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A Heartbreak for Hunter

By: Jenny Harlow

Hunter stood up after dinner was finished. There was little conversation during dinner, save for Jackie passing awkward compliments on to Tim, who smiled slightly and made faint sounds of acknowledgement. Tim shifted slightly so that Hunter could sit between his legs, and wrapped his arms around the wolf. Hunter finally turned to Jackie, his face sullen. "So you've been searching for me a couple months. How long have you been out of the house? Did you spend any time out on the street?" He hung his head down, and tilted his eyes towards his sister.

"Yeah, I've been out for almost three months now," She giggled a little sadly, "in more ways than one. My girlfriend basically took me in almost immediately." She attempted to place her hand on Hunter, but the smaller, white wolf flinched away. Instead she rubbed her arm nervously. "How about you? You seem to be doing pretty well."

"I almost died." Hunter said quietly, he leaned his head back against Tim's chest, feeling the comforting warmth behind him. "I didn't have anyone to take me in, and I spent almost a full year homeless. I ended up very sick in the hospital, and that's actually where I met Tim." Hunter rubbed the strong arm wrapped gently around him. Tim kissed him softly on the head, as Hunter started to shake slightly, tears slowly running down his face.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know, how could I have?"

"Not that you cared, you were standing right behind Mom and Dad as they literally pushed me out the door. I didn't have a chance to get anything of mine, other than the clothes I was wearing." Hunter's tears were coming more heavily now, his chest heaved occasionally. "But I survived, no thanks to any of you." Tim held him tighter, rocking him slightly.

"Again, I'm really sorry..."

"You've got to prove it, Jackie." Hunter said, lifting his head up and looking her dead in the eye. "You can't just keep saying it, you have to show me. Otherwise you're still the person who tortured me in my teens. The person who broke my ribs and dislocated my shoulder." Tim had never seen Hunter actually seething before. "You can sleep here tonight, we can talk more tomorrow." Hunter shifted off of Tim's lap and gathered the dishes up. "I'm exhausted."

Tim brought Jackie a blanket, and sat down next to her for a moment. "I'm not sure what you want here, and maybe you're being honest. Hunter really wants to believe you, and so do I. If you hurt him however, I'll make sure you never get near him again." Tim stood up and walked away from the couch. He did something that he normally never does and locked the door to the computer room. He turned around, and looked towards the living room, Jackie was turning off the light and pulling the blanket up. He sighed heavily, he wanted her to reconcile with Hunter, but something felt off in his gut. He walked into the bedroom, locking the door behind him. He slid into the covers next to Hunter, he gently took the wolf's hand and idly played with his fingers. Hunter was still awake, Tim kissed the wolf's hand before sliding it back under the blankets. "I know you're not totally okay, but how are you?"

"I'm a little in shock," Hunter said, he laid his head on Tim's chest and closed his eyes. "There was a time where Jackie and I got along, everything kind of changed when I hit my teen years." He shrugged. "Once I started... Um... Growing, I saved up some birthday money from my grandmother and I bought some ace bandages. I didn't know why, but at the time it made me feel better."

"You bound with ace bandages? That's really bad for you..."

"That isn't the worst part, Jackie caught me... When she did, she pushed me to the ground, she pinned me there and... She pulled my arm behind me, she kept asking what I was doing, why I was being so weird. That was the first time I ended up in the ER. Somehow the entire thing was blamed on the bandages, on me." Hunter paused for a minute, just listening to Tim's heart beating. "I was on pain meds, my doctor told me to remain as still as possible. Jackie was in charge of bringing food for me, and she'd set it as far out of my reach as she could get away with. She was also supposed to help me get to the bathroom, I couldn't get up by myself. She would stand and watch me, she would shout at me to hurry. I got basically forced to depend on my chief abuser by my Mom and Dad. When I tried to tell Dad about it, he slapped me and told me I should appreciate ANY help she gave me." Hunter balled the sheets into his fist. "The second time I went to the ER was about three weeks into all of that, my ribs weren't healing properly. I got so tired of having to deal with suffering for something I didn't even cause. I took a handful or two of those pills, I really don't remember how many it was... Again, I woke up in the hospital... I tried a couple more times after that to-" Hunter cut off, instead he just started sobbing heavily. Tim held him gently, he looked towards the door, just outside Jackie would be on the couch asleep, all because Hunter was willing to let her try again. Tim held the wolf until his sobbing stopped, and the slow, calm breathing that accompanied sleep came. He stayed awake a while longer, worried his mate's night terrors would come tonight. It was probably about three in the morning before Tim felt clear to go to sleep himself.

Hunter woke up just before dawn, he felt extremely thirsty. He licked his lips slightly, and gently rose from the bed. "Are you alright?" Tim murmured, his speech was slightly garbled. He sat up slightly, raising his side of the bed.

"Yeah, I'm okay, I'm just thirsty. I think I'll sit up a while and sip a lemonade. Love you." He kissed the husky between the half-closed eyes. Tim murmured something completely unintelligible, before pulling the blankets back up and falling asleep again. Hunter opened and shut the door quietly. He turned around, there was a small light coming off the couch, it looked like a cellphone's flashlight. He could see his sister's ears sticking up over the couch, her head was tilted slightly to one side. "Jackie?" He called, she jumped, this was followed by the sound of elastic snapping. "Are you okay?" He asked, walking slowly towards the couch, he flipped the light on. As he came around the couch, he found Jackie tucking in the blankets. She smiled up at him.

