Chapter 17: Fall into Darkness

[LadyJallyn]

"Enter here and hope we don't hit a roadblock or try to find a different entrance? Thoughts?"

“We can start here,” Mike said. “Backtrack if we meet a roadblock.”

“Air smells okay,” Don said, his head still in the hole. “Not like it’s a sewage line. Maybe an emergency exit?  If we find it’s locked off, we can either try to open it or look for another entrance.”

“You going to tell me that you brought lock picks?” Mike asked.

“Didn’t you?  Hell, I think even Willard has a set.”

"Never leave home without them," Willard said with a quiet chuckle. "Who wants to mark this entrance?"

Lillia pulled up her find my friend app to verify the trios  location.  "I've got you marked on my map. Backup will be located north of you.  Verify what that looks like from your position so you know which way to go if you have to retreat. "

“Looks like people hanging out to the north,” Mike said. “Not suspicious at all.”

He looked at Willard and Don. “Lord hates a coward,” he said and, waving Don aside, dropped into the tunnel.

“Low ceiling,” he said. “Four feet maybe?  Great for crawling around on all fours, if you get my meaning.  Looks like there is an old bag of clothes here that some real rats have gotten into. Been here a while. Might have been left to give somebody something to wear if they needed to change back and exit but it had definitely been a while since anybody checked on them.”

It took over an hour and a half to eliminate all the tunnels that  didn't lead to the vampire's lair,  leaving three tunnels, one of which was clearly intended as an emergency exit given the way it had been blocked. There had been a handful of tense moments, where the air currents in the tunnels threatened to betray their presence but as far as anyone could tell, the wererats defending Shen Long and his coffin were as yet unaware of the impending assault. There were six distinct wererat scents, as well as a significant presence of gun oil.

"So what now?" Mike asked, looking to Lillia for direction.  He was clearly eager to get to the fight but wary, because it was unlikely that he would be a match for any of the waiting wererats guards.

Lillia frowned thoughtfully. "Six were rats. Best to expect them to be alpha, and well trained. Probably previous military or police, based off of what we know of the ones we previously encountered.  I want opinions. Should we block the tunnel that looks like their emergency exit, or block the others and use their exit as out entrance? Of course we could always send a team to flush them out the exit with the prize and be waiting to scoop it up. Thoughts? "

"Ever heard of a cornered rat?" Jen asked. "Bad idea.  And we don't know whether they have an exit strategy or whether they would hunker down and wait out the fire. Seal up and wait it out. "

"What about straight up asking them to back off?" Cash asked.  "See just how loyal they are to the guy on the end of the leash."

Lillia hadn't considered that idea at all.  "I had not thought of that.  "  She admitted.  "Do you really think they would step aside?  With the time of day, they should not have to worry about thier leash being yanked, so there is a non zero chance.  We would need to be ready to handle the china doll quickly..."  She though about it.  They were going in mostly blind.  The worst thing that could happen is they remain loyal.  "Ok votes for asking nicely?"

"If they are under our hosts spell it won't matter if we ask nicely or not. Nothing will dissuade them from their duties. If they are working for him on a strictly monetary basis  there would be a slim chance of buying out their contracts, provided we could best the going rate fir their services," Willard replied with very little hope that the Rats protecting their target were not under Shen's control.

"Of course there is the chance they are too far gone."  Lillia said with a shrug.  "But if you think about it, we are here now because someone had thier sights on power that they could not grasp on thier own and tried to force others to help.  There is a certain poetic justice in taking the other route in order to thwart them.  Are we likely to convince them to join our side?  I do not expect so, but simply, staying out of it?  Perhaps.  Giving them the choice instead of simply bowling them over makes us the more palatable option.  Quite frankly, I am really beginning to like the idea.  If it doesn't work, at least we have surprised them by doing exactly what they would not expect us to do- walk right into thier space."

“There were several of his rats that either left when Astrid took the Rodere or were kicked out because they weren’t willing to abide by her rules regarding respect and consent. Likely might find one or two that suffered the same fate when Nick took your Rodere,” Jen said. “Not sure they’ve changed their tunes.  Worth a shot though.  Worst case we’ve eliminated a lot of their free fire zone.”

"And what happens if some do agree to leave? Do we exact a promise from them that they will leave Seattle for good, let them walk away and hope they don't turn around and bite us in the collective ass? Do we find somewhere to hold them till we are done and them release them with the same promise to leave? Where would we hold them? We don't have enough people to keep guard and tangle with the rest. What happens when we do finally enter into combat? Are we taking prisoners, and if so, again where would we hold them? Or are we going in with the firm stance of giving no quarter to the enemy?" Willard asked in a deadly serious tone. "None of those options are ideal but we need a plan on how to deal those who might surrender. Personally the whole 'no quarter given' thing is rather distasteful. "

“One of those rats has been promised to the leopards,” Jen said.

“They won’t want to stick around,” Cash said, stroking Danny’s hair. “They aren’t welcome. They’re here because Shen Long holds them here. Otherwise they would likely be long gone.”

Willard sighed. "So, do we go straight for the kill or aim to incapacitate, contain and than release once our nocturnal host has been dealt with?"

Jen chuckled. It wasn’t a kind laugh. She cracked her knuckles. “I think they call it catch and release.”

Willard chuckled. "The phrasing all depends on if you are talking about hunting, fishing, or a military campaign."

“I think we’re fishing,” Mike said. “Catch in one pond, release in another. The fact that there is something in the second pond that wants to eat what we caught…”  He let the sentence drop.

“Any chance of having another look at this guy?” Juno asked.

Cash held out a picture. “Raymond Pollock. Ex-cop, former Marine. Got infected during Rodney King riots. Been a rat for a long time, obviously. There are at least two other former military types here. Gotta wonder what sort of loyalty they will have to Shen Long or each other.”

" Hard to say.  It depends on how strong their alibies are.  Nothing ever came of the previous kidnapping attempt.  Of course, that doesn't necessarily matter much.  We are past the letting the police do thier job part and into the taking care of business the old fashioned way.  It sounds like most of us are in agreement to give them a chance to back off.  Lets get a good formation set.  We are going to need at least one strong fighter in the front and in the back in case of ambush.  Since we are trying to be a bit diplomatic, I will also be in the front.  Cash, Jen?  Front or back?  You are some of the most powerful in the group."  Lillia was looking over the maps with Abby.  They wouldnt know for sure exactly what route they would need to take once they went in, but she wanted to have an idea what to expect now that they had narrowed it down.

“I’ll tank,” Jenn said. “Cash and Danny can be cavalry. Juno? You stay with Cash.  I will correct you on one thing. I’m the strongest here. Not the most powerful. That would be you, Lillia. Time to see if you can top these wannabe alpha males. Pick your sidekicks. Just make sure they are rats who can throw down or at the very least take a bullet for you.”

“That’s me,” Don said. “Nick was my ride or die brother. It’s the least I could do for the woman he made his queen.”

“I’m there with you, bro,” Mike said. “Ain’t nothing or nobody gonna touch Lillia.” He grinned. “I’ll even clear the spiderwebs.”

Willard stepped forward. "I'll spearhead her protection. Mike and Don on either side of me and flanking Lillia. Nothing and no one gets by us unless we are dead." There was a steely determination in his voice that didn't leave room for arguments.

Mike nodded. The others could smell his fear but he wasn’t showing any sign of backing down.  Don, on the other hand, smelled of nothing. Not fear. Not bloodlust. It was as if he had completely separated himself from the dangers of the task at hand. He was about to avenge his fallen king and brother and he wasn’t letting any emotion get in the way.

" Do not do anything reckless.  " lillia told them.  " You wont be any good to anyone dead."  She was letting them put themselves on the line because she knew to deny them would be useless.  This way she had more of a chance of making sure they made it out alive.  " allright, lets get into formation and head in.  Its time to handle business."

Willard led the rat war party, because it was nothing less, forward. They were down to a single path now, a single purpose as they moved forward.   Obstacles in their path, intended to slow or discourage rather than kill, were dismantled and removed. There was no way Shen Long’s guards were not aware of their approach.

The sole obstacle, before they reached their goal was a locked gate made up of bars that would need tools for a human to breach. They would do nothing than delay a determined lycanthrope but that delay would give those on the other side all the time they needed to deal with intruders.

One of those rats on the other side stood there casually, a cigarette dangling from his mouth and an AR-15 cradled in his arm. “You’re a little far from home, Reina,” the man said. “You should run home before something happens to your friends.”

Lillian smiled.  "My friends? " She parroted sweetly, looking around at those around and behind her.  "Did you hear that? Something might happen to my friends.  " She looked back at the other rat.  " I suppose it's a good thing I didn't bring friends. I brought family.  And like me, they are all willing to deal with whatever may happen to them if it means the rest of the family is safe.  Can you say the same for your 'friends'?  Would they take a bullet for you?  How about your 'Master'?  He is more likely to throw you into a fire than out of it if he would survive.  You are nothing but fodder.  A road block left by someone who only sees you as a tool.  Is he paying you enough to die for him? Perhaps you should be the one to run home, or at least step aside.  "

The man shrugged but tellingly shifted his weight to his back foot. “He pays me more than the government did, when they wanted me to kill and die for my country.”

Lillia could feel the tension in his Beast. He didn’t want to die but neither was he afraid to. He’d faced that particular demon and won the stare down. He was strong and he was tough but he was not an Alpha.

“Thank you for your service,” Don said quietly. “Did they kick you to the curb because you got infected or before?”

“Before,” Cash answered. “He got paralyzed in an accident and they patted him on the back, gave him a shiny new wheelchair and parked in on the street.”

The rat’s mouth tightened. “You don’t usually have such a big mouth, Cash. Any other secrets you want to dish?”

Cash grinned. “Danny misses you.”

The rat on the other side of the gate actually started. “You brought Danny here?  You trying to get him killed, you crazy bitch?”

“No, Carlos, I’m not. I’m here to turn him loose on the vampire that took away your freedom of choice. That’s all we want to do. Be free to make our own choices. Shen Long is trying to take that away from us. He forced Nick to fight Astrid because he killed Hickson. Tell me Nick didn’t do you a favour when he did that.”

“Not gonna lie. I was kinda disappointed that I didn’t get to donut myself.”

“But Shen wouldn’t let you.  Freedom of choice.  How about you exercise a little and open the gate for us?”

For a moment, it looked like he as almost going to do as Cash asked.

"Please." Lillia said softly.  " Don't make us fight our own again. What do you need to allow you to step aside?  "

Carlos looked at Lillia. “I need to stand and fight. You need to beat me to get past me,” he said finally. He sounded resigned but he didn’t raise his weapon.

Mike went to take a step forward but Don stopped him. “Show him why you were Nick’s queen,” he said to the pale woman beside him. “Dom his punk ass.”

Lillia nodded. She had expected this answer.  It was a matter of pride. She fixed her gaze on the rat on the other side of the gate.  " Very well then, Carlos. Fight." She said. Her tone said she was taking this seriously as she unfolded her Beast.

There had been a time that she would have avoided this confrontation, or even lost it because she didn't believe she was strong.  Those days were past.  She pressed her power against his Beast, warm and firm, silk covered steel as Nick had once described her.

Carlos gasped and took half a step back. He was a strong sub but he was a sub confronted by not just a strong Alpha but one worthy of her role as Queen of a Rodere. Certainly Astrid was stronger but that didn’t mean Lillia wasn’t strong.

Carlos’s knees began to buckle. He put up as much of a fight as he could manage but it was David versus Goliath and David didn’t have a sling.

Lillia watched as he felt first hand why she had been queen and not bedwarmer, unable to withstand against her.  She retracted her Beast and let him catch his breath.  "Open the gate, Carlos.  Once you have done that, you have a choice to make.  You can either step aside, knowing that you fought with everything you had, or you can join us.  I cannot speak for Astrid, she would have say as to whether you can rejoin our family, but I can give you the chance to stand with your friends if that is what you wish.  "

“I can already tell you Astrid will need some serious convincing that he’s changed his tune,” Jen said. “He didn’t leave on the best of terms.”

“I’ve got options,” Carlos said as he fumbled for the keys. He was looking at Lillia with naked admiration. “I have a bad habit of falling in love with women who are very bad for me to fall in love with.  Never ends well.”

The key turned in the lock.

"That is a bad habit.  "  Lillia said flatly.  "I will not be talking to Astrid on your behalf, just so you know.  I do not know you well enough for that.  Whatever you choose from this point on is on you, but we could use your knowledge of what lies ahead should you choose to share it.  There will be violence today, but it doesn't need to be as much."

“I know,” Carlos said, carefully setting his rifle down. “And all I will tell you is that they know you’re coming.  There are a couple out on assignment, so you won’t have to fight them. And a warning. There is another vampire in the city who can call rats. I don’t know much about him. I wasn’t the one who ran into his recruiter. Not sure what it says if he’s willing to use his rats to try and poach from other vampires. Maybe he’s weak. Maybe he’s not. Just letting you know that he’s there.”

Lillia nodded.  "We know about the other vampire, but that is a problem for another day.  " They weren't hiding their approach so  it was no surprise they knew what was inbound.  And Shen himself had complained about another rat caller in the city poaching, so that was also no surprise.  " If that is all, then my suggestion is you disappear.  If you stand against us again, I will not be so gentle." She turned to the others.  " Let's get moving. "

Willard had taken two steps back to allow Lillia to do her thing. He stood at what could only be described as 'parade rest' but he was anything but relaxed. His right hand gripped the butt of his pistol that he had tucked into the back of his waistband, his thumb on the safety and his pointer finger just on the edge of the trigger guard. He kept his eyes on the male before them not yet trusting that he wasn't going to turn on them. Once the gate was unlocked and Lillia gave them the signal to advance, he resumed his spot at the head of the party, pushing through the gate and bending down just long enough to grab the rifle off the ground but not breaking his stride. Letting his nose and ears show him the trail, Willard led them through the maze of tunnels till they approached the next major barricade.

"That's far enough," a voice in the darkness said.  A flood light turned on, blinding the group of were-rats.  "Y'all can turn around and go home.  That's a narrow hall and you're packed tight.  Makes it hard to miss."

Juno grunted and something clattered in the hall.

"GRENADE!"  yelled the voice.

Instead of an explosion, there was a burst of bright light.  "Level playing field!" the punk roller derby rat yelled out and suddenly Danny was galloping forward, still in his human form but running on all fours.  Multiple shots rang out from both groups, before there wasn't time or room to get off additional shots.

As soon as the light went on Willard instinctively closed his eyes while lowering and turning his head, not that it would do mush good but it might preserve at least a little of his vision.  His head snapped up and his eyes popped open when he heard the yell and the bang that followed. When lead started flying he put a few shots down range, firing sparingly, not knowing how many rounds where in the rifle magazine. He was aiming more for the light source than the enemy rats when he felt a sharp sting in his left bicep. "Shit," he hissed between clenched teeth as the pain hit him.

The light didn't bother Lillia  as bad since she was behind Willard, who was taller than her, not to mention she was kind of used to being blinded since her eyes were so sensitive anyways. It was actually worse when the gunshots started, destroying any chance she had of using her ears to navigate the situation.

It didn't matter though.  The two groups had clashed, and guns had become more liability than benefit.  Lillia ducked around Willard , the smell of his blood reaching her nose as she did so, but not causing her to pause.  She took a page from Danny's book, keeping  low as she made for the closest of their foes.

It was nothing short of a bloodbath.  Lillia's raiders had numbers, while Shen's guards had skill, training and experience.  In close quarters like this, numbers carried a greater chance of winning, with a greater chance of loss. When they could finally see to assess the carnage, more than one of them wished they couldn't see.

Juno was trying to climb back to her feet, an impossible task given that both her legs were broken. Danny was curled up, cradling his intestines.  Don's spine had been severed by a combat knife.  He'd given better than he'd taken; he at least was still alive, while the head he was still banging against the floor was no longer attached to a body.  Jen was missing three of her fingers and Cash was coughing blood.  No one had escaped unscathed, although Willard, Lillia and Mike had suffered only grazes.

Willard had stopped firing when it became to dangerous to his own people to continue doing so. He had taken a quick look at the rifle and found what he was looking for. Flipping a switch and pushing a small button, he managed to eject the magazine and tossed it a few feet behind him, back the way they had just come. Grabbing the rifle by the barral he used it as a club until it was so bent out of shape that it was no longer useful in that capacity. He was about to drop it and go to hand to hand when one of Shen's Rats grabbed him by the neck. Willard used all his strength to jam the twisted rifle into his opponents guts and then thrust upward as he felt the man's flesh give way. He let the body drop to the floor of the tunnel and engaged the next closest enemy in a hand to hand to fist fight. After everything was said and done, he took several deep breaths to try and calm his heart rate and get his breathing back under control. He took a look around and grimaced at the carnage that lay on the floor.

[LadyJallyn]

Bloodlust.

It was the curse of all the moonbound shape shifters. Pain, battle and blood made for a perfect storm. Danny was the first to change. Cash was too busy trying not to die to restrain him. Rat fangs sank into the nearest flesh, which was fortunately no longer alive. Don was next; he already had something in his clutches and began gnawing on the face of the head he held. Now that the fight was over, the feeding frenzy was beginning.

Lillia looked around. There was that odd moment of surreal distance as she catalogued the carnage that had been wrought. They had won this fight but not cleanly. As she processed the sights and the smells, her Beast eagerly urging her to wade in and partake of the spoils of war, Danny and Don shifted, taking at least one concern from her. They had seemed the most damaged and shifting forms would be the most effective way to handle their injuries.  She really wanted to join them. The strong eat the weak.  Her skin itched and her fingers twitched as she licked the blood off of them before she could stop herself.

No! I will not let this stop me.. She tensed as she reigned in her Beast sharply, narrowing her eyes and addressing the others with a tone that brooked no argument.  "Willard, I need you to go ahead and locate our target.  I'm not sure if they tried to flee or if they expected this ambush to stop us. Take anyone with you that can go.  Juno, stop trying to stand up, your legs are broken. I'll set them for you. Cash, nod if you need me to heal you. " She could have rushed off to chase after Shen herself, but that wasn't who she was. She would make sure the worst of their injured were out of danger first.

Willard was fighting an internal battle against his beast. With all the blood in the air and adrenaline in his system his beast was rising quickly to the top and it was a struggle to keep it at bay. He was licking the blood of his hands with a vigor that rivaled a cat going after a patch of catnip. 'Enough of this Willard,' he admonished himself, 'you have a job to do and you can't let this distract you from it.' A soft growl escaped his lips as he forcefully dropped his hands to his sides. Lillias words jolted him back to the situation at hand. "Right," he responded. "Anyone still able to put up a decent fight get a move on." He grabbed Mike by the shoulders and practically threw him down the tunnel. "Especially you Mike," he said, his voice unusually raspy and deep.

He went to check if his pistol was till tucked into the back of his waistband and dicovered that it was missing. Looking around, he finally saw a glint of metal under one the nearby bodies. Giving the dead Rat a vicious kick, Willard both felt and heard bones snapping as the man tumbled a good three feet away. Picking up the gun, he gave it a quick once over to see if the magazine was still properly seated and the action undamaged. Assuring himself that it was still in good working order he looked at those who were staying behind. "Are you going to be alright here? Should I leave someone back just in case?" he asked as he turned to LIllia.

Lillia raised an eyebrow as she turned to Willard.  " No. I told you to take who you could and scout ahead. Don't question me again."

Willard raised an eyebrow but otherwise did not respond to Lillia. He tuned on his heel and followed the other members of his strike team. "Hold a moment," he said when they were a good 500 yards farther down. He leaned his back against the cool tunnel wall, closed his eyes, and took several deep breaths. Slowly he lowered his heart rate and got his beast back under control. Opening his eyes he looked at Mike as he pushed off the wall. "Sorry about man handling you Mike but we couldn't afford for you to shift and leave us down another fighter."

He looked around at the few fighters that he had with him and hoped beyond hope that they would all survive. "Alright. Let's get a move on and see what mischief we can get-up to."

"We've got her," Jen said, trying to stifle a scream as she forced her hands through a partial shape change in order to regrow her missing fingers.  She was clearly fighting the blood lust and the hunger her Beast was feeling.  "Juno, sit down.  Cash?  Cash!  Yeah, I think you're going to need to use your mojo, LIllia.  I'm not liking what I'm smelling.

Cash couldn't breath.  She'd felt something hard hit her side, throwing her into a wall.  It could have been anything.  It didn't really hurt.  That was probably a bad thing.

Mike staggered forward with the push Willard gave him.  "Like I'm one of your fighters," he said, when Willard apologized.  He reached out to try and stop Don from scrambling forward into the darkness.  "Dude!  Bro!  It's dangerous out there!  Take me with you!"

Don, shards of skull and gobbets of brain matter dribbing from his jaws, disappeared down the tunnel, with Mike in hot pursuit.

In the distance, Willard could hear feminine, musical laughter.

Lillia was glad Jen had spoken up.  She could tell theuscle bound woman was fighting her Beast, and it was understandable.

There was too much blood.  Punctured lung maybe. Broken ribs definitely. Something had hit Cash hard.   "I got you, Cash." Lillia said to the woman as she placed one hand on her chest and one on her back as she vomited blood.  " Don't fight me.  This won't feel good but it will heal you.  " Lillia's eyes began to unfocus as she turned her attention to the power in her Beast, searching out the damage to heal it. She kept talking all the while, although she didn't pay attention to what she was saying. It was more to help Cash not panic and lash out.   She had to get those she could back in the fight. That bastard no doubt had other traps set up for them and Don had rushed off with Mike and Willard.

And she had noticed Willard's reaction. No one expected Lillia to speak harshly . She was too nice. Such a sweet girl.

But she had lost too much.  After years of turning the other cheek as she was insulted and treated like she wasn't human, after years of trying to feel like she was worthy of living at all, everything that she cared about had been taken from her. Just when she had finally started to pull herself out of that hole.

I will kill that bastard and his smug servant.

"Shit," Willard spit out as Don, followed by Mike, went barreling into the darkness. "Everyone else stays together, double time it before those two wind up facing off with half of the enemies compliment." He headed after the two subs, allowing his ears and nose to lead him. Stumbling slightly when he heard the feminine laughter echo down the tunnel Willard felt a chill shudder down his spine. He couldn't put his finger on what it was but something about the sound made his blood run cold. "The bitch is mine," he snarled to no one in particular. There was a faint scratching and squeaking coming from the walls and shadows around them and he instantly knew that there were mundane rats pacing them. He wasn't sure if they were on their side or not but he highly anticipated that they were Shen Long's eyes and ears.

Even at a brisk trot it took nearly five minutes to finally catch up with the other two Rats. Don was trying to scratch and chew his way through a steel fire door with Mike trying to pull him back to a relatively safer distance.

"STOP! BEING! STUPID!" Mike growled, his voice thick with his Beast.  "I can smell stuff on the door.  I don't know what dynamite smells like but if I had to guess, that would be it!  Somebody grab Danny!"

Don continues to squirm, his superior bulk and strength making it difficult for Mike to maintain a hold.  Danny didn't need to be grabbed; he was near the door, sniffing the door and trembling all over, as if he waiting for someone to open the door and unleash him on whoever was on the other side.

Lillia wasn't sure how long it had taken to heal Cash and get Juno back in the game too, but it was longer than she wanted, and left her shaky and literally clenching her teeth to keep herself from trying to chew on something... Or someone.

"Come on, " she growled past her teeth, then shook herself hard to rid herself of the sluggishness.  "Time to finish this."

She led the way into the tunnel to catch up with the scout party.

Jen looked at Lillia.  "Door's booby trapped," she said.  "No way to disarm it from this side.  Your boy Willard tried,  We either go back or we go through.  Juno and Cash are done but the rest of us are good.  What's your call, Lillia?  Move everyone back and let me rip the door open?  I'm the toughest rat here.  If anybody can survive the blast it's me."

Jen was clearly serious.  Her rat claws were flexing open and closed as if she were looking for a neck to squeeze.  She was tough, that much was certain.  Whether she was touch enough to ride the pressure wave of an explosion was another matter entirely.  How long would it take to find a way around?  They had the map.  They could do it.  But could they do it before Shen Long's human servant and the remaining wererats under her escaped with the vampire?

"If anyone is going to try and force the door it's me," Willard responded. He nodded at Jen's hands and the claws she was flexing. "You're correct that you are the strongest amongst us ,Jen. Lillia and the rest will need that strength once you all get to the final target. Even if you did survive it looks like Lillia doesn't have the energy to heal you. That would take our strongest fighter out of the fray right when they will be needed the most."

Willard definitely didn't have a death wish, he was just being practical about the whole situation. There was always a chance that he could survive the blast if he positioned himself correctly before forcing the door, it was a very slim chance but it was a chance.

Jen looked at Willard as if she were going to argue but then she turned to Lillia.  "I formally request that I be allowed to breach the door," she said.

"Tell her to let Willard have his chance at being a hero," croaked Cash from down the corridor.  "Just make sure Danny is away from the door."

Lillia looked from Jen to Willard  and back again, then turned towards Cash's voice.  Jen had a point that she was the strongest. Willard had a point that Lillia was wiped from using her power to heal Cash. In the end the deciding factor was Cash. Lillia respected the woman, and it didn't hurt that if Jen died, Astrid would not be too happy at all. She turned back.  " Gonna have to let Willard have this one.  Grab Danny. We don't know what we will find behind that door. " She looked at the door, momentarily wishing that Adalyn had come in with them instead of staying outside.  She pushed the thought from her mind as quickly as it came though. She didn't have time for pointless things.

William nodded to Lillia. He took the 9mm from the rear of his waistband and handed it to Mike. "Take care of that for me," he said then turned toward Jen. "Keep them safe." He didn't mean just those who were here right now, he meant every member of Nick's old Rodere.  Turning his back on the others he approached the door and sniffed all around it. Finding a small dent in the edge he took a minute to sniff deep, trying to see if he could determine how much explosives were on the door and where exactly they were. Unfortunately there was just too much of a breeze wafting through the small breach to make any real determinations. Continuing his examination, he found the three hinges to be strong, solid and mounted deep into the concrete. There would be no way to remove them safely without risking the explosives going off with the removal of the first one. Next he turned his attention to the handle area. There was a spot of light shining through the key hole, not enough to see anything specific on the other side of the door but enough to show where it was.  Again there was no way to ascertain any more information on the amount or positioning of the explosives.

Taking a quick look over his shoulder to make sure the others were moving away he then made the shift into his hybrid form. He wrapped his left hand around the door handle, braced his left foot on the wall as far up as he could while still being stable, turned his body as close to the wall as he could without compromising his braced position, tucked his chin into his chest and turned his face into the wall. Willard took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then took a second deep breath, then a third and a fourth. He held the fourth and yanked on the door handle with all his strength while simultaneously pushing off the wall with his left foot.

Lillia ushered everyone back to a safer place.  There was a high chance that the explosion would travel down the passage , so giving distance and trying to be around the corner would be the best way to avoid damage if the guys' action movies were any indication. She listened , her hearing not as precise as usual due to the gunfire from their fight, but enough to get an idea what Willard was doing.   "Brace." She told the others, her hands gripping in Don's fur, her Beast a calm strength despite her concern.

There was a pause as the handle resisted Wiilard's enormous strength.  It began with a groan that the observers weren't sure whether it was coming from the metal of the door or from Willard.  The handle began to bend, the bolts securing it to the door began to bite into the metal that held them.

The door was designed to resist a fire.  It was not designed to resist a determined wererat.  The door bent away from the frame.  Mike had barely gotten out the yell of "You got this, you beautiful rat bastard!" when there was a deafening crash as the booby trap on the door frame exploded.

The door went flying.  The blast hit Willard, breaking most of the bones in his body, shattering his ear drums and rupturing several internal organ.

A horrible silence followed.

It wasn't immediately apparent if the silence was due to the likely outcome of the booby trap, or if Lillia's ears had just suffered too much trauma from the blast.  They had managed to keep everyone out of harms way, all except for Willard of course.  She let go of Don's fur and rushed around the corner to see if there was anything left of the overzealous rat.  She wanted Shen, but she wasn't going to ignore her own to get to him.

Willard lay amongst the rubble, eyes closed, breathing rapid but shallow. The acrid stench of exploded TNT, concrete dust, scorched metal and seared flesh burned his nostrils as a particle cloud hung in the air. He wasn't sure if he was dead or alive at this point. He hurt to much to be dead but was to battered and broken to still be alive. Taking a mental inventory of his body he soon discovered that he was relatively intact despite the massive damage he had just sustained. Hearing nothing but the very dull throb of his own pulse in his ears, Willard slowly and tentatively started to flex his finger and toes then worked his way to flexing the muscles in his lower arms and legs, followed by those in this upper arms and legs. This was all done without moving the limbs involved. The pain that resulted elicited a low, quite roar of pain. He lay still, not wanting to move and risk making things worse than they already were. Willard weighed his options trying to decide his best course of action going forward. 1) he could remain in his hybrid state, wait out the healing, and risk being finished up by the enemy, 2) he could shift into human form and again risk being finished of by enemy forces, 3) he could hope that Lillia could muster up just enough energy to aid him and not collapse, or 4) he could take on full Rat form. Options 1, 2 and 3 really didn't appeal to him but then option 4 wasn't much better in his opinion.

Don and Danny shook themselves and pulled free of their momentarily stunned handlers. They disappeared through the shattered door.

Mike swore and looked back and forth between Don and Willard.  Then he did something he'd never thought he'd do; he laid hands on Lillia.

He literally dragged her towards Willard. He was practically jamming his Beast into her, yelling instructions at her that she couldn't hear.

Her Beast was far stronger; it was like a beagle pushing against a wolf, except the wolf was exhausted and the beagle was hyperactive.

Jen too seemed to think what Mike was doing was a good plan; she was miming sticking her arm into Willard, grabbing something and pulling it out. She did it twice, before following Danny and Don into the darkness.

Lillia was stunned by what she saw. She knew of course, but seeing it first hand was another matter all together. She wasn't raised on war. She had the old fashioned ideals of ladyhood shoved so far down her throat she never had the chance to taste it. She hadn't even realized she stopped moving until Mike grabbed her and started pulling her towards the mess that was Willard. Movement caught her eye and she saw Jen just before she ran through the hole left by the explosion.

Lillia fell to her knees next to Willard. He was in terrible shape and she wouldn't be able to draw enough power to save him. Then what Jen had done clicked, and the haze disappeared from her mind. She couldn't heal him, but he could heal himself. He needed to shift.

Could she do it, though? Some could, but she had only heard of royalty being able to do it.  She didn't know the metaphysics of it, if it needed to be a specific person because of the ties of power.

Fuck Now wasn't the time to overthink or doubt herself. She had already saved one life today. She was gonna save another now.

She grit her teeth and drew upon her Beast, pushing into Willard until she felt his own Beast.  It wasn't going to be a gentle calling to the surface.  There wasn't time.  She grabbed his Beast and pulled, willing it to come to the surface, willing him to change.  She wasn't about to lose anyone else, not if she could help it.

When Lillia reached out with her Beast to try and pull Willard's Beast out into the open, it was like trying to grab Jell-O with oven mitts. Willard's Beast was stirring on its own but she couldn't pull it out. She just didn't have the energy.

Willard needed more energy than he had to change. Whatever Lillia was trying wasn't helping. It was like poking a tired animal with a stick. He could feel the stick, could even feel Mike's Beast. He grabbed onto it, like a desperate animal snapping at whatever was poking it.

And he pulled.

Much of the energy he pulled came from Mike but a lot of it came from Lillia  Willard drew it into himself, using it to force his battered body to mend itself, to mold itself into a shape that was whole.

A shape that melded human with rat, a shape that towered over those sprawled around him.

A shape that hungered for the flesh of their enemies. He could smell the vampire. He could smell the human that served him.

They were just beyond the darkness, through the shattered door.

Willard felt the energy of the beast trying to grab onto his own as his beast slipped and slid just out of reach, like an eel sliding through a coral reef. He noticed a second energy right next to the first but didn't recognize it anymore than he did the first one, he reached out to them and grabbed hold of whatever he could. His beast held tight to both of the energy signatures and fed, taking whatever he needed to fuel a shift. His battered form shifted, his bones popped and rearranged themselves, going from a mix of man and beast to that of a giant Rat.  Standing up slowly he collapsed back down onto his belly then stood up once more. He shook his body, starting at his head and working his way down to the tip of his tail.

Looking around Willard spotted Lillia and Mike kneeling next to where his broken body had been blown. Both look a little worse for way and he realized that the energy he had used to make the shift had been borrowed from them both. He wanted to tell them how sorry he was for what he had done but that would have to wait until after this was all over. He looked at them both with dark, beady eyes that were filled with a dull pain. There was something else mixed behind the pain, a look that could only be called resolve, or maybe determination. But under even that emotion was another... RAGE... pure unbridled rage.

Willard nudged first Lillia than Mike with his nose, urging them both to their feet, He positioned himself between them, letting them hold onto the fur on his back if they needed, before they all started towards the hole where the others disappeared.

He had to drag Mike, who was sagging against the floor completely exhausted.  Lillia was better but not much.  Willard's shift had repaired his ears; he could hear the battle taking place ahead of them before he could see it.

Don was busily savaging a single wererat; his lack of combat knowledge was counterbalanced by his physical power.  Even his size was dwarfed by Jen who had assumed her own hybrid shape and was throttling one of Shen's wererats with each hand.  Danny, on the other hand, was doing far more than his share of heavy lifting; he was bouncing between four opponents like some whirling dervish of doom.

There were two doors out of this room.  Several coffins could be seen through one door.  A soft breeze could be felt through the other.

Pausing just inside the doorway, Willard eyed the scene before the trio. Everything looked like it was under control so he sniffed deep, turning his head slowing from side to side. He continued to sniff deeply, trying to pinpoint where Shen's human bitch was so he could rip her throat out and eat her still beating heart. The others could take care of Shen and his other lackies but that witch was his.

Willard had survived. Hell, he was in better shape than Lillia now. She was so exhausted that it was willpower alone that kept her going, she was sure. Mike was even worse.  He couldn't even stand on his own two feet.  At least he was alive. She didn't know what she would do if she lost him or Don now.

The air current probably meant an escape route.  She couldn't see well enough through the doors to tell what each held though, so she had to rely on her sensitive nose.  She closed her eyes to block out the distractions and tried to scent out where Shen and his woman were now.

Shen Long's human servant, with her Master's coffin in tow, was making a beeline for the exit. There was a nondescript van waiting. If she could reach it, they would be as good as gone.

She couldn't understand why the rats had not allowed themselves to be ruled. Life was so much easier when someone else was in control. He had shown her so much in the handful of lifetimes they had shared together. She had learned of the impermanence of all things and how there was always another sunset. They would just need to find another town and another Rodere and they would begin again.

"That way " Lillia pointed, " Go." It was the kind of command she knew Willard wouldn't have a problem with following.  They had come so far, and gone through so much to reach this point. Obviously, their enemies had thought they wouldn't make it this far or they would have escaped already. Underestimated again.  Eventually someone would realize it was a bad idea.  Too bad for Shen he wouldn't have another chance. Take care of him, and then they would handle that room of dead flesh.

Willard's nose had already told him which direction his prey was in. He had already started to slowly move the trio in that direction when Lillia gave hin the command. He shook the hands off his fur and started after his quarry, trying to decide between slinking after her in a slow, cautious manner or running her down. Instinct and anger took control and he bolted after the bitch with a bounding roar. It took him less than two heart beats to reach the edge of the room and start through the doorway from which the breeze could be felt. Having thrown caution to the wind, his hunt had started and it wouldn't stop till he tasted the warm blood that he hungered for.

Shen Lee Lung's human servant had one hand on the handle of the coffin she was dragging.  The other held a sawed-off double barrel shotgun.  Willard could smell the silver coming from both the shotgun and the pouch at her hip.  The weapon was held steady, without a hint of shaking. The typical human servant  was no match for a lycanthrope Alpha in speed or strength but they were certainly able to compete with more than a few of the subs.  A shotgun full of silver buckshot would go a long way towards making up the difference.

"Hold your position," she commanded.  "I remind you that there is video of your former queen, your former king and several others committing the murder of Bartholomew Hickson and if my master and I are not permitted to go free, it will be sent to the Seattle police department homicide squad, rather than the Preternatural crimes unit.  You will find yourself losing far more than you gain from our deaths.  I do not know how many you have lost in this battle but others will die after it has concluded.  My master would see this as a bold move and applaud it, rather than punishing you for it.  Were it up to me, I would make you pay for what you have done here but the choice is not mine."

She pulled the coffin another few feet.  "Do not think that you can offer me my own life and simply kill my master.  My life is tied to his.  If he dies, I die, so I will spend my last breath protecting him."

As soon as Willard smelled the sliver he started to zig and zag, to bob and weave, trying to put any obstacles he could between him and the Bitch in front of him. No matter how much he wanted to rip her limb from limb it wouldn't do anyone any good if he got himself shot full of silver. He heard her words but they didn't slow him down one bit. If he was in human form, or maybe even in hybrid, they might have had more of an impact on him but right now his beast was driving the bus and it was pissed. No matter what, she was going to die today, even if it ment the Willard lost his own life in the process. The only thing that could possibly stop the freight train that was barreling toward Shen's coffin and his slut, would be a direct order from Lillia's lips...and even that was no guarantee.

The rifled slug burned a track across Willard's skull, barely missing his ear.  He would forever find that only white hair ever grew from that scar.  The pain was intense, searing. She'd only fired one barrel; had she used both she might have taken off the top of Willard's skull.

She let go of the coffin and allowed it to fall to the floor.  She held the shotgun steady as she backpedaled,  pulling a butterfly knife out of her back pocket and opening it with a fluorish.  "More silver," she announced.  "You're faster and stronger but not so much that a little silver won't close the gap.  Last warning.  Back away or die."

Willard roared once again at the sound of the shotgun blast which rose in pitch and intensity as the pain from the hit intensitfied his rage. If Shen's witch thought that would stop him, or even slow him down, she was sorely mistaken. If anything, it gave him a renewed burst of energy, spurring him forward.  He paused for half a heart beat when the knife came out before he resumed his forward path. Then something that she said just moments before registered in his brain and a new idea manifested itself. He changed his trajectory and maneuvered so that the dropped coffin was between him and her still with plenty of room before he would reach his new target. Willard put his head down, turned so that his shoulder was almost level with the side of the coffin and then, putting at much speed and strength as possible he rammed his shoulder into the coffin, hoping that either the woman would drop her weapons to try and help her master which would leave her open to attack, or that the coffin would sustain enough damage to open cracks wide enough that any sunlight that might be able to get its occupant could and would.

The lid of the coffin cracked, a combination of Willard's assault and a desperate shot from Puren as she attempted to defend the vampire who's life she was tied to.  She let a cry of rage that almost equaled Willard's in its fury and she came at him, wielding the silver knife in one hand and the shotgun as a club in her other.

The fight was brutal.  Willard released his Beast, fighting with a savagery few would recognize.  Puren had greater skill.  Willard had greater speed.  Willard had brute strength.  Puren had silver.  He was bleeding from a dozen wounds.  She, were she not a human servant, was likely to be infected with lycanthropy, given the way Willard's claws and teeth had torn her.

She collapsed across the coffin with the last of her strength.  Even in death she sought to shield Shen Lee Lung.  And when Willard's fist broke through the lid, the last of her breath escaped her body just as the first whisps of smoke from the vampire's corpse, ignited by the sun, escaped the coffin.

Willard let our a soft sigh of relief when the fight finally ended. He cautiously approached the fallen form of the woman drapped over Shen's coffin and pulled it three feet away. Collapsing in both fatigue and pain, he panted for a good minute before he started digging into her chest, working his way towards that black heart he had vowed to devour.

Lillia pushed away from the wall when she heard the gunshots down the hall past where the last of Shen's guards were putting up their last stand. Exhausted wasn't enough to describe how she felt, and yet she managed to dig deep enough to find just a sliver more.  It took her longer than she wanted to get past the others without being drawn into a fight she had no business being in, and by the time she made it to Willard, he was sliding down the wall himself, digging into the corpse of the human servant like a child trying to find the best prize in a bag.

