Natalia and Ewan
Natalia slipped into the post office and lifted a post card and some stamps from a shelf.
She went out again after she bought a pen and settled next to Ewan on a step in the sun. He kissed her neck as she got out the postcard and licked the back of a stamp to fix it on.
"Right...so what should we say?"
After a bit, they had managed to make a message that was vague enough so no one who didn't know who they were would catch on, but Mouse would know exactly what was going on.
To M and all the rest of you people,
Canada way too full of silver and hunting season on wolves started early. We're moving again. We could tell you, but...
We're good though. Except for trigger happy neighbours who don't people from prey. Drop you a line when we get settled again.
E+N.
That filled up the space, so Natalia fixed a violet scent into the paper. Fafnir could tell them it was really them from that. She dropped into a letter box, and then they got onto the Greyhound that was headed for New York. Hopefully they'd leave that hunter way, way behind...
Zac
Zac picked up the mail and started going through it.
"Bill, bill, Christmas card, card, card, bill, fan mail, fan, card, fan, card, advertising... postcard?"
He picked up the postcard, noting it smelt of violets and read it.
"Natalia..." he mused. "Well, well, I suppose I should send this on it's rounds..."
He popped down stairs.
"Saku!" he called. "Ya wanna come on a trip to see Mouse and Taylor?"
Saku raced over to Zac. Zac grinned and picked him up.
A few minutes later, Zac was knocking on the door of Taylor and Mouse's new house.
Mouse
Mouse got up and walked over to the door carefully, Fafnir pacing her.
"Calm, wolf, calm..." she murmured to him softly.
She opened the door and smiled.
"Hey Zac, Saku."
Bleh, cat.
Fafnir turned and walked back inside.
"Ignore the wolf, he's been touchy lately. Come in."
Zac
Saku poked his tongue out at Fafnir.
"Saku," Zac shook his head.
He stepped inside, supporting Saku with one arm. Then he gave Mouse the postcard with his free hand.
"This arrived in the mail this today."
MOuse
"Fafnir was rude first," Mouse said absently as she took the post card and started to read through it.
"Mmm. Hope they're alright."
She bit her lip slightly.
"Anyway...want something to drink or anything?"
Zac
"Chicken," Saku said promptly. "Pwease?"
He gave Mouse a pathetic look.
"I'm fine, thanks," Zac replied. "I hope they're okay too."
Mouse
"I don't know if we have any chicken," Mouse said thoughtfully.
"Mouse, I thought I heard voices..."
Clarissa stepped through a doorway and relaxed when she saw Mouse talking with Zac amicably.
"C'mon...we'll go see what exactly I do have in the fridge," Mouse said to Saku and the two went to the kitchen.
Zac
"Aww," Saku pouted.
"He has a chicken fetish, I'm sure," Zac grinned. "Fish is old news. Hi Riss."
MOuse
"Hey, Zac," CLarissa said.
She hopped onto the kitchen bench and swung her legs idly.
"So...we have a lot of stuff...but no chicken," Mouse said thoughtfully.
Saku pouted.
"But I think we really need some chocolate. I know I do."
"CHOCOLATE!"
Saku bounced happily.
Taylor
"Hey, hey... keep it down. I just got the fuzzles asleep," Taylor shushed, emerging from the hallway.
"Hey Zac, Saku. What a surprise."
He grinned.
Zac
"Hi Tay," Zac said. "Y'know, traditionally, you don't move in with your wife until after you've married her."
He poked his tongue out, a teasing smile on his face.
Mouse
"I have such a thing to say to that, but...not in front of the children," Mouse said.
She and Saku soon settled down on chairs and started sharing a block of chocolate.
Taylor
"Well I haven't moved in with my wife yet," Taylor grinned almost cheekily, "after all, she's not my wife. She's my fiance."
He glanced over at Mouse and Saku as he sat at the table.
"So... what brings you to our humble abode that won't be humble for much longer?"