"Hey Hayley, couldn't sleep either?" She asked, she stared confusedly at the area around her. "I can't sleep either in a strange house." Her eyes were heavy, Hunter sat next to her. She reached to take his hand again, he flinched at first, but eventually accepted it. "I'm sorry, your name's not Hayley... It's Huh..." She rubbed her eyes. "I can't remember, tell me again?"

"Hunter, my name is Hunter now."

"Right, right, Hunter." Jackie leaned over and rested her head in her sibling's lap. She reached her free hand up and stroked the side of his face. He shivered slightly, his nerves still on edge. "It's okay, I'm not going to hit you. Why would I do that?" She giggled slightly, Hunter felt a sinking in his stomach, it was as if that part of their lives hadn't happened for her. "Mmm... Your fur is so soft!" She nuzzled her head into the fur of his stomach, she seemed to fall asleep for a second or two before waking up again. "I'm sorry, I'm still really tired. You're right, we should definitely talk more tomorrow. I love you my little sibling." She moved back to lay on the other side of the couch, she stretched out luxuriously,

"I've got a shorter sleeved shirt and some pajama pants that might fit, if it would make you more comfortable." Hunter said, he noticed she was still wearing her long sleeved shirt and jeans.

"No, I'm good, this couch is amazing." With a small smile, Jackie drifted back to sleep again.

Hunter shrugged, he pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. He hesitantly kissed her on the forehead, her skin felt cool under her fur. He grabbed a bottle of lemonade from the kitchen, and headed back to bed. He held the door lock for a second, with a sigh he locked it back again. Hunter sat exhausted, in the dark, sipping the nice cold drink. He looked at Tim, the husky was asleep with a small frown on his face. This time Hunter reached over and slowly stroked Tim's belly. The dog grinned slightly, he reached his strong arms up, and gently took Hunter's hand and arm in his larger hands. Hunter leaned slightly over against him. Eventually the wolf drank what he wanted of the lemonade, and set the bottle aside, he gently lay down next to Tim, burying his face in the fur of his partner's shoulder. His eyes closed. For the first while, everything was dark and quiet. Suddenly it seemed like his eyes opened again, yet he couldn't move. He was in the bedroom still, it was lit by a pale, gray light, likely indicating the coming dawn. Yet, something was wrong, everything was cold, despite the blankets and the warm dog that was pressed into his back. He wanted to open his mouth and call out, but his jaw felt locked tight shut. He tried to open his eyes, but it already felt as if they were open. That was when he saw it, out of the corner of his eye. A set of hands gripping the bottom of the TV set, the wolf shook fiercely now trying to get himself awake. The hands were soon followed by a head, canine but umbra black, dark and distorted. Eventually the entire body pulled itself free, and the shadow stepped onto the carpet of the room. It wandered casually around to put its blurred and twisted face next to his. Its cold hand grabbing his ear tightly. "Well, it looks like what I've told you all along is true... You pathetic little girl." The shadow said, it's voice somehow strangely familiar. "You're going to get hauled away and never see that husky again." It laughed and it seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Hunter didn't have the ability to do anything other than whimper, he wanted to shout but his mouth wouldn't move and his jaws wouldn't open. Tim wouldn't let anyone take me anywhere, he wouldn't! The wolf thought, his eyes watery.

"You really believe that don't you?" The shadow said, it forced its face closer to Hunter's. "Let me ask you something, is Tim a straight man?" The shadow said, turning its head sideways.

No... He said so himself, but what does that matter? The wolf thought, he tried to turn his head and look behind him, but he still couldn't move.

"It matters a lot, my dear girl. That's what you are isn't it? That's why Tim wouldn't lift a finger to stop your sister from dragging you off anywhere she pleased."

I'm not-

"What? You honestly think Tim loves you? All you do is drain him of everything he owns, you don't even have the right equipment to make him happy do you? That's why you have to buy so many fake ones." Again came that horrible laughter. Hunter struggled, he felt his body finally starting to move.

He sat up and yelled out. "Tim loves me, there's nothing you can say that would make me believe otherwise. My sister can't do anything to me as long as he's here!" He felt himself falling, as if the world dropped out from beneath him, he felt burning in his nose and just between his eyes. He awoke, laying on the floor, he almost couldn't breathe. In the light of Tim's small reading lamp, he saw those ice-shard eyes looking over the edge of the bed at him. Hunter didn't know what else to do, other than burst into tears. Tim carefully moved off the bed, lay down on the carpet, and pulled Hunter into him. He gently took a tissue and held it to the wolf's nose, which Hunter just noticed was bleeding. He had hit his face on the nightstand on his way down.

"It's alright, shh... It's okay babe, I'm here." Tim was shaking slightly, he too was crying softly. He planted a gentle kiss on top of Hunter's head. "It's okay Hunter, I've got you. Let it out babe." The husky made several soothing sounds, and kept the wolf as close to him as possible. Hunter's entire body was shaking. Tim knew this dream had to be worse than ever.

