Taylor
Taylor's nose twitched slightly as Mya softly blew on it to try and wake him up.
Realizing it wasn't working, the small fuzzle grunted and waddled around to his ear. Shaking herself out a little first, she took a deep breath and blew into his ear with all her strength.
His eyes shot open.
Taking a moment to get himself together, he suddenly realized he was on the floor. Looking confused for a moment, he sat up and looked around.
Mouse.
Mouse murmured slightly in her sleep, sheets twisted around her legs. Bets lifted her head to look at Taylor, then laid her muzzle back down on her paws.
And look who's up.
Taylor
Taylor glanced at Bets curiously, before realizing what he was wearing.
Or lack thereof.
"Oh... woah, woah, woah..."
He jumped up and grabbed a nearby towel, quickly wrapping it around himself as he flushed bright red.
Then he noticed the glitter everywhere. Frowning, he desperately tried to remember what had happened.
Mouse.
Bets coughed slightly.
Why were you asleep on the floor anyway? Unless Mouse does kick very hard.
Mouse irritably kicked the entangling sheets off her legs and buried her face in a pillow. She sighed slightly in her sleep.
Taylor
"I..." Taylor began shaking his head, "...don't know."
He looked across at Mouse for a moments, suddenly noticing the love bites covering her skin.
Squinting at them a little, an even more worried look suddenly covered his face.
Kneeling up slightly, he pulled the covers away a little, then jumped back in shock when he realized she naked.
"Oh God no..."
Mouse.
"Mmph. Cold."
Mouse's hand groped for the sheets, pulling them back up firmly.
Taylor
Taylor just stared at her, speechless for quite a while.
Finally, he rubbed his face and began to get some clothes together. Quickly getting dressed into jeans and a white shirt, he stopped and leant against the wardrobe with one hand and closed his eyes.
Frowning slightly, he remembered the blood rain.
Looking slightly grossed out, he left the room and headed for the kitchen.
Keltie, Melusine & Clarissa.
The nygel was sitting in the kitchen, talking quite aimably to the mutant for once. Her ear flicked up and she slid around the table, putting it between her and Taylor as she looked at him suspiciously.
"Sae, has the girrl come out of th' wolf yet? Or is she still grrowling and snapping like a lorraly beast?"
"No, she's her again," Clarissa said, then sipped from her coffee.
"Not awake yet."
An irritable baby's cry rang out, enforced by a 'come here' thought. Keltie got up.
"Best be seeing to me charrge."
She slid past Taylor and went to look after Melusine whose voice was now reaching screaming levels.
Clarissa looked at him over the edge of her coffee cup.
"Well. Have a fun night last night, or don't you remember? I think Mouse would be feeling just that bit sore this morning..."
Taylor
Taylor frowned at Clarissa for a moment, then turned in the direction Keltie has disappeared.
Turning back, he pointed down the hallway.
"What, the hell, is she doing here?" he frowned.
Clarissa.
"Her? She's a nanny. Sorta."
Clarissa shrugged.
"She says she's from the cats, and Mouse told me that anyone the cats send and they can prove it, is welcome. And she's looking after the babies. What gripe do I have with that? The hell I'm a babysitter. She's a horse, apparently."
Taylor
"Well this house happens to be in my name, not Mouse's. And as long as it is, I'd like to be informed of people I don't know on my property," Taylor insisted.
Glancing down the hallway again, he disappeared into the kitchen and began to make himself a black coffee.
Mouse & Clarissa.
"Meee-owww," Clarissa observed.
"Yeah, the long hair shows so much about his personality."
She sipped from her coffee and yawned slightly. Well, he was going to be in trouble when Mousey woke up. She knew some guy did that to her in bed, she'd be right pissed.
Mouse woke up with a gasp, heart thudding in her chest. She looked around and started to get out of bed. Then stopped, wincing. Ow. She got out of the sheets and rubbed her forehead.
There was blood on the inside of her legs.
Taylor & Jason
Taylor made his coffee, then disappeared out the back door to sit on the steps.