Zac
"I just came to deliver a postcard from Natalia and Ewan," Zac replied. "Hey, don't you eat too much chocolate, Saku, don't want you to get sick, okay?"
MOuse
"I'm eating most of it," Mouse said cheerfully.
Saku purred and licked his chocolate covered fingers.
"And you're a little grub. Odd in a cat...but then again, look at who your father is..."
Taylor
Taylor hadn't registered anything past 'Natalia'.
He couldn't stop a wave of guilt washing over him, as he stood from the table again.
"Ah... excuse me."
He smiled and nodded to their guests, then made his way toward the bathroom.
Zac
"But like any cat he's good at cleaning himself up."
Zac looked after Taylor curiously.
"What's wrong with him?" he asked.
MOuse
"I...don't know," Mouse admitted softly.
She looked after Taylor, worry evident on her face.
"More pwease," Saku lisped.
She absentmindedly gave him more chocolate.
Taylor
Taylor closed the bathroom door behind him then sat on the edge of the bath and put his head in his hands.
He knew he probably had to tell Mouse about the baby sometime, but... this was not a good time. For either of them. And he knew Ike had kept his word and told no one.
Zac
"Hmm..." Zac said. "Well, I should probably get going anyhow."
He began to stand.
Mouse
"Stay! Chocolate!" Saku demanded.
"I think I need to talk to Tay...Riss, can you take five somewhere?"
"Sure..."
Clarissa raised an eyebrow slightly as she slid off the bench.
Taylor
The fact that Taylor was feeling guilty instantly reminded him of the guilt he felt when Mouse had heard what Craig had left on her phone. He'd known her parents had worked for him. He'd had opportunities to tell her... but he'd held back. And now she'd found out in most likely the worst possible way.
He rubbed at his eyes and sniffed a little, looking up towards the window.
Zac
Zac smiled.
"Okay, Saku," he said. "We can stay. But not too long okay?"
He broke off some chocolate for Saku and himself.
Mouse
"How's Faith?" Mouse asked.
"I haven't talked to her for ages..."
Saku ate chocolate, eyes wide as he listened to the adults talk.
Zac
Zac nodded.
"She's really good," he replied. "We're decided on Apirl 13 for the wedding."
Mouse
"Great!"
Mouse grinned.
"You know...you could have saved so much hassle, the two of you, if you'd just *listened* to me in the first place."
Zac
"Maybe," Zac smiled. "But sometimes people can't be told things. They have to figure it out for themselves."
He shrugged.
"Thanks anyway. it's nice to know you care."
Mouse
"How could I not?" Mouse said.
"Anyway...all sorted now. Is good. How did Diana take it? I'm thinking not so well."
Zac
"Yeah... she's not happy," Zac said. "And I don't know if it's the worst part or the best part, but she hasn't actually said anything either. It's like she's completely avoiding the topic."
He sighed.
Mouse
Mouse looked at him in sympathy.
"And you'd almost rather have any reaction then her flat out ignoring the fact that Faith's around. And is going to stay that way."
Zac
"Exactly. At least if she reacts, it's out in the open, and we can yell at each other and get it all over with. Of course, I don't really want to argue with Mom, but y'know..." Zac frowned in frustatration. "Sometimes you need to vent. And she's not venting. She just looks at me with these tear filled eyes and..."
Mouse
"Being in love is nothing to feel guilty over," Mouse said softly.
"The fact that you're marrying Faith has nothing to do with her either, not really. It's your life, yours and Faith's. And you know... she should be glad that you're mature enough to know what you want to do. And stuff."
Zac
Zac smiled.
"Thanks Mouse," he replied quietly. "I just hope that she can accept Faith one day. Preferably before the wedding."
Mouse
"Let's hope so," Mouse said.
"I don't think she's forgiven me yet for going near wolf on her when she deduced that I was pregnant. So there you are. Me and Faith were thinking of starting a club. The 'Our boyfriend's a Hanson, and their mom doesn't approve of us' club. Should make that fiance now."