A scant few more steps and the smell of ash mixed with the scent of blood and death.  The coffin lid was busted, the remnants of the vampire drifting on the air current.

She wasn't sure what she expected to feel at that moment. It was revenge, for them all, and a danger taken from the board.  Should she feel happy? Relieved? Perhaps dissatisfied that she hadn't dealt the killing blow herself?

She turned, stumbling back to the doorway and, taking a deep breath, bellowed as loud as she could to be heard over the fight.

"Shen Long is no more! "

They would have to finish with the last of the rats here and destroy the vampires in the next room lest they prove to be a problem, not to mention figure out where the computers were and where that video had been stored .  And of course, check the escape route exit to figure out where they were.  She had to hope they were in an area where a couple shotgun blasts and some underground explosions wouldn't have the cops breathing down their necks before they could finish cleanup.

Willard finished his grizzly meal before he lifted his head and looked at Lillia. Slowly and painfully he rose to his feet and dragged his beat up body over to where she stood. He gave her hand one small lick, laid down next to her, let out a soft sigh, and promptly fell asleep, snoring softly.

They found one of Shen Lung's twin bodyguards in the coffin room; the other coffin was empty.  Jen, her face laid open by a gash that exposed her cheekbone,, ripped the vampire's head off its shoulder, hurling it off into the darkness. Sounds indicated that somebody was treating the head as a handy snack.

"We should get out of her before the cops get here," Cash said. Danny was curled up beside her, nuzzling her. He was covered in blood. Most of it belonged to someone else.

"She's right," Mike said. "I'll start a few fires to make sure we didn't leave any evidence behind."

"Agreed. I wasn't expecting the crazy son of a bitch to literally have explosives blocking the way." Lillia said with a weary shake of her head. Killing the vampire had given them a bit of a morale boost to perk them up, but not much. The cost had been too high.

"Mike, before you go, was the one the leopards wanted here?"

"Fucked if I know," Mike answered wearily. "Astrid's rats would know that." He looked at Jen. "Sorry. We're all Astrid's now. One of Astrid's original crew would know."

Jen laughed. "Don't sweat it." She pointed towards where someone was moaning in pain.  All of his limbs had compound fractures.  "There were supposed to be two. I only found one.  Other one might be dead or he wasn't here.  Either way, one is better than none."

"And alive. Thanks for that. Pretty sure he's going to wish we had killed him now though. " Her laugh might have been a little too pleased at the thought of what he was facing.  " They had an exit this way, so let's start getting survivors out. Anyone see any other rooms we missed? There's a missing body from the coffin room." Lillia asked as she looked around. Her eyes still hurt like hell from that light flash, but she could mostly see.

"Nothing I found," Juno said, who was crawling on all fours despite being in human form. "Maybe whoever was shooting the other night managed to actually hit something."

"Maybe, but best if we don't take that as truth. I didn't see any computers or phones.  If anyone is up to helping Mike set fires, do so. We need to get out.". Lillia said reaching down to give Willard a shake.  "Come on, you lucky bastard.  Get up or I'm dragging you.  "

The rats made short work of the scene. There was a billowing cloud of black smoke issuing from the underground exit to the vampire's lair and sirens could be heard in the distance.  Mike looked at Don, who was still in his rat form.

"Time to go, buddy. We get in enough trouble for being rats and nearby, so with us actually being responsible, we need to get the fuck out."

All the rats followed his advice, fleeing the scene before witnesses could identify them. With luck the fire would destroy any evidence of their presence. Only time would tell. Equally, only time would reveal if Shen Lung had actually set up a Cloud drop for the damning video he had used to blackmail Nick.

[LadyJallyn]

Friday Nov 20th - Rufus and Harry- 7pm
Rufus came out of the bathroom at Harry's Occult Shop, having changed into a spruce green dress shirt and a black leather vest. He still wore his black faded denim jeans. He blinked a few times, getting used to the contact in his eyes to have them both be blue rather than to rock the heterochromatic blue-brown look that he was born with.
He cocked his head looking at Harry offering him a wide crooked smile. “You nervous about tonight? It's going to be your big night. The lady pays well but it’s live donation. She's pretty, though, and Italian." He said with a wink.
Harry gave a chuckle that screamed nerves. "My mom would be thrilled... You know, if I had a date to have dinner with a hot Italian girl, not be dinner for one.” He smoothed his hair for about the hundredth time. "Should I have shaved? I hope not, cause I look like a punk without my beard.“
"I mean, do what makes you comfortable. You didn't go all heavy on the fragrance around your neck or anything, did you? Most Vamps don't mind you smelling like you put in an effort, they don't have our noses. But the flavoring if you splay or spray it on near a bite site tends to be a little gross. My Were-Wolf buddies were a bit unnerved, but that was due to the lady's bodyguards. I guess she's a high-end lady, so she has guards. So, from what I was told Lady Carmen, or Master Deluca? I think that was the last name. I'll double-check that with Noah before we head in."
"This is way different than chilling in the back room of a club and pretending you're just red crossing it." Harry muttered. "No, I don't wear cologne. It messes with my nose, and I don't like that. My shampoo smells like rosemary and mint though. I'm used to those smells at home, so they don't bother me."
"Yeah, I get what you are putting down. It was very much a case of being reached out to and offered the invite because of our blood type. Top dollar is top dollar, if you are wanting money, this is an easy gig. Plus, we got each other's backs. You can be rolled or not. Honestly it hurts less and with me there and having your back you will be safe. Rolling alone you run the risk of a dishonest vamp going too deep, but with the buddy system you should be golden. I'm not sure but Noah might be there to sit in for this too. He can be a little finicky about who gets to feed from us. But don't quote me. Just know I got your back buddy we're good. You've been fasting and not doing the garlic in anything for the past four days, right? I know that part can suck, aww sheesh... I'm rambling like a knob, sorry. I am admittedly a little nervous too. Last time I donated to a lady vampire, she took a bit of a liking to me. A little too much and yeah, I mean I was her escort for a night and we hung out a couple times knocked boots but I thought it was just fun you know. Didn't realize it was more to her than that, Noah always told me vampires were really casual about sex, so I guess she was an outlier, and I upset her." Rufus made a face. "Maybe to the point of leaving Seattle... I've heard she's moved. Thats some rotten luck to have with the ladies, piss em off enough that they leave the state you are in." He let out a low whistle. "If this one looks like she wants to fuck me don't leave us alone please. I don't want to upset anyone else while I'm here in Noah's entourage."
Harry snorted. "Wow. Not the usual wing man speech there." His nerves broke a little and he chuckled. "Usually it's hey man, help me score, not hey man keep me from banging a hot chick with fangs."
"Yeah, you know what they say or least where we say the hotter the chick the more crazy, they tend to be. Crazy can be fun but…if they decide they want more than fun than you're in trouble, and you might have to do the bear trap maneuver, you know what I'm saying?"
Rufus leaned against the counter. "I don't know, I can't tout to be the Casanova of Vampires or the ladies to be honest. The vampire I was talking about before. She was my first encounter in the bedroom with anyone of the fanged persuasion. It was admittedly hot despite being cool. But yeah, I figured it was super casual and that she was just wanting to sample the menu. Noah explained if I travelled with him, I'd be seen as a bit of an exotic for the Were-Dog thing. Limited edition flavor that isn't easy to find normally."
"OH, right. Cause we aren't contagious. Yeah, that definitely keeps the numbers low. Have you met many Were-Dogs?" Harry asked. It seemed like something he might have asked before but he was nervous and couldn't remember. Sometimes it was hard to focus.
"Only in my family. You are likely the only Were-Dog in the city, since I'm just passing through. You might be the only one in the state, it's hard to tell. Not many folk want to come out as being cursed. It marks you as different but gets you the same treatment as being a normal shifter a lot of the time. I've been more Dog than man most of my life though so I'm used to it. And I’m kind of lucky to have found a group that accepts me as I am. I know most Wolves don't see me as cousin or brother because it's a curse, and I'm not tied to the moon. I think they're just jealous because we aren't mound tied and silver doesn't mess with us any worse than regular metal," Rufus said with a sly smile.
"Yeah, my dad was the only other Dog in the city besides me til he died, and my mom is all over me to give her grand-puppies, but I mean, not that many chicks are keen on that I think. And I know it’s technically a curse, but I've been doing the dog thing for so long it’s really hard sometimes to think human stuff." He gave a laugh. "I don't really know any Wolves though. I have a Rat who's like a little sister to me. She helped me out of a bad spot a while back, and I helped her too. I guess that's kinda weird though huh?"
Rufus thought about it and shook his head. "Nah not so weird I mean I'm rolling with two Wolves a Were-Leopard and a Were-Lion, there was a Were-Bear but she was smart and got out after seeing how bonkers the Vampire scene can be. It takes a certain sort to dig a den and settle into it. I must be half crazy. I owe Noah pretty big and being old school, I am a man of my word. I figure a year or two of working for him and we can call it even. He does good work and helps shifters out. So, it’s a cause I can support and don't feel bad working for him. The other Vampires before Noah, not so much. Best advice I can give is don't get too involved if you can. Donate, be polite and then get the frick out of dodge. Doing that means you aren't likely to get pulled into anything too nuts."
"Sounds like good advice. Last thing I need is to piss my mom off by getting too involved in the 4p's- preternatural politics, pissing contests, and pussy," Harry said with a smirk.
Rufus chuckled. "I never pegged you for being such a mama's boy. But yeah, Vamps aren't all bad most got deep pockets. Know your limits and you're pretty good if you stick to them. Let's head on over to Archangel and check in so we can get things done."
"You don't know my mama. She scary when she's angry," Harry laughed. He pulled out his keys and jingled them. "You wanna drive or should I?"
"I'm good with whichever," Rufus said as he exited the shop. "If you haven’t been to Archangel Towers I don't mind driving. It is where I am currently hanging my hat."
"I've been, remember? I dropped off the basket of stuff my mom baked for you and your pals. She's still a little miffed over the can’t use garlic cause of Vampires thing." He led his friend around back and unlocked the van climbing into the driver’s seat.
"Ah yes. Sorry my friend. That seems like ancient history with all the scrambling and hustling that we've been doing since we got here. It's your wheels so by all means feel free to drive us where we need to go then," Rufus said as Harry locked up the store door and they walked to the vehicle. Rufus slid into the passenger side and slipped on his seatbelt.
The trip to the triple towers of Archangel Industries didn't take long at all. As they parked in the underground visitor parking at the building Rufus fired off a quick text. By the time they reached the lobby, Noah was exiting the Residential elevator to meet the two. Rufus made the official introductions and Noah shook Harry's hand, greeting him pleasantly. "Did either of you want a coffee or something sweet to drink before we head up to meet Master DeLuca? It tends to help you not have your sugars drop too much."
"Thanks for the offer. I'll defer to those who know better than me," Harry said. His earlier nervousness seemed to settle, leaving him feeling oddly relaxed.
With drinks purchased by Noah, the trio entered the residential elevator to Master DeLucas floor where they encountered a smartly dressed Were-Wolf in the hallway that looked at the trio with a neutral expression.
Noah smiled extending his hand as he introduced himself and their reason for being there.
"I'm going to have to search you before you enter. Nothing personal just doing my job. Can't be too careful. Who's first?"
Noah grinned "How about I go first while our two donors decide who's next?"
"I'm easy going," Rufus said casting a glance at Harry. "You want to get it out of the way like ripping off a band aid or you want to be last?"
"Um yeah OK, I guess. I mean he's just searching us, right? Or are you asking if I wanna be the appetizer?" Harry asked, giving Rufus a confused look. The Were-Wolf was a bit intimidating for sure. They all were, really. It was that kind of sense of contained violence most of them had. But he was sorta used to it, since all kinds shopped in his store.
"Well, I meant for the frisk but if you want to also go first on the donation front too, you can color me impressed bro," Rufus chuckled.
"I've been frisked before, man. Just not necessarily by someone so... expensive looking." He glanced at the Were-Wolf with a sheepish smile, “I mean his shoes look like they cost more than my house. I'm beginning to feel really underdressed. But yeah, whatever is okay,“ Harry said with a shrug. He was hella nervous now after seeing what the bodyguard looked like, but he was doing his best to keep it contained.
"Vampires have deep pockets after a while. Not so much the young ones normally. They're Masters at slashing the costs of their grocery bills," Rufus joked. "Get on their good side though and you get adopted. I've heard the perks can be pretty nice should they choose to show their generosity."
After a search, and asking for names, they were let inside where they found Master DeLuca sitting on the couch as she reached for a remote and muted the news channel she had been watching.
The Were-Wolf announced the group and Carmen nodded as she silently studied the group for a moment as she gestured to the couches. "Do have a seat gentlemen," she said, her amber eyes looking intently at Rufus and Harry as she reached a hand out expectantly, her Italian accent was heavy . "It isn't every evening that I have such interesting company."

"And it isn't every day that gentlemen such as ourselves are able to present ourselves before such a lovely guest," Noah said, giving his head a slight bow as he took her hand and gave it a gracious kiss.
The action seemed to content the female vampire. "Now it is not often that I come across a fellow traveling vampire, Mr. Knolls. What brings you to Seattle with your companions?"
Noah smiled. She didn't take long to start the interrogation. "What brings any of us to wish to travel? Curiosity and a desire to see what is over the horizon for those of us that have such desires? The novelty of travelling introduces you to so many new and interesting sights and people. Who couldn't resist wanting to visit America, where existing isn't a crime, and you can walk in the open? As for my evening companions, here? You would have to ask them. Harry here is a local Seattle Native."
Harry felt her Vampire gaze settle on him curiously and Rufus gave a small nod as she waited for Harry to speak.
Harry shuffled a bit, his eyes studying the carpet. A blush was creeping over his tanned cheeks. "Uh, yeah, I mean Yes, sorry." He corrected, trying to resist digging his toe into the carpet. “My family has been here for a few generations, but as far as I know I'm the only were dog in the area, so it was cool meeting Rufus. I hooked him up with a job delivering orders for my shop, and we hang out a lot, so I guess that's the why I'm here." He peeked up at her, surprisingly shy. “I’m glad I came though."
Carmen appraised him and let out a soft sigh. Americans on average, the ones she had studied on the streets. had varying differences than the locals in her own country. She patted the couch. "Come here and let me get a better look at you, Harold. You don't mind if I call you that, do you? I'm assuming that is what is on your birth papers and that you go by Harry informally."
Harry smiled. "No, I don't mind at all. That's what my friend Lil calls me. And my mom, when she's mad at me." He laughed. He gave a quick glance to Rufus and Noah, then approached to sit next to the Vampiress. "I'm sorry if I'm not doing things right. I haven't met too many Master Vampires.“He was suddenly rather self-conscious. "Are you really from Italy? I meant, if you don't mind me asking. "
"I am from Italy, yes." She studied him. "So, you donate but aren't very aware of the customs and procedures. Fear not, I won't exploit you. I am here as a guest, you will find Vampiric guests strive to be well-behaved. Isn't that correct, Mr. Knolls?"
Noah nodded. "That is usually the case."
"When did you realize you were a Were-Dog, Harold? If I may inquire, what did you do to anger a witch to end up cursed?" she asked.
The question seemed to relax Harry a bit, and he seemed suddenly a lot less like a teenager on his first date. " Me? Oh no, it wasn't me that made her angry. I'm actually not sure if it was a great or great great grandfather that was the start, the story got a little embellished, but the basic idea is grandpa had an affair with a pretty powerful witch and she was mad he wouldn't leave his wife for her. But the curse actually didn't happen until his son did one of her family members wrong. I've heard that he cheated on her or left her at the altar or something. But that's where the curse came in. Something about all Shaw men being dogs," he chuckled. "So yeah, I didn't really 'realize' I was a Were-Dog. According to my mom, the first time I changed I was still in a crib. I've been like this all my life. I think usually it's a puberty thing, so I guess I'm just... odd."
She let his answer hang in the air before nodding. "As a baby..." She mused. "I cannot say I am an expert in Were-Dogs but that is the first of me hearing being cursed since the crib and a curse passed down through the family. She must have been very powerful," she consoled as she lightly touched his knee giving it a pat.
Noah watched silently as he felt as if he was refereeing an event.
"Or really good at wording curses," Harry agreed. "But it's not so bad, except for the fact that my mom, she's Italian too by the way, keeps bugging me about grandbabies and it's not exactly the thing that most ladies look for. At least it’s only the males of the line who inherit the curse, but small consolation." If he had been in his dog form at the moment, his tail would be wagging.
"I can't disagree. Your mother hails from Bel Paese? I ask because you Americans have this fascinating obsession with claiming nationalities despite not being born or speaking the languages of such country, but your great great grandfather was from the old countries," Carmen replied, her lips upturned slightly offering a bemused smile. "Have you noticed this pattern as well, Mr. Knolls?"
"Not off the top of my head but I will be aware of that now Master DeLuca. Perhaps it is due to America being so young compared to other countries," Noah offered.
Rufus sighed softly, Oh you mean the landmass that's been around for as long as the rest of the world that my ancestors lived on before it was just colonized by the whites and the Spaniards a little later than the rest of Europe?"
Carmen nodded. "If you are an Indian of this continent, then yes. "
"We prefer the term Native American or Indigenous, Master DeLuca. Indian is a rather outdated and mildly offensive term."
"I see. I will make note of that. English is a language I am still learning. Let us stir the conversation back to you Harold. I believe you were talking about your mother and your heritage?"
"Ah. Well, in this case my mom really is Italian. When she was in school, she did a foreign exchange student thing, and Dad met her when he went on vacation to the east coast. They kept in touch, and she eventually moved here, and they got married. I actually don’t know where my dad’s side of the family came from,” Harry said.
"He died when you were young?" Carmen asked.
Harry shook his head. "Only a couple years ago. He just didn’t talk about his family much, and I never knew my grandfather."
"I see. That is unfortunate. Are there any questions you wish to have answered before you donate, Harold?" Carmen asked. It was a shame he didn't have more of a pedigree he could share with her.
Harry tried to think of what he should ask, but it was slightly difficult sitting right next to such a beautiful woman. "Um, well, all my previous donations have been indirect, so this is my first time doing things this way, so I think we are supposed to agree on location, right? I've never been rolled, but it should be ok since Rufus is here, and I'm not some kind of pain junky. Do you have any preferences?" he said, hoping he didn't sound like a rambling idiot.
"I'm a traditionalist. The Neck is my preference." Carmen confessed as she reached out to trail a finger gently along his neckline. "I can be gentle. How well do you heal? I've heard that Were-Dogs are weaker than most shape shifters? No offense I've not come across many of your kind."
Harry couldn't suppress a shiver at her touch. "Well, I wouldn't win a fight against your Were-Wolf bodyguards for sure, but I heal well enough. The scar is from a Were-Rat attack." He tapped the scar running diagonally across his nose.
Carmen sat with his answer and nodded. "If you heal faster than a human, you shouldn't have any issues. I've never had complaints from willing donors that I was too rough or my teeth too dull." She rested a finger at the junction a couple inches above where his neck and clavicle met. "Here would be a good spot. My guards heal up fast enough, less than half an hour, and you wouldn't know they had donated. Humans of course take several days to recover. I have had Master Salvatore explain how permission must be given and that there is paperwork that has to be filled out if you are an employee. Other paperwork must be filled out if you are a free agent. A form of consent for legal purposes, as you are feeding a guest within the business premises. You are fine with a hundred dollars for your donation tonight with the agreement of me being fed from this spot with you allowing for me to use my ability to make your donation more pleasurable than it would normally be without it?"
Harry went over everything she said in his mind. He had been through the whole paperwork thing when he had signed up as a donor at Nightshades, so he was familiar with all that. "I agree to one hundred dollars as payment with the requested location of the neck and the use of rolling for the purpose of pain reduction,” he said, making sure he repeated the specific terms out loud. He was nervous, but strangely excited, and he kept having to remind himself it wasn't appropriate to nuzzle up against someone he had just met.
Carmen snapped her fingers and one of her bodyguards vanished and came back with an attaché case, pulling out forms which she passed to Harry. "I want to ask about your diet as well. I am sure you are aware that garlic is something that we find... Unappealing. Do you exclude it from your diet?"
Harry started looking over the papers, trying to hide the fact that his eyes kept straying to her form beside him. He wasn't doing a very good job of it. "Of course. Mom wasn't very happy about that, but I explained that spending time in some of the most popular places in town meant being around Vampires, and Vampires didn't like garlic. I finally convinced her that me being palatable to the tongue meant I had better chance to be palatable to other senses. She is REALLY into the idea of me finding a girlfriend."
"Given your apparent age it is surprising that you don't have one or do your tastes drift towards same sex?" She asked casually as she looked over at Noah and noted how intently he was taking in the conversation and watching her and the two Were-Dogs.
Harry almost tore the paper he was signing at her words. "No!" He squeaked. "No. Nope, no way. Not into guys. At all." He waved his hands in embarrassment. "I'm into girls. Just... busy. I took over my dad's business, so I'm always there. And... it's an occult shop. I'm not too keen to hook up with a witch, fake or no."
"Life is short, do not let it pass you by. If you do, you will soon find yourself an old man on your deathbed and your lamentations won't be 'Why did I not work more, it will be why did I not make connections and take more chance to try new things," Carmen explained as she smiled softly, vaguely amused, at the dark-haired pup.

"That is sound advice, Master DeLuca." Noah replied, nodding his head,
"Well, I am here..." Harry said with a little shrug. "That does count as trying new things. I just... I want to take care of my mom. She won't say it, but she's lonely, in a way that isn't so easy to fix. She doesn't have any family here except for me. I thought I wanted to expand the business, you know, in a way honor my dad’s memory by nurturing the thing he made, but I think really, I just want mom to be happy again, really happy. I just have to figure out a way to convince her I'll be okay, and she can go home to Italy." He wasn't usually in the habit of spilling so much personal information, especially to those he didn't know, and he wasn't sure why he did it now. Maybe it was needing to defend himself, maybe it was something else. Sometimes the pressure of such things seeped out past the dam.
"Perhaps I can assist you on that front. If I find you suitable palate wise, we could figure out something beneficial, it is how you say it?" Carmen replied.
Rufus tilted his head slightly brown eyes flicked from Noah to Harry then to Carmen.
He had so far not sniffed out any bullshit, but her offer made him a little more alert.
A Vampire in Canada had been quick to offer help and loan him money with interest. It had been akin to getting into bed with a mafia loan shark. Then again Noah had been quick to bail him out.
Rufus lowered his head as he tried to suppress the urge to snicker at the Mafia thought Carmen was from Italy after all, her accent made that very clear.
Harry twirled the pen in his hand, his shoulders suddenly tense. "Not to be insulting or anything but that seems like something that would be too good to be true, and in my experience, if it seems too good to be true, it usually isn't - true that is. Not that I'm calling you a liar or anything. I just tend to be a bit... Nervous." He might have said nervous, but the word that fit better was paranoid. Rufus had seen it in him before, when they were hanging out. It was hardly unexpected though. He was the lone dog in a city full of high power shifters and he had already admitted to one run in that left him scarred.
"It wouldn't be out of the kindness of my heart. It would be a business transaction. Should I find you palatable, I would be interested in acquiring your donation services. So, you can see I do benefit. I am aware the price point we agree on tonight is higher than going rates that are normally offered, but I was very curious to try Were-Dog to see how it compares to Wolf," Carmen explained. "If your blood is not to my standards there is Rufus but given that he seems tied to Mr. Knolls, who is also a guest here, I wish to not cause friction between us. As Vampires, we can be very territorial of those that donate. I am guessing that Rufus donates to him. Correct me if I am wrong."

Noah nodded, “He is a part of my entourage and one of my donors, but under my discretion he does donate to others."
"So, as you can see, this would potentially not ruffle feathers," Carmen explained to Harry. "Plus, it doesn't hurt that your bloodline contains some ancestral ties with my country."
Harry nodded. "Good to know, but I kinda have to say that I’m not planning on leaving Seattle myself at this point. This is my home, and I'm happy here. But who knows, it's something that can be talked about later I guess, depending on how things go tonight." He finished with the paperwork and handed it back to her assistant. "For now, it's probably time I find out what color eyes you have, and if they are as gorgeous as the rest of you." He gave a lopsided grin.
"As you wish," she said simply as she took the signed papers from him reading everything over as Nigel had shown her.
It felt so strange to go about getting a meal compared to the hired help that offered blood to her without all the paperwork.
"It all seems in order," she said as she gracefully turned her body towards him on the couch and caught his gaze as she told him to relax.
He felt himself slowly sinking into the depths of her amber eyes. There was a sensation of feeling distant and like he was curled up on the floor near a fireplace basking in the heat and being pet, her fingers gliding though his metaphysical coat of fur.
Noah watched silently, a little less tense to see despite her being from Europe that she was not mistreating her vessel.
Carmen fed as she analyzed the flavor and composition of his blood silently. When she was done Harry came to his senses alerting him to reality, he found her pressing gauze to his neck as she held him. "Welcome back. How are you feeling?"
Harry gave a lopsided smile. "That was... nice. No pain. It felt... Kinda like snuggling in front of a fireplace. How about you?" he asked as he reached up to take the gauze. "Tasty? Not tasty? "
"It was unique," Carmen commented. "With a proper diet, you could likely find yourself with repeat customers. Many a Vampire would be curious due to the novelty of what you are. But if you could abstain from certain foods, you would have a full donation card I suspect. Do you have a direct way to contact you should I require your services again? Should you be open to the idea of a repeat donation. I plan on being in town for a little while."
"I don't mind," Harry said as he fished in his wallet and pulled out a card. "I'm at the shop most days so if your people need to get me then that’s the best way. "He borrowed a pen to write on the back of the card. "This is my cell phone." He held out the doctored card. “Of course, if I don't answer I very well could be wandering the city in my other form. I do like to do that."
Carmen took the card, studying it in her elegantly manicured fingers, "I shall call ahead to solidify plans should I desire another taste. Do try to abstain from the garlic, I plan on obtaining your services later this week."
She turned her attention to Noah. “With donations out of the way did you wish to stay and chat or did you wish to let the Were-Dogs enjoy their night while we talk of things that would likely bore the pair?"
Rufus looked to Harry then to Noah. Noah gave a languid shrug to Rufus, indicating he wasn't insisting on him hanging back. Rufus looked to Harry. “Shall we? Or did you have anything else you wanted to ask Lady Carmen?"
Harry laughed. "I think so far I've managed to not put my foot in my mouth. It might be a good idea to not push our luck."
Noah's presence had dampened his reactions. He wasn't as paranoid as usual, and perhaps it had helped him not climb into the woman's lap like he really wanted to do, but he didn't want to get the bodyguards up in arms because he was getting too friendly. He really wanted to roll over on her lap and present his belly for belly rubs. Dog brain was in tail wagging pee myself a little mode. Not a good way to make a first impression.
"We will see ourselves out if you are good, Noah," Rufus said, looking back to the unassuming Vampire who sat across from the dark-haired Italian beauty.
The pair of Were-Dogs made their way out of the suite, back into the hallway and to the elevator. Rufus sighed softly as he gently rubbed his neck. He leaned against the wall as they waited for the elevator. His dark eyes flicked over to Harry. "So how would you rate tonight and the whole donating here tonight? I don't like the fact we had to leave Noah on his own, but I guess he is a big boy that can handle himself. I just wanted to touch base and make sure you are okay bud."

[LadyJallyn]

Monday Nov 23rd Downtown Seattle - Justin and Tana

It had been a surprise to find Justin sitting in the waiting room of the Kindred wellness center with a zip up dry cleaners bag in his lap.

With it fast approaching winter the sun was setting before Tana's work shifts ended and there really was no getting around that unless she wanted to close up shop almost three hours earlier than she normally did.

Justin flashed her a grin as she came out into the reception area "Done for the day perfect. Take this bag and pick one of the two dresses here that you like best. Just remember you will be riding on the back of my bike so maybe leave what you don't need to take with you behind." He shrugged. "Kyle and Leslie helped me figure out which was going to be reasonable so there is a black dress in there or a red one and a pair of heels and ah I guess a mini make up bag so you can do the make up thing because Lelsie said if you are dressing up you will want war paint. I can sit here until you are ready but don't take too long I made reservations, Surprise I'm cashing in the taking you out to dinner thing tonight."

Surprise washed over Tana's face which was quickly replaced by excitement. "Okay be right back."

Tana hurried back inside the clinic to her office and was coming back out in under 20 minutes. One thing Tana learned early at the farmhouse over the years was the art of quick change. She had decided on the A line red dress. It had thick straps that crisscross in the front with a little rouching to make a sweetheart neckline. The band cinched her waist before flowing out just above her knee. It hugged all her curves in the right places. The three inch heels were in the same matching red; a bandage style wrapping around elegantly around her ankle. She hadn't done much to her make up. A black small winged eyeliner, mascara and a glossy red lip. Tana's thick hair once in a messy bun was now in a higher ponytail her bangs still framing her face along with the odd strand that had become curly infront of her ears.

She wore a bashful expression as she approached Justin. "I hope I didn't take too long?"

Justin rose, subconsciously running a hand down the front of his tie as he stood. "Nope, you were quick." He ran an appraising eye up and down her line as he passed her a spare bike helmet. "You will of course need to wear that, and hopefully you have  a jacket to wear, it will be cold on the back of the bike. I hope you are hungry? I booked us a table for a sit down and eat experience. I know you said tacos or something like that would be fine but I wanted to offer up something a little nicer than that."

Tana did a little spin. The dress's skirt billowed out around her while she showed off a small spagetti strapped backpack. Calling it a backback was probably laughable. It was tiny but large enough for wallet, I.D. and touch up makeup not much else.

"Shit sorry one sec." Flustered she turned back around into the office with inhuman like speed returning minutes later with a black leather jacket reminicent of greaser jackets from the 50's.

"Okay ready. Suddenly I am starving." Tana knew if she reminded Justin that he didn't need to go to so muxh trouble that it would warrant a look so instead smiled. "Thankyou this is a pleasent surprise." She popped the helmet as she moved to him. A slight muffled voice came out from it. "Lead the way good Sir." Tana couldn't help grinning from ear to ear.

Justin led her out the building, leaving the spare dresses and odds and ends that Tana didn't need behind in her office. He helped her onto the back of the bike, telling her to hold on and they were off.

Justin drove across the downtown core minding his speed and being extra careful due to having a passenger on his bike as they made their way to Belltown. The drove past the Needle and all the little bars and eateries and coffee nooks as Justin continued his journey down Western Ave as Tana picked up on the fact they were not super far away from Pikes Market.

Justin eased his bike into a parking spot and offered Tana a hand should she need assistance getting off the bike.

The buildings along the block were mostly old brick ones as Justin walked beside Tana offering her an arm. He was mindful of how fast to walk due to her having high heels on, they could both smell scents that made their mouths water and stomachs growl. The unmistakable smell of grilled steak and other culinary dishes could be scented in the air. He stopped outside the storefront, red letters on display read El Gaucho.

Justin gave her hand a quick squeeze before he opened the door for Tana to let her enter first.

Tana was grateful for the small pair of booty shorts that was packed along so she could ride the motorcycle with little issue.  Tana had leaned in close hugging Justin not to tight as they moved thru the city.  There was something that she really enjoyed about being on the bike that she never could put her finger on but was too scared at the idea of learning to drive one herself. Tana wore a content grin the whole ride that didn't fade until after they parked.

She happily took his arm as they walked. The evening air was soon replaced with the delicious scent of grilled meat. When Justin stopped and ushered her in the building  a small gasp escaped her.  This place was way above what they had discussed. The atmosphere was mature, sophisticated and way out of her standard price range. She suddenly felt underdressed in her outfit. Her feet were glued to the spot she stopped slightly off to the side as she drank the place in.

"Justin, wow. Just wow. This place is so upscale." She gave herself a quick look over.

"It is a proper thank you. Much better than a taco truck munch which I know you said you wanted but Mr C recommended it. There were more expensive and more fancy places to but that this would likely do nicely as a thank you dinner." Justin said quietly as they entered the establishment and were greeted by a hostess. "Good evening to you too I believe you should have a reservation for two under Mayfair."

They were guided to a corner table that let them have a good view of the establishment which was all dark wood and softly lit and strangely not overtly loud despite the soft jazz music that was being played.

They were left with menus for both food and drinks as the hostess told them Leon would be their waiter for the evening and would be with them shortly to take their dri k orders.

Justin calmly thanked the hostess and turned his attention to Tana. "You know what you want to start off with drink wise? Get whatever you want, just don't mind me if I stick with non alcoholic, I'm responsible for making sure you get home safe tonight."

Tana smiled warmly. "That is beyond fair. Though if you can't partake neither will I. Honestly water is fine for the time being. It almost seems disrespectful to ask for a soda here though." Tana chuckled as she opened her menu begining to give it a glance. It took everything in her power not to blanch at the prices.

"Did Mr. C pass along any menu suggestions or just the location? It is a lot to take in. Or do you have any suggestions?" Her long lashes lifted to look at Justin over the menu.

"We could order mocktails? And I did do some research and asked questions. The Chateaubriand came highly recommended. And if you aren't vibing on the veggie pairing, we could likely request something else. The Northwest Oysters are supposed to be great if you like that sort of thing and I know that Steak Tartare is prepped table side, and you know me and my love of a good rare steak. Kyle's conditioning with our natural inclinations of the feline variety do see me leaning towards ordering at least that if not other things for the appetizers." Justin confidently explained, keeping his voice low enough for just the two of them to hear. "Is there anything on here menu you wise that you are curious or want to maybe sample off the appetizer list?"

Tana's eyes continued to scan the menu. It was almost like a forgien language. The words all clearly had to do with food but many she had never tried or knew what they meant.  Judging by Justins comment steak tartare was clearly steak done raw which had piqued her interest. Tana lowered the menu. "Okay question time please. Sorry this is reminding me of the first time I went to a sushi place and didn't understand the terminology.  I am not sure what tartare means but that sounds delicious.  I've never had Oysters but I take it you are not a fan, why? Also what is an Escargot?" Tana asked with heavy emphasis on the 't'. She then picked up the drink menu pointing to a drink called Ube Inferno under a header that said Zero-Proof Cocktails. "Oh and are these the mocktails? Zero-Proof means no zero alcohol, right?" Tana's cheeks were starting to flush a little in embarrassment at her lack of knowledge. After all the years at the farm house with Kyles cooking she thought she was more versed than this.

"Correct about the zero proof and no worries. I literally knew nothing when I first started to work for Mr. C so no stress.  Escargot is snails. Have I tried them, yes? What do I think of them? Chewy and sort of like a mushroom, but more rubbery and not worth the price point in my eyes. But I know that people appreciate them. Altair and Keid like them. I think it is just the butter and garlic that they really like." Justin chuckled. "Oysters for me are fishy and the texture of something sliding down my throat the way they do is, strange. I think my issue is I'm just not a huge fan of most things from the ocean. Shrimp? Sure. Calamari, yes if you like that you might like the snails to be honest. I just think if I have the choice, calamaris the better choice because, you get more. Maybe I just don't like shellfish. Not a huge fan of clam or oysters or crab in the shell I should say. And yet I love me a good spicy fish taco. I don't know Tana, potentially I'm the weird one. Don't worry if it isn't something that I say I'm not a fan of but you might like it, you order whatever you want. If the appetizer isn't something you vibe with, I can share my steak tartare with you."

Justin earnestly answered every question Tana had in a calm laid back manner as their waiter came to the table introducing himself as Leon as he filled up their table side water glasses and took their drink orders. Jules had assured him that the venue would be nice and not too much for the pair to navigate venue wise. So far so good. It wasn't like they were strangers to good cooked food. Kyle pulled off feeding them all the time, the wording of the menus might be fancy but you couldn't go wrong with grilled meat.

Tana nodded along to Justins explanations. With him helping her navigate she was feeling a lot more confidant.
"Okay then I think I will attempt the oysters. I'd try the snails but I rather not be pouring garlic out my pores the rest of the evening. Plus I already know what calamari tastes like." She smiled before looking back down at her menu absently chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to make a choice. "I'm leaning towards Steak El Gaucho. What about you?"

"If we are passing on the Chateaubriand to split I think I'll get the top sirloin because anything less than ten ounces of meat is just sadness for me." He said chuckling. "But hey look at us we have a battle plan. I admit everything in here smells really good. I don't think there is such a thing as a bad order. Might have to come back at a later date if that is the case. Maybe give Kyle a night off when my birthday rolls around. So how was work today?"


An hour and a half later, the two were-leopards were licking their dessert spoons and Justin was reading the bill, his olive green eyes taking in the sum as he slipped a credit card into the leather cheque holder.

Justin thanked Leon for his service and to send his regards to the cooks who had killed it that evening.

As they waited for Leon to return with Justin's card, he looked at Tana. "So thoughts on Dinner? Too full? Or are you down for an activity that has you moving around a bit?I did have one little thing we could do after dinner if you were not vibing ongoing home and passing out right away, but I also know you've been working today, so you might be tired. Your call no pressure."

Tana was sitting back contently in her chair one hand resting lightly on her stomach.

"Justin this place was amazing. Thankyou." She smiled warmly at him leaning forward whispering. "I'm glad I picked this dress it had a bit of room to cover up the gut I probably have now." She chuckled leaning back once more.
"Good Sir you are aware that curiosity killed the cat, right? How can I resist the fear of never finding out what else that mind has concocted? Well I can't so..." Tana trailed off as she studied his face hoping it would betray him tipping her off to what he had planned. Her amber eyes sparkled with amusement as she tried to guess in her head. The possibilities seemed endless.

Justin flashed her another slightly crooked smiles and shrugged "Honestly Tan. You look great. " he too her hand giving it a gentle squeeze as his green eyes ran over her petite frame disagreeing with her one comment. "You worry way too much about what you body looks like.  Trust me you look fine."

There might have been a stretched out emphasis on the I in fine and he quashed down a thought as he cleared his throat as he saw Leon return with his hand.

He offered Tana an arm out as they walked put of the Restaurant and back to his bike.

"I don't get why you girls do it. I look gross... when all you got is a little bedhead and morning breath in the morning.  You do it
, Brandy did it when she lived with us, I think the only two that don't are Leslie and Seren. I mean was Seren." Justin said offering an apology.

Tana's heels clicked on the sidewalk as she clung on to Justin. She was quiet for a moment as if paying respects to Seren being mentioned. "You look far from gross. Mr. Dapper and even in the morning. You just wake up perfect. No scratch that even better than perfect. That raspy morning voice." Tana closed her eyes briefly and let out a content sigh as she played Justins morning voice in her head. A slight blush warmed her cheeks as hormones rushed thru her. She opened her eyes and cleared her voice trying to compose herself.

"Also okay with all the hair I have, if I didn't get ahead of it as soon as I wake up. I'd end up tangled in no time." She pulled her arm out of his putting her wrists together behind head pretending she was tied up before putting her arm back in his with a chuckle.

Justin laughed, "I never had an issue with your hair in the mornings or you running around without clothes. Admittedly, after we broke up it was very hard to put you into the box of you are now a kid sister. The new choices to dress up and make new wardrobe choices have ummm definitely been noticed. I just want to point that out, and no I'm not shaming. Just aware that you guess are having a hot girl summer or something despite it being November. Ah_ Never mind, I'm being crazy."

He passed her a helmet to put on and slipped his on. "Also if you worry about perfect hair so much you could just cut yours super short. That is why mine looks so good, I don't grow my hair out to be anime girl length." He gently teased.

Tana popped the helmet on quickly to hide how red her face was at his comment. He would be able to smell her excitement despite her best effort to hide it. The wind was not helping either as it blew her scent towards him. Tana got onto the back of his bike a bit clumsily as her heart pounded echoing in the helmet.

"Me in super short hair, huh? Mmm nope can't see it." She stated as she wrapped her arms around Justin.