Malory looked up at him wistfully from the tank, where Bee had a continual force field surrounding.
Taylor glanced at the fuzzle, then slowly sipped his coffee. Damn it was cold out.
Bee made his way through the hallway to the front door, nodding to Clarissa in recognition on his way.
Mouse.
Mouse held her head in her hands. What had happened last night?
Grinning to himself, Taylor began to blow very softly around Mouse's naked chest, purposely causing goosebumps.
He got his belt undone, and slid his pants off.
Leaning over, he whispered into her ear.
"What does thee say to... doggy style?" he chuckled, before sitting up again.
Mouse swallowed.
"Oh god."
Taylor & Jason
Bee took a look around the neighbourhood, then took up his post on the nearby park bench.
Noticing his hands shivering, Taylor started debating whether or not to go back inside.
What the heck had happened last night?
Mouse.
Mouse noticed blood on the sheets of the bed. She'd have to change those...
She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, trying hard not to cry. He just...took. Oh god.
Fafnir padded up and dropped down at Taylor's feet.
Finally.
Taylor
Taylor looked down at Fafnir, then reached down to scratch him behind the ears.
"Finally what?"
Mouse.
Mated, what else?
Fafnir pressed his head up into Taylor's hand, panting slightly.
Now, if my Mate would just come on heat...
Mouse stumbled into the bathroom and started the shower.
Taylor
Taylor's hand flinched away from Fafnir suddenly, and his heart skipped a beat.
"Oh God I knew it..."
Mouse.
Fafnir made a small sound of displeasure, then licked at Taylor's hand.
What? Not Mating was the stupid thing. Two leggers...
Mouse stepped under the showerhead. She was so sore. She couldn;t believe Taylor had...
She closed her eyes, tears joining the water coming from the shower head.
Taylor
Taylor stood abruptly and backed up the steps a little.
"No, Fafnir... you don't understand..."
He covered his mouth with his hand, willing the tears back.
Mouse.
Well, maybe if you'd tell me I would. Walking around in the constant cloud of pheremones was not as fun as it could be...now maybe you'll finally do something about that. Hmph.
Fafnir sat up and scratched at his ear furiously. Bets got up and then bit him on the flank.
Ow!
Shut up, stupid male. Mouse was hurt, didn't you smell the blood?
Fafnir's ears swivelled back.
Mouse cried.
Taylor
"Hurt?" Taylor almost cried.
"There was... I made her bleed?!"
He just stared at the wolves in shock, before backing into the house.
He made his way down the hallway, freezing as he heard the shower running.
Closing his eyes, he put his back to the wall.
"Please God, forgive me..." he whispered.
Mouse, Keltie & the Three.
Fafnir yelped in pain as Bets bit him again, growling at him. He backed off, then fled the obviously insane female. Bets huffed, then stalked past Taylor and nudging the bedroom door open with her nose.
Mouse?
She could smell the blood across the sheets and the salt scent of tears. Stupid males. Rutting and taking and not minding then but afterwards it's all different, hmmph!
Keltie cooed to Melusine, holding the child protectively. Golden eyes regarded Taylor, before the girl yawned. Flynn unsheathed his claws and kneaded the soft padded cover around the edges, purring slightly. Jason uttered a small cry, brown eyes wet with tears.
"Mother's crying."
"Mother cries a lot," Melusine retorted callously.
"Shut up, Mel!" Flynn said, baring his teeth.
Melusine hissed.
"Shut up yourself! She's silly. Cry, cry, cry. What's done is done. The blood is spilt. The hurt is done. She should get over it."
"That's not what hurts," Jason said.
He scrubbed at his eyes with his hands.
Taylor
Taylor cringed every time a cry escaped Mouse's lips.
He clasped the closest crucifix to his hands, and said a silent prayer.
He couldn't face this.
Opening his eyes again and ignoring the tears that began to surface, he headed for the bedroom and began looking for a suitcase.
Mouse.
Oh no you don't. Bets said firmly.