When Hunter finally calmed down, he took a deep breath and rolled over to face the husky. "Do you really love me? Despite the fact that I was born a-" Tim silenced Hunter with a kiss on the lips, despite the fact that blood was still running down his nose.

He wiped his mouth off with a clean tissue before answering. "Of course I do. Listen Hunter, whether you were born a girl, a boy or a rhinoceros, none of that factors into anything. I love you because you're you! So you grew up differently than most guys, and have some problems I'll never be able to understand, so what? You're my wolf, my Hunter, my BOYFRIEND, and I love you with every part of my being."

"But what about all the money I cost you, all of-"

Again Tim kissed him on the lips, and wiped his own off again. "Hunter, taking care of you is something I enjoy doing. It makes me feel good to see you happy, money isn't all that important. You're special, you're important to me, and I would happily live in a cardboard box if it meant I got to live with you." Tim wasn't always the best with words, but it made Hunter curl into his arms. The wolf had to admit, he felt safe and comfortable as he had the first time Tim had stopped him from falling over and caught him in his arms.

"It's just that, in my dream, the shadow came back. It told me that you wouldn't stop my sister if she wanted to take me away, it said I was nothing more than an expense on you, that you didn't love me because of how I was born."

"First of all, your sister better not even THINK of taking you anywhere you don't wanna go. Secondly, dreams are just that, dreams. It has no bearing on reality at all. I'll say it again Hunter, I don't love you because of what's between your legs..." He put his hand on Hunter's chest, "I love you because of what's in here," and he kissed Hunter gently on the head, "And what's up here. You're bright, you're sweet, and you're goofy, and you're pretty damn cute too. So no Hunter, I don't love you because of how you were born or raised. I love you because of who you grew up to be despite that." Tim stood up, gently lifting Hunter back onto the bed. He started to crawl in himself, then changed his mind. "In fact, there was something I was saving, something that was supposed to be a surprise on your birthday, but I think now's the proper time to do it." Tim smiled at the wolf and walked over to his ratty, blue backpack. He reached his hand in, digging around the spare scrubs, the notebook, and all of the other supplies he kept in there. Finally he found what he was looking for. He picked the small box up, he hid it behind his back as he walked back to the bed. He knelt down beside Hunter, looking deep into those purple eyes. "Hunter, my life will never be the same again. I didn't know when I started my shift that night that I'd meet someone so warm, kind, and with such love to give. I don't want it to go back that way, ever, I don't know what I'd do without you." The wolf blinked, he searched Tim's face, the husky had a small smile on his lips. "Hunter Grayson, what I'm trying to say is." Tim moved the box around in front of him, he heard Hunter take a deep breath in as he stared at it. "Will you stay with me for the rest of our lives?" Tim opened the box. The ring inside was wide banded silver, with a square emerald in the middle, Hunter's birthstone.

The wolf couldn't breathe for a moment, he was overtaken with so many different feelings. He put his hands to his muzzle as he stared at the ring. Finally he locked eyes with Tim and nodded slowly. With a small giggle, Tim gently took Hunter's arm and moved his hand towards him, he slid the ring gently onto Hunter's small finger. Much to Hunter's surprise, it fit perfectly. Tim kissed Hunter's hand before letting it go. Hunter looked at his hand in the light of the lamp, the silver and green both sat so naturally against the white of his fur. "I don't know what to say..." Hunter said, he turned towards Tim.

The husky held an arm out, letting Hunter slide under it, so that the wolf's head rested where his shoulder met his chest. He stroked the wolf's arm gently, he took the small hand and placed his palm flat against it. "You don't really have to say anything, you basically said the one thing I was hoping to hear. Do me one thing though, send your professors an email tonight, let them know you won't be coming in today. If they ask what happened, tell them you've got a bruised rib and it kind of got worse tonight. I'm gonna call in too, not necessarily because I'm playing hookie, more because you're going to have to deal with Jackie in the morning and I want to be here with you." Hunter lay down on his side, pulling his phone off the nightstand. Tim gently wrapped his arm around Hunter's tummy. "After that get some sleep. You need to rest, I know you can't control your dreams but hopefully that helps." Tim said, rubbing Hunter's ring finger.

Hunter carefully took the ring off, setting it back in its box and setting it open on the nightstand. He didn't like sleeping with things too close to his skin. "I love you too Tim, I know I didn't say it earlier but I really do. I've been so happy with you, now I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." He finished his message, then closed his eyes, and leaned happily back into his dog. Tim reached over and shut the light off. They both drifted back off to sleep, too exhausted to do anything else. Each enjoying the other's warmth against them. As Hunter slept the shadow attempted to return, however a green hued light from the nightstand forced it to back away. Hunter smiled slightly in his sleep, he could feel Tim's warmth across the length of his body.

Tim woke up first, his alarm beeping softly. He turned it off and sat up. He picked the phone up and flipped through his contacts to find his call in number. He dialed and sat half asleep as the phone rang. "Hello, nurse's station Veronica speaking." The voice said on the other side.