"Thats fair. Short hair can be tougher to rock for certain ladies. Now hold on tight." Justin said as he turned the key on his bike as it roared to life.

He drove in silence since he didn't have built in mics in his helmet so it gave him time to calm down and not be so awkward. He had to admit the drive reminded him of the time he was a young awkward horny teen. He had grown over the years and wasn't that same kid, but the fact that he had picked up on some of Tana's frisky vibes. Okay so it wasn't just him. But she was allowed to be like that he wasn't he had Cynara up in Canada, he just had to be patient and wait for her to come back to Seattle.

However, a small part of him had started to whisper doubts over that happening with her not yet giving him a time. It had been six months. Hadn't Tana recently had coffee with a new leopard in town? Same amount of time infected as Cynara's dad. I guess he might pick the guys brain to see where he was mentally and how in control he was.

They pulled up to a street in the northern part of Seattle and Justin parked his bike. They were in a more industrial part of town but a small brickwork building stood with a lit up sign RAGE Industry.

Justin rang the door bell buzzer and a sliding door panel opened. "Appointment for two for Mr. Mayfair."

There was a soft click then the sound of a buzzer as the door slid open leading them into a wood floored hallway and old brick walls as the were lead into a waiting room. "Please have a seat Mr. Mayfair and your guide will be with you shortly."

Tana was thankful for the silence and the colder nights air. She pulled off her helmet tilting her head to look up at the neon sign. She had no clue what this place was which only caused her inner cat to take notice. She followed Justin in earnest. Her eyes wide as her head swiveled trying to take everything in. She took a seat her head raising to sniff at the air a little. No hints from that. "Still don't know what's going on. I have no clue what this place is still." Tana said in a tiny voice.

"You will see." Justin replied calmly. "I'm hoping you might like it. You've kind of have a shit month. I don't want to wreck it for you, but let me know what you think once we get into it."
It was about that time that a blue haired girl in her early twenties came out from down the hallway wearing a RAGE industry T shirt and black jeans, her hair dyed in a blue fauxhawk.

"Ah Mr. Mayfair welcome back it is good to see you. We have your therapy room set up. Is your guest a first timer?"

Justin nodded. "She is."

The blue haired woman looked Tana up and down. "We can find her a set of overalls no problem. She's a small. The names Ash. I'll be your Guide tonight. If you aren't familiar with our Company, we host rage rooms. They can be really therapeutic, we do have a few rules and a waiver to sign." She said as she passed Tana a clip board. "If you can just give that a read and let me know what your therapy tool will be. Golf club? Baseball bat? Or Sledge hammer?"

Tanas eyes widened in bewilderment. There was a sparkle in her eyes as Ash continued to explain things.

[LadyJallyn]

"Crow bar?" Tana asked her voice trembling with excitement as she took hold of the waiver. She had to fight the urge to happily stomp her feet.

"We do have those too," Ash said with a warm chuckle. "Oh I think you might have brought us a returner but the looks of things."

Justin nodded. "Well sometimes you want to watch the world burn and you can't do that, so this is a happy alternative."

"Okay. Ill grab if i need it." Tana began to run her fingers along his back looking to any knots or places was holding tension. One hand ran up his spine to the back of his head while the other tan down his shoulder gently pulling it outwards. She could feel the tension he was carrying and frowned a little.
"You should of had me give you a massage way sooner Mister." Her habd left the back of his head and gave him a light smack on his bottom.

"I'm not really that tense Tan. I'm just - nevermind..." He protested and softly growled as he felt her slap his ass. "Don't start  with the ass slapping and kinky shit, I'm not Brandy. You reallyshouldn't tempt fate."

Tana let out a small chuckle. Justin telling to not tempt fate made her desperately tempt it even further.  He could feel her practically vibrating with the urge over top of him  but she managed to swallow it down while performing the same shoulder pull on the opposite side. Her fingers continued to brush along his flesh as they sought out new knots to work out. She hummed a little as she worked trying to relax him our of his dark place.

With Tana atop him he was painfully aware of her body straddling his. The warmth of her skin, the energy of her leopard and the sensation of her fingers and hands as they needed and glided across his flesh.

He could hear Kyle gearing up in the kitchen for breakfast.

Justin let out a little grunt as she ground her thumb into a corded hard ridge of muscle in his shoulders.  Still aware of her he sighed as his morning wood twitched in reaction to his tensing as she worked his shoulder. The intrusive thought of what would she do if she flipped him over to work on his chest entered his mind as he imagined him self receiving a happy ending. He tried to eliminate the thought. He was with Cyn reminded himself, but he had to admit she had looked really good. She had never dressed up like that when they had been a thing as teens.

"I'm sorry I was such a lame-o self absorbed dick  when we dated and you first came here. I blame it on make teen brain and trying to prove something.  I've come to the conclusion that our full moon flings were kinda one sided and I should have put in more effort and practice to make sure you had a better time rather than being self absorbed by what my leopard and I wanted. I really need to do better by my partners. I think maybe that's another reason Cyn could be dragging her feet on coming home. " he confessed his face half buried in the pillow. "It is a miracle you don't hate my guts so thanks and also sorry. Young me was a dick."

Tana paused trying to think of how to respond. "And young me was a bitch. I was no gem either. I had no clue what it meant to be in a real relationship. Of any type. I was so scared to just live in the moment that everything had to be a battle. I lashed out at everyone. Pushed boundaries that shouldn't of been pushed. Tried to be oh so mature. I lead you on and was never open about well anything important. Full moon flings may of felt one sided cuz I just assumed that yup this was a leopard thing you just do. I accept your apology on the condition you accept mine. It's a miracle you don't hate my guts in return. I'm sorry." Tana leaned forward pressing her chest to his back offering a tiny slow lick between his shoulder blades.

"I accept and -" He let out a shudder as she licked his shoulder as a shudder coursed through his body and he let out a frustrated groan hoping his twitches weren't string enough to knock her off the bed, he thought to himself dimly.

Words weren't much of an option. He didn't hate her but she had paved the way to his doubts about being good enough for any woman.

Tana had dumped him. Brandy has given him the riot act later telling him he had been a shitty lover and had insisted on tutoring. Cynara had said things were good then ran off to Canada. Sure she was helping her father but with the time and distance... it felt more like a convieint excuse.

He longed for that mind of intimacy had before May had rolled around and everything had gone to shit. He was really tired of having to go for long jogs outside to find secluded places to jerk off and he didn't dare do it at work.

Justins shudder sent electricity straight into Tana as she straddled him. A soft gasp escaped her lips as her insides tightened and begged for more.  She could smell his arousal and hers did not take long to add to the mix. Her hands slid down his back kneading flesh from the small of his back out to his hips. Her finger tips dipped between his front and the bed stopping as the resistance between the bed and Justin forced them to a halt. Boundaries were starting to blur as her head became lighter and foggy with need and want.  Next to his ear she echoed "And?"

"And you saved my life " just said as he lay face down the heat rushing to his face. He didn't pretend to be human as he rolled over reversing the situation do he lay 9n top of her.

Painfully he was aware that his errection im his boxers was currently pressed against  her leg. Just due to their height differences if he wanted to look her in the face it had to be like thst.

He licked st his lips aware of the scents and tension.  "That bought you so much good will. And for the record I've never hated you. Just confused as hell half the time with mixed signals. What do you want right now?" He whispered.

Tanas breath mixed with Justins as her nose brushed against his. One free hand cupped Justins cheek as her eyes starred intently into his. They darted back and forth as if she was struggling with something inside of herself or searching for something in his.

"I-" Tana paused closing her mouth swallowing hard. "I know I shouldn't but I want to you. All of you. Baddly." Tanas cheeks began to blush a deep hue of pink. Her mind was racing one voice inside her was calling her a home wrecker and the other was egging her on. She turned her head a little ashamed of saying it out loud but it was going to come out eventually. Tana was nervous she knew what she was saying was wrong. Justin had someone he loved. A someone that isn't her. Her lips parted as her face turned back to him an apology teetered on pouring past them like a flood gate being opened. A long breath was slowly sucked in and held as she waited Justins response. Had she ruined the relationship they had been working on reestablishing?

He closed his eyes as he heard her out as he made a pained face. "I hate myself for this." He whispers, his body tense as he fought with his beast mastering his baser desires. "I hear what you are saying. I do, but Justin is going to be logical as we can right now...." He let out a shakey sigh as he lay pressed against her, keeping the majority of his weight off her. "We should talk this out when we're both not feeling like cats in heat. Two, We don't have enough time to do anything remotely satisfying, and I won't half ass anything, especially if it was a first time thing. That's the worst thing I could do after telling you I've changed, and I have. Three Kyle's up, and he will hear everything, do you want that?"

Tanas head pulled away from Justins sinking into the pillow. Her spirits sunk as the sting of rejection was quickly replaced with shame and doubt.

fuck fuck fuck. Damn it Tana you shouldn't of said anything.

"Right. I uh sorry." She whispered back shifting awkwardly under him. "Talking is good." Her eyes looking a little more hopeful. Tana wanted to say more but was unsure how to articulate. To say their relationship just hit a new level of its complicated was an understatement.

"Did you want me to-" a thumb hitched out to his bedroom door. "Just so we are clear I'm not like trying to run from the situation but maybe distance to regroup may be best." Her words sounded as jumbled as her thoughts. She wanted to respect Justins resolve. It was hers that she didnt trust.

"Then you can come to me when you are ready to talk." Justin agreed on the talking point as he slowly rolled off Tana standing and offering her a hand to stand up.

"Do either one of you want eggs this morning?"  Kyle asked from the kitchen as if reinforcing the fact that had they not paused things that Kyle would have had a front seat to their escapades.

Tana took Justins hand standing infront of him as Kyles question felt like a boombox to their almost intimate moment. Tana looked up at Justin with a lopsided smirk which turned into a small giggle. She rested her forehead against his chest for a moment answering Kyles question.

"Yes please." Being so close to him she couldnt help but take in his scent once more. Based on how their conversation went she very well may of ruined their conection. Her hand found his giving it a quick sqeeze as she nodded before leaving the bedroom.
Her foot steps clearly leading to the kitchen and Kyle.

She paused in the door way looking in."Need help?"

Please say yes Kyle please I need a distraction Tanas hand fidgeted against the door frame. She didn't know how or exactly when she would be ready to have the conversation Justin and she needed. So many moving parts it was hard to know where to start.

Homewrecker. Hussy. Slut. Tana grimmiced a little as guilt tried to eat away at her.

Kyle paused looking at her before turning to look out the kitchen window at the hoarfrost lawn.

"We got a good frost sometime between when you came home and decided to rise. You two didn't mention how many eggs you wanted."

"Three. Please." Justin emerged dressed in am under shirt and his work pants.

"You want to check if the six hens laid any. Might be lucky and have half a dozen waiting if not Tana bring whatever is there, if you don't mind." Kyle asked tapping the small basket for eggs on the counter.

Tana nodded. "On it." She grabbed the basket and an oversized bush jacket to throw over Justins tshirt she had chucked on to sleep in.

The morning air was brisk and stung at her face but that scent could wash away any troubles.

You tossed him aside like trash once before. You don't deserve him. whispered the dark voice inside her. Okay so the fresh eaely morning air could wash away almost any trouble. Tana slipped on the nearest pair of crocs heading to the coop frosted grass crunching under foot.

The air was crisp and fresh, the darkness of night receding as the horizon was starting to lighten but the sun had not yet made it's way over the horizon line. Walking down the hill Tana made her way towards the fire pit and the rabbit hutch. Beside it was the chicken coop. She entered the small building that was home to their spring chickens and ducks.

Checking the nesting boxes, she found five warm eggs, the chickens were quite vocal as she pilfered their eggs and  the brown hens let her know they were not impressed as they flapped and one was bold enough to peck at her hand as she snatched the egg.

Inside the farm house, the others were starting to rise as the smell of the food began to waft though the house as Kyle added pancake batter to the electric griddle.

Justin slipped into the bathroom, doing his best to piss with a half erection as he thought on the morning so far.  They had opened a door to something unexpected. How things would work was anyone's guess. He would have to call and talk to Cynara. Perhaps he could start a text exchange with her on her first break. Then again, what was there to say. He wasn't even sure if Tana was actually interested in exploring things or if it had been heat of the moment. With a grunt of frustration, he gave himself a shake and flushed the toilet before washing his hand. He stared at himself in the mirror.

To complicate things further, there was the new alpha status Tana had.  Most of the time, alphas didn't through their weight around with their subordinates, but it would make turning her down harder to resist as his leopard would submit. Tana was within her rights were-leopard wise to take what she wanted technically because she outranked Justin and Cyn, but there were the human rules of not being a dick and doing things without consent.

Justin gently pressed his forehead to the mirror and sighed. "Fuck my life. Why's shit got to be so complicated?" He asked himself.

“I think those are song lyrics,” Morvan said as he entered the bathroom, yawning. “If life wasn’t complicated, it wouldn’t be life.”  He patted the younger man on the shoulder. “You done in here?”

"Yeah. I will bounce so you can have the throne to yourself." Justin said aware that he wasn't sexually frustrated anymore, but feeling like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Enjoy the silence. Won't be too long before the que lines up for the bathroom. Katie and Leslie are stirring."

Tana frowned at the hen that pecked her. "Fuck you bird. I'm beating myself up enough thankyou very much." She grumbled looking down at the very small marking the birds beak made on the back of her hand and sighed.

"Besides right now I feel like I deserve a lot worse then that. Boxing and running at the gym is so extra needed today." Tana placed the last egg in the basket. Her free hand smacked her cheek three times before she exhailed

"Okay Tana get it together. You told him how feel. Sorta. Whats done is done. Actions have consquences and if you fucked everything up I can cross that bridge when I get to it." Tana glanced back at the hen before leaving the barn.

"Stop judging me." She snarled at it.

Once inside Tana hung uo the bush jacket shivering as the warmer house air brushed against her cold skin. "Got five." Tana mentioned to Kyle placing down the basket before heading to help start setting the table.

"Thanks Tana." Kyle said taking the basket from her as he got to washing the eggs, prepping to make up more pancake mix.

Breakfast was soon made and everyone assembled at the table to eat. Justin didn't seem upset as he began making breakfast soft tacos with his scrambled eggs. He began folding them into pancakes and breaking up breakfast sausage and adding some hot peppers, topping it off with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Leslie loaded  her bowl with apple cinnamon oatmeal and added some cream and brown sugar to her bowl.  "So how was dinner last night Tana?" She asked.

Tana winced sucking in air between her teeth. "Ooooh ysss about that. I think - I think that place gave Kyle a run for his money." She chuckled a little giving Kyle a bit of a sideways glance while reaching for the ketchup for her eggs.

"In all honesty it was fantastic. Above and beyond expectations. Even though I didnt have preset expectations. At least until I smelt it when we were outside. If I had access to that resturant regularly. I'd be fat."

"It was good." Justin said before devouring half his breakfast taco in one bite. "Mr. C's recco was spot on. " he added after swallowing before reaching for his glass of grapefruit juice and taking two large gulps.

"Maybe we can go one night." Katie said looking to Leslie.

Leslie grinned, "It could be a good option for the next time Kyle abandons us to spend time with Jules. What did you guys order anyhow?"

"Meat and other good foods." Justin answered.

Katie wrinkled her nose smirking as she flipped Justin off. "Jack ass. Such a guy answer. No for real what did you guys order."

"What?!  It's the truth!" Justin said as he disappeared his breakfast taco. His olive green eyes drifted to Tana as he chewed, giving her a wink and nodding his head at her then to Katie hoping Tana would field the question while he scarfed down his last bit of breakfast.

Tana chuckled taking Justins lead.  "We started with some mocktails. I tried Oysters for the first time. Justin said he wasn't a fan but I really enjoyed them. He let my try his steak tartar that was so yummy too. We both ordered steaks glorious slabs of melt in your mouth delciousness. Mine came with asparagus and even some lobster. We then couldn't decide on a dessert so we got both thr creme brulee and the bread pudding." Tanas stomach growled at the very memory of the meal.

"Yum!" Leslie sighed. "I'm jelly. I guess it was a long wait though? You guys got in pretty late. Or did you guys get your drink on?"

“Jealous?  Of oysters?”  Morvan shuddered. “Those things are giant wads of snot. I don’t know who convinced everyone that they were bougie.  Or maybe he said boogery and someone misheard. Either way, if you like them, you can have my lifetime supply because I’m not going to be eating them. Can somebody pass the butter please?”

Michael wordlessly passed the butter to Morvan giving him a nod.

Tana shrugged. "I mean I thought so at first when they arrived along with Justins similar shared opinion. I was too chicken to try them with hot sauce but with lemon they were super tastey."

She glanced to Justin. She wasn't sure if he wanted the others to know how ge blew off steam. She quickly finished her eggs before replacing the empty space with 2 pancakes onto her plate. "Afterwards we hungout before heading home. I didnt drink 'cuz Justin wasn't drinking." Tana doused her pancakes in powdered sugar then drizzled with syrup. "We had fun." She added cutting her food and stuffing it in her mouth with a very satisfied mmmmm.


"It was nice." Justin added as he finished his last bits on his plate. "Certainly you and Katie wouldn't go wrong if you want to ring in something special.

"Could be nice to switch things up, usually if we do a date night it ends up with us going to a club to dance or occasionally it's a movie.  Going out to eat doesn't usually end up being a thing due to the fact that most food out there isn't at the same level was what we eat here." Katie nodded.

"We could dress up fancy. " Leslie said beaming "Princess mode activated."

Kyle chuckled and Justin flashed the girls with a lopsided grin and a thumbs up. Justin's phone alarm went off. "No rest for the wicked. Thanks for the breakfast." Justin said as he rose from the table to finish getting dressed for work.  A minute later, Justin was back out in the living room as he grabbed his leather jacket that was hanging off the back of his chair.  "See you all tonight." He said as he stole a slice of cantaloupe from the table to take with him outside. He gently gave Tana a poke on her shoulder. "You going to be in tonight or are you and Morvan going to go into town to hit the Gym?"

Tana could feel her body pulling towards Justin at the mere touch of a poke.  She mere minutes ago was relishing in going to the gym tonight to burn off some energy but now she wanted to rush home to be with Justin.

Damn it Tana since when are we so wishy washy. She mentally sighed. If she didn't see Justin tonight the way their free time matched up she wouldn't really be able to spend time with him until Thanksgiving. And even then is that really a setting to be baving the conversation they truly needed to have. Then again he still needed time to try and speak with Cyn. Part of her wanted so despritely to be a fly on the wall to that conversation. After what felt like an eternity in her own head it was mere moments for everyone at the table.

[LadyJallyn]

She shook her head."Morvan and I have plans to hit the gym. I don't think we will be too late though." She gave him a smile before taking a sip of orange juice.



"Alright. Then I'll catch you sometime tonight then.  You know me usually in for around seven. Okay fam have a good day and I'll see everyone tonight." Justin said giving the pard a wave as he headed out the door.

"Late night dinner all around for tonight. Everyone good with deli style sandwiches and something simple like a Caesar salad and a potato salad or something?" Kyle asked.

Michael nodded. "If it has meat in it I'm happy with it. Don't stress Kyle. We can eat whatever you make and if we are still hungry there is cereal or any number of things to munch on afterwards."

"The point is to make a meal that doesn't have folks running for the snack cupboard." Kyle pointed out.

Leslie watched Justin go and shifted in her chair. "Katie and I don't mind sammies.  Can you make them submarine style?"

"We will see if I have the time to make the bread from scratch today. If not it will be normal shaped bread, but you can still dress it like a sub." Kyle consoled.

"No later than ten," Morvan said.  "Couple of hours working out.  Gotta tell you, starting to go there was one of the better things I've done.  Only thing that has had a better effect on me has been working for Michael.  Construction is a hell of a workout."

Leslie giggled her eyes gleaming with excitement "Suki is going to freak out if you guys ever go swimming together or you know bow chicka-wow-wow. Mind blown, panties splooshed take me now senpai-san."  She grinned as she tore the first few buttons off her PJ top to emphasize the point.

"Perv." Katie sghed trying to not laugh. "Go get your buttons so we can sew those on later."

Tana choked on her orange juice.

"Never a dull moment." She stuttered between coughs. "So much imagery so early." Tana gave a wink popping the last of her breakfast in her mouth.

"Excuse me." Tana said as she pushed away from the table bringing her dishes to the sink. Tana padded to the living room towards the window in time to watch Justin pull out the side drive. Her heart sunk a little as his form left her sight. It was going to be a very long day. Tana stretched her arms above her head letting out a content moan. "Okay get ready time." She spoke to herself.

“She’s going to be out of action for a while,” he said. “I’m not the greatest swimmer either. Something else to add to my to do list. Learn not to drown.”

"You don't swim?" Katie asked cocking her head if she had ever seen Morvan in the pond out back drawing a blank.

"I could help. Maybe we can go to a city pool once a week. Or Brandy could invite us to AAI they have a pool and it be free and a chance to chill with our inner city leopards." Leslie said sounding excited.

"Not at Archangel." Michael sighed. " it's almost like you guys want me to have a brain aneurysm as the enforcer of this part find a public place any place is better than there. "

“ I can dog paddle, but that’s about it, “Morvan answered. “I kind of wanted to do maybe a little bit more in case somebody needs rescuing. “

"We can work on that.." Leslie said as she chased down her discarded buttons.

The waiver was pretty straightforward, waiving them of any damage you might incur int eh room as well as agreement of the safety rules. Ash grinned as Tana signed the clip board and passed it back to her. "Great, lets get you some jumpsuits and safety glasses and therapy tools, and we can get you started."

Justin and Tana were led past several doors to a locker room and were given overalls and safety goggles. When you guys are ready, just head down to room three and I will meet you there."

"Excited?" Justin asked as he slipped off his dress jacket and hung it up inside a locker.

Tana was stepping into the coverall quickly. She stood tugging the zipper up. Her face twisted as the zipper caught on the inner flap of fabric at the largest part of her chest. She grumbled a little as she fiddled with it her head tilted downwards "Ya this sounds like a lot of fun. What do you like to use?"

"Given the mood, I mix it up. Usually the sledgehammer. Found these guys back at the end of June. It helped me work out some things I was carrying a lot of feels about being shot and what not. I come here twice a month to mess things up." He explained as he hung up his leather jacket and took Tana's purse and bag putting them inside. He fished a lock out of his jacket and locked the locker.

"Alright, let's rock and roll. We got the last appointment for the night. Just remember, no smashing the walls. Just the stuff on display inside."

The room was comfortable enough for the two of them as Ash guided them through the final safety steps as they entered what looked like a flea market pottery stall. Vases and cups and plates and glasses and bottles sat on shelves and pedestals and even a few tables.

"If you guys are hard core and finish up before the end of your hour and hit like the 20 minute mark and everything is demo'ed for a little extra, we could bring you in a few cubed computer monitors or a prehistoric television." Ash said. "Probably the monitors because the TV weighs a metric F-ton."

"We will try to pace ourselves as best as we can." Justin assured her.

Tana nodded "Mhmm yup" She was half paying attention as she continued to fiddle. "There got it!" She exclaimed.
Her head raised she looked at Justin with a large smile. "Sorry. Yes coming." She followed after Justin like an excited puppy.

Once the two were alone in the room Tana tightened her grip on the crowbar that was provided. "So just well hit the vase?" She looked back and forth between the glass vase and Justin. The gesture reminiscent of the past when Tana seeked constant validation and approval when her and Morvan first arrived

Justin nodded. "You don't even need to crowbar it if you just want to pick it up and smash it you can do that too. hen you can go back and smash the smaller broken things after with the tools. It's how I get my moneys worth but go for it any way you want that is within the spirit of the rules. It would suck to get kicked out." He said with a grin. "Ill get in on the smashing in a bit, Ladies first."

Once being told she didn't need to use the weapon right off the bat Justin could almost see the metaphorical light bulb blink on above the leopardess's head. She gently lowered the crowbar leaning it against the table.

Long fingers reachout to grab the vase. Curling around it she picked it up and looked at Justin once more for validation. When he gave a small nod Tanas arms pulled back before launching the vase at a brick wall. The velocity sent it shattering into pieces some flying back towards her. Tana let out a yelp and she pivoted turning to protect her head one leg raised awkwardly into the air. The room quieted. Tanas leg slowly returned to the ground. "Ho. Ho. Hee hee  ha ha ha." Tanas laugh started sputtering as if she could not believe what she had just done to full blown evil villain in a matter of moment. Giddy she glanced about the room for her next victim. There it was a gaudy pink flowered gold trimmed peice of someones china set.

Justin picked up a Garfield cat shapped mug  with a 'I hate mondays' on it. "It feels kinda good riiiight?" He sedcutively purred. "Fuck this mug as he smashed it against a wall. "I hate Garfield. Stupid boomer cat."

Tanas jaw popped open as Justin flung the mug. "Woah poor Garfield. That's cat on cat crime right there." She smirked. Tana curled her arm inward releasing the plate at the wall like a frisbee. "Fuck you uppity snobs and your damn China!" Tana blurted her hand pulled back covering her mouth almost in shock at what tumbled out of it. Her eyes shifted Justin and in an instant she was laughing hysterically.

Justin grinned. "I've been known to trash cats, even if they're semi-related.  But I mean full moons and strays everything is open season and honestly Garfield sucks. It's not even a funny comic."

He picked up a wine glass and his sledgehammer lightly he smashed it on the ground, enjoying the sound it made as the ground the hammer down turning the glass into tiny fine shards.  "Sometimes you just need to let off steam and yeah is Garfield on my mind every day nah? But sometimes it is nice to lash out at something that is annoying. Like, my job is pretty stressful. If I fuck up it means Mr. C could get dead."

Tana was listening however her eyes and body language said otherwise as she excitedly looked for something to smash next. "Makes sense. My job isn't stressful like that. Well wasn't. Now it is. Still again not to  dead levels." She paused. "Well... Maybe. I mean there is this one client that comes in that I swear he uses the oils I use as a form of bathing. It's disgusting my dude. At the end of the session he smells like my gorgeous oils but mixed with sweat and yeast. And I need to tell myself no no Tana we can not just paralyze or accidently dislocate something him to teach him a lesson." The leopardess spun around holding a ceramic piggy bank with an evil look on her face.

"Okay again trivial compared to your stuff. Just after ya know. It's been harder to keep those thoughts composed. So I've tried running, chucking around your tire in the yard. Those didn't help as much as I wanted. I couldn't go to the gym either. Michael and Kyle may also not be super impressed if they find the large tree I've been punching on the property until my hands bleed either. But this," Tana paused to crouch down putting the Piggy bank on the floor in front of her before standing up right. "This I can totally get behind."

Her head tilted to the side as she looked at the ceramic pig then to Justin. Tanas face softened into a warm smile as her eyes never left Justin's as she lifted her leg stepping down on the bank sending pieces of it around the room.

"Do you have a shower on site at your work? Or maybe body wipes you can use on your guy. There has to be a diplomatic way to tell the guy, yo you stanky bruh you need to be freshly showered if you want me to work on you. I mean I get it depression can make it hard. I had days where I skipped showering after the whole I got shot and Cyn left.  When you feel so hopless and that nothing will change you just sort of...give up. "  Justin lashed out with his sledgehammer to hit a computer monitor on a concrete pedestal. "I don't think there is one simple fix when you need an outlet. The thing is mixing it up and giving yourself a couple good outlets that seem to help. This is getting to mess something up without messing something up. I train with Altair and Keid that helps too. Then I got the training stuff I do at farm from the treadmill in the garage to the tire tossing.  It isn't what I nesecarilly want and maybe I'm just trying to be morally superior to Cyn but... ugh... Nevermind none of it matters. Tonights supposed to be a thank you to you for you know helping me out of a shitty situation."

Tana shook her head. "It's more than okay. We are here together. Be weird if everything was solely about me. I mean after all the saving out of shitty situations isn't something I only own. You've done your fair share of saving my butt too." Tana turned around searching pile selecting an old beer bottle. She wound up her crowbar like a baseball bat. She paused coiled up.

"Take it still haven't heard anything about her coming home yet?" As soon as the question tumbled out her mouth her body released smashing into the bottle.

"Nope. No date on the return. I'm trying to be reasonable. Just I don't know... the new guy in town Kai? You've talked to him on a scale of has his shit together at a one and has zero control or clue, what number would you peg him at? I'm thinking about asking him might put things more into perspective. Maybe I am the asshole for being so cranky about it. Maybe I just feel jealous to I don't know. Half a year feels like forever and it just seems she can be pissy at me for doing things, but I'm the asshat if I bring up how long it's taking for daddy to get used to the swing of things. I mean Morvan found you just before he rolled up on the farm to take over. You hadn't been a leopard for that long." Justin explained as he took another whack at the monitor, shattering the screen as he frowned at it. "You just seemed to be pretty proficient and far along at six months for control and knowing the do's and don'ts. I'm starting to think perhaps she just doesn't want to come back. Maybe she's got cold feet on the family thing and the promise ring?"

The sides of Tanas mouth turned downwards as she fished out another bottle.

"Cyns feet were volcanic hot before she left. I'm not sure if I am a good baseline or not. I had a Raj to lean on pretty much from the very start. If we use Kai as a baseline. Hmm." Tana smashed the bottle.

"Well maybe a four or five. He has managed to navigate getting back to America, securing a job. One might I add that has swans in the building and he has not lost his shit as far as I am aware.  Our conversation was pretty limited though and he was very introverted." In this time of Tana babbling she had picked up a keyboard. She moved beside Justin and gently bumped her hip into his taller upper thigh offering the keyboard.

"I'm sorry. That probably isn't what you want to hear on that front. Devils advocate is everyone journey is different. We are not in her or her fathers shoes." Tana offered a small smile trying to off Justin hope. Regardless if she herself was starting to wonder if Cyn would ever return.

"I get it and its fine.  Everyone's different. I'm just wondering if I should have an ultimatum or a expediate for how long I wait before I move on. I get it she's a bit older than me, and I'm more immature because of that. But I'm miserable if I have to be honest. I'm doing my best to not seem it because I'm top sub now and being a melodramatic emo boy isn't a good look. I have to support my peeps. But at the same time, I also have a life and a dream of having a family, and I don't want to have to wait until I'm in my mid-thirties to see my dream a reality.  I really want to have a family." Justin said looking anguished as his sledgehammer slammed into the monitor, hitting twice in quick fashion as he vented his feels.

[LadyJallyn]

Tanas amber eyes saddened at the mans pain. She lowered her arm that was stretched out holding the keyboard. She wanted so badly to wrap herself around him in a big hug but thought better of it incase he pulled back the sledgehammer once more. Instead she reached out with her beast rubbing up against him. Tana knew all to well part of the burden he felt.

"I'm sorry. It wasn't my intent to bum the night out."  Tana once again picked up the keyboard and hugged to her chest. Her face slightly downcast.

Damn it Tana why you always gotta ruin a good thing. She chastised herself.

Justin smashed what was left of the monitor and sighed. "You have nothing to feel bad about I told you if I spoke up I'd be a buzzkill and ta-dah here we are!" He picked up the sledge again single-handed this time and sent a multicolored chipped fruit bowl to its grave. He spun the hammer and lashed out the sound of glass smashing and tinkling to the ground filled the room. He paused to crack his neck.

"I just have so much shit pent up in me and the way I want to let it out I can't. I'm not down to get on a dating up and swipe away till I find someone that wants to do a one-night stand that I know nothing about. And I sure as hell don't have time to wine and dine and romance anyone really with how  little time I have off from work. Even if I could do that, there's that rule that Morvan has us enforcing that has it so I'd have to bring a leopard with me because we aren't supposed to be out and about solo since that creep kidnapped Seren and fucked her up." Justin snatched two wine glasses off the counter nearest him and flung them against the wall, listening to the glass tingle and rain down. "Why does everything have to suck and be so complicated. Anyhow your turn to rant about something now."

Tana opened her mouth and closed it again. She wanted to pry a little more to see if what scenario Justin wanted to release his pent up energy. If she was correct her beast was already aching for her to volunteer her body to him. In turn it probably would help placate some of her urges that have grown more prominent lately.  The keyboard she was hugging began to creak and pop as she gripped it tightly with supernatural strength. In a swift movement the electronic was smashed on the edge of the pedistal.

"Rant. Honestly its hard to pick a topic. I feel like all I've done since coming home is either rant or wallow.  I simultaneously hate the fact I went and glad that I did. These two sides keep conflicting and its fucking," Tana paused to smash the keyboard a few times. Parts were sent flying. Her breathing laboured from the unleashing of emotion but once she caught herself she sighed finishing her sentence. "Exhausting."

Tana found a large bearclaw hair clip readying it for sacrifice. "Did you know I asked Michael for his shrink? I know its a blow to Shale and she's helped me work thru so much but I just couldn't with this. Apparently I wasn't his type of client so he referred me to one of his colleagues. Justin I had my quick little meet and greet session. He gave me homework." She smashed the hair clip. "Take a guess what that homework is. Cuz oooh let me tell you its a true what the fuck." Tana moved aside so Justin could smash something.

"I don't think it is disrespectful Shale and you are friends, that's a conflict of interest for her to be doctoring you. She is too close, so she would get it. I don't know if that's the same case with Michaels doc I mean they will know you and him but...At least you don't have the whole ties of you run a business together and are friends..." Justin said softly before tossing a coffee mug into the air  snap kicking it against the wall before it could fall. "I'm not sure what the homework would be to be honest. I likely could use a head shrinker too but I don't want to seem weak or have Mr. C think I can't do my job. "

Tana nodded along. "Hey a lot of work places are starting to be more mental health positive. I get your point though. So get this I think this shrink needs a shrink. He gave me a block of wood. Blabbed on about how unlikely adventures require unlikely tools and that he will see me for a proper consult before Christmas and just to think about it. Think about what its freakin wood." Tana kicked some of the larger broken pieces on the floor.

"So did he say you are the wood? Or is it your problems? Did he give you anything besides wood?" Just and frowned but then the penny dropped and he couldn't help but snicker "Gigiddy... but all jokes aside. Wonder if he's like  thst with all his clients that are in crisis. No offense but he sounds fucking nuts. Is this Michael's head shrinker? Sorry if I'm not picking things up correctly."

Tana crinkled her face as Justin snickered. She closed the gap and open palm play hit Justin on the side of his arm a few times. "Eww sthap!" She started laughing. "No its Michaels head shrinks referral. And no its literally a wooden cube. It is sitting on my desk like a paper weight. Like its just a block of wood what is there to think about?! Wait. Is the asshole calling me a block head?" Tanas hissed out the last question before taking a tea cup and throwing it against the wall.

Justin laughed, "I don't know but that is a pretty sweet job if you are just handing out chunks of wood and getting paid to low-key have folks be like, hey I guess I'm a dumbass. It's likely something along the lines of the wood is something that can be shaped and painted to be almost anything if you put the time into it. Or it was once a powerful and mighty tree but since it's been chewed up and spit out now it's a block of wood that can be useful in certain situations but better if theres more of the same thing to help support and build upon. Either way if they don't give you a good explanation second time seeing them just tell them. You don't have the deep wallet to play like they're a Chinese martial arts master speaking in riddles and that it will click on the 12th appointment. Ain't nobody got time for that. Efficiency and straight to the point please."

"Ya he is no Master Oogway." Tana smirked as she tossed a turtle figurine in her hand. "Imagine a world where everyone just got straight to the point. All small talk just vanished. Hmm naw that be lonely. Already feel that enough without extras thanks." Tana scoffed as she released the turtle. It bounced off the floor a little chipping it but it did not break. That is until she used the crowbar like a golf club and sent it flying into the wall.  "Also I don't think I am programed to not ramble." Tana chuckled.

"It doesn't bother me, I'm used to it." Justin said as he began smashing a trophy against one of the pillars. "You've lived under the same roof as me for five years. I'm kind of used to your antics well mostly."

"Antics no no no this is quirky charm at its finest I'll have you know." Tana grinned as she turned looking for a new item. "I will sadly admit though I'm not exactly close to the stereotypical normal. Whatever that may actually be." Tanas eyes lit up as she found a mason jar.

"I haven't known that supposed norm. Having all of you is the closest I will probably get. And it really pisses me off is how outside forces keep trying to take you from me. Its a trend Justin. Again outside your control but stop it damn it." Tana said with a smile as she tossed up in the air.

"I'll try to not die anytime soon. On that note getting shot really wasn't my fault. That was a case of wrong place wrong time. " He said looking tired as he looked at a glass pitcher and decided it was a good target.

"I know which is why I said outside your control and thankyou. Thanks for not trying to die any time soon. I'll do the same if its any consolation." Tanas face was somber as she tossed the jar to the ground. "Fuck those fuckers. The ones that shot you. The ones that took Seren. Makes my blood boil. I want to set the world on fire. Ooooh theres an idea. They should have a place in here where you can safely burn things. Bonfire when we get home?" Tana asked with a slight tilt to her head.

[LadyJallyn]

"I was going to say we have a place like that, it's called home.  And if you want to bonfire then that can be done, but be aware I need to be up at five in the morning. I'm on duty to oversee Mr.C's morning security detail this week. " Justin said trying to keep Tana happy because he told her it was her night. However he was also trying to be a responsible adult and both of them had work in the morning. Staying up until 2am wouldn't do them any favors. By the time they would leave the rage room and get back to the farmhouse it would be midnight of this he had no doubt.

Tanas face pulled with confusion. Her eyes darted around the room looking for a clock. What time was it? She was having such a good time that she had lost track of time. Or maybe she wanted to loose track and have time freeze on this evening. Once she found the time she couldn't help but frown.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize how late it has gotten. I was hsving so much fun." Tanas  crowbar crushed a a peice of something at her feet. "Rain check for bonfire date?" She asked.

"By the time we leave it will be eleven I had the night planned out for us to get home for midnight. So no worries if you feel pressed for time we can get to smashing fast if you want. But there is no rush. I was just saying when we get home we likely will want to hit the sack so we aren't zombies at work tomorrow." He said calmly.

Tana nodded along. "When your right, your right. Zombie work Tana is a live off at least 6 carmel coffees from the caf plus energy drinks between clients. By the end of the day I'm so jittery. Its like a hangover would feel without the nausea. Mr. C doesn't strike me as a morning person. Dunno why just an impression. Like all.his lucrative buisness dealings whatever those entail happen ay night." Tana laughed. "Guess you could tell me but then would have to kill me?" As she implied Justins boss was some spy or mobster.

Justin chuckled. "Actually Mr. C is totally a morning guy. He wakes up at 5am most morning's unless Kyle's spent the night and they were up late. Those days then end up with a slightly later wake up time. Though I probably shouldn't go into his routine more than that. He likes his privacy. "

Tana nodded. "Really?! Huh never would of guessed." Tana playfully bleeped her tongue. Hey amber eyes widened as they landed upon a larger peice of glass on the floor. With an evil grin and pep in her step she rushed to it, jump landing on it with a satisfying crunch under her feet.

"Oh man this place feels so good. Is it weird that a tiny part of me wants to put a glass of water on the table and alowly knock it off?" Tana chuckled.

"It's not weird' " Justin replied after giving it some thought. "Cat stuff and all. It can make us lean to wanting to be mild dicks sometimes. I get it. So now that you've busted a few things, did you want to go crazy. You are being so delicate and slow with the smashing stuff. We've only touched a tenth of the stuff that is in here and we do have another forty minutes or so. Really let loose if you want. I don't mind stepping back and watching. Likely will feel better than flipping a tire and yeeting it around the backyard. Its the breaking sounds that do it for me."

Tana smiled. "If you insist." Tana began to break things slowly at first but it did not take her long to pick up the pace. Rage, fear, excitement and frustration that had been pooling in her tiny frame began to pour out into every swing and smashed object. Her screams were primal and visercal as tears streamed down her face in a cathardic rush of endorphines. There was not much left whole in the room after Tana unleashed. She was left panting but stangely fufilled. The back of her hand wiped at her tear stained face under the safety googles as she took in a long shakey breath as she recentered herself.