She thinks it's all her fault. I can't deal with this. I'm just a dog. She needs you, buster.
She fixed her teeth through his pant leg, and sat down.
Mouse wiped her eyes and breathed in a shuddering breath. Ok, she'd cope and deal. It's all she ever did anyway.
Taylor
"Bets, let go," Taylor almost cried, his words lacking authority.
He tried to pull away.
"I can't..."
Before he could say another word, he broke down and fell to his knees.
Mouse.
Bets hesitated for an instant, then let go of his pants t lick at his face.
Don't go without at least saying sorry. Or something. Otherwise she'll think it's all her fault. She's a lot like Master Lance. Far too ready to take on all the troubles of the world. So are you. Silly boy. She loves you, you know.
Mouse stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around her body. She clutched at the front of it and stared at Taylor with worried, almost frightened eyes.
Taylor
"I don't know how she can anymore," Taylor cried, not seeing her through having his hands over his eyes.
"It had nothing to do with her. It couldn't. She's too perfect, I never wanted to..."
He broke down again for a moment.
Mouse.
Mouse opened her mouth to say something, swallowed, then tried again.
"T-taylor?"
She felt her stomach turn over with nervousness and fear.
Taylor
Taylor almost jumped out of his skin.
When he realized who it was, he scrambled backwards until he hit the wall, and hid his face in his arms.
"Oh God, oh God... please, please, please forgive me..." he whimpered.
Mouse.
"Taylor, I'm not even sure what happened last night," Mouse said finally, after watching him for a few moments.
"I wolfed."
It's true, she did. She was Pack, completely. You, you were just rabid.
Bets scratched her ear, then moved to settle in front of the door.
"Rabid?"
Oh yeah. Mad. Insane. Ruled by the moon. Whatever ya want to call it, that's what he was. Faf tried to keep him away. You wouldn't have a bar of it. Mating is a strong thing to a wolf.
Taylor
"Oh my God..."
Taylor turned his head to the side, eyes darting between the wall and floor and tears streaming down his face.
"I don't... I just, I can't... I don't, remember, much. But what I do..."
He put his hands on his head and shook it, as if willing the thoughts away.
Mouse.
"I would have just appreciated it if you'd been there in the morning when I woke up," Mouse said.
She stepped over to the cupboard slowly and started to dress. Just that bit careful in the way she moved.
Damn, you do f*ck rough. Bets commented.
"Bets, not a time to cash in on your keen sense of smell," Mouse said in frustration, knowing the dog could smell the bruises on her body.
I just...damn!
Taylor
Taylor kept his head down when he stopped shaking it.
"I don't know if you noticed," he gulped, "but I can't look at you. I don't think I could have handled it."
Mouse.
Mouse turned around, dressed in jeans and longsleeved turtleneck top.
"Taylor, look at me."
Her tone was very firm and brooked no refusal.
Taylor
Taylor bit his lip, more tears falling as he stared at the wall.
Taking a deep breath, his eyes shot to Mouse, then away again.
"I can't," he cried.
Mouse.
"This isn't going to go away," Mouse said in a rising voice.
"You hurt me and bruised me and there was blood, but I will be fine. I think. But god DAMN it, Jordan Taylor Hanson, you will look at me. I'm not a whore who'll just disappear in the morning. And I don't want to feel like you might think that. Are you ashamed of me?"
Taylor
Taylor flinched visibly at the tone of her voice.
"No, no, no..." he shook his head, starting to rock back and forth, "I can't, I can't ever... It's me. I'm ashamed of me. I'm a Christian for God's sakes and I..."
His voice was gradually getting higher and lower, and the tears wouldn't stop.
"I can't believe I did that."
Mouse.
"Well, it happened, Taylor," Mouse said.
"And it didn't just happen to you, it happened to me as well. And I really think I got the rough end of the deal, don't you? You did it. Fine. I'll live. I've been hurt worse by people who had a lot more idea what they were doing then you."
She turned, picked up a glass and threw it at the door. It shattered and Bets yelped, shaking her fur free of glass shards and stepping away from the door.