She grinned at him.
Zac
Zac laughed.
"Y'know... Julie and Rach started a club too... the "We got knocked up by Zac Hanson" club or something like that. Julie says she's the president," he grinned. "You know what's insane? Mom actually likes Julie. Which just goes to show that Mom does not know her very well. Which may be partly Julie's fault because she was always good at fooling parents into thinking she was a good girl."
Zac shook his head in digust.
Mouse
"Ah, one of those."
Mouse rested her head on her hand.
"Oh yeah. I know those types. Too much effort, I think. I mean, c'mon. You gotta pretend to be someone you're not. Way too much effort. In the end, you gotta be who you are, not what you think other people want to see. And whoa, I'm being really philosopical today."
Zac
Zac grinned.
"We all have our moments," he grinned. "But you're right. You shouldn't pretend to be someone you're not. Well, except where you're an alien and have to make sure the vast majority of the human population don't find out. Argh, now that's a real drag."
Mouse
"It bites," Mouse agreed.
"Although...it would have been useful to know there was a reason I could slide through walls and feel people's emotions. I kinda slipped through the cracks on that particular thing. So yeah. I'm not that big a fan of the secrecy policy. I mean, they know about mutants now. So..."
Zac
"Actually... it's funny you should bring that up," Zac said. "I probably shouldn't tell you... but then Oliver knew he probably shouldn't tell me... You know how they're negociating a peace treaty with the US government? Well, apparently, one of the things they want to organise is equality for mutants, so that if us aliens get caught using our powers in public or something, we can just say we're a mutant. Oli said he would have liked for us to admit we're aliens, but I guess... when you consider the treatment that mutants guess, it may be safer for us to keep our DNA secrets to ourselves. For now."
MOuse
"That would be good," Mouse said thoughtfully.
"Although...norms are *so* antimutant. I don't know, saying you're a mutant could make things worse... did you see the news last night? *Big* rally out the front of congress...so much hate..."
She shook her head slightly.
"Just because the law's in place doesn't mean that people are gonna pay attention to it. But it's a start."
Zac
"Yeah. And it's a start in the right direction," Zac nodded. "Although, in fairness, not all humans are anti. Human sci-fi fans in patricular, I find, are rather accepting. It's a shame they keep getting beat up though."
Mouse
"S'truth."
Mouse nodded.
"But, ya know, it's just what some people are like. What they don't understand, they fear. And they don't like that, so they hate. And then they go around and beat people up and be violent generally."
Zac
"Exactly. And sometimes the worst thing about it is when you go 'oh how can they be scared of the unknown?' and then you find yourself resisting change," Zac shook his head. "It's all a great big mess, and what can you do? Just try to overcome that fear, I suppose. And hope you succeed."
Mouse
"You sure you feeling alright? You're being *really* mature today," Mouse teased.
"But yeah. Fear of the unknown is a big factor. But everything changes...all the time. Change is the one constant. I'm coping, I am."
She chuckled slightly.
"With all the things that are going on..."
Zac
Zac laughed.
"I have my moments," he said. "But yeah. Change is absolutely unavoidable. And the rate of change is always increasing too. It's little wonder people get stressed."
Mouse
"Stress less, live longer!"
Mouse grinned.
"Laissez le bon-temps rouler! You would *so* fit in with da Creole, homme."
Zac
Zac laughed.
"Yay me. I think," he chuckled. "That's a good thing, right?"
Mouse
"Oh yeah. If you're Creole, you always know how to have a good time. We ever manage to get back to N'Awlins, I'll show you what I mean. You were kinda sick when we were there, so we didn't do anything."
Mouse smiled slightly.
Zac
Zac smiled.
"Cool," he grinned. "Sounds like fun. Unlike that flu. Evil virus."
Mouse
"Which was your own fault," Mouse pointed out.
"Least that's what the doctor said."
Zac
Zac shrugged.
"Aww, how was I supposed to know? Nyx was in heat, and I'm sure she's slept with plenty of guys who didn't get sick because of it afterwards."