Justin placed a hand on her shoulder giving it a gentle rub his inner cat rubbed against hers. He didnt say anything I he gently pulled her against his body and put a protective arm around her hoping to soothe and calm her. "Nicely done." he said softly as he surveyed the wreckage.

Tanas free arm wrapped around Justin. For someone who had a habbit of acting tough in this moment she was vaunerable in his arms. There was a tiny hiccup and tremble before she was composed. She pulled away slightly still with in Justins arm. There was a scoff and half laugh. "I did do a good job didn't I? Look I managed to not destroy everything. I think I should tag out." She offered him a warm smile

There wasn't much left to mess up, but Tana got to witness Justin clear the room, leaving everything smashed into tiny fragments. The watch on his wrist let off an alarm, and he sighed, looking at the empty surfaces and the mess on the floor. "You ready to head for home? Tonight was a suitable you saved my bacon and I owe you a dinner for that kinda night?"

Tana could feel her face warm and her heart beat faster as she watched Justin. She pushed off the wall she had been leaning against. "Let's go home." She extended her hand to him happily. There was a hint of saddness in her tone.   Tana knew she had wished she could control time many times in her life. Almost all were to reverse time to stop something from happening. This however was a time she wished it would stop and the two of them could live in this bubble. "Tonight was fantastic, Justin. Thank you truely."

He offered her one of his natural lopsided grins and put a hand on the top of her head  but stopped himself from mussing her hair. "That sounds good, grab your tools of mass destruction so we can recheck them in, and we can then burn rubber and head back home. Did you want to crash in my bed tonight?" He asked her as he slung the sledgehammer over his shoulder.

Tanas smile widened. "I'd like that." She spun on her heel to grab the crowbar before returning to his side to follow him. Her eagerness gave off puppy vibes as she stared up at him with a cheesey grin. A smile so natural and real there was no way it could be mistaken for anything but the genuine article.

The ride back to the farmhouse was uneventful as the pair zipped along the road leading out of the city.

There was definitely genuine happiness to be had as they slowly drove along the driveway. It was November and it was past midnight. Riding on the back of a bike wearing a dress, had certainly reminded her of what time of year it was.

As the bike began to slow the air against Tanas bare legs felt warmer than it should. Goosebumps spread quickly with a teeth chattering to follow muffled behind the helmet.

The lack of insects noises and firefly twinkles were a harsh reminder that winter was right around the corner. Tana shook "Brrr. Okay definitly need to grab pair of pj bottoms. How are you? Cold at all?

"I wore pants so I'm golden." Justin grinned. "Maybe jump in the shower to warm up?"

Tana climbed off the back of the bike circling mischeviously infront of Justin. "No thank you. If you're as golden as you say the Justin furnace is in tip top working condition." Tana chuckled. She knew they both ran hot and it wouldnt take too long of a cuddle session under his sheets to be toasty again. She just needed to capture him long enough to steal the mans warmth.

"You just want to be a heat vampire. Fine but you get to be big spoon tonight because I don't need your icecube ass snuggled anywhere near my junk. I don't need things retreating inside my body thank you very much." Justin said as he laughed running up the porch stairs to unlock the front door.

Tana raised her arms up slouching over menacingly. "I vant to suck your heat. Blah blah blah." She spoke with a horrible stereotypical vampire voice. She dropped her hands to her side as she drew closer behind him to enter the farm house.
"Did you want me to grab some waters for the nightstand?"

"I'm fine without it. " Justin whispered as he entered the farm house and silently slipped off his shoes, trying to not wake anyone up.

He slipped his suit jacket off as he headed for his bedroom to hang it up. Once done he stuck his head out to make sure Tana hadn't killed herself trying to take her heels off. "You want me to run the shower?" He whispered.

Tana was finishing getting her shoes off when Justin stuck his head out of his room. "Are you trying to take my vampire powers away?" She whispered back in a chuckle. "If you'll join me then sure. If you arent feeling a shower then prepared to be sucked."

"Fine. I'll join. I just don't need your ice cube ass pressed again my junk and my bits deciding to turtle. You don't have the right equipment to understand that it really sucks and only see it as TEE-HEE thats funny, No. No it is not." Justin said as he began unbuttoning his shirt.

From within the kitchen they could hear the soft tinkle of dishes being put away as Kyle stuck his head out and gave the pair a nod. "How was dinner?" He asked softly.

Tanas heart bubbled with excitement as Justin said he'd join than began to undress. Kyles voice snapped her out of where her mind was covetting someone that was not hers to have.

She smiled at Kyle. "It was fantastic." Tana licked her lips remembering the flavors that danced across her tongue earlier that evening. "Justin out did himself."

"Well that is good to hear. If the dinning experience and food were up to par, good on you guys. I am Glad you had a good time. I'm setting up the crock pot and bread makers for tomorrow's breakfast after that a couple chapters of my book and once Katie and Leslie are parked and in, it's off to bed for me." Kyle informed them as he suppressed a yawn.  "Keep it down to a dull roar you two."

Tana nodded and hurried after Justin into the bathroom. She smiled as she closed the door behind them. "You mind please?" She asked quietly as she sung her back to Justin as she lifted her hair away from her neck exposing both it and the zipper of her dress.

Justin gave her dress the unzipping it needed before turning his attention back to the shower turning the water on delighted on the fact that there would be hot water for more than ten minutes due to the time of the night.

Tana stepped put her dress and folded it neatly placing it on the closed toilet seat. She let out a small shiver. Before she realized she was doing it Tana had wrapped her naked body over top of Justins back like a cold blanket. "Mmm so warm." Her words tickled his ear.

Justin felt cold breasts against his back and let out a soft cat like yowl before spinning around, grabbing her by the shoulders and sticking her into the slowly warming shower. With luck, it wasn't quite to temp so he could have a bit of revenge.

Tanas face flashed many faces as Justin spun her around into the shower. As the water rushed over her her skin began began to break out in goosebumps and her nipples hardened into tiny pin buds from.the temperature change. She let out a small hiss that faded as the water began to warm. It didnt take long for Tana to close her eyes and enjoy the moment.

Justin finished stripping and joined her in the shower as he grabbed a scrubby and lathered it with his outback soap. A lot of the house chose unscented soaps but he enjoyed the scent of the scent of the lemongrass, peppermint and eucalyptus. The combo of essential oils in the soap were uplifting and energizing to him. He began lathering his chest as Tana enjoyed the majority of the showers hot water stream.

Tanas nose twitched as Justin lathered himself. She always liked how Justin smelled. At times she would sneak some of his wash to use on herself. The scent gave her comfort. Tana couldnt help but feel a tad dejected at the realization and implication something so small had. Feelings she thought she was done with were definitly starting to rekindle for the man sharing the shower with her.

"No Tana don't be an idiot." She chastized herself.  The continous stream of warm water began to eat at her makeups water resistance. Her eyes burned a little yes that had to be the reason. She fumbled to reach around Justin to grab the micellar water to help remove the racoon like war paint she was begining to sport. "I'll get your back just give me a moment so I can see." Tana smiled.

"Or you stay where you are. I can scrub you if you don't mind the smell of my soap.  I still think it is highway robbery but Brandys sold me on the bougie mall soap." He sighed.

Tanas smile turned into a larger one. "I love the Bougie soap. Brandy didn't steer you wrong with it. Maybe I'm biasd though. Since I associate the scent with you. It's comforting." Tana closed her eye and took in a long steady huff.

"I'll get you some for Christmas then. Just don't leave it in the shower or it will melt. With five to six showers a day going on you might see a week of life with your soap. Which is insane given every time I go in there a bar runs me ten bucks." Justin grimaced.

Tana left out air abruptly "Pffft. Come now you can easily afford it. It must feel better than anything the dollar general has? That has to be worth some value. And the swoon factor too. Damn it smells so good." Tana huffed again with a relaxed smile on her face

"You forget though I'm trying to save up for a place of my own as well as IVF treatment and to pay for a surogate to carry our baby when Cyn comes back." Justin said, his voice sounding sad.  "If she comes back. I mean, if she doesn't I'm back to square one of trying to find someone that wants to start a family or I guess I put myself out there and find a human to date that wants kids. I suppose that could save on some money. I certainly can't raise a baby here, that would be unfair to everyone having to listen to my crotch fruit crying all night, plus there are the risks of Leslie. She doesn't have the greatest self-control and newborn to shrieking toddler... Yeah, I just can't tempt it. So yes I have money in the bank but no I don't, and I pretend it's not there because if I want a family it will cost me every penny I have to buy this future I want. I don't know Tan I suck at explaining it, but I've always wanted to be a dad. My parents have always wanted to be grandparents too. I’m lucky enough to have a family that didn't disown me for being a shifter so that is something I get to enjoy even if I have to go a state over to enjoy it, but hey that is what holidays are for?"

Tana lowered her head a little. Her lip sucked in between her teeth. She didn't know how to comfort Justin when it came to Cyn. And a dark part of her wished Cyn wouldn't return.   Tana reached out a hand and lightly held onto Justin behind the elbow. Her makeup stained face looked up at his with reslove.
"I have every faith you would make a fantastic father Justin. Any woman would be lucky to have someone as dedicated as you are. I've never had a traditional family but a mundane white picket fence sounds like a wonderful dream." The mood shifted slightly as a silent tear fell from her eyes hidden in the water stream.

Tana shifted slightly and once again smiled at him. "You better visit on the holidays and photos galore in between."

Justin pulled her close despite being covered in suds and hugged her, "If it happens you know it. You would make a kick ass aunt. Hey you've already proven your controls getting better, heck you alpha'ed up. I thought for sure out of all of us it would be me, but somehow it worked out, and you got to be the IT girl.  And I'm sure in time you will rock at it. Just got to give it a couple of years until you are comfortable in your new skin. " He chuckled "I'm sure you will look bad ass in your upright form. As for me we will see what the future holds. If you had asked me a the start of May I would have said it was all roses. But now... I don't know it feels like I'm stuck in a dark time line."

Tana tightened the hug. "Then for now I will endevor to bring you into the light. Being the IT girl isn't everything its all cracked up to be. That being said if not for you I wouldn't be where I am and vice versa. Forever connected," Tana paused to take his hand in hers and squeeze. "I refuse to see you be in the darkness alone. If you are dark, I'll be the light. And if my light burns too bright do me a favor and pull me into the dark?" Tana smiled with a small tilt of her head.

"Oh I don't know about pulling you in. You have had your own things to deal with. But... You know you will have a pretty good job in the upcoming years. I appreciate the suport I've been just trying to not drag anyone into it. I mean this is between Cynara and I. She chooses to stay up there with her dad and I don't know her family accepting her has always been important and this is her chance to maybe have what I have with my family... " Justin swapped spots with Tana and rinsed the soap off. "I'm just frustrated and lonely.  This long distance thing is bullshit. I have to decide how long is long enough before I tell her I'm done waiting I guess. I'm trying to be mature its been half a year. How long is long enough?"

Tana shook her head. "Im sorry. I wish I could answer that for you. I think that answer is only something you can answer yourself. But know this. I will support you any way I can until you find that answer. I know I have been selfish and self absorbed for awhile now. I promise to do better. For not just you and the pard but myself as well. Use me as you see fit. Need a shoulder to cry on, use mine. Need someone to lash out at, I don't mind. Need a sparing partner, I won't go easy on you and I expect no less from you. Need someone to hold and hold you back, just say the word." Tana smiled as she reached out and rubbed his chest at a few stray suds that were slowly moving downwards.

Justin nodded silently. He felt bad for venting to Tana it wasn't a secret that she was having troubles keeping her temper in check and that for some reason her transition to Alpha hadn't been as smooth compared to the others. He didn't want to burden her. "Taking things a day at a time. It's all any of us can do really." He said as he rinsed off the remaining soap content, he was clean enough because the shower was just meant to warm up Tana. He softly excused himself to let her enjoy the warm water as he wrapped up in a towel. Should bother taking the razor to his face again or by passing and waiting until he was going to head into work?

Tana watched Justins back as he left. Her eyes couldnt help but slide to his backside. Tana had managed to stop herself from telling Justin to use her body for any other of his needs at his whim. She shifted to stand under the water turning off all the heat. She let the ice water rush over her as she quietly sighed into it. With a shiver she turned the heat back on with a clearer head. It wasn't long until Justin heard the water turn off and Tana ringing out her hair. Her hand darted out and patted around for a towel.

Just passed her a thick towel for her hair as well as her terry towel bathrobe. Bring a dry towel into the bedroom with you for that hair if yours, I don't need soggy pillows "Hair for days."

"Fair enough. Not have almost an hour to blow dry this mass. Makes even more sense for Tana big spoon tonight." She chuckled while picking up another towel. An evil grin spread across her face as she lightly swatted Justins rear end with the fluffy towel.

Justin refrained from horseplay part of him really wanted to, but it was late, and they were supposed to be winding down for bed, so he took the hit without retaliating and padded down the hall in his towel to his room.

Turning on his computer, he queued a music play list from one of his video games and let the soothing tracks of his favorite Elder scroll games be his lullaby sleep list for the night. It was a much better option than his heavy metal tracks, which he knew she wasn't a huge fan of.

He turned down his bed and rummaged around in his top drawer, slipping on a pair of loose fitting boxers that had ninja cats on them and slipped them on before hanging up his shower towel on the back of his bedroom door. With time to spare, he hung up his suit jacket and pants before slipping into bed/ The gentle glow of his PC screen illuminated the room and would continue to do so for the next thirty minutes before it slipped into powersaver mode.

Justin let out a soft yawn as he heard feet clamber up the steps to the front door as it opened and Leslie whispering to Katie that they needed to be sneaky like Ninjas. Justin smiled he wasn't about to tell them he was still up.

Tana on the other hand was fast asleep nestled closely to Justin. She had always been gifted when it came to sleeping fast and deep when in a familiar environment. Her face wrinkled uncomfortably and a single tear trickled down her cheek. There was a soft unintelligable mumble before Tana nestled against Justin to get even some how closer. Once content a smile spread as she slept peacefully.

Justin rolled over to put an arm around Tana it felt weird having her be the big spoon. The only solution would be to sleep face to face or in their case face to chest as she lay lower down the bed. He redistributed the bedsheet to make sure it didn't cover her head and opted to hold her close.

Truth be told it was nice when Tana climbed in with him. A year of discipline had got him to not perv out and to see her as a pard mate only and not a former lover. It certainly was a balm from the loneliness of not having Cynara beside him. He missed having a body in bed to sleep beside, and felt silly going upstairs to sleep beside Morvan for a little extra comfort and security. He was after all Top Sub right now, so that meant showing a little more independence.

Still it was a moment he could enjoy she smelled nice a little like his soap and most decidedly like her own self, he wouldn't admit it, but she smelled girly. Which did make sense, she was a girl after all. He closed his eyes and heard a loud thunderous belch from the kitchen from Leslie and then a smack and a whispered sorry. He silently chuckled as in his minds eye he could almost see Katie give Leslie a swat on the butt and chiding her with a finger.

When the time came to move out and get a place of his own he would really miss living here, he thought to himself.

Tana woke some hours later. The house was dark and quiet. When her eyes opened she was greeted with Justins content looking face as his arms that were wrapped around her kneaded gently at her back. Tana smiled fondly. She shifted ever so gently not to disturb him. Tana placed a whisper of a kiss on his lips before settling back down wrapping her legs slowly between his. Determined to stay snuggled until the alarm would go off.

Justin pulled her closer, his fingers idly kneading and tracing her shoulder, subconsciously enjoying the warmth closeness and softness of having a pard mate in proximity.

He let out a grunt in his sleep suddenly stirring as he sleepily told her he had to use the wash room

When he crawledback into bed he molded himself to her and casually wrapped one of his long legs over her hip and his arm tucked her against his chest as he made a content noise.

As Justin wrapped Tana up a tiny voice spoke in mummbles. Most of it was breathey and unintelligent. But five words were clear as day despite being drowned in sleep tone "I'd have your babies Justin." Tana trailed off, gave his exposed chest a peck before continueing to speak a few more mumbled words. Silence engulfed the tiny leopardess in his arms as even breaths of deep sleep were the only noise she made.

Sleepily he looked over at the alarm clock and chuckled. "No you wouldn't weirdo."he gave her a kiss on the top of her head before reaching out to silence his bedside table alarm before flopping into the bed laying on his back and let out a loud protesting yawn and stretch.

He looked over at Tana and gave her nise a gentle poke. "Wakey wakey no mote creepy anime baby sleep talk. It was cute when you were a teen but were cruising onwards to our thirties funny girl."

Tanas nose crinkled. She whined in protest her eyes still closed. "I'm not that old." She pouted in a sleepy voice as she stretched out. Her feet did little kicks as she hit peak stetch with a yawn. "Man I haven't slept that good in awhile. Booo having to work. Sleep good? I didn't beat you up in my sleep did I?" She asked turning her head. One eye cracked open in protest as she looked at Justin half awake.

"Despite me being a light sleeper you were still and quiet for most of it. You still have about twenty before the alarm goes off." Justin explained his voice a whisper his fingers idly stroked her skin, not quite ready to roll out of bed.

"Okay good." She purred a little closing her one open eye letting out a content sigh. "We need to win a jackpot so we can just laze about as we please."

"Or find a sugar mama or daddy with deep pockets." Justin mused. "Then again I'm sure there's a cut off age for that. Body guarding and security can only get me so far.  It's a young man's game so I'll have to punch that ticket by the time im in my forties. Sure I got an am because I'm a shifter but after that? Do you think there's a market for personal trainers pushing fifty? Haven't really thought that far ahead. I just knew I wanted a family by thirty at the very latest."

"Guess no one wants to be an old parent. As for trainers absolutly just means you seasoned." Tana nodded her head sinking further into the pillow.

Justin hummed softly in agreement. "Do you think I'm nuts for trying to manifest this? No one else in the pard seems to want to have a family. I just feel like I have so much love to give and that I'd do everything in my power to make my kids life a good one."

Tana opened both her eyes and studied Justins face. She reached a hand out and cupped his cheek. "Not in the slightest. It's a lovely dream. From my gathering most of us come from broken homes. Or no home. I for one am so greatful for this family. And the surrogacy thing as you said is very pricey. We can't have children the sterotypical way so perhaps its just one of those things we resolve that it won't be for us. Adoption is an option but I don't think agencies are like yes take this new born mister and misses shifter."

"Yeah adoption is off the table unless it was a shifter kid but that would still be a mess because I've heard the horror stories of Morvan's furry child ass wreaking havoc and I'm going to be selfish. Parenting is hard enough without the dial being turned up to dead Souls level of hardness so I'll pass on adopting a shapeshifter child thanks. On top of that you know the chances you have a leopard child just floating around here in Seattle yeah not so great and any other phenotype would just be a disaster movie waiting to happen. " Justin said as he kissed Tana's hand reflexively. "I just wish I had more to go on so I could move forward. I hate feeling myself slip into a dark place."

Tanas thumb comfortly stroked his cheek. "Okay so lets pull you out. Got what fifteenish minutes left?" Tans let go of his cheek and sat up. Within a few moments she was shifting to straddle Justin. "Roll over." She said as she was cracking her fingers then her wrists. Reading to massage Justin.

Justin became wide eyed as Tana hovering over him  suddenly aware of his morning wood weakly disguised by his loose boxers.  The mild look of deer in headlights faded as she cracked her knuckles and he realized she wanted him to rollover. Okay it was massage time. He was okay with that and promptly rolled over onto his stomach. "There is a bottle of silicone lube in the desk drawer if you want something to reduce the friction." He offered.

[LadyJallyn]

"Okay. Ill grab if i need it." Tana began to run her fingers along his back looking to any knots or places was holding tension. One hand ran up his spine to the back of his head while the other tan down his shoulder gently pulling it outwards. She could feel the tension he was carrying and frowned a little.
"You should of had me give you a massage way sooner Mister." Her habd left the back of his head and gave him a light smack on his bottom.

"I'm not really that tense Tan. I'm just - nevermind..." He protested and softly growled as he felt her slap his ass. "Don't start  with the ass slapping and kinky shit, I'm not Brandy. You reallyshouldn't tempt fate."

Tana let out a small chuckle. Justin telling to not tempt fate made her desperately tempt it even further.  He could feel her practically vibrating with the urge over top of him  but she managed to swallow it down while performing the same shoulder pull on the opposite side. Her fingers continued to brush along his flesh as they sought out new knots to work out. She hummed a little as she worked trying to relax him our of his dark place.

With Tana atop him he was painfully aware of her body straddling his. The warmth of her skin, the energy of her leopard and the sensation of her fingers and hands as they needed and glided across his flesh.

He could hear Kyle gearing up in the kitchen for breakfast.

Justin let out a little grunt as she ground her thumb into a corded hard ridge of muscle in his shoulders.  Still aware of her he sighed as his morning wood twitched in reaction to his tensing as she worked his shoulder. The intrusive thought of what would she do if she flipped him over to work on his chest entered his mind as he imagined him self receiving a happy ending. He tried to eliminate the thought. He was with Cyn reminded himself, but he had to admit she had looked really good. She had never dressed up like that when they had been a thing as teens.

"I'm sorry I was such a lame-o self absorbed dick  when we dated and you first came here. I blame it on make teen brain and trying to prove something.  I've come to the conclusion that our full moon flings were kinda one sided and I should have put in more effort and practice to make sure you had a better time rather than being self absorbed by what my leopard and I wanted. I really need to do better by my partners. I think maybe that's another reason Cyn could be dragging her feet on coming home. " he confessed his face half buried in the pillow. "It is a miracle you don't hate my guts so thanks and also sorry. Young me was a dick."

Tana paused trying to think of how to respond. "And young me was a bitch. I was no gem either. I had no clue what it meant to be in a real relationship. Of any type. I was so scared to just live in the moment that everything had to be a battle. I lashed out at everyone. Pushed boundaries that shouldn't of been pushed. Tried to be oh so mature. I lead you on and was never open about well anything important. Full moon flings may of felt one sided cuz I just assumed that yup this was a leopard thing you just do. I accept your apology on the condition you accept mine. It's a miracle you don't hate my guts in return. I'm sorry." Tana leaned forward pressing her chest to his back offering a tiny slow lick between his shoulder blades.

"I accept and -" He let out a shudder as she licked his shoulder as a shudder coursed through his body and he let out a frustrated groan hoping his twitches weren't string enough to knock her off the bed, he thought to himself dimly.

Words weren't much of an option. He didn't hate her but she had paved the way to his doubts about being good enough for any woman.

Tana had dumped him. Brandy has given him the riot act later telling him he had been a shitty lover and had insisted on tutoring. Cynara had said things were good then ran off to Canada. Sure she was helping her father but with the time and distance... it felt more like a convieint excuse.

He longed for that mind of intimacy had before May had rolled around and everything had gone to shit. He was really tired of having to go for long jogs outside to find secluded places to jerk off and he didn't dare do it at work.

Justins shudder sent electricity straight into Tana as she straddled him. A soft gasp escaped her lips as her insides tightened and begged for more.  She could smell his arousal and hers did not take long to add to the mix. Her hands slid down his back kneading flesh from the small of his back out to his hips. Her finger tips dipped between his front and the bed stopping as the resistance between the bed and Justin forced them to a halt. Boundaries were starting to blur as her head became lighter and foggy with need and want.  Next to his ear she echoed "And?"

"And you saved my life " just said as he lay face down the heat rushing to his face. He didn't pretend to be human as he rolled over reversing the situation do he lay 9n top of her.

Painfully he was aware that his errection im his boxers was currently pressed against  her leg. Just due to their height differences if he wanted to look her in the face it had to be like thst.

He licked st his lips aware of the scents and tension.  "That bought you so much good will. And for the record I've never hated you. Just confused as hell half the time with mixed signals. What do you want right now?" He whispered.

Tanas breath mixed with Justins as her nose brushed against his. One free hand cupped Justins cheek as her eyes starred intently into his. They darted back and forth as if she was struggling with something inside of herself or searching for something in his.

"I-" Tana paused closing her mouth swallowing hard. "I know I shouldn't but I want to you. All of you. Baddly." Tanas cheeks began to blush a deep hue of pink. Her mind was racing one voice inside her was calling her a home wrecker and the other was egging her on. She turned her head a little ashamed of saying it out loud but it was going to come out eventually. Tana was nervous she knew what she was saying was wrong. Justin had someone he loved. A someone that isn't her. Her lips parted as her face turned back to him an apology teetered on pouring past them like a flood gate being opened. A long breath was slowly sucked in and held as she waited Justins response. Had she ruined the relationship they had been working on reestablishing?

He closed his eyes as he heard her out as he made a pained face. "I hate myself for this." He whispers, his body tense as he fought with his beast mastering his baser desires. "I hear what you are saying. I do, but Justin is going to be logical as we can right now...." He let out a shakey sigh as he lay pressed against her, keeping the majority of his weight off her. "We should talk this out when we're both not feeling like cats in heat. Two, We don't have enough time to do anything remotely satisfying, and I won't half ass anything, especially if it was a first time thing. That's the worst thing I could do after telling you I've changed, and I have. Three Kyle's up, and he will hear everything, do you want that?"

Tanas head pulled away from Justins sinking into the pillow. Her spirits sunk as the sting of rejection was quickly replaced with shame and doubt.

fuck fuck fuck. Damn it Tana you shouldn't of said anything.

"Right. I uh sorry." She whispered back shifting awkwardly under him. "Talking is good." Her eyes looking a little more hopeful. Tana wanted to say more but was unsure how to articulate. To say their relationship just hit a new level of its complicated was an understatement.

"Did you want me to-" a thumb hitched out to his bedroom door. "Just so we are clear I'm not like trying to run from the situation but maybe distance to regroup may be best." Her words sounded as jumbled as her thoughts. She wanted to respect Justins resolve. It was hers that she didnt trust.

"Then you can come to me when you are ready to talk." Justin agreed on the talking point as he slowly rolled off Tana standing and offering her a hand to stand up.

"Do either one of you want eggs this morning?"  Kyle asked from the kitchen as if reinforcing the fact that had they not paused things that Kyle would have had a front seat to their escapades.

Tana took Justins hand standing infront of him as Kyles question felt like a boombox to their almost intimate moment. Tana looked up at Justin with a lopsided smirk which turned into a small giggle. She rested her forehead against his chest for a moment answering Kyles question.

"Yes please." Being so close to him she couldnt help but take in his scent once more. Based on how their conversation went she very well may of ruined their conection. Her hand found his giving it a quick sqeeze as she nodded before leaving the bedroom.
Her foot steps clearly leading to the kitchen and Kyle.

She paused in the door way looking in."Need help?"

Please say yes Kyle please I need a distraction Tanas hand fidgeted against the door frame. She didn't know how or exactly when she would be ready to have the conversation Justin and she needed. So many moving parts it was hard to know where to start.

Homewrecker. Hussy. Slut. Tana grimmiced a little as guilt tried to eat away at her.

Kyle paused looking at her before turning to look out the kitchen window at the hoarfrost lawn.

"We got a good frost sometime between when you came home and decided to rise. You two didn't mention how many eggs you wanted."

"Three. Please." Justin emerged dressed in am under shirt and his work pants.

"You want to check if the six hens laid any. Might be lucky and have half a dozen waiting if not Tana bring whatever is there, if you don't mind." Kyle asked tapping the small basket for eggs on the counter.

Tana nodded. "On it." She grabbed the basket and an oversized bush jacket to throw over Justins tshirt she had chucked on to sleep in.

The morning air was brisk and stung at her face but that scent could wash away any troubles.

You tossed him aside like trash once before. You don't deserve him. whispered the dark voice inside her. Okay so the fresh eaely morning air could wash away almost any trouble. Tana slipped on the nearest pair of crocs heading to the coop frosted grass crunching under foot.

The air was crisp and fresh, the darkness of night receding as the horizon was starting to lighten but the sun had not yet made it's way over the horizon line. Walking down the hill Tana made her way towards the fire pit and the rabbit hutch. Beside it was the chicken coop. She entered the small building that was home to their spring chickens and ducks.

Checking the nesting boxes, she found five warm eggs, the chickens were quite vocal as she pilfered their eggs and  the brown hens let her know they were not impressed as they flapped and one was bold enough to peck at her hand as she snatched the egg.

Inside the farm house, the others were starting to rise as the smell of the food began to waft though the house as Kyle added pancake batter to the electric griddle.

Justin slipped into the bathroom, doing his best to piss with a half erection as he thought on the morning so far.  They had opened a door to something unexpected. How things would work was anyone's guess. He would have to call and talk to Cynara. Perhaps he could start a text exchange with her on her first break. Then again, what was there to say. He wasn't even sure if Tana was actually interested in exploring things or if it had been heat of the moment. With a grunt of frustration, he gave himself a shake and flushed the toilet before washing his hand. He stared at himself in the mirror.

To complicate things further, there was the new alpha status Tana had.  Most of the time, alphas didn't through their weight around with their subordinates, but it would make turning her down harder to resist as his leopard would submit. Tana was within her rights were-leopard wise to take what she wanted technically because she outranked Justin and Cyn, but there were the human rules of not being a dick and doing things without consent.

Justin gently pressed his forehead to the mirror and sighed. "Fuck my life. Why's shit got to be so complicated?" He asked himself.

“I think those are song lyrics,” Morvan said as he entered the bathroom, yawning. “If life wasn’t complicated, it wouldn’t be life.”  He patted the younger man on the shoulder. “You done in here?”

"Yeah. I will bounce so you can have the throne to yourself." Justin said aware that he wasn't sexually frustrated anymore, but feeling like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Enjoy the silence. Won't be too long before the que lines up for the bathroom. Katie and Leslie are stirring."

Tana frowned at the hen that pecked her. "Fuck you bird. I'm beating myself up enough thankyou very much." She grumbled looking down at the very small marking the birds beak made on the back of her hand and sighed.

"Besides right now I feel like I deserve a lot worse then that. Boxing and running at the gym is so extra needed today." Tana placed the last egg in the basket. Her free hand smacked her cheek three times before she exhailed

"Okay Tana get it together. You told him how feel. Sorta. Whats done is done. Actions have consquences and if you fucked everything up I can cross that bridge when I get to it." Tana glanced back at the hen before leaving the barn.

"Stop judging me." She snarled at it.

Once inside Tana hung uo the bush jacket shivering as the warmer house air brushed against her cold skin. "Got five." Tana mentioned to Kyle placing down the basket before heading to help start setting the table.

"Thanks Tana." Kyle said taking the basket from her as he got to washing the eggs, prepping to make up more pancake mix.

Breakfast was soon made and everyone assembled at the table to eat. Justin didn't seem upset as he began making breakfast soft tacos with his scrambled eggs. He began folding them into pancakes and breaking up breakfast sausage and adding some hot peppers, topping it off with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Leslie loaded  her bowl with apple cinnamon oatmeal and added some cream and brown sugar to her bowl.  "So how was dinner last night Tana?" She asked.

Tana winced sucking in air between her teeth. "Ooooh ysss about that. I think - I think that place gave Kyle a run for his money." She chuckled a little giving Kyle a bit of a sideways glance while reaching for the ketchup for her eggs.

"In all honesty it was fantastic. Above and beyond expectations. Even though I didnt have preset expectations. At least until I smelt it when we were outside. If I had access to that resturant regularly. I'd be fat."

"It was good." Justin said before devouring half his breakfast taco in one bite. "Mr. C's recco was spot on. " he added after swallowing before reaching for his glass of grapefruit juice and taking two large gulps.

"Maybe we can go one night." Katie said looking to Leslie.

Leslie grinned, "It could be a good option for the next time Kyle abandons us to spend time with Jules. What did you guys order anyhow?"

"Meat and other good foods." Justin answered.

Katie wrinkled her nose smirking as she flipped Justin off. "Jack ass. Such a guy answer. No for real what did you guys order."

"What?!  It's the truth!" Justin said as he disappeared his breakfast taco. His olive green eyes drifted to Tana as he chewed, giving her a wink and nodding his head at her then to Katie hoping Tana would field the question while he scarfed down his last bit of breakfast.

Tana chuckled taking Justins lead.  "We started with some mocktails. I tried Oysters for the first time. Justin said he wasn't a fan but I really enjoyed them. He let my try his steak tartar that was so yummy too. We both ordered steaks glorious slabs of melt in your mouth delciousness. Mine came with asparagus and even some lobster. We then couldn't decide on a dessert so we got both thr creme brulee and the bread pudding." Tanas stomach growled at the very memory of the meal.

"Yum!" Leslie sighed. "I'm jelly. I guess it was a long wait though? You guys got in pretty late. Or did you guys get your drink on?"

“Jealous?  Of oysters?”  Morvan shuddered. “Those things are giant wads of snot. I don’t know who convinced everyone that they were bougie.  Or maybe he said boogery and someone misheard. Either way, if you like them, you can have my lifetime supply because I’m not going to be eating them. Can somebody pass the butter please?”

Michael wordlessly passed the butter to Morvan giving him a nod.

Tana shrugged. "I mean I thought so at first when they arrived along with Justins similar shared opinion. I was too chicken to try them with hot sauce but with lemon they were super tastey."

She glanced to Justin. She wasn't sure if he wanted the others to know how ge blew off steam. She quickly finished her eggs before replacing the empty space with 2 pancakes onto her plate. "Afterwards we hungout before heading home. I didnt drink 'cuz Justin wasn't drinking." Tana doused her pancakes in powdered sugar then drizzled with syrup. "We had fun." She added cutting her food and stuffing it in her mouth with a very satisfied mmmmm.


"It was nice." Justin added as he finished his last bits on his plate. "Certainly you and Katie wouldn't go wrong if you want to ring in something special.

"Could be nice to switch things up, usually if we do a date night it ends up with us going to a club to dance or occasionally it's a movie.  Going out to eat doesn't usually end up being a thing due to the fact that most food out there isn't at the same level was what we eat here." Katie nodded.

"We could dress up fancy. " Leslie said beaming "Princess mode activated."

Kyle chuckled and Justin flashed the girls with a lopsided grin and a thumbs up. Justin's phone alarm went off. "No rest for the wicked. Thanks for the breakfast." Justin said as he rose from the table to finish getting dressed for work.  A minute later, Justin was back out in the living room as he grabbed his leather jacket that was hanging off the back of his chair.  "See you all tonight." He said as he stole a slice of cantaloupe from the table to take with him outside. He gently gave Tana a poke on her shoulder. "You going to be in tonight or are you and Morvan going to go into town to hit the Gym?"

Tana could feel her body pulling towards Justin at the mere touch of a poke.  She mere minutes ago was relishing in going to the gym tonight to burn off some energy but now she wanted to rush home to be with Justin.

Damn it Tana since when are we so wishy washy. She mentally sighed. If she didn't see Justin tonight the way their free time matched up she wouldn't really be able to spend time with him until Thanksgiving. And even then is that really a setting to be baving the conversation they truly needed to have. Then again he still needed time to try and speak with Cyn. Part of her wanted so despritely to be a fly on the wall to that conversation. After what felt like an eternity in her own head it was mere moments for everyone at the table.

She shook her head."Morvan and I have plans to hit the gym. I don't think we will be too late though." She gave him a smile before taking a sip of orange juice.



"Alright. Then I'll catch you sometime tonight then.  You know me usually in for around seven. Okay fam have a good day and I'll see everyone tonight." Justin said giving the pard a wave as he headed out the door.

"Late night dinner all around for tonight. Everyone good with deli style sandwiches and something simple like a Caesar salad and a potato salad or something?" Kyle asked.

Michael nodded. "If it has meat in it I'm happy with it. Don't stress Kyle. We can eat whatever you make and if we are still hungry there is cereal or any number of things to munch on afterwards."

"The point is to make a meal that doesn't have folks running for the snack cupboard." Kyle pointed out.

Leslie watched Justin go and shifted in her chair. "Katie and I don't mind sammies.  Can you make them submarine style?"

"We will see if I have the time to make the bread from scratch today. If not it will be normal shaped bread, but you can still dress it like a sub." Kyle consoled.

"No later than ten," Morvan said.  "Couple of hours working out.  Gotta tell you, starting to go there was one of the better things I've done.  Only thing that has had a better effect on me has been working for Michael.  Construction is a hell of a workout."

Leslie giggled her eyes gleaming with excitement "Suki is going to freak out if you guys ever go swimming together or you know bow chicka-wow-wow. Mind blown, panties splooshed take me now senpai-san."  She grinned as she tore the first few buttons off her PJ top to emphasize the point.

"Perv." Katie sghed trying to not laugh. "Go get your buttons so we can sew those on later."

Tana choked on her orange juice.

"Never a dull moment." She stuttered between coughs. "So much imagery so early." Tana gave a wink popping the last of her breakfast in her mouth.

"Excuse me." Tana said as she pushed away from the table bringing her dishes to the sink. Tana padded to the living room towards the window in time to watch Justin pull out the side drive. Her heart sunk a little as his form left her sight. It was going to be a very long day. Tana stretched her arms above her head letting out a content moan. "Okay get ready time." She spoke to herself.

“She’s going to be out of action for a while,” he said. “I’m not the greatest swimmer either. Something else to add to my to do list. Learn not to drown.”

"You don't swim?" Katie asked cocking her head if she had ever seen Morvan in the pond out back drawing a blank.

"I could help. Maybe we can go to a city pool once a week. Or Brandy could invite us to AAI they have a pool and it be free and a chance to chill with our inner city leopards." Leslie said sounding excited.

"Not at Archangel." Michael sighed. " it's almost like you guys want me to have a brain aneurysm as the enforcer of this part find a public place any place is better than there. "

“ I can dog paddle, but that’s about it, “Morvan answered. “I kind of wanted to do maybe a little bit more in case somebody needs rescuing. “

"We can work on that.." Leslie said as she chased down her discarded buttons.

[LadyJallyn]

Nov 26th 3pm Kyle’s ranch house- Leopard stronghold- The Leopards


"Cars!" Leslie announced loudly as she noticed Brandy's candy-apple red Mazda Miata slowly drive up the gravel driveway, and a black SUV behind it.
“Cars?” Morvan asked. “As in plural?” He’d just come out of the shower and was toweling his hair.
"Yup. " Leslie said. "I think it’s the AAI crew and Brandy everyone's rolling up at the same time. Oh, and the new guy."
"New guy has a name, baby." Katie replied as she stretched on the couch and she watched Leslie roll off the couch. "New guy's name is Kai."
"Yup new guy Kai." Leslie said as she headed to the hallway and slipped on her shoes. "Do you think he will be nice?"
"Maybe? Likely? Just remember he is really new so don't bombard him." Katie said. "Looks like you need to scramble to get clothes on Fearless leader or your meet and greet with Kai is going to be in a towel."
“He’ll need to get used to it eventually,” Morvan said but he headed into his room to get dressed. “Shay says he’s nice. Very curious. Hawaiian or Australian. Or Hawaiian AND Australian. Isn’t Tasi Hawaiian?”
Tana flitted about the kitchen following Kyle's instruction to the letter. Her hair was up in the usual messy bun with the odd straggler hanging in her face. She blew at a stand of hair as her hands were occupied moving something from one place to another. "Kai's from New Zealand." She called adding to the conversation in the room over. Tana placed the platter on the table, her hands now free, she tucked the offensive strand back into place. "What's next?" She asked Kyle while rolling up the sleeves on her grey sweater dress. The dress had no true defining characteristics to it other than it looked like an over sized turtleneck yet somehow the knit allowed it to play off Tana's body without looking baggy.
"That is pretty much everything that needs prepping. Micheal has the two birds in the smoker, the roast is out on the BBQ slow roasting, all the potatoes have been cut and are boiled and the veggies are in the oven slow roasting, I think we’re good kiddo, thank you for the help. You are free to go and take a breather," Kyle replied with a gentle pat on her back.
Tana briefly leaned into Kyle as he gave her a pat. It was warm and comforting. "Okay. Just let me know as soon as you need me back in here." She gave Kyle a nod before heading towards the living room. She glanced at the chair Seren usually would sit in. A moment of sadness washed over her. Her bottom lip sucked between her teeth as she took a shaky breath in. Closing her eyes Tana exhaled slowly through her nose. Her forlorn face was soon replaced with her standard smile and cheerful demeanor. "Here we go," she grinned at Leslie.
Leslie nodded, "You are coming out to sit on the porch?"
“Blessings to one and all,” Reverend Hicks called out as he exited the black SUV. “My nose tells me that Kyle has been making good use of the gifts God has granted him. May we give thanks for the bounty we are soon to receive.”
“I brought Laddu,” Shay announced as she too exited the vehicle. “It is only a small addition to the feast, but I think Kyle will enjoy having the chance to sample something he didn’t have to make himself.”
“Not often something not made of meat can make me drool,” Lincoln said. “I want to file a complaint of abuse of a Sub by an Alpha. She smacked my hand twice on the trip up.”
“That is what you get for trying to steal a sample before they are presented,” Raoul pointed out. “I think things might have gone worse for you if you had managed to succeed. Raj gets first dibs.”
Brandy exited her car watching as Kai exited the small car grateful to stretch his legs. "Good afternoon darlings." She called as she fished the bag of wine and cider wine from the car. She breathed in deeply, making a borderline sexual sound. "It smells decadent."
“I’ve always been conflicted over Thanksgiving,” Leda said from the driver’s seat. “On one hand, a well-cooked turkey is delicious. On the other, Swan. It’s close to cannibalism.”
Odette smacked her. “It is nothing like cannibalism. I will remind you that you said that next time we’re having a wing night.”
“Come between me and my hot wings at your peril,” Leda said with a laugh. “All ashore who’s going ashore.”
Augustina was the last to exit the Swan mobile. "Thank you again for the ride out here, it's appreciated. Enjoy your Thanksgiving evening meal when you get the chance to sit down for it. We will be in touch."
"Swans! SWANS! SWAAAWNS!" Leslie let out the repeated squeal, each cry higher pitched and a little more unhinged with excitement.
Katie went to make a grab for her and swore as fingers slipped off her girlfriend's skin.