Tim leaned back against the headboard letting out a small yawn. "Hey Veronica, this is Tim. Listen, I'm not going to be able to make my shift today. Hunter's having some issues and needs my help around the house today." The husky rubbed his eyes.

"Anything more specific than that?" Veronica said with a small giggle, Tim never really called in so it wasn't an issue when he did.

"Actually yeah, he's bruised his ribs and his leg's been acting up again." Tim said, his tone serious.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Both of you take care today, I'll notify everyone that needs to know. Uh, payday today, if you want to come get your check otherwise it'll be mailed out at five." Veronica said, typing something up on the computer.

"Yeah, I probably should. I've got some time though." Tim smiled as he pressed back into Hunter's small frame. "Thanks Veronica, I'll see you later."

"No problem, get some rest, you sound tired."

Tim disconnected, he turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling. His boyfriend turned fiance was breathing softly and slowly next to him. Occasionally Hunter would giggle or talk in his sleep. Tim smiled slightly as his eyes started to close, it was nice to hear Hunter happy in his dreams. Hunter rolled towards him and he kissed the wolf on the muzzle, just above his nose. "Sweet dreams babe." He said, resting his head against his mate's. Hunter woke up about noon, Tim had been up a little while. He was reading a book and didn't notice the wolf's eyes were open. Hunter carefully moved his head onto Tim's lap, "Good morning sunshine." Tim said, stroking the wolf's ear and hair.

"Morning," Hunter said quietly. He rolled over onto his back so that his eyes were turned up towards Tim's. "Kiss me."

Tim let out an exaggerated sigh, put his bookmark into his book and set it aside. He bent down, Hunter leaned up to meet him. The two locked into a relatively long and passionate kiss. Finally they broke, Hunter once more putting his head on his partner's legs. Tim didn't pick his book back up, instead he just sat with a small, goofy smile on his face, looking into Hunter's eyes and gently rubbing the wolf's belly. "We're engaged..." Tim said at last, with a slight giggle. "I hadn't fully processed it last night but, we're really, truly engaged!"

Hunter closed his eyes and stretched his belly out more. "Yep... I had another dream last night, the only one that I can remember. The shadow tried to come back, but the ring scared it off for some reason." Hunter said, he shrugged slightly. Tim kissed his index and middle fingers, then pressed them gently to Hunter's nose, Hunter took the hand and kissed the fingers himself. He turned Tim's hand around and pressed them back to the husky's lips. They sat for a while, just enjoying the quiet company of one another.

It was about an hour later when Tim's phone rang, he picked it up as if coming out of a trance. Hunter idly took his free hand and intertwined their fingers. The number was Arlington Healthsprings'. Tim sighed heavily, "Hello?" He said, closing his eyes slightly.

"Tim, it's Dr. Noble. I'm sorry to disturb you, especially since I know you're taking care of your boyfriend today."

"Fiance actually, just happened last night... a little spur of the moment." The husky said with a small grin.

"Oh, congratulations! Anyways, I'm gonna need you to come in for just about ten or fifteen minutes. The employee evaluations came in today and the boss lady wants me to talk to you personally. She said I can't tell you over the phone though." She sighed, "So I'm sorry to keep you away from Hunter, but what the boss wants, ya know?"

"I understand, I'll be there in about forty five minutes or so." Tim sighed as he hung up the phone. "I've got to go to work for a few minutes, I'm sorry babe." Tim looked down, Hunter had a very concerned look on his face. "Dr. Noble just wants to talk about something on my job evaluation. It won't take long." Again, Tim let out a heavy sigh, "I don't want you to be alone though, you want me to call Bridget to give you some emotional support at least?" Tim indicated the door with his head.

Hunter nodded slightly, his face sinking a little. "Okay, I like hanging out with Bridget. I love you." Hunter looked at his mate, a small smile on his face.

"I love you too, I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you and buy you lunch... That reminds me, you should probably take your sugar and find something to eat in the meantime." The wolf moved so the husky could stand up. Tim and Hunter pecked each other on the lips. Tim dressed in a hurry and dashed out the door. He paused in the living room, Jackie was still asleep, a large smile on her face. He studied her for a minute, she actually looked kind of sweet. He knew though that looks were often deceiving. He rubbed his face as he walked around the couch. He shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes for a second, meeting Tim's. She rubbed them as he knelt in front of her. "Jackie, if you're hungry or anything please feel free to get something to eat out of the fridge." Tim said, he flashed a small smile as he stood up again.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it." She said, she sat up on the couch as Tim started out the door.

Hunter received a text from Bridget not long after Tim left. "Just getting myself together, be at your place in like fifteen minutes." There was a smiley emoticon afterwards.

Hunter sighed as he retrieved the small black pouch from his nightstand and went through his morning routine. "A little low," He said. He got out of the bed and shivered a little, as he always did when his sugar dropped. He walked over and fished the candy out of his backpack, noting that the bag was running a little empty. He popped a choice candy into his mouth, pulled a t-shirt on, and opened the door. As soon as he cracked the door, he heard his sister talking on the phone.