Taylor
Taylor jumped as the glass broke, then just stared at it.
Suddenly, he was even more worried. Scared even.
He had to get out of there, but she was completely in the way of the door.
Mouse.
Mouse held her hands to her head, panting heavily. She felt out of control. So close to losing it. SHe was so angry at him. At everything. At what her life was.
"I'M SO F*CKING SICK OF BEING THE F*CKING VICTIM!" she screamed.
Taylor
Taylor squeezed his eyes shut, his knuckles turning white through his grip on the carpet.
Unnoticeably, both Flavian and Mya had been peeking out from their drawer, quickly ducking everytime someone spoke. Taking advantage of Mouse being distracted, they scampered from the draw and slipped into two of Taylor's pockets. He had his eyes plastered at Mouse's feet - afraid of being attacked - and didn't notice.
Judging the distance to the door, he bit his lip. When Mouse turned the other way, he slipped quietly onto one knee, then bolted for the door.
Mouse.
Mouse reached out to grab his arm.
"Taylor!"
Taylor
Taylor's heart leapt into his throat as she stopped him. He was in such a rush that she'd spun him around, and he was now looking into her eyes.
"Let go of me," he gulped, his hair wet from his tears.
Mouse.
"Don't walk away from me...please," Mouse said, staring up into his eyes.
"Taylor, I-"
Taylor
"Let go of me," Taylor demanded, his voice harder.
"You don't think I'm cornered every time I close my eyes?"
He suddenly backhanded her, then backed off as soon as she let go.
Mouse & Clarissa.
Mouse stared at him, one hand to her darkening cheek. Tears shimmered in her eyes from shock and betrayal, then started to fall. Her mouth was slightly open.
Taylor...he...
Bets got up and snarled at Taylor.
Uncalled for!
"Heads up, Bee," Clarissa said, rising from the table.
"Golden boy just slapped Mouse across the face. The dog is *pissed*."
Taylor & Jason
Taylor held his hand, just staring at Mouse. Becoming oblivious to everything else, his tears started to fall again.
"I... I can't do this," he shook his head.
He backed out of the door, then turned and rushed down the hallway.
Bee came through the front door to see him grab the keys to his motorcycle.
Mouse & Clarissa.
Mouse sat heavily on the bed, one hand still to her face.
Oh god.
Clarissa came in, picking her way across the glass.
"Sweetie, you alright? Here, you'll need some ice for that bruise..."
She tactfully didn't mention the glass on the floor or the blood across the sheets.
Mouse burst into tears.
Taylor & Jason
"Where are you going?" Bee demanded.
"I don't know," Taylor shook his head, making for the front door.
Bee reached over to grab some keys for himself. Taylor heard them, and turned sharply.
"No," he pointed at him.
Bee held his hands up.
"You're not coming."
"Taylor..."
"You're not coming Bee. Look, Mouse needs, you, alright?" the tears started falling again, "and right now... I don't give a $#i+ if Blakesley finds me."
With that, he disappeared through the door.
Bee shook his head and put the keys down, before going to the window.
Taylor reversed his bike out of the garage, started it, then took off down the street.
"Oh Steel is not gonna like this..."
Mouse, Keltie & Clarissa.
Clarissa made Mouse stand, after she;d swept the glass up.
"C'mon. You need something to drink. Tea. Ice for the bruise."
Mouse just followed her chivvying dumbly. Keltie had put Melusine down to sleep again, and tsked slightly at the bruise on Mouse's face.
"Puir filly. Anyways. He's gone."
"Gone? No, no, he can't be," Mouse sobbed.
"I didn't mean it, Taylor, please...come back. I'm sorry, I;m sorry..."
Clarissa pressed ice to Mouse's cheek.
"Shh."
Jason
Bee sighed and scratched his head.
What the heck was he going to tell Steel?
Deciding to play for time, he went looking for Clarissa and Mouse. He winced when he saw the bruise that was forming.
"Oooh, that's nasty."
He looked to Clarissa.
"Anything I can do?"