Brandy looked to Kai "Hold this darling..."
Leslie ran towards the vehicle and the Leopards, but Brandy grabbed her by the waist and picked her up swinging her around. "You are a little too overzealous, kitten." Brandy purred using her beast to press Leslie. "We need you to calm down a little or you are going to shift and end up sitting outside all night while we all have Thanksgiving around the table." She warned the squirming blonde.
"But Swans..." Leslie said looking over at the truck blue eyes wide and sad as she reached out flexing her fingers at the women in the truck.
“I’d love to have someone who reacts to my arrival the way she does,” Odette said.
“Not me,” Leda replied. “That is 51% excitement and 49% hunger. Too much of a chance to flip those numbers and that would be bad.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Leslie!” Odette called out. “If Brandy says yes and you promise not to lick, you can come and get a hug.”
“Treating a grown woman like a seven-year-old.” Leda shook her head. “You know this happens every time. And she will lick you if the hug goes past ten seconds of huffing.”
“I know. But she’s adorable.”
"I won't freak out and shift I promise." Leslie said practically vibrating with excitement.
Brandy looked to Kai to see how he was dealing with the Swans. Better than Leslie, then again, he lived at AAI and it was a smell you grew to take in and get used to. He hadn't had that much time to settle in, but the fact he wasn't salivating at the mouth or wanting to crawl all over them was encouraging. It meant he was going to be stronger than Leslie.
With care she approached the vehicle and Brandy held the band of Leslie's jeans and softly reminded her. "Remember you freak out and turn into a Leopard and try to eat them, it isn't going to go well with your Raj and your pard mates it also means they likely will never drive our pard mates up here ever again and that’s best-case scenario. Remember, Master of the City's favored folk."
Leslie nodded. "If I get to be too much you can just drag me back to the porch” as she made it to the edge of the Van and stood on her tip toes as she strained to see inside the vehicle. "Happy Thanksgiving. Hey, how many Were-Swans do you guys currently have living at the towers now?"
“Hangman’s dozen,” Leda answered. “Thirteen, counting Leia, Dietra and Lorne.”
Leslie grinned " 'Kay thanks I will put that info to good use."
“I’m afraid to ask,” Leda muttered.
Tana had followed the girls out onto the porch moments after Leslie shot out of Katies grip.
The muscles tensed in exposed legs as she made a move to grapple the young Leopard if needed. The quick sprint quickly turned into a slow jog to catch up with the group as the relief of watching Brandy hold onto the excited Sub washed over her.
Tana offered a smile as she rounded to the opposite side of Brandy pinning Leslie between both of them. Tana chuckled and shook her head at Leda. "Honestly same."
The Swans still smelt delicious causing her stomach to rumble a little. "Thanks for dropping everyone off. I hope we didn't pull you away from any of your plans for too long."
“It is an enjoyable drive,” Leda said. “Not so much now that the leaves have fallen but it is nice to be able to help. And coming up without needing the armored truck is always nice. There should be a nice dinner waiting for us when we get back. We should be done and having dessert by the time Waylon rises.”
Waylon. Not the Master. Not anymore. He had stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight that had seemed like Waylon Crosby’s natural habitat.
Brandy smiled and laughed, "Definitely enjoy the feast and the after meal digestive cuddle time as you work through the food comas. Pass on well-wishes to Waylon. I wonder if he had time to read that new fanfic story. Nylon Stalkings has struck again, just make sure the little one doesn't read it. There's even a Swan orgy in this story."
She knew that a few of the Swans enjoyed trashy smut. Many an afternoon had been spent up at the roof side pool, reading out loud the graphic stories that were written about some of the cities more well-known Vampires.
"Oh God, I'm in love with their work," Odette said, fanning herself. "They need to get published." The Were-Swan chuckled. "You can bet Leia reads them to him as a bedtime story. We'll be back to pick everyone up either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Or if you have a preference, call and let us know."
"I'll be heading back tonight and can take one back with me if someone’s slated to work tomorrow."
Jasmine shyly lifted her hand. "I work tomorrow night."
Brandy looked to her and back to Kai "Kai darling, are you going to be fine staying here? First time hanging with a pard and having a sleep over. It's likely the safest place you could be."
Kai had been silently taking things in. "I think so," he said giving his neck a rub.
Brandy laughed "Alright man of many words. We get to test your memory. This adorable tiny blonde is Leslie. Over there the woman with the smoldering eyes and crossed arms is her partner, Katie. You've already met the Leopards that live at AAI."
“The short guy is Morvan,” Morvan said as he stepped out onto the deck, wearing jeans and a Seattle Mariners sweatshirt but no shoes. “Also known as Tiny Raj. Nice to finally get to meet you, Kai.” He smiled at Noah’s Were-Leopard. “Hello Jasmine. “
Jasmine bowed her head. "Hello. Noah and I thank you for the generous invite. This is my first ever Thanksgiving," she replied as she held a case of beer.
Morvan and the others could feel her inner beast practically prancing tippy tapping on the spot in excitement.
“Your first?” Morvan smiled. “Then we will try to make it special and memorable. Bring the beer over here and we will put it in the fridge.”
Jasmine obeyed, taking the beer to him as she hurried past Brandy and Kai and the other Leopards to deliver the box of beer to the Leopard Raj.
Brandy looked at the Swans, "Perhaps we can delay hugs until you can come back to pick up folks?”
"No! I've been good please!" Leslie protested softly.
Knowing Leslie was in good hands Katie looked up to Kai. "Hey, come on you, let's get going, standing in the driveway rubbing your neck nervously isn't going to break the ice. In case you were spacing or having a silent meltdown, I’m Katie." She said as she took Kai's hand and tugged him toward the house, leading him to the porch where Morvan and Jasmine were. "This here is Morvan our big cheese, our head honcho, our leader of the tribe. Morvan this is Kai."
"Right, moving is good," Kai muttered and went along with the tug Katie gave him. "Right Katie, who's with the perky Leslie. And yes, a silent meltdown was in the process, but not at a critical point yet."
Kai held his free hand out to Morvan. "Hello," he said even as his inner cat perked up and chuffed in greeting to Morvan, which for the young Leopard was a new and odd sensation.
Morvan shook Kai's hand. His Leopard reached out to nuzzle Kai's inner Leopard, not a show of power but an act of greeting. It wasn't hard for the new Leopard to feel the strength of the Raj; he was by far the strongest Leopard Kai had ever encountered. If the meeting had been five years earlier, Morvan might have tried to flex but he'd learned a lot from the Pard he ruled. He wasn't a conqueror; he was a protector. "Welcome," he said. "You've been a Leopard for less than a year, right?"
He brushed his shoulder against Jasmine's, smiling at her.
"Sorry, Leslie," Odette said. "Brandy says no hugs until later. But I promise you will get hugs when we come to pick everyone up."
"Fun killer." Leslie sighed.
"The girls have places to be darling. Let them be with family. I'm sure they don't want to miss their first Thanksgiving with little Dietra." Brandy explained as she watched some of the frustration leave Leslie's face.
“See you later!” Odette called out, waving as the Swans pulled out of the driveway.
Morvan grinned. “So, what do you think of the Swans?” he asked. It was a question for Kai. The Swans were protected by their status as the beast to call of the Master of Seattle. That didn’t mean they didn’t smell like prey.
Kai felt Morvan's beast brush against his, who promptly did a side flop and showed its belly in supplication. "That would be correct, got a vax booster that was bad. Then had lots of red tape to go through to get back to the US, was living in New Zealand with my grandparents since I was fifteen," he explained.
"If my job didn't have me working around where the Swans live, I'm sure at first whiff I'd lick to try a taste but since I smell them all the time, I can sort of ignore the 'must eat now' vibes. And I've learned to keep jerky on hand for when I can't completely ignore it." Kai explained thinking back to an incident or two of near licked hands.
“Must have been an interesting adjustment,” Morvan said, tucking the beer case under one arm. “Some of us drop by the tower on Wednesday night for axe throwing. Have you met Kat? The whole thing is her baby. Let me tell you, we really need to avoid the week before the full moon because damn they smell amazing. Have you met the little one, Dietra? Small, fast moving, noisy and a Swan. Yeah, that was a rough night the first time we met her.”
"I haven't had the honor of meeting either of them." Kai returned.
“You’ll like Katherine,” Morvan said. “She bakes. We consider her our long-lost cousin. Jasmine, could you grab the door please?”
Jasmine complied, instantly holding the door open for Kai and Morvan and watched the men step inside to remove their shoes.
The truck that had brought them was heading back down the driveway.
Brandy let go of Leslie's waist and Katie took her hand. "Let's go, you. Swans are gone. No more big excites for you."
The tiny blonde let out a deflated sigh. Defeated and hug less, her interaction with the local Were-Swans squashed.
Tana stayed at the end of the driveway a little longer than the rest. She smiled and waved. She turned on her heel and headed back towards the farmhouse. This was going to be a weird Thanksgiving. They had lost Seren but gained many others. So much had changed in such a short time or at least that's how it felt. Tana turned her pace into a small jog to catch up to Brandy, Leslie and Katie.
"Anyone else absolutely famished all of a sudden?" Tana smiled.
"It does smell good, darling." Brandy said reaching out to give Tana's back a pat. "I'm sure everything will be scrumptious. Is Michael inside or hiding outback?"
It took a lot out of Tana to not close her eyes and lean back into Brandy’s touch. "Hiding out back," Tana purred. "Oddly part of me thought he'd be front and center with yet another new face joining us. I'd check in but I feel I should hang out with Kai since I'm sort of a bridge type person at the moment. Guess the poor guy is such a non-threat he doesn't hit Micheal radar," Tana chuckled.
"Too new to consider him such a thing. Michael asked a lot of questions via text about the initial meet up. And Michael doesn't swing his dick around unless he has too darling. I'm sure he would rather put that energy into being the backyard BBQ guy. Once we drop off the offerings to Kyle, I'll be settling down for some fresh air out on the deck. I do miss being able to do that. The ambient sounds and smells just help take away all the stress of the day." Brandy inhaled deeply and smiled. "Do you think you are in the mood to join me for a cup of tea while we have an outdoor sit? Kai's a grown man and in good hands if he is feeling it’s too much, I am sure he will speak up."
"Fair enough. Oh, you know I can't resist down time on the porch. Any preference on tea flavor? I'll go get it prepared and see if anyone else wants to join in." Tana said as they reached the door and held it open for the straggler crew.
"Surprise me darling." Brandy said as she entered the house and watched as Katie and Leslie zipped past to claim their spot on the couch.
Tana closed the door behind her as she stepped inside the farmhouse.
"I'm going to make some tea for Brandy and I. Would anyone else like some while I'm at it?" Tana half shouted, making sure everyone could hear. "Brandy if you’re heading towards the porch now could you please pop your head out and ask our grill master if he would like tea? Or a beer or well, anything."
“I’m taking Michael a beer,” Raoul announced. He’d blatantly asked Michael upon meeting him if he was gay and had been disappointed by the negative reply. He wasn’t exactly crushing on the tall Alpha Were-Leopard, but he certainly tried to spend as much time in his proximity as he reasonably could. Fetching and carrying while Michael barbecued gave Raoul ample time to bask in his presence.
“Tell me, Kai, are you a man of faith?” The Reverend Josiah Hicks offered the younger Were-Leopard a hand. “We have not had a chance to meet at the Towers.”
The Reverend was just over six feet tall but carried a considerable bulk, something surprising considering the increased metabolism of most lycanthropes. His Beast was almost gentle, but it carried some strength. Whether it was stronger than Kai remained to be seen. There would be a certain amount of jockeying, before Kai’s spot in the pecking order was figured out.
Kai nodded as he listened to Morvan explain who Kat was, and he was curious as to why she was considered a long-lost cousin.
However, before he could ask about it, Reverend Hicks greeted him. Kai was a little taken aback by the question about him being a 'man of faith' but figured that it was perhaps a throwback to his personal religious leanings as a man of the cloth.
Kai took the offered hand and let his own cat test the proverbial waters and found that at the moment he was okay with the other man. Of course, he could hear his grandmother berating him to be nice since he was a guest to these people. "In a way you might say I have faith, but well I've been heavily influenced by my grandparents in my beliefs." he said in answer to the question about faith.
“What faith did your grandparents follow?” Hicks asked. “I’m not going to condemn you for following a different path. It’s just my way of breaking the ice and getting to know you.”
"Well..." Kai began trying to find the best way to explain "I guess it would be best explained as Anglo-pagan. They went to church but also paid respect to the old ways."
Hicks chuckled. “There is a term for that,” he said. “It’s called hedging your bets.”
"They're full-blooded Māori," Kai returned "and Whanau is central to their society."
“Sadly, that is a culture I know nothing about, save for stories that I can only assume were intended to demonize their ways. Perhaps you can help dispel the falsehoods and teach me of a culture so far removed from my own.”
The request seemed quite genuine. Reverend Josiah Hicks, it seemed was not so bound up in his own righteousness that he wasn’t open to learning.
"I can try," Kai said with a smile, "I only got to spend three years living with my grandparents in New Zealand, or as it is known by the Māori Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu."
“Well, isn’t that just a mouthful,” Hicks said with a chuckle. “Ayoh-tear-ohah-meet-something else? I suspect I will need to hear that several times, before I get that right.”
“Māori are the ones with the Haka, right?” Lincoln wasn’t standing quite close enough for Kai to feel his Beast. “The ritual challenge? A bunch of New Zealand sports teams use it before games.”
"Kapa Haka, is the full name of the war dance. And it's not just the Māori who use it. The Rock, who is American Samoan, does a version and when people go to a Luau at any Hawaiian resort they are shown a version as well."
“Never made it to Hawaii,” Hicks said. “Given the way my kind treated the natives, I suspect I would not receive a warm welcome. Back then, the idea was if you couldn’t convert them, then the next best option was to wipe them out.” He shook his head. “The church has much to answer for and when at last I find myself before God Almighty, I hope I will find answers to the questions I would not dare ask of Him.”
"Understandable, but many in Hawaii have a more American view of things because of the naval base on the big island and only Kanaka 'Oiwi can own land...unless that's changed in the past couple of years."
“On that I will have to take your word,” Hicks said. “Do you mean Hawaiians that were originally Americans or Americans that were originally Hawaiians?”
"Um, those who can trace their bloodlines back to when Hawaii was a nation unto itself." Kai explained, "Much like the Māori are New Zealanders, they are also the indigenous people as well. Or the first nations of Canada and the Native Americans were here before the Europeans came."
“Represent!” Morvan called from the kitchen. “Thanksgiving, the celebration of when my people fed yours and you repaid our kindness by trying to kill us all.”
Kyle poked his head out from around the corner of the kitchen to lay eyes on the new guest. "Welcome to my home, Kai. Find yourself a seat and settle down, did you want anything to drink? Beer? Apple cider? Tea? Coffee?"
"Thank you for having me, sir." Kai said, smiling politely to his host. "I wouldn't mind some Apple Cider."
"Sure thing, and you can go with Kyle. My goodness, you certainly know how to make a guy feel old. Is 35 considered old these days?" he asked with a mild look of concern reflected in his hazel eyes.
“Middle aged,” Morvan answered. “And I can say that because I’m what, two years behind you?”
"Oh, no, um I'm a military brat so Ma'am and Sir are automatic responses." Kai said with a bit of a chuckle.
"Well, we aren't exactly an army here, more a menagerie am I right? Mind you Michael might find the military thing interesting. Did you serve, or are you just a military brat?"
"Just a military brat, my dad is in the Navy," Kai said rubbing the back of his neck. "Never had much of a desire to serve, though if I had a chance to work as a military photojournalist I might have been interested."
Raoul chuckled. “The Navy. Only branch of the military where you are guaranteed to know where you’re going to sleep tomorrow night.” A slow smile crossed his face. Clearly it was a happy memory. “The Navy knows how to party too. Plus, they can hold their liquor better than the Marines.”
“I knew a girl who was in the Navy,” Lincoln said. “She liked to hold her licker by the ears. Homey don’t play that game.”
Kai opened his mouth to come back at Lincoln over the 'licker/liquor' but decided that he didn't even want to try and correct the other man. "I spent my childhood in Pearl, so yeah I got to see some of the wild parties the non-family sailors threw.”
Kyle returned with Kai's drink. "You are more than welcome to go outside and check out the backyard and meet everybody that is out there should you want. Justin and Tana are closer in age to you. I think he is out there working out. Michael is on smoker and spit duty. Pretty sure Jess and Sandy are out there too," Kyle explained.
Kai had met the Leopards who also worked for and donated at Archangel. Shay had taken on an almost parental role, while Lincoln and Raoul treated him more like a younger brother. The reverend Josiah Hicks was not quite the holy roller Kai might have expected; he seemed far more accepting of those who did not share his faith than most and certainly wasn't trying to shove a Baptist doctrine down Kai's throat. He'd had the least contact with Augustina. There had been no attempts to attain dominance, although Lincoln had hinted at it.
While most were doing introductions, and their hellos Tana set out to get the tea ready for her and Brandy.
Quietly she slipped out onto the back deck settling the tea pot and two mugs down on a small table between two lounge chairs.
Tana glanced over her shoulder giving a smile to Jess and Sandy. Tana stretched her arms up in the air with a relaxed yawn before padding over to Michael giving him a small peck on the cheek. "How goes smoker duty?"
Kai thanked Kyle for his drink and moved to follow Tana out to the deck. He figured he should get to know the area, as it seemed this was where full moons were spent.
“If you want to get to know people, it helps to say hello to them,” Shay said. She’d approached so silently that it was only the whisper of her Beast that let him know she was there before she spoke.
“Jess and Sandy don’t live here. They have a place together in the city. Everyone else lives here. Tana just recently Alpha-ed. Leslie and Raoul are the bottom Subs, with Lincoln, Hicks and Katie above them. Jess and Justin are the top Subs. You’ll have to figure out where you fit on that ladder. Don’t be a bully is the advice I have for you. If you’ve never seen how a Pard operates before, the strong protect the weak, mostly. Occasionally they exploit them but if the Alphas think that you’re taking advantage, they might decide to exploit you in return. Morvan likely won’t let you fight for a place for six months or so but that doesn’t mean you can’t figure out where you fit by running Beasts together.”
"Everything is going smoothly,” Michael replied as he reached for a beer to take back down to the fire pit his eyes tracked Kai. "You can tell Kyle another sixty to eighty minutes and we will be finished here."
Justin stood down at the fire pit as he watched the roast on the spit. He grabbed the nearby knife and cut off a sample piece that vanished in his mouth.
Michael craned his neck. "Oy! Don't be sampling that roast Justin unless you want to get a thumping "
"But I'm hungry," Justin protested.
Brandy poured a cup of tea and wrapped her hands around it, enjoying the heat. "Thank you, Tana darling." She purred.
Tana nodded, turning back towards the house. She took a pause alongside Justin for a moment using her thumb to wipe the corner of his mouth. She popped the thumb in her mouth with a sigh. "If only you were a messier eater I too could of had a taste." She giggled. "Did you really think you could escape Michaels set of eyes on the back of his head?" With a laugh Tana gave him a playful bump with her hip.
"Well..." Justin said as he finished chewing as he looked up the hill where Michael stood on the back deck with the smoker opening his beer. "I figured I had a chance. I could pass you the knife and you could have a sample too. After all, the first taste comes with a verbal warning. Anything else comes with violence."

[LadyJallyn]

Nov 26th Thanksgiving evening Suki and Klaus- Suki's house

The doorbell rang and Suki opened the door to greet her Vampire Liaison. Looking the blond vampire up and down, she gave him a slight head bow, surprised at just how thankful she was to have him on her door step.

Had someone told her a year ago that this moment would come to be reality, she would have said it was preposterous.
She would never ever have invited a vampire into her home and yet, here she was doing just that.

"You made good time, Adler. Please come in, I offer you permission to enter the abode tonight, freely of your accord. Try not to judge the state of the home or my undress. I know it is a bit more casual than what you are used to when we are normally together." Suki explained softly as she held the door open and stepped back to let him enter.

Klaus stood on the doorstep for a moment. "I understand what an honour this is, Captain," the vampire said. "I recognize and respect your gesture of trust, even if it is just for one evening and promise not to give you a reason to regret it." He seemed to almost hold his breath as he stepped across the threshold.

"I would hardly call that a state of undress," he said, as he stepped aside so Suki could close the door. "Neither will I hold you to the exacting standards to which I hold my own housekeeping. Nor should anyone expect immaculate housekeeping from a woman so recently hospitalized with such grievous injuries. May I offer a gift to commemorate my first visit?" Klaus drew a small box, perhaps two inches by three and an inch or so thick. It was wrapped in silver paper with a lacey black ribbon tied around it.
It is certainly easier to converse this way face to face, given that you are also on the mend." Suki closed the door and was surprised to see the gift in his hands. She didn't hide the surprise as she reached out her eyes flicked up towards his face for the briefest of seconds as she took the gift. "You shouldn't have Adler. " She said softly. "Come on let's get into the living room. The light is better , it's warmer, and I can at the very least offer you a seat."

"It is a token of my appreciation," Klaus said. "I'm sure you will find it useful. It was the least I could do." He stepped into Suki's living room. His eyes scanned the room, looking for signs of Suki's influence on the house. Not long ago, she had lived here with her mother. The room would primarily show her mother's style but Suki's would be beginning to show.

The primary change that he could see was a slight shadow on the wall where there was once a cross.

"Are you adapting well to living alone?"
"I don't have much of a choice." Suki said with an disingenious chuckle. "Razan passed on staying for Thanksgiving and has told me he won't be home for Christmas. He plans on staying in New York until he finishes the year."

She looked around the room. The house had been a shrine, pretty much left untouched since her mothers' death. The living room had some blankets on the large love seat where she had been sleeping. Beside the tv was a fish tank that housed the Koi and Goldfish, Suki had purchased for her mother in the summer. They could overwinter in the house until being returned to the koi pond she had Morvan and Michael construct for her mother.

She settled down on the love seat, moving the blankets as she patted the empty space. "Have a seat and I will open this." she said as she gently eased herself into a sitting position, gave a soft wince, trying to ignore the pain.

She watched as Adler came closer, she patted the coffee table that had an array of pill bottles on it but also a stack of gun's and ammo magazines.

Slowly and with care she undid the ribbon, setting it on the coffee table and began to gently undo the paper making the active choice to not tear into the wrapping paper. After all, they weren't in a rush.

Klaus watched Suki unwrap the gift before he sat. Inside a wooden box, nestled on a pad that looked like it might be silk, lay a small glass vial containing a clear viscous liquid. "It's oil," he explained. "Blessed by father Sozio. That was an interesting conversation. I thought perhaps you could use some, to annoint some new bullets. You can't be too careful, as they say."

"Thank you." Suki said softly, staring at the vial as she made no move to remove it from its case. "It must have been very strange to request such a thing from Father Sozio. Truthfully, I am surprised he acquiesced. You essentially ordered a death sentence for a vampire in a vial."

Suki set the box containing the vial down on the table beside the pill bottles. "I apologize for being at a loss of what else to say in the way of thanks. I sadly haven't anything to gift you and find myself mildly at odds for being empty-handed. Perhaps we can peruse the magazines and see if we can find you a gun. If everything works out, we could have you up and ready to come to the shooting range before the New year."

"When I explained it was a gift for you, it made things go much more smoothly," Klaus said. "And I'm certain you realize that a gift is generally given without expectation of receiving anything in return. That is what makes it a gift rather than a bartered exchange." He finally sat beside her, looking at the magazines.

"After considerable thought, I have elected to go with a firearm that I am quite familiar with or at least I was," the vampire explained. "Amusingly, a weapon carried by the German police during the second world war was made famous by James Bond. The Walther PPK. The PP stands for Polizeipistole. The K is the model. Due to import restrictions, I have elected to purchase an American made version, the Ranger PPK/S in a .32 ACP caliber. I would have purchase the Smith and Wesson version but they were recalled in 2009 due to issues with the safety. I will trade fifteen years on the age of a weapon for an issue with the safety. Wouldn't you agree?" He smiled. "Yes, captain. I did my homework."

"Of course you did. I will spare you the good boy and accolades." Suki smiled as she laughed. Laughing hurt and tugged on her stitches.

There was a tightness around her eyes and the slightest perspiration at her temples. She cleared her throat."I expected you had a good idea on what you wanted. I didn't expect you to have settled entirely. Now I feel awkward having called you out of your house to come over. The entire point was to see if we could go through the magazines and have you settle on something. I suppose you also know you only have a ten day waiting period for purchase as well?"

Klaus chuckled, causing the slightest of ripples to trace its way up Suki's spine. "I haven't actually gotten that far. Next on the agenda was the Washington state ownership and transportation regulations. My apologies for making you laugh, Captain. I have not yet sought out a gun shop to place the order. I was waiting to discuss my choice with you to see if it was a wise choice or one made out of needless nostalgia."

Suki felt his laugh dance over her skin, giving her goosebumps. Her face flushed slightly as she licked her lips and closed her eyes, giving his question some thought. "I think familiarity has its points. It's been decades since you've used a gun, so how much muscle memory is left is yet to be seen. But there is the emotional aspect that will give you some confidence because of your choice."

She reached out and gently squeezed his arm, "If you were going to try something new, I would have recommended a Glock. Despite having some downsides, it is a ridiculously easy gun to add modifications to and your choices, while not endless, are more than a lot of guns out there.

"I will only be dealing with muscle memory in one arm," Klaus pointed out. "Glock is nine millimeter, is it not? Do you find that a sufficient caliber? My research indicates that it is slightly more powerful than a .380, having an almost identical diameter but a larger propellant charge. My instinct tells me that a plastic gun is a toy but the durability of ballistic plastics is well known. Degree of modification is not likely to be an issue for me. The number of bells and whistles a weapon has is not a selling feature for me."

"A lot of departments made the switch to them, depends on the state, but they're dependable. Lord knows the bad guys love using them, but I guess there is the issue on, now that preternatural's are legal some stations and departments are opting for a larger caliber. Not everyone wants to trust their aim and that the silver bullets will stop what is coming at you. However, if you don't carry silver, a larger enough caliber is still going to make a preternatural not happy." Suki paused for a heartbeat, her fingers clutched Klaus's arm, "In the case of what we went up against if I hadn't packed silver I don't know if it would have been any help. But that was a special case, right, Adler? In the end, I guess it's personal preference. You know, you and I could go down to the West Coast armory, you could rent a few pieces to try out before you buy. That way, there would be no buyer's remorse. It's where Maria and I go to practice. "

"That does sound like it might be a wise idea," Klaus said, nodding. "Perhaps the familiarity will be enough to convince me to, pun intended, stick to my guns. But then I was human when last I fired a weapon, so it is likely that a heavier caliber would provide the equivalent feeing of recoil. Time, as they say, will tell. Did the doctors give you any indication as to when you can return to normal activity?"

"Well, it is up to the doctors, and the Chief wants to see me pass a physical before they put be back out in the streets." Suki sighed, a frown forming on her face. "The stitches come out on the 8th. I would have liked them out before that, but that's when the docs had an opening. Apparently I could remove them at home, but I can't really take them out on my own considering where they are all placed, I don't have anyone with the skill. Morvan recommended one of his pack mates, but Sandra wasn't entirely sure she could trust herself. I respect that, so I wait." Suki explained. "I'd be happy to accompany you if you want some company at the range."

"I will certainly need someone with me," Klaus pointed out. "I will not be able to properly load a weapon with one hand. I'm told that I should have my arm fully back by Christmas, New Year at the latest. Santa, it seems, has removed me from the naughty list. There is no urgency. We can wait until you are healthier and I have both hands."

"Oh I know we can wait, I just wish I could do something more than sitting around the house. LaFeat and Celes have been switching off with Chang and Thurgar with them popping by before day shifts to see how I'm fairing, a quick pop by usually followed by some sort of food dish and some well-wishes. Then they are off, content to know I am alive and breathing." Suki sighed, her fingers loosened on Klaus's forearm and drifted down to his hand, settling on top of it. " I've been mulling something around in my head for the past couple days, but since you are here, it feels a bit like fate. Adler, can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything, Captain," Klaus said. "I believe we reached that point in our friendship some time ago."

"I agree." Suki echoed, her fingers subconsciously squeezed his hand nervously. "I don't know if you are free, but, feel free if you aren't it's fine. It's just the 5th to the 7th the full moon is coming. The doctors..." She pursed her lips, her frown deepened. "My viral count for my lycanthropy test is triggering a positive result it, apparently, is very low. They did however say I might want to lock up. If you didn't have any plans, would you be willing to do a sit in?"

Klaus was silent for a moment. "You're not sure enough that you will change that you are willing to spend time with the wereleopards, because if you do not change, you will be far too close to prey to take the risk. Equally, you aren't sure enough that you won't change to risk being unsupervised. Neither do you trust yourself with humans. I could find someplace secure that you would be willing to spend at least the first few hours of the full moon. Clearly that would not be Archangel Tower because you do not want to owe anything to the vampires that run the place. I have a cage that would hold you. That means that I either bring it here and put it in your basement or invite you into mine, which is something I suspect that you may not be ready for. I would need to inspect your basement to see if it is secure."

"You hit the nail on the head. I'm not sure why you think I wouldn't be ready for something, but I trust your assessment. I know you might be semi Leary considering your run in with the beast on Halloween, but I could offer you the assurance of a tranq gun as well should I shift. If I can make it through most of the night, chances are, I should be alright . Then again, the doctors did say it could happen at any time especially if there is stress, which I must add there is a fair amount residing with in me." She confessed. "I haven't slept properly a single night since I've woken up. Every night it's the same thing, always with the nightmares. Christ, Adler, part of me is worried that they won't let me back to work because I'm too broken."

"Nightmares." Klaus repeated the single word and the way he said it made it obvious that he too was having nightmares. "You have a degree in preternatural science, Captain. Have you ever heard of a vampire waking before sunset? And having nightmares? Because I too have been having nightmares and I have been waking early enough to see the lingering light of the sun just before it drops below the horizon."

"The course theory was mostly theoretical with historical accounts and a lot of speculation and it focused more on the biology and when applicable the physiology, so I will confess to not being an expert but, the waking before sunset perhaps? There was a diary entry of a Vatican priest that had mentioned a vampire that stirred and operated outside the range of night. Perhaps... You have confessed to me that you are experiencing growing pains that indicate you are well on your way to being a Master. You have a secondary feeding source. Your laugh is starting to elicit certain physical and emotional responses." Suki said thoughtfully. "Perhaps being an early riser is something to be added to your list of abilities. I can't really say about dreams and nightmares. The vampire we had that sat in for our Q&A said he could sometimes enter a lucid dreaming state if he meditated long enough, but that isn't quite the same now, is it? It seems that our experience has left a mark on both of us more so than we care to admit. "

Suki gripped one of his long slender fingers and gently squeezed it as she shut her eyes trying to fight back the fear and unease. She saw large fluffy snowflakes gently falling behind her eyelids and she let out a slow measured breath to calm herself. "We went through something and survived it, but I don't think it's a very relatable experience to most people. Having you here is making it less terrible. It isn't as pressing and taking up space in my head at the moment. Every time I wake up I'm brought back to that night. We should have died but against the odds we didn't Adler it's a bloody miracle even if it has likely left us with some PTSD, it's not confirmed but given the nightmares and how much I try I've not been able to put it behind me..." She left the sentence unfinished as she swallowed loudly.

"Perhaps you need to seek out a therapist," Klaus suggested. "PTSD is difficult to deal with."

Her grip on his finger was strangely soothing. He relaxed, tension that he didn't realize he was carrying suddenly gone. "If I am gaining the power of daywalking, with the cost of nightmares of that night, I would rather not," he said. He put his left arm, or what there was of it, around her shoulders. "I have not dreamed since I became a vampire. Now, I awaken before sunset and I awaken crying out. It seems to be troubling Brandy almost as much as it troubles me."

Suki leaned her head against his side. Despite the professional relationship they had, it had deepened, even if their bond was tighter than ever due to trauma. It wasn't sexual, she just felt safer and less haunted.

His arm over her shoulder felt like a windbreak from the storm of emotions she had been experiencing. "I haven't talked to the shrink at the station yet. I have to pass the assessment to even do desk work, and right now..." She blinked rapidly, trying to fight against the sting in her eyes and the lump in her throat. She sniffed loudly, not wanting to show weakness, she had already been more than vulnerable in front of him already. "Have you discussed your early rising with Crosby? Or talked to anyone about the nightmares? Do you even have therapists on hand to talk about weird and messed up things that happen at AAI?"

"I have never looked into it," Klaus said. "I have never felt the need. I know there is a werewolf therapist who shares an office in the Archangel lobby but she closes her doors before sunset. Whether there is a therapist on hand for the vampires, I suppose there might be, to deal with the existential crises that come with immortality. I'm not certain that they would be prepared for a master vampire who is afraid of the dark."

"It was a stretch to assume you had something on hand. I don't know, but it could maybe be useful to reach out and have someone to talk to about it. I know, sitting here with you tonight, I feel a little better. I can assume a professional might be able to help more so if they were the right fit." Suki said, looking pensive. "I don't think the were-wolf keeps evening hours she and Tana tend to be out of office before the sunsets normally, from what I've heard via conversing with Tana and Morvan up at the farmhouse. However, you could reach out over email, perhaps. Your case is unique, and I don't know, perhaps the Kindred Wellness center could be of assistance."

Suki pressed her forehead against his side as she softly spoke subconsciously taking in the scent of his clothing and body, "And if not... I can try to have your back as well as I can Adler. I get it, what happened to us was nightmare fuel literally, and it sucked ass if I may be be frank. Zero stars would not recommend."
Suki's actions reminded him of Brandy's demonstrations of affection. It was very catlike. Odd that such things would be bleeding through despite her inability to change. "Perhaps we might seek counselling together. I'd hesitate to call it couples therapy because we aren't a couple but rather group therapy when the group is only two people in size. Neither of us knows how to deal with this, Captain. There is a good chance that we would make things worse for each other. I am also wrestling with a cultural dilemma. I come from an era where men were stoic and did not discuss their feelings, lest they be seen as weak. I know I'm not weak but I accept that I have weaknesses and quite frankly, I do not want to experience another nightmare. Most vampires fear the dawn for what follows but I am beginning to fear dusk for the same reason."

"Your idea has merit, I confess to not being a phycologist. Group therapy. That could potentially work. Having you close by makes the darkness feel less oppressive." Suki laughed softly and winced as she let out a soft irritated clipped growl as the pull of the stitches in her side pinched and stung. She tried to swallow the irritation. "Great the police it would seem are bestowing or having bestowed onto them titles. It would appear Adler that you are my personal support vampire, similarly that Celes is the personal support human to one of the were wolf shifters. I didn't totally understand it until now. Sometimes the mere presence of someone is enough to chase off the suck."

"Do I get another vest?" Klaus asked. "Not trying to make you laugh. Shifters have known for a very long time about the power of touch. They can go insane without it. I doubt either of us would suffer too much if we were never able to touch the other but I know I would miss you. You are a good friend. Vampires need friends. It's what keeps us human."

"I feel the same Adler, you may be a liaison and yes I will look into another vest for you. " Suki laughed and winced, tilting her face up to look at his jaw, her tone sobering and softening. "I consider you a friend too, Adler. You aren't a cop that serves under me, but I consider you and trust you like i would one of my own team. So as I am unofficially your captain when you Liaison for us, it brings me a certain amount of joy and pride that we can work together so well and that I trust you to have my back. I don't know how many humans you hang out with on the norm, but I want you to know you are my one, and only, favorite vampire. So now are you going to confess to what you think I am not ready for regarding you babysitting me over the course of the full moon?"

Klaus frowned. "I cannot swear to it on such short consideration but I feel confident in saying that you are one of only two humans I associate with socially. The other is Pat Gibbon. Our interaction is far less deep. She brought me a VR headset. It can be difficult to manage one handed but it has allowed me to see sunrise and sunset again."

He chuckled again, trying to keep his power from stirring through it. "If you must know, I will tell you. This will, of course alter your opinion of me considerably. Are you certain you want to know?"

Suki tucked the information away mentally that he was hanging out with Crime scene Tech Gibbon. She trusted Klaus, but Pat Gibbon was from her knowledge a pretty sheltered young woman from Utah. Then again, Klaus had saved her life too. Perhaps he liked being a white knight. Suki wasn't entirely sure if vampires could take pleasure in such things, but she knew when she saved lives, it always made her feel good. If there was a vampire capable of the warm fuzzier from doing good rather than scaring the ever loving shit out of someone, perhaps it would be Klaus. Perhaps another time they could come at that conversation, like when she was waiting to see if she was going to go fuzzy over the course of the full moon.

Suki realized she had left Adler hanging for a few seconds after his question. She cleared her throat. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know, Adler, besides you don't see me asking why you have a cage in your home capable of holding a shifter. You've told me before you have a side gig outside of Archangel teaching baby vampires how to vamp. You've explained it's not a sex dungeon and that what you do is legal because no sex for money and that it is consensual. Beyond that, I have no idea because I've always been too embarrassed to ask."

"It is not a sex dungeon," Klaus said, nodding. "That is correct. What it is, is a BDSM dungeon. One of several run by preternaturals in the city. I cannot, legally, have sex with my clients, therefore I do not. What I do is push then to their limits through interrogation and very light torment. I say torment rather than torture, because torture implies the possibility of permanent damage, while torment is simply making someone feel temporarily uncomfortable."

Suki nodded and couldn't help but smirk. "I am following you so far. Please do continue. I'm waiting for the part where you explode my brain with your withheld knowledge, that you think I can't digest."

Klaus raised his eyebrows. "Very well. I put on a world war two SS uniform or a Russian cold war uniform and I use interrogation techniques to push people to their absolute limit. I break them and then I rebuild them. That includes putting shapeshifters in cages and poking them with sticks, knives and cattle prods until they change. Then I feed them an leave them there until they change back, after which I clean them up, wrap them in a warm, soft blanket and praise them for revealing themselves so intimately. Some find it better than sex."

