No Chance, Ch 10
No Chance Chapter 10 copyright 2011 comidacomida
Hallways always seemed shorter to Daryl when he had a lot on his mind; it felt like the world wanted to give him less time to think between point A and point B. After his talk with Abe, Daryl returned to the records room and tried to focus but far too many thoughts were on his mind and, once again, the paperwork escaped his capacity. It had happened several times since changing into the strange human/animal hybrid he had become; he hoped that it wasn't a permanent physiological change that came with his new form.
He continued replaying the discussion with Abe in his head. The teen had discovered that everyone's genetic makeup had changed... so significantly in fact that there could have been enough damage to their chromosomes that they would all be rendered sterile. Abe seemed to think that they'd be able to "reproduce with a species close to their own", but all that said to Daryl was that the teen, regardless of how much a genius he was, apparently didn't plan on returning to his prior form... whether that was by choice or because Abe didn't think it was possible was yet to be revealed.
Padding along through the hallway, Daryl would have liked to think that his wandering was at random, but the closer he drew to the northern office the less he could pretend. Out of the three agents sent by the FDA, David was the only one who really seemed to be as composed after the incident as he was before it. The thought didn't sit easily with Daryl, but he realized that the only way he would be able to quiet his mind would be to sit and talk with the ferret-- David often had a way to shape a viewpoint that Daryl needed at that moment.
"David..." the panther knocked loudly on the closed office.
"Just a moment, please." the casual reply came from beyond the door. Daryl was able to hear a hint of apprehension in the tone; he realized that David must have thought he was angry. It wouldn't have been a bad guess-- Daryl realized that he'd spent more and more time angry as of late.
The panther realized that his knock was louder than he planned. He checked his voice to make sure he didn't come across in the way that was all too common in the past day or two, "It's me, David." Daryl managed to keep his tone even and mellow, "You have a few minutes to chat?"
The office door unlocked and opened. David stood casually, one paw on the door handle and the other on the door frame. The ferret glanced at the panther, looking him up and down, "You were talking with Abe." he commented casually, and stepped aside, motioning with an arm to invite him in.
Daryl entered as David moved out of the way, brushing a few small errant clumps of white fur from his thigh, "Fur or scent?" the panther asked, eluding to how David knew.
"You look troubled." the ferret responded, moving over to take a seat in the chair behind the room's only desk, "If you're troubled then it's usually because you are talking to Abe or, more recently, because you've been talking with Courtney. Since last I checked, your fiance was still asleep, so that left the obvious answer."
Daryl nodded at the ferret's train of logic and was just about to get to the heart of the matter when something David said made him pause, "Last you checked?" the panther asked. He felt his fur beginning to bristle.
"An innocent expression, Daryl." the ferret held up a paw, "Relax please... your teeth are showing."
Closing his eyes, Daryl took a deep breath and ran his tongue around his muzzle, exhaling slowly before he forced his mind to focus on the task at hand, "Just tell me what you mean by it and I'll be fine."
David let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair and putting his feet on the top of the desk, "Cameras, Daryl... they're all over the hallways."
Daryl was about to speak up at that when he suddenly realized that David was right. His fur quickly deflated and he swallowed back on a growl. He tried to avoid any tone indicating accusation as he asked, "You've been watching the cameras?" he was a little ashamed that a sense of embarrassment crept into his voice. Had David seen Courtney enter his room the prior night? He snorted-- even if the ferret did, so what? It wasn't like they did anything wrong.
"We need to be aware of what's going on so, yes." the ferret nodded, "Are you concerned that I may have seen Courtney enter your room last night?"
The panther swallowed the newest growl as he felt a ripple of discomfort roll through his fur; that was not a discussion he really wanted to have with David at that point, "I'm not in high school and you're not my dad, David."
"I'm not trying to be, Daryl." the ferret noted calmly, "I'm just wondering about your train of logic."
"What do you mean?" Daryl asked. He felt his ears raise from their position against his head. He finally took a seat, choosing a wooden armchair opposite David.
"Yesterday you seemed beside yourself with worry that things would get out of hand and that you wanted to make sure Courtney was safe," the ferret pointed out, "and then the next thing I see the two of you are sleeping together." David sat up in his chair, taking his feet off the table.
"It's none of your fucking business what Courtney and I--" the words came out as a snarl, his paws curving in on themselves as his hooked claws unsheathed themselves, biting into the wooden armrests of the chair where he sat.
"Calm down, Daryl!" David rose his voice, standing.
"I am NOT going to calm down, you piece of shit!" Daryl heard his voice reverberate around the office, but he didn't care at that point. He hadn't come into the office looking for a fight, but if that's what David wanted then it's what he'd get.
"You're blowing this out of proportion..." the ferret announced, slowly circling the desk to come closer, paws held out in front of him in a calming gesture, "I was merely pointing out--" but, by that point, Daryl was filled to the brim with frustration. Without even thinking, he lashed out at David.
The entire world spun around as Daryl first went one direction than the other. David's slight paw gripped Daryl's massive paw by the wrist. Sidestepping, the ferret readjusted the panther's center of gravity and with little more than a tug, sent Daryl head-over-tail, flipping right onto the desk. With a well-placed foot for leverage, the ferret pulled in the other direction, yanking the panther right off the creaking desk and onto the floor. David planted the same foot onto Daryl's back and quickly twisted the still-captured paw around behind the panther's back.
"I'm trying to talk to you, Daryl." David noted calmly, not even breathing quickly, "If you don't have the mental fortitude to control yourself I can confine you to a room like the scientists."