Mouse, Keltie & Clarissa.
"Keltie, you know how to use a washing machine, right?" Clarissa said as she dabbed arnica on Mouse's bruise.
"Aye, I mebbe a horrse, but I knae."
"Can you go put Mouse's sheets in the wash, please?"
"Aye."
The nygel got up and went to do that.
"You can call a glass repair place. She broke the window in their room last night. Oh, and run a vaccum cleaner through their room. There's glass on the floor."
Mouse just sat there dumbly, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Jason
Jason nodded, then put a hand on her shoulder.
"I need to talk to you."
Then he went to find the vaccuum cleaner.
Mouse, Keltie & Clarissa.
When Keltie came back, Clarissa sat her with Mouse.
"Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
Mouse just stared off into space.
"Yeah, Bee? Wassup? Besides the fact we've lost one of our charges and Steel is going to be so pissed even I'm scared?" Clarissa drawled as she looked at Bee.
Jason
Bee stood up from plugging the vaccuum cleaner in, and leant against the wall facing her.
"How about... we're stuck with a black fuzzle, Taylor demanded that I stay here, and he doesn't care if Blakesley finds him," he raised his eyebrows.
Clarissa.
Clarissa studied her nails for a moment, then looked back up.
"Yeah, we're just about screwed. And he's insane. Not that she isn't really, really close to it as well."
Bee sighed.
"I'll clean up here, then see if I can go find him. He might have cooled down a little. If I don't find him, I'll call the Hansons, then Steel."
Meanwhile, Taylor pulled up at a park bench, got off the bike, and abruptly sat down. Then he proceeded to simplay stare out at the lake.
Clarissa.
"He's unlikely to go anywhere less he talks to his family first," Clarissa said.
"He's like that. Hmm. Maybe not mention why? More guilt he doesn't need at the moment."
Jason
"Yeah I know," Bee sighed, leaning his head against his arm.
"I'll have to go soon. We don't need Blakesley finding him. If he does, then our lives really are on the line."
Clarissa.
"I'll clean this, you go find him," Clarissa said.
"I can hold down the fort here if he comes for the babies or Mouse. See if you can get Mouse to let you take one of the wolves with you. They'll make it easier to find him."
Jason
Bee shrugged.
"I don't think he'd be any happier to see them than he would be to see Mouse," he pointed out.
He handed her the vaccuum cleaner.
"Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it."
Clarissa.
"Hoo boy, yeah."
Clarissa shook her head as she took the vaccum cleaner.
"Be safe, Bee."
She started to vacuum up the glass.
Taylor & Jason
Bee nodded, then made his way back to the kitchen to grab his keys.
Outside, he retrieved his motorcycle from the shed. Finally, he began riding around the streets, keeping an eye out both on the road, in car lots, and basically everywhere.
Mouse & Clarissa.
Clarissa cleaned the room up, then chnaged the bed. She put Mouse to sleep with some drugs, then sat down and sighed.
Far too much effort for what was meant to be an easy job.
Taylor, Kirk & Jason
Bee was about to give up and head back when he passed the park.
Spying Taylor by his bike, he pulled over to survey.
Thinking it over, he thought it was probably better to leave him on his own for a while.
Picking up his cell phone, he dialled Steel's number.
Kirk rolled his eyes, excusing himself from conversation before answering.
"Yeah Bee?"
"Hey Steel. I'm at a park about, five blocks West of Taylor's house. He's here. Can you get Joel to keep him under surveillance for a while for me?"
"Why?" Kirk frowned, "isn't that your job?"
"He doesn't want me here," Bee insisted.
"Steel... he and Mouse kind of... 'got together' last night, if you know what I mean. Neither of them were in their right mind at the time. He hit her this morning, so..."
"Sh!+," Kirk frowned.
"Exacly."
"Ah... yeah man, sure. I'll get Joel onto it. Stay with Mouse, alright?"
"No problem man. See you 'round."
"See you 'round."
Kirk hung up, and straight away rang Joel.
Feeling eyes on him, Taylor began looking around.