Suki listened intently to the explanation, her face a blank mask, despite the fact that show she leaned against him, it would be difficult to see her expression. She let the silence hang in the air as she processed it and then tried to not blush as she was able to picture some of the description. Eventually, she cleared her throat. "But it is consensual, yes?" She finally was able to ask.

"Yes, Captain. It is consensual. There is a six page negotiation document. Unlike the biweekly orgy I throw to feed my vampire puberty. Those are come as you are come as you can and don't forget to tip your server when you leave." The corner of Klaus's mouth twitched up the slightest little bit. He couldn't quite resist twisting Suki's tale the slightest little bit.

"Okay..." Suki said remaining still beside him on the loveseat. "So are you telling me this because you are throwing a sex party during the full moon or because you like to wear these uniforms when you aren't liaisoning and at home?"

"Given that a significant number of the attendees are frequently shifters, I try to avoid the full moon. I gather significant energy from them. I grew my arm almost to the elbow during one. I'm telling you this because the cage is in my dungeon. It is cleaned between sessions so even if you change it is unlikely that you would smell anything. But I thought full disclosure would be best."

"Fair enough. As long as there isn't an audience, and it is clean within reason, I am fine. If I am not sitting in dried body fluids or amongst discarded condoms and the like, I suspect I will be fine. I do however thank you for being so candid with me. I will assume that was a step for you to disclose that to me." Suki replied, not sounding traumatized from the event.

"I am offended that you would think that I would allow my workplace to devolve into such a state," Klaus said assuming a tone of clearly mock offense. "I mean really. Degenerates pay good money for me to whip them while they scrub every inch of the dungeon with a toothbrush."

"I don't doubt that some do. People can be really weird. You see enough of it show up in movies for comedic purposes, so I can only assume what goes on for real." Suki replied "So now that we've broached the topic of caged confinement for the fullmoon how do you propose bathroom breaks?"

"You shouldn't need to wait too long," Klaus said. "You'll need to be in the cage before sunset. I can release you after I rise at sunset. You should only be in danger of changing after sunset. You can lock yourself in and I can let you out."

"I mean there is still risk before sunset, but if I can keep myself calm and cool as a cucumber it will help. Leslie still sometimes shifts before sunset, and she has been a shifter for a decade or so." Suki frowned. "So does this mean we will need to get me a key and have a dry run on how to do this before the full moon, just to make sure there are no hick ups? I really appreciate the assist on this, obviously I owe you one. If you ever need a critter reanimated or maybe a party favor where I read a vampire for you let me know."

"I would never expect you to expose yourself to repay so minor a favour," Klaus said. "You can certainly come over one afternoon before the full moon. Brandy can give you the tour and you can check out the cage. As long as you can put the key out of reach, you won't be able to unlock the cage. If need be, we can figure out how to make certain that a cell phone is in reach so you can call for help if something goes wrong. Or if you prefer, wait until evening and I can show you a deeper part of myself."

"It sounds intriguing. As long as Brandy is alright with that, I can certainly get in touch with her. Do you think she would have a problem with the state of my healing. I know Sandra said the temptation would be too much for her. I don't wish to put your partner in any danger, but I don't wish to insult her either. Morvan got his nose out of joint when I showed concern for him, I don't wish a repeat of that." Suki explained carefully. " I passed on Thanksgiving up at the farm based on the fact we weren't sure how well the house would handle me. I likely still smell and read too much like wounded prey, maybe I can try to come new years."

"Perhaps it would be better to wait until night," Klaus said. "I clearly don't see you as prey but the way you move and the way you smell would likely flag you as prey for a shifter. Sandra is a sub, perhaps Brandy would be more able to resist. But I will ask."

"Do have her get in touch, we can figure it out. I want things to be easy on everyone. "Suki said. "With that out of the way, I guess the only other thing I need to really ask you is are you a fan of unsolved crime documentaries and cold cases? Because if you are, you are more than welcome to settle in a watch some with me until you get your alert that Brandy is on her way home from her dinner. I assure you it's a great mental exercise to speculate why each case has gone cold. But I do warn you sometimes it's due to blatant slothfulness or racism on the polices part."

Klaus's head cocked. "I don't recall watching any. Of course I am aware of them. I will offer you a rare thing; a vampire's first. There are not many things we have not done. This is something I have not done and I appreciate your offer to share with me."

Suki genuinely looked excited when Klaus agreed to the exposure. It wasn't long before she had the Netflix open and had hobbled back to the kitchen to make herself a bag of popcorn. She settled back down beside Klaus to introduce him to the world of armchair sleuthing amidst the comfort of a warm, fuzzy blankie. It wouldn't be long before the two of them were talking back and forth, pausing every few minutes to postulate and theorize each case they watched. All in all it was a pretty interesting night and not at all what she had expected when she had agreed to let the vampire into her house to visit.

[LadyJallyn]

Dec 5th leopard farmhouse- 3:18pm (1 hour before sunset)

Michael hissed and made a lunging motion at Leslie, who was in leopard form. His arms were full of bunnies that were to be that evening's meal for the were-leopards once they shifted. His inner beast let out a warning that he wasn't in the mood to play as he had work to do.

The small leopard let out a frustrated chirp but turned around the inner leopard of Michael's broadcasting he was in no mood for her shenanigans. She spun around and headed towards the house, leaving Michael to his task of making sure everyone had a rabbit. He spied Morvan walking down the hill towards the hutch with Kai in tow.

The newcomer had not yet shifted, he noted as he closed the pen and silently did a tally of the rabbits.  The extra leopards they had taken in had put a strain on the food supply. While it was nice to have a larger pard, the food scarcity problem worried him. Out put wise they had enough to feed everyone but only if there were no shifts outside the full moon and even then the rabbits were smaller because they didn't have the extra couple of months to fatten up.

Come spring they were going to have to look into additional avenues to feed the leopards as far as he was concerned and perhaps adding extra chicken and duck to the menu might help.

He felt Katie approaching metaphysically before he felt her dark fur rub against his hand and leg. She likely could pick up from his scent that he was brooding over the current and future issues with the pard.

"Michael will kick your ass if you get into rabbit hutches," Morvan said to the newest leopard.  "Smell that?  That's his piss.  Territorial marking.  It's to protect our food source.  If you break in and eat it all, we go hungry and not only with Michael kick your ass, I will hold you down while he does it.  Do the leopard crime, do the leopard time."

The Raj caught Leslie as she rubbed past him, tucking her up under his arm as he continued the walk, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.  "Territorial marking is to keep other natural predators out and to let us know where our borders are.  Come on around the front of the house Kai and I'll show you were the markers are up there.  Across the road is a farm with cattle.  They know what we are. We buy all their old or injured cows and we don't give them any grief.  You cross the road as a leopard and fuck up a cow or three during a full moon or a stressful moment, not only will you ruin years of good will, we will have to buy any cow you injure AND you end up discovering exactly how the local executioner got his title.  Felony animal cruelty is a Class C felony and for humans carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.  For us?  Death penalty.  So stay inside the markers.  If you smell them, and they are very noticeable when you are human, let alone as a leopard, and you still cross them and go after a cow, you're probably too stupid to live.  See Leslie here?  Lowest level of self control of any wereleopard I've ever met.  Even she can resist going after a cow."

Leslie looked up at Morvan with yellow eyes that gave him a slow blink, her feet, and legs slowly paddling through the air as she lay tucked under his arm, seemingly complacent to be there.

Kia wrinkled his nose at the pungent smell of urine, he figured that it was stronger than normal because of how close the change was for him.

He felt like his skin was to tight and with just the right move it would split at the seems. "So is it every leopard for themselves when it comes to the floofs?" He asked, since this would be his first time hunting for his kitty meal.

Kai looked down at the large cat in his arms and offered his hand to Leslie. "Hi."

The leopardess stared at him eyes growing a little wider as she suddenly looked away and then down at her paws and then to the ground. Her head swiveled from ground then back to both men , mouth agape as if she had just realized she was hovering mid air of her own accord.

Their shapes were wrong she had that thought, as she gently headbutt the pair with her beast urging them to join her. She could smell the rabbits and their fear.  She wanted nothing more than to jump into the pen to kill them all but the tall one was on guard making that impossible.

"Well, you need to listen. Some people call dibs. Say Justin says he wants the one with the white spot on its ass. So you try to avoid that one. It's not like we assign targets."

Morvan rubbed his Beast back against Leslie. "I think she just realized she's being carried. Sweet girl but her cat is as dumb as a post."

Kai watched Leslie as she sussed out that she was being held.  He gave a wry grin as she headbutted him. "Soon I promise," he said before giving Morvan his full attention again.

"Right, dibs are acceptable." He repeated more to make it a mental note than anything else. "I wouldn't say dumb, but maybe not quite good at multi-tasking."

"And I would like to say thank you for allowing me to come out for the moon, and that this will be the first time I can actually hunt." Kai admitted.

Michael secured the open air pet pen with the rabbits and went to meet up with the two men. "You don't have to hold out until the last minute to shift. Sometimes having power over when you can shift can feel a lot nicer than when the moon insists. Plus you could have Morvan toss you a rabbit out of the pen so you could hunt it rather than jumping into it taking your rabbit and then jumping back out to kill it. Feels a little more natural with a chance to chase, and a little less than picking up your deli counter sandwich."

"You've been a leopard for what, six months or so?" Morvan asked.  "You should be starting to get a feel for it.  The way the moon pulls."  A shudder ran through the Raj's body.  "And Michael is right.  You don't have to wait.  I can pull a bunny for you while you change and set it loose near the pond."

"I'm getting used to the change, it gets better each time I do. And I think I'll take you up on the offer to hunt a bunny down near the pond. Any place in particular I should stash my clothes?" Kai asked.

"I would recommend someplace out of the way," Morvsn suggested. "You don't want anybody deciding to play with them because they like the way you smell. We all have a pretty casual attitude towards nudity.  The bench seats on the patio are all storage units. And you might want to consider not getting dressed right away in the morning. Winter full moons don't give us a lot of daylight so don't be surprised to see a bunch of us sleeping for a lot of the day."

Kai nodded, "Yeah, I don't have enough disposable cash for a replacement wardrobe at the moment."

He understood that casual nudity was a big thing in the shifter world, and it was a concept that he was slowly getting used to. Kai quickly shucked out of his sweatpants and sweatshirt. He gathered them up and tucked them under his arms to place them in a cubbie on the deck.

"There we are," Morvan said. "If you want to change, I'll pick a rabbit and  turn it loose near the pond. Do you want a runner or do you want to want one to shit itself in fear and quiver in fear while you stalk up and bite its head off?". Morvan shuddered again and licked his lips."

"Let’s got with frozen in fear, with an option of shiteing on itself." Kai said as he moved off the deck, he figured stepping in goo would make for a bad night.

As he moved towards the pond he paused to let his beast come to the forefront of his mind. Kai stiffened a bit as the initial pain of the transformation hit his body, but then he relaxed into having learned through trail and error that fighting the pain only made it worse for him.

After a few moments of waiting a loud pop issued from where he stood, not unlike a balloon meeting the sharp end of a needle.  Where once was a young man now stood a tawny leopard with brownish black rosettes, slate gray eyes peered around at it surroundings.

Kai sniffed the air finding the scent of Morvan near the water, mixed in his scent was that of a terrified creature, and it was that scent that Kai began to follow going low on his belly nearly crawling.

Morvan could feel Kai's cat as it started to hunt.  He smiled despite himself.  He gloried in that feeling.  The moon was whispering to his Beast, calling him to come and shed blood.  Soon that whisper would become a roar, too loud to be ignored, too insistent to be resisted.

He looked at the rabbits.  Three would definitely run.  He wanted one of those.  Two were already frozen in fear.  Their fear called to him too, making his mouth water.  Leslie would not have been able to resist those two but he was stronger than she was.  He was an Alpha, a Raj.  One of those would belong to Kai.  He reined in his Beast, so it wouldn't cause the terrified rabbit's heart to fail.  Then he lifted the bunny from it's pen and released it near the pond.

Chances were it would remain petrified, right up until Kai bit off its head.

"Anybody else ready for  rabbit?" he asked.

Tana clicked her laptop closed shifting the large blanket off her back.She stood stretching her arms above her head. Tana had been trying to research turning their pond in the back into something that could potentially create a food source. It didn't seem like it would take much work or money to do. The bigger question would be if they could keep Leslie from eatting all of the fish they used to stock it. Hell this could of been something Michael had already considered once before. She'd have to ask him in the morning.

Her eyes glazed over a little as she watched Kai shift and the rabbits starting to react. Tana shivered as she felt her beast surfacing.

"Yes please." She anwered Morvan as she began to shed her clothing. Goosebumps blanketed her flesh with every newly removed article.

Justin shuffled out onto the deck in a checkered blue and black housecoat and matching slippers. He cursed under his breath. "Such bullshit this weather.... We need to start keeping a bonfire or get Michael to make the hay bail fort I proposed. We're fucking leopards, not Arctic wolves." He said as he stuffed the clothing into the deck seating as he raced down the stairs onto the lawn, getting down onto all fours.

The others heard him make an obscene screech. Justin's breath made billowy plumes in the night air as he protested and shifted out on the back lawn, clearly unhappy with the fact that the night was sitting at the freezing mark.

"Okay, get your change on, Alphagetti," Morvan chided with a chuckle.  "I've got a real runner picked out for you.  Pipe down, Justin.  I don't know what you're complaining about.  This is t-shirt weather.  Just purr out with your fur out and stop being a baby.  I swear, Michael might be the biggest leopard but you are the biggest pussy."

Jess walked out past Justin as he was changing, muttering in agreement with Morvan. "Pussy and you call yourself Top Sub. Grow some balls." She too shifted.

Not far behind her, Augustina and Sandy took their places behind the house to shift coming down to the pen as Morvan began passing out rabbits to his shifted pard mates.

The Raj looked over at Michael. He held up his fist.  "Rock, paper scissors for last change?"

He trusted Michael to be the last to change. Shay had joined the others on all fours. Most of the subs had changed. One by one their Beasts were all surrendering to the increasingly irresistible siren call  of the moon.   Soon even he would not be able to remain in his human shape. His Beast was already howling for release.

Kyle locked down the house for the night and watched as Justin and Tana rand down the hill to get their rabbits.

Kai's bunny which had been frozen in terror suddenly snapped out of it and took off like a shot, running along the edge of the pond. It was hoping to make it to the long grass in the back of the property where it could hide from all the leopards.

Michael gave Kyle a nod and watched as Kyle gave him the all clear as he assessed that the out-of-town leopards were shifted and all accounted for. The two of them shed their human forms,  leaving Morvan as the last man standing.

Kai flattened his ears as the rabbit took off as if it had been launched from a cannon. It didn't take him long to go from stalking the poor floof ball to running full tilt after it. That was his dinner trying to escape.

Morvan wasn't long behind the others.   This change was something he'd known all his life. He'd been a leopard longer than he'd been human by a considerable margin. He couldn't remember not being a leopard.  In human form his senses were acute. As a leopard, it took a moment to recalibrate his brain to deal with the sudden inrush of new information. He could smell each of his leopards individually, smell their bloodlust, smell their hunger.

There was nothing better in the world than to be a leopard, hunting on the full moon.

He leapt off the deck, being careful not to dig his rear claws in. He was Raj but this was Kyle's house and he would do no harm. Not to the deck. Harm was reserved for his rabbit and he was going to tear it into bloody little gobbits of gloriously bloody meat.

Michael leapt into the pen and snatched a rabbit. The crunch of the rabbit's neck would have been audible if it were not for the cries of the terrified rabbits that some of the cats had not yet dispatched became they were toying with them. The pony sized leopard didn't care about that as he ran off into the back forty to melt into the darkness and trees.

He would feed, and then he would patrol and then once that desire was fulfilled he could return to the rest of his pard for the night to stand watch.

Kai caught his bunny just before it made it to the tall grass. The feel and sound of bone cracking as his maw clamped on the critters back was oddly satisfying.

Leslie had caught her rabbit the sound of tearing fresh and the screech of her rabbit filled the night air.

She opted to not dispatch it quickly but bit off one of the back legs. Fear and pain peppered the air as the creature screamed and fell from her mouth onto the grass.

The scent was intoxicating to her. Perhaps a little too much as she couldn't ignore the rabbits cries. She pounced on it giving it another bite, cracking it open like a Christmas cracker.  Instead of confetti and sweets, she was rewarded with blood and entrails, which was still a pretty sweet deal in her eyes.

Kai's enjoyment of his kill didn't last long. The long form of Lincoln loomed large, his muzzle red with the blood of his own kill. He licked his chops, yellow eyes boring into Kai.

Lincoln's leopard was larger and stockier than Kai's and it was clear that he intended to bully the new leopard out of his kill.

Kai rolled his eyes up as he felt Lincoln hovering about. With the rabbit still in his mouth he let a low rumbling growl out, warning the larger cat away.

Lincoln circled Kai, the growl making him cautious but not entirely discouraging him.  Finally he lunged in, grabbing the rabbit by one of its legs and pulling back.

Kai could feel the rabbit tearing.

Kai refused to let go of his kill, and Lincoln soon learned that the younger leopard might not be much of a push over as the claws of his right front paw raked across the others nose.

The blow to his face made Lincoln release the rabbit and back away, growling. After a long moment, he turned away, leaving Kai to his victory and his kill. Perhaps he would try his luck with Raoul but for now Kai had made it clear that he wasn't going to allow Lincoln to steal his kill.

Kai watched Lincoln leave him be, however he didn't wait to see if the bully would return. Kai loped off to the tree line and found a limb that would support his weight. He carried his kill up with him and ate it in peace.

Leslie had made good work of skinning her kill and had enthusiastically decapitated her rabbit. As she chewed on the haunches she watched as Kai and Lincoln had an encounter with each other. A quick smack to Lincolns face and he turned away.

She chewed on the back end of her rabbit hurriedly and swallowed it snatching up the leftover head into her mouth. She left the skin on the snowy ground not caring if someone made the left over fuzzy skin a treat for themselves.

Cheerfully she made her way over to where Morvan stood noticing that Jasmin in the snow only several feet from him.

Leslie spat the head out and batted it with a furry paw towards Morvan. She wanted to share her kill with her Raj. It wasn't a lot of rabbit but it did contain the creamy brain inside the crunch box which was always a delightful treat to savor.

Morvan was guarding Jasmin when Leslie approached; she was permitted to come close because she was not a threat. When she presented him with the head of her rabbit, he sniffed it, then lay down to quite happily crunch the portion of her kill that she was offering him.

Leslie frequently sought Morvan out after feeding.  She knew he would protect her. It was his duty as Raj to keep the weakest subs safe. Most could fend for themselves to some degree or other but Leslie and to a lesser extent Raoul  needed protection.

After he'd chewed and swallowed the rabbit head, he playfully pounced on Leslie and began licking the blood and gore from her muzzle.

Leslie let out several grunts that sounded a little like a bullfrog and a belch. She squirmed playfully against Morvan as he cleaned her up from her kill, content in the fact that she was safe and have one on one time with her most favorite leopard.

Kai finished off his rabbit and hopped out of the tree. He padded twoards the other leopards stopping a safe distance from Morvan and the two female leopards. He chuffed at the three leopards in greeting.

Morvan looked up at the newcomer.  He lifted his paw off of Leslie's neck, and walked slowly towards Kai.  He didn't wait for a sign of submission, he simply bowled the larger leopard over with a combination of his body and his Beast.  Then he began to lick Kai's face as well.

Kai flopped to the ground and murred at the Raj. It was very much like a toddler grumping at their parent. But he didn't fight the attention.

Justin approached and chose to lay down beside the leopards, not joining in but clearly vibing with the Raj's energy. He licked at his one bloody paw, savoring the last of the rabbit blood as he watched Morvan clean the new leopard.

Kai rolled his eyes over to Justin and harumphed at him. A very feline version of 'stop laughing you fool.'

Paw clean Justin yawned and was shifting to get into a more comfortable position when Katie and Leslie joined in the lay about curiously sniffing at the newcomer, caution was key with new cats. They felt pretty safe however due to the Raj being so close by.

Morvan's paw came down on Kai's head, silencing any protests.  He stood, yawned and stretched, all without removing his paw from Kai's head.  Then he looked at Justin.  He contemplated pouncing but chose instead to return to Leslie, giving her a final lick before once more flopping between her and Jasmine.  His belly wasn't exactly full but his need for blood was more than satisfied, watching as the subs investigated Kai.

Kai took the hint and quited down while Morvan cleaned him up.

He stayed where he was and let the two girls approach him, realizing that it was probably wiser for him to wait.

When Morvan finished, the two female leopards chose to lay down beside Morvan, Justin and Kai. A small furry gathering in the middle of the snowy lawn near the pond.

Jasmine, who had stayed back to watch the scene play out rose from her spot thirty feet from where they had officially changed the new Raj chill out spot, slowly crept forward to join them with some hesitation.

Kai laid his head down and gave Jasmine kitten eyes in luei of puppy eyes, to show that he wasn't a threat to her or the others.

Morvan nuzzled Jasmine, greeting her as she arrived.  She was weak.  She needed protection.  All his subs needed protection but she needed it more than others.  If she'd been stronger, he might have made her his mate.  It was good that Kai wasn't offering any kind of threat to Jasmine.  It would have made Morvan want to pound him flat.

Jasmine was an outsider to this pard though part of her desperately wished she wasn't the cats felt safe. Being near Morvan made her fell safer than she ever. Feeling Brave she opted to lay down near Kai and Morvan and the female leopards, doing her best to give them all a slow blink before lowering her head and not giving anyone eye contact. Closing her eyes she just bathed in the comfortable situation. A bell full of rabbit and being surrounded by leopards that didn't want to fight her was really nice.

Tana had made quick work of the Rabbit Morvan has selected for her and now lounged on the back porch. She had managed to find a spot close to the house which was out of the evenings cold winds. She shifted on her feet puffing her fur out to better insolate herself as she glanced at the growling pard pile in the snow. It didn't take long before the black furred leopardess was stretching and her large paws crunched in the snow towards the group. She stood before them her head slightly tilted as she contemplated where to plop.

Leslie rolled onto her back exposing her belly as she looked up at Tana and Kai stretching outwards with her paws she flexed her murder mittens and gave a soft bark as way of greeting before lazily closing her eyes. Tonight was a good night, the whole pard was looking to pile together, it would seem.

These were his people, his to protect, his to cherish.  Morvan stretched out his Beast, touching all within range with his Raj power.  They would know they were welcome in his presence.  They would know that he would kill or die for them.  He had his favourites of course but he'd be hard pressed to say that any were on the opposite list.  He lay down in the snow, savouring the scent of so many leopards.

Justin watched the group forming and stretched.  With the latest add he moved so he could still Bask in the Morvaness but lay down beside Tana.  His nose let him know she still had rabbit blood on her and he wasn't against helping clean her up.

Two hours later, the huge shadow of Michael's black leopard emerge out of the shadows and treeline. The snow was falling gently, his large paws silent upon the snow covered land. The pony-sized black leopard walked past the lounging leopards and let out a soft chuff before making his way up to the porch to claim a perch on the table. He could watch the tree line and the leopards from his vantage point.

Morvan's head followed the big leopard's movements.  He chuffed his thanks that Michael was looking over them.  In truth, as Raj, Morvan was the first and last line of defence for the leopards but there were times when Michael claimed that place.  He, like Morvan would kill or die to protect the others.  Mostly kill.  It was something the Raj rarely mentioned but always appreciated.

The rest of the evening was uneventful for the leopards for the most part huddled together for warmth as the evening.

As dawn broke, people began to change shapes once more.

Justin began a singing mantra of fuckfuckfuck as he ran through the4 inches of snow as he ran up the deck, happy to open the sliding door.

There was zero attempt to get dressed on the deck by the sandy haired wereleopard.

"Pussy!" Morvan yelled after him.  A snowball, thrown without even aiming, skittered across the deck, chasing the young leopard into the house. "Don't use all the hot water!"

The Nimir Raj yawned and stretched. "How was your night?" he asked Kai, while offering a hand to Jasmine.

"It was much better than going it alone, that's for sure."  Kai responded as he climbed to his feet, wincing a bit at the cold.

"Cats are normally solitary," Morvan said.  "But shapeshifters are far more social creatures.  We need each other for our mental health.  Even just two will do far better together than either would be able to do by themselves."

Justin came out of his room wearing a fuzzy house coat with a hood pulled up. He had Tana's house coat with him draped over his shoulder as he met Tana at the door and offered her the clothing so she could be warm.

“Winter shifts are ass.” Justin sighed, looking over his shoulder. “So first moon with a shit ton of leopards, the good the bad and the ugly... I know its kinda hard to recall stuff, but you should have a bit of memory in there of what you did maybe ten percent or a lil more of the night. Are you up with sharing your impressions with the rest of the class, Kai?”

A soft snowball hit Justin. Morvan hadn't thrown it particularly hard. "Winter shifts are awesome. And I'm not hearing the guy from Hawaii complaining about the cold."  The Raj looked at the newest potential member of the Pard. "Or maybe he's too frozen to complain."

Justin looked at the Raj. Really while in the house. KYYYYYYYYLE Morvan's throwing snowballs in the house."

"Clean it up and take it outside. You aren't children for the love of god." Kyle sighed wearily as he pushed his way through with getting breakfast ready.

"Still thawing out," Kai said with a chuckle, "And we get this type of weather on the southern island in New Zealand, closer to Antarctica."

"Well, you can keep it. This sucks." Justin grumbled as he picked up the broken snow ball, despite it being Morvan's mess. He tossed it into the sink, rolling his eyes at the Raj. "Spring can't come soon enough, seriously."

Justin's cellphone chimed from inside his housecoat pocket. Withdrawing it he unlocked the phone and his expression became serious as he wandered out of the kitchen and into the hallway.

Kai grinned and looked towards Kyle. "Can I help you with anything?" He asked feeling like the older leopard was taking on the duties of a host.

"You can bring out the OJ Milk, tea and coffee to the table after that, see the cereal boxes on the top of the fridge you can bring them out too. We are having a lazy breakfast this morning. Mostly cereal and oatmeal but I'm going to do up some scrambled eggs for anyone that wants to toss in a breakfast burrito or two into the mix." Kyle replied as he tossed three onions into the mixing bowl along with the three dozen whisked eggs.

Kai saulted the man and started gathering the indicated beverages. He worked quietly watching as the others started to gather. "Have a good night?" He asked Raoul when he saw the man.

Raoul nodded. "I did. It's a weird mix of chaos and calm when the cat takes over. So much focus. So much sensory input.   The smells, the tastes. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to just stay in cat shape but if you stay too long, you can't come back.  You get stuck."

Leslie came and sat down at the table wearing a onesie style to look like a frog as she reached for a box of cereal. She looked to Kai "Can you pass me the milk?: She asked looking half asleep.

Jasmine entered into the dinning room shyly wearing one of Morvans old checkered flannel work shirts. It was warmer than any of the other shirts she owned. Travel with Noah meant traveling light. Despite their stay in Seattle Jasmine hadn't added much to her wardrobe.  The black leggings had been a new addition as were the red and black stripped socks but that had been it.

Her brown eyes scanned the room as she drifted towards Morvan opting to lean against the wall to soak up the Raj vibes, in close proximity.

She looked to Kai. "Do you recall any of the night?" Jasmine remembered nothing of her first couple changes she however was aware Kai was in good safe hands.

The cats chatted and ate breakfast with low energy levels. Dishes were washed and put away as Kyle set to making a chili in one large crock pot and a chicken and dumpling stew in the other. By the time they awoke it would be close to ready and they would have enough time eat and rinse and repeat the full moon as were-leopards once more.

Augustina motioned for Kai and the other leopards to head to the guest bunks.

Jasmine hung behind as she nervously shifted from one foot to the other watching Kyle and Morvan talking about the moon and the nights plans.

Jasmine blushed as Kyle patted her shoulder on his way upstairs to bed wishing her a good day's rest.  She murmured a tiny thank you and you as well.

She watched as Tana gave her Raj a hug and then dissappear in Justin's room. A moan of contentment coming from the busy dark haired were-leopardess as she flung herself onto the creaking mattress and bedframe.

She was so fortunate to have been accepted to participate in the full moon proceedings at the farm with so many of her kind. They were so warm and welcoming despite not being a part of their pard.

Michael padded past her pausing as he cocked his head curiously as he studied her. His silence and eyes upon her made her bow her head as she felt the blood rush to her face.

"Not tired?" He finally asked.

"N-no, Oh I mean yes. Sorry I didn't mean to make that seem like it was deception." Jasmine silently wished the ground would swallow her. "I will sleep soon, I promise."

Michael rubbed his eyes and yawned. "You smell nervous. More so than normal." He stated as he leaned against the hallway wall.

He noted Morvan was still in the living room and softly cleared his throat,  a subtle indicator to catch Morvan's attention. "Don't forget to make sure we are all locked up down here Morvan."

Morvan nodded. "Just need to get the shield for the French doors and the front door," he said.

His eyes found Jasmine. "And I'll make sure everybody gets settled before I climb in." He patted the seat beside him on couch.

"Come and sit," he said. "Tell me what's bugging you."

She waited patiently until he patted the sofa. "It isn't a bug, but..." Jasmine licked her lips nervously. "I was told I need to shoot the shot. Or get off the pan. But this is hard. Traditionally men are the shooter's."

Morvan paused. "Okay, let's walk through this. You want to do something that men normally do.  Have I got that right so far?"

She nodded. Jasmine sighed, her cheeks were awash with color. "You sleep with your pardmates. I want to experience it too, but only if you would let me.  I've never had the chance to single pile or multi with a leopard. But I have been told that Raj bedtime is the best time. So I shot the shot. Will you consider it even if I am not one of yours?"

Morvan's lips curled up slightly. "Absolutely," he said. "Never be afraid to ask for cuddles. Leopards like cuddles. And if you're looking for a Pard pile, all you need to do is suggest it. You'll get an enthusiastic response most of the time."

He reached out to stroke Jasmine's cheek. "Never be afraid to ask to be touched," he said.  He patted the couch beside him. "Come one and sit down. I can give you some Raj time."

Jasmine looked delighted and excited as she joined him. It was a very generous offer. She couldn't help but let a happy noise squeak out of herself as she curled up on the couch, content to let her head rest on his shoulder.  She had to admit it really did feel comforting and soothing. In addition to that, she experienced a sense of security that she hadn't felt in a while.

Sitting with Noah helped calm her nerves and she didn't feel so alone and adrift, but this moment here and now felt right and paled in comparison to what she could get from Noah.

Morvan slipped his arm around her, unfolding her both with his physical presence and with his Beast. He remembered the first time he'd met her and she'd offered herself as tribute. Turning her down had been very difficult.

"Despite cats being mostly solitary, cat shape shifters are as much pack animals as wolves," he said. "Are you telling me that in all the time you've been coming here, you haven't joined a Pard pile?  Well damn, if that's the case I've been a shitty Raj for not noticing that."

"I didn't want to be rude and barge in. So I mostly followed you around or stuck the edges when everyone was hanging around. I was- I am a guest. And please do not feel bad. You have so many that you have to keep watch over. " She nuzzled his shoulder as she softly huffed, enjoying the way he smelled.

It wasn't too long before Mirvan noted that Jasmines basking had turned into sleeping on his shoulder leaning comfortably against him.

Looks like I'm couch surfing tonight.

Morvan slowly swung his legs up onto the couch, trying not to disturb Jasmine.  Any minor discomfort would soon be beyond his concern.  He was tired enough to sleep anywhere and the couch had served him faithfully and well on more than one occasion.

[Maxx]

Dec 8th old underground rat sanctuary 5:35pm Sunday, May 11, 2025 23:35

It was perhaps an hour past sunset when the man stopped suddenly.  He was well dressed, wearing an immaculate black suit.   A top hat with a small black feather topped hair that was raven wing black.  He was neither handsome nor ugly; were it not for his hat, few would have looked at him twice.

His eyes searched the ground for a moment.  Then he smiled.  Yes.  Here.

Once, twice, thrice his brass shod walking stick struck the ground.  The twilight and darkness hid the shape but there were those who might notice the distinctive curve of a spine.  It was black like ebony but still distinctly bone.  It was also distinctly inhuman, the length of it too slender, too lithe.  Perhaps a dozen men in the world would recognize it as what it truly was.

After a moment, he walked away, smiling.  He even tipped his hat at a woman who was trying to hurry home with some of her Christmas purchases.

Exactly one hundred and ninety heart beats later, the concrete cracked and began to gave way as a sinkhole opened, sucking in three pedestrians before it began to devour two businesses and several parked cars.

It was the next morning that the true depths of the carnage was discovered. The man who approached the barrier didn't stop. He jumped it, slipping past the piles of debris and the equipment and plunging into the hole. The workers yelled at him, demanding that he leave, right up until he grabbed a piece of concrete half the size of a motorcycle and singlehandedly threw it out of the sinkhole.

"Shifter!" someone yelled and the humans scrambled out of the hole, leaving the wererat to continue his digging by himself.

It had been sheer chance that Tony hadn't been in the underground tunnels. He'd planned to but Astrid had sent him on an errand that had ended far too close to moonrise for him to reach their old Warren with a sufficient time window to make certain he wouldn't shift anywhere near the public. Now he was trying to dig out one of the Warren's hidden entrances, to see if any of the wererats who had refused relocation had been trapped in the collapse.

Daniel and Officer Chang had been out recanvasing an area, trying to get in touch with the dozen or so possible witnesses who had not been home during the inital canvas of the neighbor. They were trying to tie to up some loose ends on one of their cases that was due to go to trial in two months times. Returning to their car after striking out for the fourth time, they heard the initial call about the mysterious sink hole come over the radio. Daniel called in, relaying that he and Officer Chang were responding to back up the units already on scene. When the second call came through adding the information that there was a shifter on scene, Daniel hit the lights and siren, put the pedal to the metal and made the 45 minute drive across town in just about 20 minutes.

Once on scene he directed Officer Chang to gather whatever statement had already been taken and to move the perimeter back another 200 yards from its current position. Daniel talked with the city workers who were still milling around the area and learned that the power had already been cut to the area and that the gas company was on the way to see what needed to be done to make things safe from their end. After talking to the first officers on scene he slowly and carefully made his way to the edge of the hole. Looking over the edge he could see the havoc that had been wrought on the street.  At the bottom of the crater there was a man that was moving aside the slabs of asphalt and concrete with ease of moving a feather pillow.

Daniel moved slowly around the rim of the crater, watching his footing so as not to risk taking a tumble. He was trying to judge the stability of the rim of the hole as well as trying to get a look at the face of the man below. Finally he was able to get a decent look at the figure below him but he didn't immediately recognize him. Then it came to him, he was one of Miss Lillia's rats. He had seen the man several times at the station when he had picked Miss Lillia up after a few of the liaison meetings.

Daniel didn't remember the mans name, he wasn't even sure that he ever knew it. He cleared his throat as loudly as he could before he called down. "Sir. My name is Detect LaFeat of the Seattle Police Department. Is there anything we can do to help? Is there anyone trapped down there?"

Tony stopped and looked up.  "Six maybe eight people?" he answered.  "One of our old warrens was down here and a handful of wererats who had reasons to remain would have spent the full moon down here.  I would have been down here myself but I was running errands and didn't have time to make it, so I spent the full moon with a friend."  The formerly homeless veteran moved aside another piece of concrete, revealing a small opening.  His nose worked furiously.  "I'm smelling blood," he said, before diving through the opening into the darkness.

"Injured wererats in a dark hole, during the three days of the full moon," Chang said and he came up to Daniel.  He held up his fist.  "Match you to see who has to go in after him."

"Don't bother," Daniel responded with a small shake of his head. "I'm going in. I need you up here to coordinate things with the gas company once they get on site. Have some of the patrol guys spread out and look for CCTV that we might be able to get footage from. Send some others to speak with those in the nearby businesses that might have been open at the time to see who might have seen anything, even if they think it might not be important or something minor. The more information we have on this the better. Call in and see if we can get some EMT crews to set up an emergency triage area and be on stand by." Daniel returned to the car and tossed his jacket and tie on the front drivers seat. He leaned in and retrived a flashlight from the glove box. He checked to make sure it was working and how strong the beam was. The next thing he did was opened the trunk and put his weapon inside. He was probably a fool for not going in armed but he didn't want those trapped to think he was there to harm them. He also didn't want to risk an accidental discharge if his weapon got hooked on

"Not much to CC," said one of the construction crew, who clearly thought he was a comedian.  "Sidewalk collapsed last night, around 5:30.  We got here around 8:00 this morning and the guy in the hole got here about an hour later.  Gas, power and water have been shut off for hours.  Not our first rodeo.  Keep the people back, sure, but two hundred yards is a bit much.  No leaks of anything nasty, except maybe the sewer lines.  You really going in there with him?  You're a braver man than I am.  You couldn't pay me enough."

Daniel's flashlight revealed a tunnel that had mostly collapsed.  He could hear Tony calling out and followed he voice.

"Joseph? Joe? Philip?  Phil? Carl?  Can anybody hear me?  I've got a human with me, so don't freak out."  There was clear distress in his voice, not so much that he was likely to change but he was definitely worried.  Daniel wasn't sure if Tony was an Alpha or not but he was likely hoping so.  Freaked out wererats weren't good to be around even when the full moon had just  passed.

Daniel just shrugged at the would be comedian. "The gas lines still need to be capped off," was all he said on that matter. He walked to the edge of the crater where he had earlier determined that there was a decent way to descend into it without going ass over elbows all the way to the bottom.  "If any of those trapped below should shift and come charging our of there you will be thankful for the extended perimeter. It will give my guys more time to react." He turned to Chang. "Give each of these guys," he motioned to the construction crew, "a statement form and have them fill it out. You going to have a problem with giving a formal written statement?" This last was directed at the crews most vocal member.  He didn't really wait for a response before he carefully stated down the treacherous path to the bottom of the crater.

He found the partially collapsed tunnel without much difficulty and wriggled his way into it. "My name is Detective LaFeat of the Seattle Police Department," he called out into the darkness. "I am following one of your own through a tunnel. Any light you see coming from the direction of my voice will be the beam from my flashlight. I am here to help you and am unarmed." Hopefully those ahead of him would be calmed just a little to know that there was help on the way even if it was in the form of a human police officer.

The construction foreman shrugged.  If the cop wanted to assume his crew and the utilities crews were incompetent, that was on him.  He sure as hell wasn't going to try and evacuate a six block radius.  "Have fun storming the castle!" he called out as Daniel disappeared down the hole.

"You think he'll make it?" asked one of the machine operators.

"It's take a miracle," he replied with a grin.  "This is why I love you guys.  You get me."

"You also get a report form," Chang said with an amused smile.  "Not that there is much to report.  Oooo.  Scary sinkhole."

It wasn't hard to follow Tony.  He kept up a steady stream of commentary, right up until he didn't.  His words just stopped dead.

When Daniel no longer heard the voice ahead of him he stopped his forward momentum.  "Is everything alright up there?" he asked in a normal tone of voice knowing that the Wererat would be able to hear him even if his voice wasn't echoing in the tunnel.

"I found one," Tony said, his voice thick with emotion.  "He's dead."

Daniel's stomach sank just a little. "I am sorry to hear that. We should keep moving though. There may still be survivors that need to get medical attention. I will make sure that any his and any other bodies we may find are removed and handled with care and respect."

Daniel could hear Tony moving forward.  It became clear quickly that Tony had no problems dropping to the ground and slithering through openings that seemed too small for him to pass.  He was bigger than Daniel so the detective had a slightly easier time, assuming he was willing to get dirty.

There wasn't much left of what had once been a large, sophisticated underground enclave.  They went room to room, searching through the rubble and the collapse.  In the end they found six bodies, all cold and still.  The last one had been crushed beneath a water purifier, when the roof had caved in and brought the tank down on top of him.

