

Bugs smirked then put his arm around him. "Glad ta hear that. Just so you know, I am very proud of you, Elmsey."

Elmer blushed. "Thanks. To be honest, I feel a bit proud of myself, too."

"As you should." Bugs squeezed his shoulder affectionately. "Ya are a very strong person, Elmer. Never question that. Ya always say that you're mellow and emotional, but in fact, you are so much tougher than ya think."

There was a pause before Elmer replied.

"You really think that?"

Bugs took his chin in his gloved hand and gently turned his face towards him, looking directly in Elmer's carribean blue eyes. "I'm dead serious. How else would ya have made it with so much trauma from the war, bullying, plus guys like Taylor or Pistols? What you did today was very hard for anyone, and you pulled through it. It's admirable, really, and part of why I love ya."

Elmer smiled from ear to ear. He must've looked stupid, but he didn't care. All that mattered then was being in Bugs' arms, happy and content, and the rest of their family sleeping in the neighboring rooms, safe and sound.

THE END