"Yeah I know, I'm planning on asking her today. Yeah, hopefully..." Jackie said, she leaned against the couch, "I hope so too." She hadn't noticed Hunter walking up behind the couch. "Yeah, I just hope it doesn't start an argument. I'm not particularly in the mood for that right now."

"Hey what's up?" Hunter asked, sitting on the couch next to her. He cocked his head slightly to one side.

"Listen I gotta go babe." Hunter heard a soft laughter from the phone, "Yeah, listen I love you!" She hung up and turned to look at her sibling. "Sorry, was just my girlfriend. She wanted to ask how things were going, and find out when I was coming home. She also reminded me to ask my boss about some things." Jackie leaned back on the couch, resting her feet on Hunter's lap. Hunter looked down at them and then up at her. "So what about you? What're you doing right now?"

"I'm about to fix myself some food, I was wondering if you were hungry..."

"Yeah, that sounds good. I could help you get stuff together if you want me too."

"No thanks, I'm good." Hunter gently pushed her feet off of him as he stood up. He started to walk towards the kitchen and fell over. He picked himself up cursing.

"You okay?" Jackie asked, she actually sounded concerned.

"Yeah... Can you hand me that cane... It's just under the end table there." He pointed to the other side of the couch. She reached underneath the table and pulled the collapsing cane out. She passed it to her sibling. He folded it out and used it and the couch arm to pull himself off the floor.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, I have some minor problems with my coordination every now and again. Sometimes my right leg doesn't know how to keep me upright." He laughed softly, with a tinge of sadness.

"Oh... I... I don't know what to say..."

"You don't really have to." He shrugged. "Would mimus and rice be okay for lunch? I know we had it last night, but it's easy." Hunter called as he walked into the kitchen.

"Yeah that's fine..." Jackie rubbed her arm nervously, she listened as Hunter started getting things together. She finally took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Listen, Hunter... I hate to ask but... Do you have some money I could borrow? My boss is holding my check for some reason, I just need enough to get through the next few days..." Everything in the kitchen stopped. Hunter walked out again, sitting on the couch.

"Food's in the microwave." He said softly. "I don't know... I mean, I'd have to ask Tim, he's kind of the one with the money right now... How much do you need?"

"Probably about forty or fifty dollars, if you can spare it." Jackie pulled her knees to her chest. Hunter did the same.

"I think we'd be able to do it, I don't know though."

"It'd mean a lot if you could."

Hunter stood up from the couch, and turned around. "Listen, why don't we have lunch, wait for Tim to come home, then we'll talk about it okay?"

Jackie sighed, and looked in her dufflebag, she made a frustrated grunt as she leaned back against the couch. "I really need an answer... I need to go to work later..."

"Well, Tim's going to be back in about an hour, can you wait until then?"

Jackie once more dug through her bag, she put her hands on the side of her head and placed her head between her knees. "I'm going to have to probably go before then, I've got stuff to do. If you just give me the money, I'd come back and we can talk tonight, okay?" Jackie looked up, her breathing was ragged and her eyes were dilated, she gripped her stomach tightly.

"Jackie what's wrong?" Hunter asked, he went to rub his sister's shoulder. In a flash she grabbed his hand and forced him to fall forward onto the ground. She sat atop his chest, knee in his ribs. "Jackie?" He was horrified, he could feel her shivering on top of him.

"Listen Hayley, I really need that money..." She swallowed hard, "You have no idea how bad I hurt right now, I just need the money and I can make it all go away..." She put her face down in front of his, her multicolored eyes locking onto his purple ones. "Please Hayley I'm begging you, help me..."

"I can't I don't have any money, I really don't. Tim-" Hunter's voice cut out, Jackie wrapped her fingers around his neck. He choked, his legs kicking underneath her.

"I don't have time for your games Hayley, don't hold out on me!" She leaned into Hunter's face. "I really didn't want to have to go this far, but I'm glad I waited until your guard dog wasn't around." Hunter's vision blurred, distorting her face for a second. He realized who the shadow sounded like. He started to panic, he couldn't get air in. He tried to reach his cane, but it was just out of his fingers' reach. He was distantly aware of the door opening.

"Hunter, I'm sorry I'm a little late, had a bit of an issue with the-" Bridget saw Jackie not long after coming through the door. The ocelot was going to school to become a gym coach. She was surprisingly fast, and strong for her size. She sprinted across the room and tackled Jackie, they landed together on the coffee table which splintered and cracked under the sudden impact. Hunter took a few gasping breaths, yet his breathing still sounded distressed. "Hunter are you okay?" Bridget turned around at the wrong time. She had pinned Jackie near her dufflebag. The wolf withdrew one of her syringes from the bag and stabbed it into Bridget's back, just where her shirt had lifted to reveal skin. The ocelot let out a scream of pain, and reached her hand behind her. Jackie kicked her into the couch, the needle broke off beneath her skin. Jackie attempted to break for the open door, but Bridget grabbed her ankle, pulling her to the ground. The ocelot stood, despite the pain flaring through her back. Jackie stood, Bridget grabbed her and turned her around. She raised her knee into the surprised wolf's gut, causing her to double over, she then pushed her head down and brought her knee up again. Jackie staggered for a second before collapsing onto the ground. "Hunter!" She called out, she ran back to the wolf's side, dialing nine one one as she did so. "Hunter can you breathe?"