"This was his safe space," Tony said, when Daniel finally caught up to the wererat.  There were tears streaming down his face.  "This was his safe space, behind the purifier." He reached out to make sure the man's eyes were closed.  "His name was Carl.  Rest easy, brother.  Rest easy.  Your watch is over and now you can be at peace."

Daniel's stomach sank more and more with each body that they found. He had hoped that there would be at least one that they could rescue but the search had been in vain. There was no living thing to be found except for the two men that had tried to come to the rescue. Slowly he approached the grieving wererat. "I'm so sorry that we weren't able to get here in time to help anyone." His voice held so much emotion that is was plainly evident that he was telling the absolute truth and that the death and destruction was hitting him hard. He moved closer to the edge of the room, giving his companion his space and time to grieve.

"They've been dead for hours," Tony said.  "They probably died in rat shape when the sinkhole first opened and turned back.  Likely Carl was the last to go, because he wouldn't have spent the full moon here.  He would have come here  because he got scared.  Then again he as almost always scared.  So maybe he was here when it happened and he barely knew what hit him."

It didn't look like Tony believed what he was saying.  He turned to Daniel.  "Can you get me a bunch of body bags?  And call the rat liaison and let them know the warren collapsed and everyone who stayed behind is dead.  They'll know what that means and who is dead."

Daniel just nodded his head and headed back up the tunnel to do as requested. He made good time going back out now that he knew the route. Pausing for a couple of moment when he first reemerged from the tunnel he blinked his eyes rapidly in the bright light. After his eyes reaclimated to the sunshine he climbed out of the crater and called out to Officer Chang. "I'm going to need six body bags. You can release the EMT's there are no survivors. Put a call into the Coroner and let them know what we've got."  He was in no mood to make chit chat about what he had witnessed down below and the look on his face made this evident to everyone around. Slowly he made his way to the car and found his phone in the left hand inside pocket. With a heavy sigh he found the right number in his contacts list and made the last call any police officer ever wants to make.

"Call from officer Lafeat."

Lillia's phone cheerfully proclaimed as she sat brushing her hair. It didn't take nearly as long as it used to, but there was something soothing to the act anyways. Her hand stopped. A call from the police during a full moon. Something was wrong.  She set her brush down and reached for the phone, answering the call with a well practiced flick of her thumb.
"This is Lillia."

Daniel took a sharp breath in when Miss Sumner answered. He took ten seconds to breath deep and try to compose himself. "Miss Sumner. This is Detective LaFeat with the Seattle Police Department. An incident has happened at one of your old Warrens. There was some sort of collapse that opened a sinkhole over it. One of your male Rats led me inside to look for survivors." He paused and took a couple of deep breaths. "Apparently six of your people were staying there during the full moon. I'm sorry ma'am, there are no survivors. The coroner is on the way and we will extricate the victims as soon as possible." There was a faint but detectable catch of emotion behind his words.

As Daniel spoke it felt like a hole had opened up in the pit of Lillia's stomach, swallowing up her heart as surely as the sinkhole had swallowed up the lives of those who had stayed behind. There was only one place it could be after all, and the names of those who would have been there echoed in her mind.   Those near her noticed the immediate change, the feel of her Beast flaring, then seeming to disappear as she tamped it down.  "Who's there with you? Who led you inside? " She asked, her voice slightly tense, but level.

Those near Lillia stiffened.  One turned and hurried away towards where Jen was yelling "Get mad at it!" as she stood over Don while the latter strained under a weight bar with an enormous amount of weight on it.   Those further away paused and perhaps looked but then moved on.  For the most part they were leaving Lillia to her phone call.

"I'm sorry Miss Sumner but I didn't catch the gentleman's name. He did mention that he had been out running some errands and was unable to return to the others so he spent the night at a friend's," Daniel replied following up with a detailed description of the man he had left below.

"Tony." Lillia said softly. It had to be him. That told her who the dead were. " I will be right there.       Please wait for me before allowing the coroner to take them."

She went looking for Astrid, the phone still near her ear.   Their queen would need to know what happened.  "I need Astrid and a ride. " She called out, covering the mouthpiece of the phone as the detective was answering her.

"Why do you need Astrid and where are you going?" Cash asked. As she so frequently did, she had Danny on a leash. She wasn't asking to be rude, she was doing her job as one of Astrid's advisors.

Kiba raised his hand. "I have keys in hand. I was going to do a little shopping but I can definitely take a detour."

"Something has happened at the old warren. It's bad. " She swallowed the thickness in her throat, pushing down her Beast again. When she spoke next her voice was much quieter as she came up to Cash.  " They're all gone. " She couldn't help the hitch in her voice. Fresh grief and guilt washed over her.

"All gone?" Cash paused. "The ones that stayed behind? "  Even Danny seemed to sense that something was wrong.   Cash fought not to speak the words she was thinking. We told you so.  Instead she nodded. "You go. I'll let Astrid know. If she needs anything she'll call. If you need anything, you do the same.  Mike is on the phones, so it will at least be a familiar voice."

Lillia nodded.   "Let's go, Kiba. Lefeat said the coroner is on the way."

"Coroner will likely beat us," Kiba said. "And it isn't likely that they will hold the bodies. They'll want to bag them ASAP because of the blood. Dead shifters aren't contagious but they're going to take more precautions than necessary because that is what they will do."  Kiba paused before speaking again. "Hopefully Tony won't have problems handling things on that end. He's a good man. Strong Alpha. Give him ten years and he might be ready to lead a Rodere."

'Tony,' so that was the man's name Daniel thought to himself. "I can't promise you anything Miss Sumner but I will ask the corners office to delay removal of the bodies till your arrival." There was actually a good chance that that would happen anyways depending on if they needed to expand the tunnel leading into the old Warren and if they had to shore up the tunnel to make it safer. He gave Lillia the necessary information to direct her to the location. "I will leave word with my partner Officer Chang to expect your arrival," he stated before ending the call. Daniel tossed his phone on to the passenger seat. leaned back, closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. Opening his eyes, he leaned over, opened the glove box and dug out a small digital camera. He slipped the camera into the breast pocket of his shirt and exited the car.

"I'm going back down," he said to Officer Chang. "The Rat liaison Miss Lillia Sumner is on her way with an escort. Let her through when she gets here." Daniel returned to the tunnel opening and called out to the man inside. "Mr. Tony. This is Detective LaFeat. I am coming back in." He reentered the tunnel, stopping every once and awhile to take a photograph or two. Pausing at every body he encountered, he said a short prayer before taking photographs from various angles as space allowed. Finally he reached the room where he had left Tony and the body of the man Tony had identified as Carl. "Miss Lillia is on her way down," he said softly. "I need to take some photographs of this room and Mr. Carl's body. I mean no disrespect but it is required."

When LaFeat returned, Tony was holding Carl's hand.  "It's just Tony, sir," the wererat said.  "My last name is McCarthy but don't call me Mr McCarthy.  That's my father.  Carl's last name is Peabody.  Was Peabody.  No family or at least no family outside the rat pack.  He had mental issues on top of being a lycanthrope.  Nick took him in.  We took care of him as best we could.  When the time came to move out and move up, he couldn't handle the change, so he and some others stayed here.  And now they're all dead.  Would have been me too, if I'd made it here in time."

Tony's head swiveled to look at Daniel.  "Ever feel guilty because you didn't die too?  I'm an alpha.  I'm supposed to protect these guys.  But how do you protect someone from something like this?  It wasn't even an earthquake.  It just collapsed.  Just some sinkhole.  You hear about them but you never expect to see one or have one eat a bunch of your friends."

Daniel took his pictures as quickly as he could while still being thorough.  "I'm originally from New Orleans Mr. Tony so you will just have to deal with my formality," he said with a small smile. He sat on the floor with his back up against a piece of fallen ceiling, squirming around a little bit to find a semi-comfortable position. Pulling out his notebook he quickly jotted down Tony's full name as well as the information about Carl. A sadness filled his eyes as he slowly nodded when he was asked about feeling guilty about surviving. "The military calls it Survivors Guilt," Daniel responded almost in a whisper. "And yes I did...." there was a small pause. "Do suffer from it."

"Me too," Tony said.  "Twice over.  Sucks, doesn't it?"  He slid down to sit beside Daniel.  "You'll need to get your fomalities correct for Lillia," he advised.  "She's rat royalty. Miss Sumner.  Not Miss Lillia.  Hell, why does that sound so southern when I say it?"  Tony adopted a southern accent before continuing.  "Miss Lillia?  Mr Rhett Butler has come calling.  Shall I send him away?"

Daniel nodded in agreement. "It does indeed suck. I've lost good friends while in the Marines and even more while serving on NOPD.  My dogs keep my going. They give me a reason to get up every morning. I would anticipate that it is somewhat similar with you and your Rodere, am I correct? They give you a reason to keep going?" he asked the man sitting next to him. "As for addressing Miss Lillia. I always address her by Miss Sumner when it is for official business. For less formal reasons she is Miss Lillia." A small smile graced Daniels lips but it faded quickly. Memories of his best friend from the Marines came flooding back and he fought to push them back into the box that he had locked them away in.

"Semper Fi," Tony said, offering Daniel a fist bump. "Desert Storm.  Mustered out and got home to find somebody else living in my house. Wife gone. Everything I knew gone. Was homeless for a long time. Father Sozio gave me my first warm bed in a long time. I was helping with some kids on the fourth of July.  Some poor bastard changed on the beach.  Kids are small fast noisy. Perfect for triggering a hunting instinct. I threw myself over one of them just before he attacked.  Clawed me up good. Your captain put him down but he'd already done enough damage I was already infected. It was a whole new world for me. They took me and they gave me a home they gave me a family they gave me a reason to go on. I'd die for any one of them."

Daniel nodded again. He didn't say anything about his time in the service. Most combat vets he knew didn't like to talk about their time in. Oh they would tell you where they were stationed, talk about the normal and mundane aspects of serving, relate a few funny stories. But they wouldn't talk about the combat they had experienced or the death they had seen, that was something deeply personal. He shifted just a little and unbuttoned his shirt just enough to push it off his left shoulder revealing the tattooed emblems of the USMC and his sniper unit.

"Sounds like you found another kind unit to belong to," Daniel said softly. He, himself, had found a similar type of thing with NOPD and now with SPD.

"Exactly," Tony said, nodding. "Chain of command. Protecting those below and obeying those above.  But some things..." He gestured down the tunnel. "Somethings you can't predict, can't protect them from. Sometimes lycanthropy is a blessing in disguise. Sometimes it's a curse. For Carl it was both.  He's at peace now. I think Lillia will have his family's contact information. They'll want to know. They did their best for him but sometimes even your best isn't good enough."

"No matter how much planning or training there is, when the shit hits the fan something always goes sideways... always." Danial said as he took a look around at the devastation they were sitting amongst.

"No plan ever survives the first encounter with the enemy," Tony said, nodding. "Could have been worse though. This place was almost empty. A few weeks ago, there were families living here. Not many places accept lycanthropes.  Now that we're all under Astrid, we have access to places Nick and Lillia couldn't provide. Apartment buildings owned by rats. Duplexes. Given a month, we could probably have gotten most of them out of here but looks like we aren't going to get that month."

"I know its no consolation but it looks like they quickly and with little or no suffering. Small blessings I guess."

Tony nodded. "It was pretty fast," he said.  "Not too much fear stink. It's hard to kill shifters quickly but if you cut off our wind, we pass out quick. So nobody lingered."  He stood up and offered Daniel a hand.  "I'm going up to wait for Lillia. You coming with or are you staying down here?  Probably best not to stay alone. Things might shift."

Daniel accepted the proffered hand. He finished unbuttoning his dress shirt, removing his business card holder, notebook, and pen from the pocket as he did so. Pulling the tails out from where they were tucked into his slacks, he undid the last few buttons then removed the shirt leaving him in the plain white tee he wore underneath. He took the few steps over were Carl lay and carefully draped the cloth over the mans face. Daniel gave Tony a quick grin and a small shrug, "it was ruined anyways." The shirt sported dust and dirty which any good dry cleaners could have removed, but it also held a two inch slash in the right side where it had caught on a piece of broken rebar as well several smaller snags and holes. "Let the corner bitch if he wants. Mr. Carl deserves some respect, as do the rest. I just wish I had something to cover the other with," he sighed wistfully.   "You're right though. We should get back top side in case things shift down here." He pulled one of the business cards out and jotted a number on the back. "Here's my card. My personal cell is on the back. I meet with a group of combat vets once a month at the VA if you want to join us. It's not a support group, nor is it officially sanctioned by the VA, but a couple of the Docs there allow us to use one of the meeting rooms. It's just a group of vets who get together and shoot the shit, reminiscing about the good time, and remembering those friends who didn't make it home. If you want to give it a go just call or text and I will give you the deets on our next meet up." He paused as he held out the card. "Or feel free to call if you just need to talk to someone who has been there. I'm always willing to meet up for coffee."

"There's a  linen closet down here somewhere," Tony said.  "But these are just bodies. The people are gone."  He accepted the business card. "I'll think about it," Tony said "And by that I mean I will show up as long as the meeting isn't too close to the full moon.  It's always good to talk to people who understand."

Daniel clasped Tony on the shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I will make it happen," he said. "If you know any other combat vets, no matter what their circumstances, feel free to invite them. There are only about 15 of us right now but we are always willing to welcome more into the group." He gestured towards the tunnel. "Do you want to go find some sheets or something to cover the rest of your friends or do you want to just get out of here?"

"We should get out of here," Tony said.  "By the time we find the linen closet, the people with the body bags should be here.  Just make sure they use full universal precautions.  We can't know what blood was shed when they were in rat form.  We are hella infectious.  And yeah, I have a few people in mind who might benefit from meeting with other like minded people.  Might take a while but I can probably add half a dozen to your meetings."

Daniel nodded. "The coroners office was already alerted to the fact that there are Rat shifters involved. I'm sure that the proper precautions will be taken but I will reiterate the fact that due caution needs to be taken." He motioned for Tony to head back up the tunnel. "Another half dozen combat vets will be a welcome influx. We've been trying to get more people involved with the group but most are reluctant, thinking that they we are a traditional support group who will try to make them talk about their experiences and relive some of the most painful events in their lives. That is the farthest thing from the truth."

"Most old soldiers don't like talking about what they've been through," Tony agreed, nodding and heading toward the exit. "But you know we will all lend a hand to other old soldiers, if we can. Sometimes there are just too many and we just don't have enough in the tank to reach out every time."

"True that."

All things that Lillia could have imagined on her way to the site paled in comparison to what she actually found.  It took more time than she would have liked to get past the roadblocks while they checked her identification.  Guilt wracked her. She kept thinking that she should have been there even though she knew she would not have been able to protect anyone, not from this. Tears formed in her eyes when she saw Tony standing with someone else. It took her a moment to realize it was officer Lafeat. He wasn't wearing his uniform shirt and looked dirty and dishevelled.

Tony caught Lillia's scent before he saw her. He looked over and when he met her eye, he simply shook his head.  It would tell her everything she needed to know.   "Hell of a way to end a bad year," Tony said giving Lillia a hug. "Silver lining is that if Astrid hadn't gotten most of us out of there, the body count would have been so much worse."

Lillia pressed her forehead into Tony's chest for a moment. "I'm sure there will be a lot of I told you sos." She said softly with a sigh, then stepped back, setting her back as she looked around.  "You found them all?" she asked, even though she smelled them on him.  "How messy is it?"

Daniel noted the arrival of Lillia when he saw Tony's reaction. He nodded politely to Lillia as she approached. "Miss Lillia. It's good to see you again, I just wish it was under better circumstances. I will need to get some basic information from you but I will let you and Mr. Tony talk for a bit. I will be over there by my car when you are ready," he said softly motioning to where his car sat as he started to move away.

"I found them all," Tony said, the grief clear in his voice.  "And it's Miss Sumner, Daniel.  Not Miss Lillia.  You only get to call her that in an Antebellum setting.  Of course it might be the manners your Mama taught you.  Louisiana? "

"NOLA."

"New Oleans?   Went there-".  Tony faltered.  "Went there with my wife before I got deployed the first time," he said, his voice breaking just the tiniest bit.  "Nice city.  Lots of character.  Can't imagine how crazy it must get during Mardi Gras."

"If your idea of fun is large crowds, loud music, and free flowing alcohol then it can be a blast. When you are on the job," Daniel shook his head and let out a soft sigh. "It can be an absolute nightmare."

"Wasn't much of a fan of loud noises and flashing lights even before I became a rat," Tony said.  "You can imagine the fun I had over there.  No, even before I liked quiet places like museums and art galleries more than bars and concerts.  I enjoyed a drink as much as the next man but it had to be the right venue."

"NOLA has a wealth of museums and art galleries. If you ever want a private tour of the city I would be more than happy to oblige. It you will excuse me, I will let the two of you talk now."

Lillia laid a hand on Tony's arm, watching as Daniel stepped away.  "I doubt he's supposed to give us this much room, but it's appreciated. Are you okay? " Lillia asked Tony, concern in her voice. Even now he had that protective streak, correcting such a minor thing as calling her by her first name instead of her last. She should probably change her last name anyways, since her father had disowned her and her mother was dead, but that wasn't here nor there. She knew calling her to the scene was more courtesy than anything, anyways.

"As fine as I am likely to be," Tony said.  "It all just fell on them.  No flooding.  No drowning.  Just... crushed.  I hope it was fast.  I didn't smell a lot of fear.  They would have been rats when everything came down and changed back after... after they died."  Tony was one of Lillia's Alphas, had been her bodyguard, first unofficially and then officially.  He was a stable, dependable rat.  To hear his voice catch in his throat was heartbreaking.  He'd been homeless before his infection.  He knew what Carl and the others had gone through.  She knew that he was thinking that he'd failed them but it was nothing more than survivor's guilt.

Lillia closed her eyes for a moment, the grief fresh once more.  "I feel it too." She said softly. " We both know we couldn't have saved them if we had been here. We would have been just as dead, and then we wouldn't be able to protect anyone else.  All we can do now is make sure they are handled with as much respect as possible. " She gave his arm one more pat and headed towards Daniel. There was no point putting it off. The pain wouldn't get any better. Not right now. Maybe a long time from now, but they had just suffered too many losses lately.

Tony fell into step behind Lillia.  It was old habit. He too would do what was needed. After all, he'd been down the hole once. He would go down again, to help the coroner dig out the bodies.

Daniel might have given Miss Lillia and Mr. Tony space to talk but he had also kept an eye on them out of principle. Department policy dictated that he speak with each of the separately before allowing them to talk with each but he knew from these past few years working on the Preternatural Unit that they would need a few minutes together to ground themselves. He had already spoken to Mr. Tony anyways and  felt that he had already gotten all the information the distraught man had to offer. Leaning his back against the car, he waited for Miss Lillia and Mr. Tony to get done talking then straightened as they started to approach.

"Miss Lillia," he said with a small nod of his head. "I'm sorry we had to meet again under these circumstances. I know this is a difficult time for you but I do need some information.   If you could possibly provide me with the names of those who where below when this happened and any contact information for their families that you might have it would be appreciated." Daniel wasn't holding his breath of the contact information, it had been experience over the years that a large number of shifters were disowned by their biological families when they became infected, leaving them with only their shifter brethren as family. If that was the case here, he would have to inform Astrid as to the deaths and leave it up to her to inform the rest.

"Of course." Lillia said with a nod.  "Would you prefer an email or physical copy?  " Those who had stayed behind were their most vulnerable, so Lillia had made sure to get at least the basics of information. Name, contact info, she had even talked with most of them about how they had come to the rodere.  She had wanted to make sure they knew she wasn't abandoning them.  Much of the rest was on file, or known to the closest to them.  She felt guilty for not knowing everything, but the Rodere was so large, how could anyone know everything?

"Easy answer is that none of them were in contact with their bio families," Tony said.  "Some because their family couldn't deal, either with their mental illness or their lycanthropy.  We could reach out as a courtesy or we could let you do that, officer LaFeat."  He looked at Lillia.  "I'd ask you to delay that until we can make funeral arrangements.  Zed's family was die hard evangelical christians and they said he got lycanthropy because God was punishing him for his sins.  They'd give him a christian burial and he was an athiest.  He wanted to be cremated.  I'm not sure about the others.  Somebody will know."

"We might not have a choice. " Lillia said.  "I'm not sure exact legality here, but I imagine it's usually up to next of kin, right? Unless they are unidentified or next of kin can't be reached in a certain time.  It's not like many shifters have a will."

"An email will be fine. I will check into the whole 'who has legal jurisdiction' issue and will keep you informed as to what I find out so you will have that information for the future." Daniel was about to say something more when movement caught his eye. "Looks like the corners office just arrived. I'd better go talk with them and fill in whatever details I can."

"You do what you have to do," Tony said. As soon as Daniel was out of earshot, Tony lowered his voice. "If we want to honour Zed's wishes, we can't let his family find out," he whispered to Lillia, knowing no human could hear him. "Call him a John Doe. Or a Zed Doe.  We can claim the body when his family doesn't.  They just can't find out because I know that they will not respect his wishes."

Lillia nodded.  "All I can do is gather what information I can.  It's not my fault if I can't find the information.  "  She said with a shrug, then bumped against him softly.  Anyone who was watching would think they were comforting each other, and in a way, they were.    "We will take care of our own.   I will always do what's right for our family."

Tony wrapped his arms around Lillia. "That is why our family loves you," he said. "Astrid may be our queen but you will always be mine.  You have done so much for me.  I don't know if I will ever be able to pay it all back."  His Beast reacted to hers, returning the contact with definite deference. "Sad how we almost always end from violence. Just another cost of what we've become."
:
"Humans end the same way, they just have the numbers to hide it."  Lillia said.  "They forget they are just like us.  Their mask is prettier, as all.  They hide their atrocities behind righteousness and money, and break down their fellows with words and hatred.  That's what's sad.  This.. is sorrow.  This is mourning.  No violence occurred here, just a terrible accident.  I almost wish it was violence. Then there would be a villain to fight."

"City inspectors. Civil engineers. Hardly suitable villains," Tony said. "Given the age of the neighbourhood, whoever signed off on the construction is likely old and long retired or dead. Can't even blame them."

She sighed.  "No.  we really can't.  Let's oversee this mess and report to Astrid."

[Maxx]

December 11th - Downtown Seattle Jules and Kyle 11:00 pm
Jules couldn't help but notice the pep in Kyles step as they left the club. Kyle linked arms with the man as they made their way to their parked car.

Kyle looked up into the night sky. Admiring the weather as he looked at the large fluffy flakes that were slowly falling down on the city. He gave Jules arm a soft squeeze. " What a beautiful night.  Between the music and the snowfall,  I couldn't ask for much more in the ways of a perfect evening. I suppose it will get better since we're going back to your place so we can cuddle in front of the fire and I can perhaps tempt you with some homemade hot chocolate. Did you want traditional or Mexican?"

Jules conserved the question. "Mexican does have that extra heat," he said. "Yes, I think Mexican will do nicely to take the chill off, to replace the rose in our cheeks from cold with one from spice."  He lifted Kyle's hand to his lips. "I do so love it when you spoil me."
 
"We both have rather chaotic weekdays. You with your financial empire and myself trying to maintain a house full of leopards and a small business. Some might say apples to oranges, but we both put in the hours, so why not spoil yourself when you have a little free time." Kyle sighed contentedly. "I have to admit it was likely the closest to being in New Orleans that I'm ever to get. The music? Chef's kiss. While not something I indulge in often, I do admit that the Absinthe Frappé and Hurricanes we sampled were quite  lovely. For a couple of hours, I didn't feel like we were trapped in Seattle with this snow."

Kyle laced his fingers through Jules' as they strolled down the street in no particular rush. The music had energized Kyle and his mood was high and full of cheer. He was happy he wouldn't have to drive back to the farmhouse due to how heavy the show was coming down. The country roads would be quite slick, he thought to himself as he looked at his date and drank him in. Jules always looked good but there was something about him that evening that had Kyle stealing more arduous glances than normal. Perhaps it was the music or the candlelight setting or cocktails, he wasn't sure. "I will endeavor to make you a Mexican hot chocolate you won't forget. I also have a surprise I packed in my overnight bag and no cheating, leave Jeeves out of this. It isn't a huge surprise, just go with the flow and let me spoil you."

"Perish the thought," Jules said.  "What is the purpose of the surprise if it can be so easily spoiled?  I can guess, of course.  It is something that is not subject to damage from cold and given the fact that it is in your overnight bag, it is not liquid that is likely to leak.  So, I am going to guess that it is some form of home made jam."  He walked a little further, enjoying the silence that came with the heavy snow.  "I'm glad that you are spending the night.  Driving will be dangerous in this snow."

"It is not jam and I refuse to let you sway me into twenty questions. " Kyle smiled gently and let out a soft chuckle. "I  was thinking the same thing about the roads.     I'm so fortunate my boyfriend let's me come over for sleepovers even if he has to battle me ever time for Big spoon."

"Let's not start that fight until we need to," Jules began.  "I will have you know-"

"CHALICE!"

Jules turned towards the man who had yelled out his name.  He didn't recognize him.  "Can I help you?"

"You ruined my life, Chalice.  I have twins at home.  They have colic.  Neither my wife or I have been getting sleep."

Jules frowned.  "I'm afraid I don't understand-"

"You fired me.  I fell asleep at my desk.  And you fired me.  Now my wife has gone to live with her mother.  I'm losing everything because of you!"

"I didn't fire you," Jules said firmly.  "I don't even know who you are."  He has a gun.

"Of course you don't.  You don't know anyone who works for you.  But you set the rules.  I tried to get my manager to cut me a break but he just kept citing policy and guess who sets policy?"

Jules opened his arms, showing empty hands.  He was quite certain that he was in no danger.  "Policy is set to be more generous than the government requires.  I pay well above standard because I reward hard work and loyalty.  Benefits are above industry standard.  I do everything I can to make it easier on my employees.  But I do not oversee the minutae, the day to day operations.  That is why I have managers.  Have you appealed to Human Resources?"

"I can't afford a lawyer to appeal!  I've got nothing left!  You took it all from me!  You have no idea how hard it is to be a parent!"

Jules couldn't help but chuckle.  "And I never will.  Go home.  Get some sleep.  On Monday, things will look better.  You don't need a lawyer to appeal, you just need to call HR and request a review."

"I can't wait for an appeal.  The fired me saying it was with cause.  That means no severance.  My mortgage is due.  I'm going to lose my house!  You ruined my life!"

Jules shook his head.  He didn't have time for this.  "Perhaps you should have kept it in your pants."  He turned to walk away.

The shot seemed impossibly loud.  Maybe it was the snow.

Kyle had seen the man pull the gun from his pocket as Jules had turned to walk away. He had made his move to try to wrestle the gun from the man.  Kyle was fast due to being a leopard, but speed only got him so far as he closed the fifteen feet between the armed man, his hand clamping around the man's wrist as the gun went off. He didn't give it much thought as the shot rang out, his ears ringing as he tackled the man to the ground as he twisted the man's wrist enough to make him drop the gun.  With a free hand, he pushed the gun away from them across the snowy sidewalk so it wasn't in arm's reach.

"That was incredibly stupid," Kyle explained, his voice sounding lower and tighter than normal.  His body shook with rage as he kept the man pinned. He fought back against the urge to change. From the look on the man's face, Kyle could tell that at least on some instinctual level that the guy was aware that he wasn't entirely human. "Are you alright Jules? Tell me you aren't hit. This bastard tried to shoot you."

Jules's voice was calm and tight. "No, Kyle, I am uninjured. You, however are bleeding.  I'm calling the police and an ambulance."  Beneath his tight calm, Jules was seething.  Jeeves, as Kyle had dubbed his demon of knowledge, should have warned him about the danger. It had, to some degree, the ability to predict the future. How had it not predicted this?
The reason was obvious... Because he hadn't been in any danger. Kyle had protected him.

We are going to have a chat about this later.

"Yes, hello. I would like police to respond to a shooting. The shooter has been restrained. I was the target but I am not injured. I will be remaining on site as a witness and to press charges.  I don't know the man but he was recently fired from my business.  He announced this before shooting ."

Kyle craned his head over his shoulder as he lay a top the pinned man.  Jules could see that Kyle's eyes were narrowed, but under the street light he could see they were dilated. The round pupils were not present, replaced with large vertical slitted pupils.

"I have?" Kyle blinked looking genuinely confused as the man struggled and thrashed underneath him.

He was trying very hard to keep his leopard and emotions in check.  His voice shook  as he took in a deep breath his words were clipped  "Let them know I'm a were-leopard before they send anyone out.  Last thing I need is to be shot.  Again."  The last word was a baritone rumble as Kyle turned his attention back to the shooter he had pinned on the sidewalk.

"A were-leopard? What the fuck! Get off me.  I don't need your disease ridden blood all over me. Somebody help I'm being attacked by a shapeshifter! Get the fuck off me. HELP!" the shooter screamed as he vainly tried to push Kyle off.

"That is the least of your problems buddy," Kyle growled returning his full attention back on the man as he locked eyes with him.  He sighed, his nostrils flared as he breathed in slowly, his body taut against the pinned man.  He spoke softly, trying to ignore the enticing smell of fear, forgetting again in the  moment that the blood he smelled wasn't the shooter's but his. "I suggest you quit struggling so you don't trigger my change. screaming, thrashing and fear can really set us off. So for both of our sakes just lay here until the police arrive."

"I have advised that they dispatch the preternatural crimes unit," Jules said.  "And I will remind your prisoner that shapeshifters are not contagious while in human form.  His greatest danger, beyond his cell mate taking a liking to him, would be continuing to struggle and triggering a change."  A man moved towards Kyle.  Jules reached out to stop him.  "He's not being attacked, he's being restrained.  He attempted to shoot me.  The police are already on the way, No, don't touch the gun.  You might smudge the finger prints.  Are you trying to get arrested for obstruction of justice?  Because this is how you get arrested for obstruction of justice."

What a collection of cretins

"I AM PERFORMING A CITIZEN'S ARREST!"

A young couple stopped looking concerned as cell phones came out and began filming the entire scene in case something violent went down. They began asking questions about who everyone was and who the shifter was and what type of shifter they were dealing with. They had missed everything up to the point of just seeing someone on top of a screaming man and another well-dressed man arguing that nothing was amiss. After the announcement of a citizen arrest, they absolutely were not going to leave.

Jules answered but gave no names.  He did ask for the couple's names, in case the police might want to see the videos they were taking.  He kept an eye on Kyle, wondering how badly he had been hurt.  After a moment, he pulled out his handkerchief and knelt in the slush beside the wereleopard.  "I'm going to put pressure on the wound, to try and stop the bleeding," he said.  "No attempting to play the stoic and refusing any assistance."

Jules was surprised to see that the back of Kyle's suit jacket was dry when he inspected further.  The shooter still struggled under Kyle, but it was clear that as they were leopards lay pressed against him, his will to fight was flagging.   

Kyle winced as he felt the man spit in his face and closed his eyes. He felt Jules fingers tentatively inspecting his back.

 "How bad is it?" He asked Jules, not entirely sure if he wanted to know. Adrenaline and cortisol flooded his body, as he tried to stay calm. "I can feel it now. Likely laying here and trying to keep this bellend from running. It feels really hot and itchy not sure if that is normal or not considering its's my first time being shot."

 Kyle kept his eyes closed and swallowed slowly, working to keep his cat calm and trying to present the least scary and intimidating front as he could. He had spotted the cellphones being pulled out, and he refused to give anyone a show. "Are you sure you are okay?" There was a saying that no new was bad news as far as things that could end up on the internet. But he did not want to end up on the internet looking like a monster to the public or have Jules dragged into some drama.

"I'm fine," Jules said.  "You're the only one who got hit.  There is no exit wound, so likely it is a small calibre and didn't make it through that muscular chest of yours.  Just breathe.  You've likely been hurt worse taking a roast out of the oven.  Your ears are better than mine.  Can you hear the sirens?"  Jules looked at the shooter.  "You are going to lie still and wait for the police.  Spitting on him is just going to add more charges to a growing list. "  There was so much he wanted to say to the man but he wasn't going to unleash his vitriol on camera.  No, he would wait and he would exact his revenge on the fool later.  NO ONE hurt his Kyle.  The thought and the depth of feeling behind it surprised him.

Kyle licked his lips and nodded as Jules explained the situation, but slowly shook his head. "No sirens yet. Should be soon. Small caliber is good. It means you don't need to worry."

"If you two are done being gay it be great if you could get off me. I promise I won't run. I just want you stop bleeding on me. I can barely breathe." the shooter snarled.

Jules didn't say that the man was fortunate that there were witnesses.  "Given the volume of your vitriol, you are having no trouble breathing," Jules said tightly.  "But by all means, provide further evidence of your hate crimes."  He looked around.  "You.  The one in the red hat.  Keep an eye out for the police or ambulance and wave them down when they arrive, so they know where they are going.  You have my sincere appreciation."

The ambulance pulled up behind the police car about seven minutes later. Officer Daniel LaFeat for the Seattle preternatural Crimes unit was with an officer Kyle had never seen before.   Ambulance attendants busted out a stretcher and multiple things started happening at once. Officer LaFeat talked to Jules, Kyle, and the shooter while the other cop started talking to the witnesses, while the Daniel diffused the scene and made sure it was safe for the ER techs to come and examine Kyle.

Daniel was just minutes away from walking out the door and heading home when the phone at his desk rang. "Detective LaFeat," he answered. He listened for a moment than picked up a pen and grabbed a small note pad. "Give me the location," was all he said. He hung the phone up, grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair, pulled open his bottom desk drawer, pulled his service weapon out and slid it into his holster as he started for the stairs leading down to the rear of the building. "Chang get a move on, we have a shooting. Victim is one of the leopards."

The two officers arrived on the scene where a small crowd had gathered. He could see a man standing tall within the midst of the crowd and figured that that was their caller.  Making his way through the crowd he saw a man on the ground struggling to get out from under another man who was on top of him. The man who was on top of the other one was one he recognized almost immediately, Kyle Martin.

"Mr. Martin. You can release him now. Officer Chang would you please do the honors of cuffing our shooter and escorting him to one of the waiting cruisers?"

Daniel turned his attention to the EMT's who were now on scene. "Your patient's name it Kyle Martin. He is a member of the local Leopard Pard. He is an Alpha so he has tight control of his ability to change and you are in no danger. I will call ahead to the UW Medical Center and make sure the have the appropriate staff on hand when you arrive."

Next Daniel turned his attention to the man who was standing. He recognized the man as Jules Chalice. "Mr. Chalice. My name is Detective LaFeat of the Seattle Police Depatment. I would like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind."

Chang helped the alleged shooter to his feet.  "Sir, if you will turn around and put your hands behind your back please?  I'm placing you under arrest.  You have the right to remain silent..."

"I am aware of who you are, detective," Jules said, as he watched the EMTs examining Kyle.  "This is not my first encounter with the preternatural crimes unit, although I am not considered part of the preternatural community in Seattle.  Needless to say, I will be pressing as many charges as may be found to be applicable in this circumstance.  I was specifically targeted, by name.  Kyle Martin interposed and is the only reason that I am not the one lying on the ground."

Kyle rolled off the man and sat on the sidewalk as the attendants from the ambulance tried to talk to him. The police were on the scene. He blinked, trying to stay focused as the attendants asked him how he was doing while also trying to pay attention to the cop before him.  Not as familiar as Suki, but he was the officer assigned to Justin's shooting case from back in the spring. There had been an update that Officer LaFeat had found the burned out remains of the truck that had been involved in his pard mates shooting.

Kyle reached down to touch his stomach area just below the rib his hand came away red. Could he stand and get up on a stretcher? He nodded numbly as he forced himself to his feet, and the crowd watched him lose all color in his face. The attendants helped get Kyle onto a stretcher. Kyle winched but tried to retain his composure as the attendants began to wheel him to the truck.  "Where are you taking me?" Kyle asked his voice sounding crackly.

"UW Medical Center - Northwest, unless you insist it is somewhere else," the blonde female attendant replied.

"Can you tell my partner and the officers I think they might need to talk to me for statements," Kyle murmured as they began loading him up.

"Not a problem, Hon. We need to let them know anyhow.  Job perks. You just lay back here and relax as best as you can while my partner gets some pads on that wound. Sit tight, be back in two shakes of a lambs' tale. He is going to ask some questions about you and your medical history while I'm out being the diplomat."

Kyle did as he told and watched as the perky blonde hopped off the back of the truck and sought out Jules and the police.

Daniel just nodded at Mr. Chalice's pronouncement. "If you don't mind stepping over there for just a few minutes while we talk." He gestured to a spot just a few yards away but farther back from where they were standing hoping to give them a little more privacy. "I will be with you in just a minute. I need to call into UW Medical and make sure they know that Mr. Martin is inbound."

"I will do as required," Jules answered.  "But I would like to accompany Mr Martin in the ambulance if possible.  Otherwise I would request a ride to the hospital.  I'm not exactly what I would call in any condition to pay attention to the traffic.  Lucid and sober enough to either drive or offer a statement certainly but too distracted to drive."

"Officer Chang and I can give you a ride to the hospital. I will need to talk with the medical staff and Mr. Martin as well if the doctors agree that he is in decent enough condition at the time to give a statement," Daniel replied. He took two steps to the side and made the call to UW Medical, giving them as much information as he could.

Jules waited for Daniel to finish, his eyes on Chang and the shooter.  He'd need to check with his HR department to find out what had happened.    Then he would rain as much hell down upon the man as he possibly could, without implicating himself.

That would be a considerable amount of hell.

Daniel finished his call and returned to where Mr. Chalice was waiting. He started with the standard questions that were asked of any and every eye witness; full name, the relationship with the victim, their reason for being in the area, etc. Then he got down to the nuts and bolts of things. "Can you tell me in your own words what you witnessed tonight? Please do not leave out any details no matter how small or inconsequential they may seem." He waited for Mr. Chalice to give his statement with pen and note book at the ready.

[Maxx]

"Mr Martin and I had just left the club and were heading to where we had parked," Jules began.  "We were discussing where things were going to go next, when I heard my name not just being called out but being screamed.  I didn't recognize the man but he claimed I ruined his life, explaining that he had colicky twins and neither he not his wife were sleeping.  Obviously I had no idea what he was talking about.  Then he said I'd fired him for falling asleep at his desk.  I own the company, detective LaFeat.  I don't fire people.  I have departments that handle that.  He continued to explain why it was my fault that he'd lost his job and refused to listen to any advice that I offered.  I turned to walk away because up to that point I wasn't aware that he had a gun.  Kyle saw it and threw himself on the man, trying to get the gun before he could shoot me.  He ended up taking a bullet and even then he pinned he man down and held him until you arrived.  I had to declare that I was going to make a citizen's arrest, in order to stop people from trying to pull Kyle off of him.  When I realized Kyle had been shot, I applied pressure and asked someone to guide your cruiser and the ambulance in."

"And how many people knew where you would be tonight?"

"No one except my bodyguards," Jules answered. "And if they had been here, I suspect your prisoner might have faced stiffer resistance. I asked them to stay away because I wanted a quiet date night with Kyle.  Just the two of us.  No one should have known where we were. "

"Did you notice any vehicles that seemed to be following you? Maybe a vehicle parked on the street near your home or office that you didn't recognize?"

"No," Jules answered. "I suspect I would have noticed a family man's car parked nearby. It would not have fit the neighbourhood. "

"Did Mr. Martin drive the two of you in his vehicle or did the two of you take one of your own vehicles? Or did you arrive at the club separately?"

"No," Jules answered.  "Kyle drove my car. He usually drives a van, So I like to indulge him."

"And where do you usually keep your vehicle? Is it ever in an area that the general public has access to?"

"My building is quite secure." Jules paused, as if listening to a voice Daniel couldn't hear.  "I suspect this was a crime of opportunity.  He might have been down here to drown his sorrows with the intention of ending his own life and saw me.  Instead of eating a bullet, he decided to try and  feed me one.  Could we complete this conversation on the way to the hospital?"