MOuse
"S'true."
Mouse nodded.
"Cats. I mean, really."
Zac
"Yeah... and in any case... I have Saku because of it. Sleeping with Nyx I mean. And even if he is as cheeky as a kitten can be, I still love him," Zac said.
Saku looked up at Zac and Mouse with an angelic look on his face.
MOuse
"Why I prefer to stick with canines," Mouse said.
Oh really? Bets moved up and placed her head next to Mouse with a quiet woof. Mouse grinned and scratched behind her ears. The malamute sighed with contentment.
"Much more loyal."
Zac
Zac shrugged.
"Loyalty is a admirable virture and hard to find. And for some of us, hard to give. But I try."
Mouse
"I know."
Mouse smiled at him as Fafnir sauntered back into the house and then settled at the front door, obviously on guard.
"You cat, you."
Zac
Zac smiled.
"Cats had their admirable qualities too. For starters, the fact that they rule the world."
Mouse
"Very true."
Mouse grinned.
"Actually...I should get another cat. There was a really odd tom that turned up when we moved in..."
Fafnir growled loudly.
"Faf is still smarting from the beating the tom gave him, so he's not particularily impressed."
Zac
Zac chuckled.
"I see," he said. "Yes... I can understand why Fafnir would not be happy about that."
Mouse
If it shows up again, I'm gonna EAT it.
"He says if RK shows up again, he's gonna eat him. And you managed so well at that last time."
Fafnir huffed and laid his head on his paws, obviously sulking.
"Yeah...really odd cat."
Zac
Zac grinned.
"Well," he said. "There are odd creatures everywhere. You're talking to one for a start..."
He chuckled.
Mouse
"That's true."
Mouse grinned.
"But he knew Christina and Christian...that was the interesting thing."
Zac
Zac raised an eyebrow.
"Oh... really?" he said. "Ooookay then."
Then he paused and looked at Saku.
"Okay, no more chocolate for you Saku," Zac said. "You'll make yourself sick."
MOuse
Saku pouted as Mouse removed the chocolate from his reach.
"Awww..."
"Yeah, so that was interesting. Apparently Christina lost her memory, and she was here, and then she was gone. RK was quite upset."
Zac
"Oh I see. I think," Zac said. "Anyway, we should probably get going."
He stood and lifted Saku into his arms.
"You take care of yourself okay?"
Mouse
"I will. You too, alright?"
Saku yawned in Zac's arms.
"Bye, Saku."
"Bye Mousey."
"Bye, Zac..." Mouse hesitated for a moment. "Anytime you want someone to talk to, I'm happy to listen."
Zac
Zac smiled.
"Thanks Mouse," he said. "I appreciate it. And I offer you the same... but I don't expect I'll ever be the first person you think of. See ya later."
Zac and Saku left for home.
Mouse
Mouse closed the door behind them then walked slowly to the room where her fiance was. She knocked on the door, waves of guilt just pouring out from Taylor.
"Tay? You alright?"
Taylor
Taylor quickly rubbed his eyes when he heard her footsteps coming.
"Yeah," he half sighed, stopping his voice croaking.
Mya had squeezed under the bathroom door and joined him a while ago.
Mouse
"You don't feel alright," Mouse said quietly.
Taylor
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Taylor said softly.
"I just don't need you to worry, ok?"
Mouse
Mouse felt hurt and slightly bewildered.
"Alright...was it something to do with the postcard?"
Taylor
"No, no..."
Taylor shook his head, hoping Mouse couldn't yet tell if he was lying. He had no idea how far the connection went.
"It's nothing to worry about, ok?"
Mya squeaked a little in sympathy, looking up at Taylor from his knee.
Mouse
"Alright..."
Mouse moved away slowly, frowning slightly.
Bets shoved her head under Mouse's hand and whined.
It'll be alright.
Mmm...
She could feel him blocking her and she didn't like it, but she was willing to leave it be.