The wolf nodded, though his breath was coming in short, shallow pants. "I can... having... trouble..."

"I'm going to get you an ambulance, just to make sure you're okay." She ran her hands gently down Hunter's throat, he whimpered slightly in pain.

"What... ab... you?"

"Shhh, don't talk Hunter, try and breathe okay? I'm fine, your sister caught me with a needle of some kind. It hurts but I think I'm okay, need to get it out of my skin though." She laughed, but Hunter looked serious.

"Needle... not good... any type of... thing on it..." He closed his eyes, and leaned back, he was still breathing in labored breaths.

Bridget picked up her phone to talk to the operator, she apologized for not answering sooner. "Yes, I need an ambulance at six o seven Maple Creek lane." She moved to sit on Jackie's back, even though she likely wouldn't recover for a while. "I also need the police, my friend was strangled by his sister and now he's having difficulty breathing. That and she stabbed me with a needle..." She paused for a second, wiping her eyes. "The type you inject medicine or..." She paused again. "Yeah, I suspect it was used for that, I don't know though. There was a spoon in her bag with..." She sobbed slightly, "I'll stay on the line..." The ocelot put her phone on speaker and set it aside, she put her head in her hands. Finally she crept over again to check on Hunter. He was out cold, yet his breathing was still not normal. She heard the ambulance coming, a police car not far behind it. She stepped out onto the porch to meet them.

Meanwhile, Tim had reached work and been waiting outside Dr. Noble's office for about ten minutes. Finally she walked up and indicated that they should go inside. She stepped in and shut the door. "Sorry to call you all the way up here Tim. But like I said, higher ups don't have to make a lot of sense. Anyways, it's good news I promise." She offered the husky a seat and sat down herself. "Your job evaluation." She handed Tim the small sheet of paper. "Multiple outstanding, nothing under an excellent." The rat smiled at the dog. "Dr. Malone wanted you to be here because she's offered you a pay raise."

Tim held the paper in his hand, looking at the comments down below. "A full dollar an hour more?" He said a look of absolute surprise on his face.

"Yep, I agree that you've earned it. She's contacted payroll to apply it to your last work day, so your check is going to be a day short this week, but it'll be better next week. You just have to sign here." She smiled as she slid a paper over to him. He took it eagerly and started signing all the appropriate boxes. There was a soft beeping, Dr. Noble checked her pager. "I'm needed in the emergency room, case coming in. Just leave the paper's under my mouse pad when you're done." She patted the husky on the shoulder. She got down to emergency, which wasn't far from her office. Tim was just tucking the papers into the area the doctor had asked when his phone rang. It was the hospital's number.

"Hello?" He said confusedly.

"Tim, you'd better get down here. We got a report over the radio, white furred wolf, purple eyes, ID in pocket names him as Hunter Grayson. Apparently he was a victim of assault, he's unconscious and he's having difficulty breathing." Dr. Noble said.

Tim felt himself growing cold. He ran as fast as he could into the receiving bay, He could see the lights off the ambulance coming, a police car followed not far behind. The ambulance stopped just in front of Tim. None of the hospital staff questioned him standing there, a group of paramedics set the gurney on the ground, Hunter had a small tube inserted into his throat to help his breathing. Tim rushed over and gently took his hand, standing out of the paramedics way. He dropped into nurse mode almost immediately asking questions and making care suggestions, he barely noticed when Bridget was brought out behind him. They wheeled Hunter into a semi private room, moved him over onto one bed and set Bridget on the other. Tim finally realized she was there. "What happened?" The husky said, he looked as though he were going to cry. "What happened to him?"

"It was that bitch at your place, Hunter's sister I'm guessing. I walked in and she was... she was sitting on him attempting to strangle him, she had her knees in his chest and may have fractured his ribs. I knocked her off of him, but she stabbed me with a hypodermic." Tim's eyes widened. Bridget started shaking. "The paramedics on the way over... They kept saying things like HIV and..." She looked at Tim, "I'm so scared, more than I think I've ever been in my life." Tim walked over and pulled the ocelot into a hug.

"It's okay Bridget, it's okay, you're going to be okay." He rocked her slightly, casting a concerned glance back at his mate. "Where is Jackie?"

"The police brought her here, she's being treated for a broken jaw and she also has some potentially fractured ribs."

Tim looked at her curiously. "How'd that happen?"

"I didn't want her to run away, I kind of kneed her in the gut, and then in the face..." Bridget and Tim both giggled a bit humorlessly. Tim sat on the bed next to her, pulling her gently onto his shoulder.

"It will be okay though, they'll run a bunch of tests on you, give you several shots for various things, but it will be okay. I'll be here with you, and Hunter too." He looked over at the wolf, he was still out his chest rising and falling slowly, more steadily now that he had some assistance. Tim let Bridget go for a second, standing torn between the two of them. Hunter needed him, but so did Bridget. He sat in a chair between the two of them with his face in his hands. Nurses and doctors came and went, multiple checks were done on Hunter's throat, and Bridget received more injections than Tim or her cared to count. He held her hand and shielded her eyes as they went after the needle in her back. It was close to eight at night when a police officer came through the door.