"Of course." Daniel led the way back to the car, gathering up Officer Chang as they went. "Would you be willing to allow our CSI team to go over your vehicle? Just on the off chance that there is something that could tell us if this man was tracking you or if, as you said, it was just a chance encounter on his part."

"Of course," Jules agreed.  "It's a black 1994 Jaguar XJS, parked in the public lot two blocks west.  Kyle has the keys but if necessary, I could have someone bring them out."

The ambulance made its way to the hospital and after sometime talking with Daniel he was eventually satisfied with the answers that Jules had given him. He had also gotten to have a chance to interview Kyle on his side of the story while he patiently waited in the hallway for a doctor eventually see him.

Jules on the other hand had almost as many questions for Daniel as the preternatural crimes unit officer had for him. "Is it really necessary for you to turn the forensic techs loose on my car?" he asked. "Do you really expect this man to have planted a bomb or a tracking device? It's not like he could have had access to my private parking area, nor would he have been able to know where I was this evening. It's not like he has access to my personal calendar.  I don't even know his name. My company is quite large. I don't know the names of the majority of the employees because I had nothing to do with their hiring."

Daniel and Officer Chang  asked some more questions as they drove Mr. Chalice to the hospital. All of them were just basic questions that they would have asked anyone else involved in a similar situation. They were able to obtain the keys to the Jag from Mr. Martin and Daniel handed them off to a uniformed officer with explicit instuctions to meet the flatbed wrecker back at the parked vehicle and to accompany it to the forensics garage.  He stepped outside for a moment to call the forensics department to alert them that the car was incoming and give them some very basic instruction as to what he was potentially looking for. While he was outside he also made a quick call out to the Leopards home to alert Morvan that Mr. Martin had been shot, what hospital he was at, stressing the fact that the Leopard was not the intended target but had taken a bullet in defense of his companion.

"On my way," was all Daniel got from Morvan.

Kyle held his side keeping pressure on the entry wound that assured him that to his knowledge I did not have any enemies that he knew of and had not been aware of anybody following them, suspecting that it was just a case of being in the wrong but at the wrong time. He did however find it ironic that he was the second leopard to be shot that year and how to admit that I certainly was a spot of bad luck.  The only good part of luck Kyle was seeming to have that evening, was that caliber of bullet used in the crime was likely a smaller caliber since it had not exited his body.  Admittedly he wasn't likely going to bleed out while having to wait see a doctor be hospital hallway.  Several people laying and wait it was a busy night within the hospital walls it would seem.  Kyle was thankful to have Jules by his side however while he patiently waited tried his best to not worry the man despite the fact that he was in a fair amount of pain.

"Stop trying to put on a brave face," Jules chided. "I know that you are in pain. I'd offer you a hand but you'd feel even worse if a spasm hit and you did anything that you thought might hurt me. Notice I said thought .  You, my dear, think far more about others than you do about yourself. Here is a small piece of advice.  When lying on a gurney in a hospital hallway, with a bullet hanging out in your innards, you are permitted to be selfish."

Jules took Kyle's hand and kissed it, earning the two of them a knowing smile from a nearby orderly.  "Due to where I sit in the pecking order, it is what I do. I look out and care for others." He gave Jules a tight smile as he gently ran his thumb over the man's hand. "I chose to be stoic rather than rolling around and screaming. It does hurt. It's burny and itchy."  Kyle paused to scratch his free hand, letting the pressure off his wound for a moment. Jules noted that the padding and gauze was almost at the point of needing to be replaced.   "You don't have to wait here Jules. I can notify you when they are done here. There really isn't a reason to have to stand out here all night with me. I promise I wont die on you tonight." He laughed softly as he looked up at Jules.

When Kyle tried to dismiss him, he scoffed. "I didn't leave until I knew Justin was going to be fine. Do you really think I'm going to leave you alone to be the stoic, bearing up bravely under such trying circumstances?  Besides, the police ran off with my car. I need to wait for a ride. And no, I called Altair rather than Justin, so your secret is, for the moment, still safe. How long that lasts is subject to change without notice because detective LaFeat has called Morvan."

"Lovely." Kyle said sagging. "I'm not a child and it isn't his business to tell is it? Him calling is just going to stir a hornet's nest and have everyone panic. Besides, they have work tomorrow morning putting in the OT to finish those last two houses and the drywall for that survey contract. Need I mention they would displace the girls because lord knows if Morvan comes Michael will want to as well. Especially after what happened to Seren, he will refuse to leave Katie and Leslie alone. This cannot be how they run things. Sure if I was dead or unconscious, but I swear to God he better not be calling him. "

Kyle grimaced, a hint of a growl to his voice as he let out a soft hiss. The stress of the current situation had made him tense and had his blood pressure rising, causing his wound to bleed a little more. " Can you hunt him down for me, Jules? Tell him I don't consent to him contacting Morvan. As a liaison and 2nd in command in our group, he has no business calling anyone else on that list. My contact for medical emergencies is Brandy, for Pete's sake. Clearly it's a case of overexcited because it was likely a dead night, but he isn't getting how we do things, Jules. Sure, if I was a sub and unconscious, but this is too much. I need him to take a chill pill. I know he likely thinks he's doing what's best because he cares. He wears his heart on his sleeve, bless the man, but I don't want or need the entire house here in this hallway in the next hour."  Kyle's brown furrowed as he tried to lick his lips but found his mouth dry. "Because if he makes that call we will have a hallway of leopards and if we have that it means we have Leslie and Katie in here - Two subs with a bunch of sick, scared and bleeding folks all-over the place. Just tell him that please, I'm sure he will understand if you break it down like that. It's what's best and safest for everyone."  If he hadn't been told to wait on the gurney, he would have slipped off it to chase down LaFeat himself.

Little did Kyle know LaFeat has already made the call it was going to be an interesting morning.

"Instead of tracking down Mr LaFeat, there is an easier way to deal with this."  Jules pulled out his phone.

"Hello, Mr Saberhair.  This is Jules Chalice.  I am with Kyle in the hospital.   A former employee of mine intended to shoot me with a small calibre handgun.  Kyle intervened.  He's in pain and rather annoyed but otherwise in no danger. His injury is superficial.  He insists that there is no need for you to come by.  Of course.  I'm with him now."  Jules held out his phone.  "He wants to talk to you."

Kyle took the phone gingerly with his free hand,  "Kyle here. Talk to me Morvan."

"What happened?" Morvan asked.  Kyle could hear Morvan's truck idling; he'd clearly pulled over to take the call.  "All LaFeat said was you'd take a bullet for Jules.  Well, he didn't say Jules specifically.  He said companion. He also didn't say how badly you were hurt.  So this is a case of him pulling the trigger when he didn't need to?  Sorry, no pun intended.  Are you okay?  Do you need me to come down?  You sound a little distressed but I'm assuming you aren't in need of me coming down and helping to keep your Beast under control or you would have either called me yourself or had Jules call me."  Morvan chuckled.  "Sorry not sorry.  Just relieved that you aren't as bad as Justin was.  Maybe you should tell Jules that we aren't in the habit of catching this many bullets.  This year has been a record breaker."

"If I ramble, apologies in advance, I think the shock is wearing off. Yes I'm shot. It's not fatal because I'm talking to you on the phone. Small caliber. No it wasn't meant for me. Yes it hurts, It's still in me, and they will have to send me up for x-rays. Then I'm likely going to have to lay here while they fish around and dig it out of me for evidence because it didn't exit the body. Am I down a pint or two, I know how Brandy must feel on the regular at work. Thanks, I hate it. Officer Lafeat likely called you in case I lost consciousness or something. I'm still leaking my have to get another pad at this rate, but I'm here just sore and cranky. For the love of god, don't have everyone come down if there has to be someone, just you is enough. I know if you let it slip Michael would be here with the girls and- and you know the rest, I'm going to shut up, Kyle said as he lifted his hand from the pad on his side to see it was soaked.  He let out a soft chuckle, wondering why he thought it would be so funny that he had to change his pad. Likely due to the connotations of hearing it in his house from the girls. Alright, maybe he was a little more messed up than he wanted to admit.  Blood loss was making him a bit careless with his word choices or his inner thoughts at the very least. "If you want to call Officer LaFeat back, you're welcome to if he needs you for something, but honestly I don't really see the need for it. I was thinking once I get this out, and they can stop the bleeding and stitch me up, I was going to just take the weekend to rest at Jules. So I could come back without everyone freaking out at the farmhouse. It wasn't a targeted attack with me in mind. Just was in the way, was all."

"You're gone for the weekend anyway," Morvan said.  "Trust me, I've been hearing the moaning since I got home from work.  I'm going to trust you on this one.  Hopefully they won't need to do too much cutting to reopen the wound to get the bullet out.  Give me a call or have Jules give me a call if you need anything."  There was a short pause.  "Kyle, why are you still bleeding?  Shouldn't you be clotting by now?"

"Yeah, I thought that too, but I'm still leaking." he said, laughing nervously. "Pretty sure it bounced off a rib or two. I'm breathing, which means it didn't mess up a lung, at least. Considering it is a first time for getting shot, I'm not sure how fast something like that should heal. It burns and itches a fair amount if I'm not candy coating things. The only damage I've ever had to deal with is claws and teeth if we are being honest."

"Burning and itching..." Morvan paused again.  "Did that fucker shoot you with a silver bullet?"

"I-I don't know. I've never had the misfortune of having it in me, so I can't give you a forthcoming answer on that Morvan. If you've ever been shot, maybe you can tell me how long it was before you stopped bleeding. Justin didn't exactly stop when he was shot, and we had to drive him to the hospital, but then again he did eat a shotgun blast versus a tiny bullet. Apples and oranges, am I right. I'm sure I'm getting off pretty lightly in comparison," Kyle said, trying to keep his tone light as his eyes flicked over to check on Jules as well as the hallway to see if either of the officers were coming back to question him.   He hoped that the questioning would wrap up before they had to cut and fish the bullet out of him. He wasn't so sure how he would fair when they tried to take it out. The fewer people in the room, the safer it would be for everyone.

"Tell the doctor that you suspect it might be silver," Morvan said.  "If it is, changing with that thing in there is going to be a bitch, so you need to get it out. Healing isn't going to happen, because your body will treat injuries from silver like you were still human.  If you need me to come in and keep you down while they fish it out, let me know, because they won't know what sort of anaesthetic to use or how much."

"Well shit." Kyle said, looking a little dumbfounded. "Silver hadn't crossed my mind. Maybe Officer LaFeat wasn't jumping the shark. I'd like to think my control is pretty good but, possibly having you here as back up just in case might be an idea. I just feel bad that you'd be short-changing yourself on sleep. I suppose it might be good to err on the side of caution. If it is just you and not the whole fam that might be alright. Did you want to text Michael to let him know that you've had to step out but that you will be meeting at work late then? He will likely want to escort the girls to work this morning at the very least."

"I can certainly let Michael know," Morvan agreed.  "And I can probably catch a cat nap in the hospital.  I mean really, you were shot.  Check the chart.  That means you'll need to wait between four and six hours before someone will come to see you.  And nurses don't count.  I don't know, maybe have Jules show the staff his wallet and anybody who can lift it gets the contents but anyone who tries has to work on you first."  Kyle could hear the engine revving up as Morvan pulled back into traffic.  "Twenty minutes.  Forty tops, assuming everyone remembers how to drive in this slushy shit.  See you soon."

"Will do. Drive safe." Kyle said as he hung up the phone and let out a sigh. "Likely aren't in a huge rush because of the disclosed shifter status and also because my medical insurance is, how do we say no frills. After all, when you have lycanthropy, you tend to not have to go out on insurance packages for yourself or your employees if you all go fuzzy every month," Kyle teased the smile however didn't reach his eyes, he looked exhausted and a little worried that he was going to be waiting a while. The prospect of six hours suddenly felt a little demoralizing, as the endorphins from the shock were wearing off. Part of him wished he was just somewhere a little more quiet with less foot traffic and noise around, but he didn't want to be a prima donna about anything and knew he was being ridiculous. He just needed to be patient.  Kyle licked his lips again, having forgotten how dry his mouth was, and he frowned, slightly annoyed with himself. "Thank you for letting me use your phone." He said, passing the cellphone back to Jules. "I had no clue you had Morvan's number." He watched Jules take his phone back as he forced himself to lay back down on the gurney as he stared up at Jules. "Are you sure you are going to be alright? Anything I can do to distract you?"

"I think perhaps it would be best if I distracted you," Jules said.  He smiled slightly, then turned his head as if listening to a voice Kyle couldn't hear.  The wereleopard had learned over time that in cases like that, he was most likely listening to Jeeves.  "He's one of Justin's emergency contacts," he said after a moment.  "They won't let you have anything to drink, of course but I can always see if I can get you some ice to suck on."  His lips twitched again.  "As long as you promise to spit, rather than swallow."

Kyle took Jules hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm versatile like that," he said giving a wink as he laughed then winced again letting his hand drift back up to his rib area. His face grew more serious as the Kyle paled some. "Can you do me a solid Mr. Chalice? If I accidentally drift off and have a nap or pass out, to be on the safe side, can you ask the doctors to check me for silver? Morvan's got some concerns. Be nice to you know..." Kyle blinked his eyes a couple of times. "Ease the concerns," he said after a moment of fumbling for the right phrasing.

"Are you having difficulty focusing, Kyle?" Jules asked.  "A change in your level of awareness is worrisome.  Shall I get a nurse, both to prevent more of your blood from leaking out and to check your vitals?"

Kyle gave Jules a weak wave off. "I'm fine I'll live, but a pad might be nice, then again they might be all that will be five grand for the ultra absorbent maxi pad sir. Maybe I hang back for a bit." Kyle laughed, but it was soft. "If I start leaking onto the floor, then we can be concerned.  Don't give me that face, you have a way of knowing when things are going to semi suck. Do you think I'm in trouble, or can I not be a Karen and insist on having the staff treat me like it is a five-star resort? Everyone waiting in this halls sick and has something wrong with them." Kyle with his free hand drew his dress jacket closer around himself as he shut his eyes. He didn't even care that the Suit jacket was wet anymore. He just wanted his head to stop hurting, everything was so loud and bright.  "Patience, my sweet man. I'm just going to close my eyes for a few, Jules. I hate fluorescent lighting at the best of times, it give me headaches. Morvan will be here soon," he softly murmured. "We will get out of here soon. Officer Lafeat will get his bullet and then we can go home. Did you want to see if they are done with us? Could you get an incident card for me,  Jules, I forgot to ask."

Officer Chang let out a sigh as he sat in the cruiser doing paper work,  There had been many witnesses and several that had promised to send footage and videos. It was wise to review notes.  Daniel had done most of the interviewing of Kyles and Jules and was still in the hospital with the pair of men. Given seniority, Daniel had him by  several months. He was after all the newest addition to the team. A team where a third of it had been dashed out back at the end of October. Scott wasn't unused to following orders, as he had done a stint in the Navy, but he was aware that the job was starting to feel like they were spread too thin. Without Thompson and Polanski around. Sure, they could request an extra unit from the beat cops on duty if they weren't tied up. But things had changed.   Scott pulled out his phone, asking Daniel how long he figured he would need to do his interviewing, as they still had a perp to take into the station. If he was going to be a bit still with Jules and Kyle, he was more than happy to drop off the shooter and take care of things on that end. He could and would be happy to circle around after it was done and even maybe with a coffee for his partner.

Jules ignored Kyle's instructions, flagging down a nurse and mentioning both the blood and Kyle's change in awareness. Morvan's arrival would do much to keep Kyle settled and could not come soon enough. The police were doing what they did but that didn't mean Jules appreciated their presence. He wanted Kyle to recover and their presence and insistence on recovering the bullet was doing much to prevent that. He wasn't all that happy about his car being hauled away. The shooter would never have had a chance to place either a tag or a bomb.   He'd deliberately not asked Jeeves who the man was; when the police asked him, it would seem suddenly suspicious if he now knew who the man was, when he had previously denied all awareness.

Daniel returned to the hospital after finishing his call and sending the uniformed officer off with the keys to Mr Chalice's car with strict instructions that the officer was to accompany the car to the evidence garage and to remain with the vehicle until he was relieved. "I think I have all the information that I need for now. If there is anything an officer will be in contact with you," he said to the two men. "One thing you might want to consider is to have one of your companies IT experts do a forensic deep dive into all of your electronic devices just to rule out any sort of tampering or tapping. I know it is a long shot but with what happened tonight you can't be to carefull," he said to Mr. Chalice. With a nod of his head and a final good bye he left the two men alone. "Let's get back to the station," he said to Officer Chang as he slid into the car.

Scott nodded, "Let's blow this pop stand, as my Pops used to say." The younger of the two officers revved the car and drove out off the hospital property in hopes that when they returned to the station they could see if they could sit in for the shooters interrogation. Maria had a soft touch with perps, where as Thurgar liked to play hard ball. It was always educational to watch the two supervisors work. Scott could only hope that the shooter hadn't decided to clam and lawyer up.  But before they hit the station, the need for caffeine was an absolute must, as both he and Daniel had thoroughly voiced their opinions on the instant coffee at work being the bottom of the barrel choices. If they had any say in the matter. How Thurgar or Celes stomached the work coffee was beyond his comprehension.

                                                            *    *    *

Eight hours from when Kyle was rolled in, he was finally discharged. He looked exhausted and ashen as he didn't argue with Morvan or Jules about being wheeled out to the parking lot.

Morvan had been in the room with medical staff and him as he explained that this would help reduce any chances of him shifting while they went into the wounds to remove the bullet as well as any fragments. Be they bone or lead. With the X-rays on hand the staff went in while Kyle was awake using local anesthesia on the areas to retrieve the evidence.

Justin stood outside the  hospital with the car ready for Jules and Kyle. It was an interesting way to start his shift, but he kept his face neutral and did his job, staying professional, and refused to be over emotional as it would be a bad look in front of his boss. No doubt Kyle would not appreciate it. He was heartbroken to have been filled in by Altaire and Keid that Jules and Kyle had waved off the security detail for the night. Had any one of them been present or at least there waiting in the car to pick them up at the door, perhaps all of this would have been avoided.

Kyle gently thanked Morvan as he eased himself into the car and once again asked that Morvan held off on the announcements of what had happened until he came back home. He would opt to stay at Jules for the weekend to recover, as to not have everyone in a state of stress and worry.

Justin was as careful as he could be on the drive back.  He remained silent, his eyes trained on the road as he proactively eased his way into the morning traffic. He made his planned drive back, opting to take a slightly longer drive back but opting for the roads that were less bumpy or in need of work.

In the back seat Kyle let out a sigh as he sat beside Jules, he gently rested his head against Jules shoulder as his one hand rested on his knee. He gave Jules knee a gentle squeeze. "You've been a trooper."

"Do you encourage yourself like that often?" Jules asked facetiously.  "Of the two of us, you have been, by far, the most stoic.  Once we're home, I can tuck you in to bed, so you can get some rest.  You will have to resort to eating my chef's cooking, because you are not going to be cooking for me until you are back to full health.  And you can't fool me.  I can see your health bar.  You're well below half."

[Maxx]

Kyle smiled against Jules neck. "Every day, yes. You have to be a trooper to take care and manage a house full of were-leopards. You are certainly all jokes. My health bar is below half... It won't be for long, now that they got the bloody bullet fragments out of me. Can't believe the nut job was using silver glazed rounds. Paranoid much? Still, there isn't any need to fret despite the bullet hitting and ricochetting off my ribs. It will all be good in a couple of days, less if I shift, but I don't see a need to have to do that. Especially not in front of you at your place. A small blessing, I heal faster than the average Joe."

"Why don't you and Justin take some time tomorrow and do what comes naturally?" Jules asked.  "I will be well protected.  There is certainly enough meat available.  Just in case you didn't want to change alone or assumed that I'd be unguarded or unsafe.  There is certainly enough room to roam in leopard form.  I have three shapeshifters on staff.  I've made accommodations."

"No. That won't be necessary. I know you will be safe. I know you are worried, but I'll be up and mobile for tomorrow. There is zero need to subject you to a change unless you absolutely insist on us going to do racket ball tomorrow morning," Kyle assured him despite tensing slightly when he offered to have him shift with Justin.  There was no need for Jules to have to lay eyes on him in animal form. Jules might be fine with the idea but if Kyle had his way Jules would never be around him in animal form. Even if the risk was small he wouldn't chance it.

"I've already cancelled racquet ball,"  Jules said.  He canted his head slightly as if listening.  "But if you think you will recover fully without changing, you are the expert on yourself.  Are you hungry at all?  I can have Justin pull and get you something.  Or I can call ahead and have a sandwich waiting for you."

"I'm alright. Likely just need some sleep, and after I wake up I will be ravenous. Meat will be on the menu after I rise. I apologize in advance for the fact you will likely see me put away more than normal meal wise, but healing does require energy." Kyle rubbed Jules leg, "Aside from the getting shot thing, last night was quite lovely. If it soothes your nerves, I would be down for something to drink when we get in. I am down in the liquids department, but I am quite capable of raiding your fridge and finding something to drink without setting your chef off to concoct something. What about yourself, are you hungry? You haven't had anything to eat or drink since we were at the Jazz Alley?"

Jules smiled.  "Even in this state, you are trying to take care of me.  Let me take care of you, just this once.  I'll even not fight over who gets to be big spoon while we nap."

"Fine I'll have whatever you are having." Kyle sighed in defeat, "I can tell you won't back down from it, but you have to be exhausted after the evening we've had. After all someone tried to kill you and you have had to slum it in a hospital while you waited for the doctors to dig a bullet out of your boyfriend. Does this surrender of caretaker mode please you? I don't think you realize how hard it is to let go of those reins."

"Oh, I know," Jules answered.  "You have no idea how much I enjoy these small victories."

"Don't get too used to it." Kyle grumbled softly."You are so being Little spoon when we crawl into bed after breakfast."

"Oh, I won't.  It would reduce the enormity of my joy if i came to expect it.  And I have already surrendered that position.  You do recall me just saying that I would not fight over who gets big spoon?"  Jules rubbed his cheek against Kyle's shoulder in a rather remarkable display of catlike scent marking.  "I'm just glad that you will recover."

He kissed the top of Jules head after the affectionate nuzzle. The thought of what might haven't happened if Kyle hadn't intercepted and if Jules had taken the bullet made Kyle  slip his arm around Jules, holding him against his body. His fingers gently massaged his shoulder as he did his best to chase the ' what if ' images of Jules, fragile and human, bleeding out on the sidewalk or being  vulnerable to taking more than just a single bullet.  His inner leopard snarled softy as it paced inside him. He had to agree with the cat, he didn't very much like that thought at all.

 "And I am just glad you are safe and well." Kyle said, his voice a husky whisper. "We got lucky today. We are never going to have a repeat of this  when I am around. I'm sorry I talked you into not having security. I think it never really fully registered that you needed it. So many times it's a case of people being paranoid. It isn't like you are abroad, where violence and kidnapping break out on the regular. Forgive me for being such an insistent ass. I never imagined you would have some random asshole decide to pull a gun and shoot you because your paths just happened to cross."

Jules almost asked if Kyle was suggesting that it would have been better if Justin had been shot again but wisely chose not to.  "It was certainly an unexpected anomaly," he said instead.   "Normally I get warning of such things.  This time I did not."

"Well, Jeeves certainly was a shit tonight, I don't contest that. However, there is a silver lining about all of this." Kyle replied as he noted they were returning to Jules house. "I suppose you could call it a silver lining..."

"Calling the silver foil that lined the bullet wound is not what is typically what they mean when they say silver lining," Jules said.  "Oh, by the way, Justin, once we've parked, I need you to contact IT.  Have them scan all my personal electronics for malware, spyware and tracking software and when they find nothing, have them report that to officer Daniel LaFeat of the preternatural crimes unit.  And arrange to have the Jaguar picked up at the police station.  If it is in pieces, have a mechanic brought in and send the city the bill."

"Of course sir." Justin replied as he turned into the driveway.

As Justin parked the car, Kyle chuckled softly as he still had his arm around Jules. "Not what I mean't, but I guess the silver lining for me is that I think I can  say that what we have been doing since the summer has been elevated to another level, " Kyle whispered into Jules ear. "I don't get shot up for men I semi enjoy hanging out with, or even just kind of vibe with.  Welcome to the inner circle of ' I care about you enough that I'd take a bullet for you'. It is a small and honored circle. I'm trusting you. " Kyle didn't add the 'to not make me regret it.' It was after all an unspoken thing. It had been a very long time for Kyle to let his guard down in a relationship. Was it a horrid idea to proclaim such things after the night he had? Only time would tell. However, there was definitely a line that had been crossed for the pair of them. It had changed things and opened eyes for each of them as far as Kyle was concerned, he hoped Jules felt the same way.

Jules was silent for a long second before turning and giving Kyle a chaste kiss. "No one has ever been willing to take a bullet for me unless they were being paid to do so," he said softly. "That level of trust and commitment is a rare and wonderful thing."

Kyle chuckled as he and Jules made their way into the house as he made his way to Jules bedroom. "Let's just hope it is an isolated incident. I have zero desire for this to become habitual," he explained.  He gingerly removed his pants, staring at the blood. One suit destroyed and beyond salvaging, but it was a small price to pay for saving a life.  Kyle looked down at his chest at the dissolving stitches they had used on him. They already were starting to itch slightly. "Shower first?"

                                              *   *   *

When Jules rose from his sleep, he was greeted by Justin who indicated that he had a package arrive in the mail. The box was of course sitting on the living room coffee table for him to open at his pleasure.  With Altair and Keid soon coming in for the night, Justin gave Jules a nod and updated him on the car situation. He explained that he managed to bring the car home and that it was not in fact in several pieces. The early release had to be a good indication that there had been no evidence of the car being tampered with in Justin's eyes, despite the police refusing to give him any details.  The young sandy haired wereleopard chatted with Jules about the day's itinerary but broke the veneer of professionalism to ask Jules a question. The times Justin opted do do so were rare, but they had a way of instantly making him seem younger and more vulnerable. He made note to Jules that Kyle would likely try to overdo things and to, if possible, take good care of his pard mate. Kyle was after all a full-grown man and did outrank him, but that didn't mean that Justin didn't worry.   After the end of that conversation and the night shift bodyguards coming in for the shift, Justin  wished him and Kyle a good evening and headed home for the night.

With Justin gone, Jules could turn his attention to other things, like the parcel on his living room coffee table. When he returned from his office with letter opener in hand, he found Kyle entering the room with his overnight bag slung over his shoulder. He was sporting a pair of his silk pajama bottoms that he had lent the wereleopard.


Kyle cocked his head, his nostrils sniffing at the air aware that the letter opener was silver.  For a man dating and employing shifters, Jules certainly had a lot of silver in his house. "Evening," Kyle said sleep still in his voice flashing a soft smile, his eyes flicking from Jules face to the opener and then back again. "Your newest Wish orders come in has it?"

"Wish is appropriate enough," Jules said. He looked at Kyle for several long seconds. "You said you trusted me. This package may be a test of that. In fact, your reaction to what is in this box may forever change things between us."

Kyle walked over to the couch as he looked at Jules quizzically. "I am sure you have some idea, as you tend to consult Jeeves regularly." He said as he reached out and gently began to knead Jules shoulders.  "Am I to believe you have skipped doing that?"

"Yes," Jules said.  "There are some things I do not consult Jeeves on.  You are one of them.  I am not going to base a relationship on the advice of a demon."  He reached out to stroke the box.  "Do you recall a conversation where I asked if you wanted me to help with California?  And I offered to let you look behind the curtain but warned you that you could not unsee what you would see and that it might change your opinion as to which of us was a monster.  Do you recall that conversation?  We were on the boat."  Jules tapped the box.  "Here is a physical manifestation of that curtain.  If you choose, I will open it in front of you.  It will change the way you think of me.  All I can say in my defence is that this was done out of love and to protect those you care about, although even that may not be enough."

Kyle paused his kneading. "We have had several good long talks on your boat. I do recall that conversation. It feels like forever ago," he confessed recalling the news of Cali raid. Despite not going to help, so much had happened during that trip.  Kyle rounded the couch to sit beside Jules. He could send the cortisol increase within Jules. It was rare to see Jules ruffled, it had only happened once before when they had come across that suspended body on their date. And yet the scent was not the same. Jules had a more fearful scent to him back then, this was different and yet clearly he could smell and see in the body language that Jules was while not fearful certainly anxious. "Alright, I'll sit down for this and do my best not to judge. " He answered Jules earnestly.

The silver letter opener zipped along the tape that secured the flaps that closed the top of the box.  Kyle immediately smelled coffee.  Jules carefully folded back the flaps.  Inside was a mylar bag that was clearly vacuum sealed.  Jules removed it and set it on the table.  He carefully cut it open to reveal a second, transparent plastic inner bag, one that was also vacuum sealed.  It looked like there was something made of black fur inside. Jules took a deep breath, before piercing the inner bag.

Kyle suddenly smelled leopard.

Dead, tanned leopard.

"Meet Dallas," Jules said.

Kyle watched in silence,  as Jules unblocked the package. At the scent of leopard, a wide range of thoughts and feelings crashed though his mind like a tsunami. Hazel eyes stared at the coffee table.  He knew that there had been five seconds of silence as his hand rose, a single index finger raised and poised not at the table but pointed heavenwards. "Processing... Don't stab me."  His nose sniffed the air, and he closed his eyes, trusting that Jules wasn't going to panic and try to take him out with the letter opener.

He had never met Dallas in the flesh, but Minnie had certainly talked about him.

Meet Dallas...

Here sat the pelt of a fellow were-leopard, but one that had been a menace to Minnie and her subordinates.  Dallas hadn't been around to challenge. Now he knew why.  But he was looking at an animal pelt and not the skin of a man. During his time with Jules he had been trying to learn more about the mystical side of things. Not that he would ever dabble in magik himself but to understand the occult better and therefore Jules and his world. "Can you fully pull it out so I can get a better look?" Kyle asked as he opened his eyes.

Jules lifted the pelt.  It was taller than he was, barely.  Kyle could see tiny silver buttons, as if the pelt was some bizarre sort of coat.  "It's not a rug," he said.  "You're obviously aware of my appreciation of shapeshifters.  I must confess to a cowardice where they are concerned.  You see, I could never be one.  My ego and my vanity would never allow it, without the guarantee of being able to rise to the level of Alpha.  This is something of a compromise.  It will allow me to change shape, without binding me to the moon, or making me vulnerable to silver.  Such things are rare and highly illegal.  You see, Dallas had to be alive when he was skinned.  From what I understand, it was less than he deserved."

"So it is what I think it is?  An enchanted pelt? One that can be used to change shape, like the Navajo skin walker stories, or adjacent to it?" Kyle asked his tone soft hazel eyes roamed among the dark glossy fur. "Can I touch it? Is it safe to touch?"

"Safe to touch," Jules said, nodding.  "I don't think I have ever heard of a shapeshifter wearing one, so I would not advise putting it on.  This particular enchantment was done in Mexico."

Kyle was taking it remarkably well but that wasn't necessarily going to remain the case.

Kyle reached out to stroke the pelt and leaned over, giving it a sniff.  Likely due to having been processed, the skin didn't smell as strongly of were-leopard as he would have thought it should. However, Kyle had to remind himself that this was not a living, breathing leopard.  The fur through his fingers was soft. "So you had this arranged before any of them had their summer holidays? It was done in Mexico? So you can turn into a leopard with this whenever you want?" He shook his head over a hundred questions that we wanted to all have asked immediately, but he frustratingly could only ask one at a time as his mind raced.

Jules had arranged to have Dallas killed due to him worrying about his family going down to California to help Minnie out with her problems.

Fuck....

It was entirely messed up, and yet part of it was kind of hot in a fucked up way. It showed he was willing to go to extremes to help and protect him and his pard. Kyle would have killed for his family without hesitation if it kept them safe. So Jules might have done a thing so to speak but he did it out of love and to protect, unless that was an excuse and Jules just wanted a pretty pelt and this made for a good excuse.

"He needed to be taken before the full moon and smuggled into Mexico.  And yes, it gives me the power to assume leopard form.  I would look just like Dallas's cat form.  I've been warned that I will not be as strong or as fast as wereleopard.  But it is the closest I will be able to get without infection." Jules reached out to touch Kyle but pulled his hands back.  "I've seen examples that were over a hundred years old and still functional.  I'm told this practitioner is very reliable."

"Do you retain your human faculties when wearing something like this or is it more like when we do it where depending on the month more or less of the animal is in the driver's seat and we get to be passengers and do our best to backseat drive?"  Kyle asked as he withdrew his fingers out of the furs pelt and opting to rest them on Jules knee.

"I have full control," Jules answered.  "I've been told that there is a significant learning curve when it comes to using it.  Whereas when you change, you are intuitively a cat, I would need to learn everything.  Walking.  Running.  Jumping.  I would not want to experience the cat who previously enjoyed this skin.  From all accounts, he was an asshole in any form and I would not want to have to fight that every time I used it."

"Is the essence of the person- " Kyle stopped and frowned. "I'm struggling with the word choices. Sorry. Is the soul or persona or personality of Dallas tied to that pelt, then? Or is this a case of you won't battle with the spiritual enemy of some asshole rapey wereleopard and that it is  just a case of you don't have any experience with having the opportunity to don a wereleopard skin."

Jules shook his head.  "No, Dallas does not inhabit the skin.  I have never worn a leopard skin.  I would need to learn by trial and error.  If you saw me trying to move in it, I suspect you would think I was either a newborn or drunk.  It would essentially be the former."

"That is fair. I suppose it could be difficult to learn as well." Kyle said, his fingers idly tracing circles on Jules knee." You would likely learn to move a lot more authentically with advisement or guidance of a wereleopard. We might be able to arrange that. I appreciate your honestly in all of this.  I am certain you are not used to this level of candidness so thank you for trusting me."

"I must admit that this was not what I was expecting," Jules said, his fingers stroking Kyle's wrist.  "This could have been a dirty little secret that I kept from you.  For you to have such acceptance is far more than I deserve.  Truly, Kyle, you are too good for me. You are willing to die for me, whereas I am only willing to kill for you."

Kyle shifted on the couch, reaching out to gently rest the pelt on the table.  He shifted from his spot to straddle Jules. With Jules hands free of letter opener and pelt Kyle placed his hands on the back of the couch. Looking down slightly at him Kyle gave him raised brows and a hint of a smile. "And what reaction were you expecting?"

"Suspicion.  Perhaps accusations.  Certainly not an offer to teach me how to leopard.  Truthfully, I'm not certain of the next step."  Jules met Kyle's gaze.  "I doubt your entire Pard would welcome me with open arms and certainly captain Neubosato would have questions that I would be unable to answer to her satisfaction."

"I've always conducted my relationships from a point of there needs to be transparency and honesty, Jules... Lies and deception are the ruination of many a relationship. We can take things a step at a time but I agree there might be some mixed feelings on letting you cat out with us. I've not been around anyone wearing a pelt so I don't know if you will pass as cat or smell like prey wrapped in a spicy nori wrapper." Kyle replied in earnest as he studied Jules face.

"There will be some questions that will need to be answered," Jules said.  "It would seem that when it comes to wereleopards, I am something of an opportunist.  Justin was shot.  When I arrive at the hospital, after making certain that he was being taken care of, the first thing I do is make moves on one of his pard mates.  I had no idea you were so far up the hierarchy until I realized who you were.  And in a situation where a leopard needs to be eliminated, I find myself unable to resist acquiring his pelt.  I am, by far, the bigger monster, my love."

Kyle rested his forehead against Jules. "I think I have an inkling. But I'm not freaking out about it yet. I do however need to ask you several more questions so I can sate my curiosity. Yes or no answers only. Have you had experience wearing other types of shifter skins?"

"Yes," Jules answered.  "Some years ago, in Prague, I had the opportunity to wear the century old skin of a Russian werebear.  It left an impression."

"Have you purchased or can you claim ownership of shifter pelts that were treated so they can be worn to take on the shape of your desired animals?" Kyle asked calmly.

"Not any more," Jules said.  "Although once I had several.  They didn't feel right.  Then again, as I have been told, there is a learning curve."

"Yes or no Jules. I haven't run yet, it's very doubtful I will. I understand they might be hard truths. So you are not in ownership of any pelts beyond this one right here?"

Jules tilted his head slightly, in a manner similar to but not exactly the same as when he listened to Jeeves.  "As you wish.  Although I will ask for  clarification.  Do you mean ownership or possession?  It is possible to own something without having possession.  Equally, it is possible to possess something while not owning it.  You must realize that precision is important.  And I will point out that I am aware that there can be no pleading the 5th in the court of Kyle."

Kyle sighed and gently poked Jules. "You can split that into two separate questions.  Starting with the do you own and the second being are you in possession. We could tango all night with the will you or won't you answer things, but if you don't want to answer these questions, you likely will get the next few after this. If you are that worried, ask Jeeves if I am going to head for the hills after any revelations you make tonight. Truthfully, I'm sitting in a weird valley of strangely turned on and intrigued with a slight hint of mama bear."

"I told you, I am not asking Jeeves for advice on my relationship with you," Jules repeated.  "Own? Yes.  Possess? No.  Call them on semi-permanent loan.  Favours are a currency in my world.  And I will admit that I find the fact that you are strangely turned on to be equal parts concerning as well as disconcerting, with a touch of reciprocity mixed in for good measure."

"No one ever said it was easy living in the preternatural shadows." Kyle said laughing softly his fingers straying to run through Jules dark hair. "I accept those answers. As you can see, no running away. I'm still here. But I do have more I want to ask. So I am going to rip off the band-aid so to speak." His eyes opened slowly and Kyle locked eyes with Jules. "Given what you've said and not said tonight, would it be safe to assume you are the captain's Moby Dick? Or is it better to ask if you have ties or perhaps business dealings with the Seattle skinner? "

Jules sighed.  "Yes."

Kyle nodded solemnly. "And do I have to worry about any harm coming my way or towards my pard mates due to you directly or indirectly?"

"No.  A thousand times no.  Assuming things do not change radically from the way they are now," Jules said.  "I apologize for not answering simply yes or no.  Certain questions, like this one, require a caveat.  I cannot forsee any reasonable situation where I would need to harm you or anyone in your pard."

"Good answers." Kyle whispered as he gently kissed Jules throat. "I will likely have more questions later, but you answered the hardest and most important ones that would keep me up at night. I can think of several ways to reward you for being honest with me. But the one way I want to show you right now requires for you to either kiss me now or come into the kitchen. So we can have a mild impromptu make out session between what I want to make for us."

The trace of a smile crossed Jules features.  "So my choices are kisses without a Kyle special reward or kisses and a Kyle special reward.  I'll take Mild Impromptu Make Out Sessions In The Kitchen for $1000, Alex."

Kyle grinned. "Good then let us make our way to the kitchen. If you are so inclined you can sous chef for for me. I'm plan on making the silliest most serially sinful hot chocolate you ever had. Of course you have options of it being a traditional Belgian dark chocolate, Mexican spicy, or a extra warming circulatory hot chocolate that's infused with ginger and nutmeg? "  He offered Jules a hand helping him to his feet. Pulling him close he kissed Jules throat again. "Getting shot delayed my plans but I had every intention of a fireside hot chocolate complete with marshmallows, homemade of course. Made them back on Thursday. I didn't forget the comment about you having never sampled marshmallows in any form. We will discover tonight if you are a fan or not."

"So it seems," Jules said. "I have been asked to make sure you do not overly exert yourself. Helping you make cocoa and resting by a fire sounds sufficiently sedentary. Given the options, I will choose ginger and nutmeg as this will be a new experience for me."

"Acceptable. We can do this and then, then clean up the kitchen so your chef can work on the meat portion of tonight. Are you vibing for anything in particular, or are you just going to tell him to surprise you and see what comes of it." Kyle asked, flashing him a mischievous grin as he made his way into the kitchen.