She leaned against the door, she too was an ocelot. She was still rather young, but she looked as if she had been an officer for a while. She had sandy hair that was tied back into a ponytail and run through her hat. "Hi, I'm Officer Tristana Davis. I'm here to take your statement." She pulled a chair up against the bed and set a notebook down on her lap. "From the evidence at the scene, and the injuries you've both sustained," she indicated Hunter with her head, "Combine with the barely lucid testimony of Ms. Grayson. We're calling it self defense on your part." She smiled slightly for a second. "As far as anything else, we found the syringe which contained traces of heroin and at least three different people's blood, including yours." She said, nodding towards Bridget. "All we need to complete our picture here, is your testimony and Mr. Grayson's." She said, resting her chin on her palm. Bridget proceeded to retell the events as best as she could, her memory a little fuzzy but clear enough to basically nail Jackie to a wall. After Bridget finished, the other ocelot looked her in the eye. "Are you going to be pressing charges?" She asked.

With a sigh Bridget looked at Tim, "Yes, I think so. Not only for my sake but for Hunter's too." Officer Davis nodded. She closed her notebook and stood up.

"Very well, thank you for your cooperation." Officer Davis tipped her hat and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.

Hunter stirred slightly, his eyes opening. Tim held him down gently, rubbing his arms. "It's okay babe, it's okay, just rest for a while." Hunter looked at Tim's face, he couldn't speak, but he indicated the ring finger on his right hand. Tim smile slightly and gently rubbed Hunter's stomach. "Sure, I'll bring it." The husky kissed Hunter between the eyes, the wolf let his eyes drift shut again, partially from exhaustion, partially from sedation. Tim turned to Bridget, "Will you be okay here on your own? Hunter will be here but he's not much company right now. I need to go grab something that's very important to him." Bridget nodded, she leaned back on the bed closing her eyes too.

"I'll be okay Tim, you're right, Hunter's here and the tests and shots are over now." She attempted to smile but it didn't quite work.

Tim just nodded and patted her foot under the blankets. "I'll be back in forty five minutes or so, call me if Hunter wakes up again in the meantime." He stopped at the door for one last look at the sleeping wolf. On the way out he accidentally found Jackie's room. She was screaming at a nurse, there was a loud crash as she threw a tray of food across the room. Tim looked in just from the doorway. The wolf was shivering violently, her hair and fur pinned to her by sweat, her breathing was rough. Withdrawal wasn't something he'd wish on his worst enemy, though in this case he figured she deserved it.

The ride home was lonely, Tim frequently drove by himself but this time it was different. Tim craved comfort, but there was no one to give it. He reached over and pressed a button on the stereo menu. "Calling Mom." The computerized voice said.

"Hey baby what's up?" His mom said, she sounded tired.

"I just need to talk a little." Tim sighed, he looked out into the night. "Hunter's sister came to see him, and she... she tried to kill him."

"Oh my god Tim,,," His mom sounded more awake now. "Is there anything I can do?"

"I don't know, I'm just concerned about him and our friend Bridget. Hunter's sister stabbed her with a hypodermic and she's scared she'll get sick from it."

"I'm sorry, I wish there was more I could do... Do you want to come over here?"

"No, I appreciate it, but I'm going to find a way to stay with Hunter and Bridget tonight." Again Tim let out a sad laugh, "It'll save me a commute to work tomorrow."

"Tim, sweetie I'm coming to see you both. I'll meet you at the hospital okay? You need anything?" Tim rested his head against the back of the seat. "Food... I hate to ask, but if you could bring Bridget and I some food, and some soup incase Hunter wakes up."

"Sure baby, what do you want?"

"Um... A burger and fries, and an iced tea no sugar. I'm pretty sure Bridget will be happy with the same, but she'd like a Coke no ice."

"Okay, I can do that, I'll bring Hunter some good mimus noodle soup and some crackers. Love you baby, I'm going to start getting ready."

"Love you Mom, I'll see you there. I've got to get Hunter a couple things from the house, I'll see you when I see you. Bye."

"Bye baby." The phone disconnected and the CD started playing, it was the track Hunter had last played, Cradled in Love.

As Tim pulled up to the red light just off the exit ramp, he laid his head on the steering wheel and cried. He sat through a whole cycle, the road totally empty. When the light turned green a second time he continued on. He pulled up in the driveway, he took a deep breath before he opened the door. He knew it was going to be rough from Bridget's retelling, but he still couldn't believe it at first. He turned on the lights, one of the lamps shattered, knocked over by Hunter as he was struggling to get out from under his sister. The coffee table was ruined, as well as the nightstand that had been holding the lamp up. Tim sat for a moment on the couch to take it all in, he found Hunter's birthday presents, accidentally forgotten the night before. He was happy that those, at least, were intact. Tim felt something odd brush his tail, he stood up and took the cushion off the couch. Behind it was a piece of surgical tubing, he barely missed sitting on the syringe just next to it. He screamed as he threw the cushion across the room, the TV fell off the wall and shattered with everything else. He didn't care at the moment, he knew that the insurance would cover it with the rest of the damage. He walked into the bedroom, a brief wave of the happiness from the night before washed over him. He grabbed Hunter's ring, his DS and his favorite puzzle games. He emptied his backpack haphazardly onto the bed, before packing Hunter's possessions inside instead. He gently took the ring, closed the box and tucked it back inside again. He zipped the bag up and looked around the room. He carefully took Hunter's pillow and raised it to his nose, he took a deep breath of the comforting scent. He put the pillow and his into a black bag, a little piece of home to keep with them through the night. He headed back out, just before he hit the highway Bridget called. "What's up Bridget?"

"Hunter's awake, they took the breathing tube out of his throat for a while to see how he's breathing on his own, so far so good. He's having difficulty talking right now, his throat's really irritated, but he's breathing."

"That's good news, they're going to keep him a couple days for observation likely." Tim said with a shrug. "How about you girl?"

"They got Jackie's results back and some of mine." Bridget sighed a little. "She... She's HIV negative. I've never been so relieved in my life."

"You don't sound relieved."

"Well, she's HIV negative but she... she had Hepatitis B. They caught and are prescribing me meds to deal with it. The thing is, I'm not concerned about me, believe it or not it's Hunter's sister I'm worried about."

"I know Bridget, I know. I'm bringing you some food, well at least my mom is. She's bringing Hunter some soup too, I'm sure he'll appreciate that." They made their goodbyes and Tim continued his drive. He got back to the room, his mom hadn't yet arrived. He walked slowly over to Hunter's bed. "Bridget, can you keep a secret from my mom?" He said with a large grin.

"Sure Tim, what's up?"

Tim pulled the ring box out of his backpack and slid the ring on Hunter's finger. "We're engaged."

Hunter looked up at Tim, he made a small noise and tried to move his head closer to the dog. Tim pulled a chair over, he folded the railing down and rested his head on the side of the bed. Hunter put his arm around Tim. The wolf placed his hand on his throat and swallowed. "I love you," He said in a gravelly voice.

"I love you too. Try not to talk sweetie." He kissed the wolf's hand.

Hunter smiled at Bridget. "Thank you." He said, she met his eyes and nodded slightly.

Mrs. Vincetti arrived finally, the smell of food hitting all of them. She handed Tim the bag, she gently put her hand on Hunter's shoulder. Tim's mom was about half-way between Tim and Hunter's heights, she had a dark grayish black coat, but unlike his dad, she had those ice-shard eyes, she didn't have the white stripe running down her front though. "Hi sweetie."

"Hi Mom." Hunter rasped. Mrs.Vincetti and her husband basically accepted Hunter as family a couple months into his relationship with Tim. He gently took her arm in his hand.

"Shh.. poor baby, I brought you some soup, some crackers, and if you think you can handle it, some of your favorite lemonade." She set a thermos, a box of crackers, and a bottle of lemonade in front of Hunter. He kissed her hand gently. "I also brought you all some dessert, I packed several cookies."

Tim stood, wrapping his mom in his arms, he rested his head on top of hers. "Thanks Mom, you're amazing!"

"My babies were in trouble, of course I'm going to help them!" She sat down next to Bridget. "How are you doing ma'am?" She said, taking the ocelot's hand as Tim set her food in front of her.

"I'm alright, my back is really sore where they dug that needle out, but other than that I guess I'm okay."

"That's good," She dropped her voice's volume and leaned in. "Tim told me what you did for Hunter, I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you, and how grateful. Tim would mourn himself to death if anything happened to his wolf."

"Thank you, I just wish it hadn't happened at all." Bridget looked over, Tim's food was sitting unopened on the table. He was carefully feeding Hunter the soup, a small smile on both of their faees.

Mrs. Vincetti looked back for a second. "If there was ever any doubt about their relationship, I think that image right there would eradicate it."

As Tim sat feeding Hunter, one thought stirred in the back of his mind. Sooner or later, after she came completely down, Tim wanted to confront Hunter's scheming sister. Just to talk to her if nothing else. Even if his words were wasted, he wanted her to hear what she had almost robbed him of, how it made him feel, and how she would likely never be seeing Hunter again. Yet for right now, he passed Hunter the pillow he'd brought from home, and asked a nurse to roll a recliner into the room if at all possible. He sat happily under a sheet and blanket staring at the wolf. His breathing had become labored again as he'd tried to fall asleep, so he was put once more on a breathing tube. He was satisfied that Hunter was getting the care he needed. Bridget snored happily into the bed next to the wolf, she too was being kept for observation over the next couple days. Tim sighed as he turned over in the chair, he nibbled on one of the cookies his mom had left as he flipped through his book. It was a while before he went to sleep, he kept on constant alert for any sound of distress or discomfort from Hunter. Finally he let himself settle down and close his eyes, turning off the small reading light that was clipped to his book. He rose once more in the dim light, kissed the wolf a couple times on the cheek, then curled back up and let himself sleep. Tim dreamed that he and Hunter had returned to school together, it was a slightly nonsensical dream, but a small smile crossed the husky's lips.