Daryl continued to struggle, but, after several attempts at freeing himself he finally gave over to the realization that the ferret had him held firmly. A number of seconds later the strange haze of blood lust passed, and the panther let his muzzle drop to the ground, his nose slamming against the floor audibly, "I can't keep going on like this." he said, voice muffled slightly by the carpet. He ached all over and his body felt exhausted... but the pain and weariness of his body were nothing compared to his mind.
"Are you in control, Daryl?" the ferret inquired. Daryl was released only once he nodded.
The panther got to his feet, brushing himself off. David reached over and pulled a piece of paper off of Daryl's back. "I'm sorry, David." he said to the ferret, avoiding eye contact, "I... I just...." he fell back into his chair, "this is getting worse... it wasn't this bad before--"
"Before Courtney got here." David spoke it more as a statement than a question.
"What's happening, David?" Daryl asked, brushing the back of his arm across his muzzle; it came away bloody.
"It isn't obvious?" the ferret asked.
Derek quickly fought back the urge to challenge him and simply shook his head instead, "I guess not."
"Your body is responding to having a female nearby, Daryl." David answered with all the straight-forward tactlessness of a wildlife documentary narrator.
"Well why isn't it happening to you? Or Fred? Or... hell... why isn't it happening to Rex? He started out as a dog." Daryl challenged.
David nodded thoughtfully, "I have several theories but, mind you, they're just theories."
"I'm all ears." Daryl acknowledged, taking several deep breaths to steady himself and suppress the urge to pace.
"Despite the fact that we're part animal, we're still part human. Even if Rex started as an animal he's gained a portion of that humanity. The instincts you'd expect from animals are there but they're tempered by the higher consciousness of a human."
"Well, we're pretty much all the same then, aren't we? Why am I the one having so much trouble with this? Isn't Fred more animal than me?"
"It doesn't work that way, Daryl." David responded, putting his feet up on the desk again, "It's a matter of intent and right."
"Intent and right?" Daryl asked, "What's that supposed to mean."
"Daryl... would you go out onto the street, undress the first woman you met, and have sex with her?" David asked plainly.
The casual nature with which the ferret asked seemed almost comical, but David's muzzle held no hint at humor, "No... of course not." Daryl answered.
"Would you have sex with your fiance?" David asked.
"In the street?" Daryl's ears went up.
David took a moment to regain his composure, almost appearing to avoid a chuckle. Daryl suddenly realized how stupid his question sounded and he felt his ears grow warm. The panther let out a deep breath, "Before this?" he motioned to his form.
"Assume this hadn't happened." David clarified.
"I figure that's a given." the panther shrugged, "We're both adults. We love each other. It's the sign of a healthy relationship." Daryl let out another breath, smiling to himself, "She's so god damn beautiful..."
"And that, Daryl, is my point." David tapped his desk with a finger, "To us, Courtney is 'some woman on the street' or, more respectfully, your fiance. To you, she is your girlfriend... your 'betrothed'... or, to the bestial side of your mind, she's your mate."
Things finally began to fall into place. Eyes wide, Daryl came to the realization, "I'm like this because she's here."
"And it only makes it worse because we're here too... Having other males around your Courtney just ends up having you more uneasy."
"Even though I know none of you would do anything." the panther pointed out quickly.
"Logically, yes." the ferret nodded, "but emotions and instincts aren't always logical."
Daryl let out a sigh. He rubbed either side of his forehead, feeling a pure stress headache start to develop. "Things went so well... I... I guess I thought this kind of thing would just wouldn't be an issue if Courtney came here."
"I didn't know this would happen either, Daryl." David said, leaning forward slightly, "I am very sorry... I had no intention of putting either of you into a position like this." The apology didn't seem very sincere to Daryl, and, for a moment, he felt his fur start to bristle again but he forced it back down; he realized that it just his perception of the situation... but his emotional response did concern him further.
"I... I'm not going to lose control and rape her... am I?" Daryl gripped either side of his head tighter, feeling his partially unsheathed claws graze his flesh beneath his fur.
"I couldn't say." David answered honestly, "I would like to think that you will be in control enough to avoid hurting someone you love." he glanced around the office, papers and stationary strewn about from their brief tussle, "You certainly don't seem to be inclined to avoid hurting a higher ranking agent."
"I'm sorry, David... I didn't mean--"
"I know you didn't, Daryl." the ferret nodded calmly, "But, I think it would be safest for everyone if you consider alternate outlets for your frustrations. Have you considered visiting the gym on sub level three?"
Daryl shrugged, "I've never been much for the gym."
"I find it very relaxing. Anytime I'm stressed I try to work out-- it usually helps me, perhaps it might do something for you? David offered casually.
"Anything's worth a shot." Daryl shrugged.
"Take Rex with you." the ferret suggested, "Having a work out partner helps, and, besides, he's been asking me about 'walkies' lately."
Despite the gravity of what Daryl faced, the term still brought a faint smile to his muzzle, "I think I'd rather try this on my own... I don't want to explode like that again."
David nodded, "Understandable... it is probably a little embarrassing being taken down by a ferret half your weight." They both shared a short laugh.
"David?" Daryl inquired after their laughs trailed off into silence.
"Yes, Daryl?"
"Courtney spent the night with me, but we didn't sleep together." he wasn't sure why he was admitting it, but he felt it was important to state.
"That's good." the ferret nodded.
It seemed like an odd statement to Daryl, who couldn't help but ask, "Why is that good?"
"Well... it shows that you're still in control of yourself. If you'd have had sex then there'd be no way to have a precedence of how you'd behave around her... especially once she was asleep and vulnerable." the ferret proposed.
The comment brought a genuine smile to Daryl's muzzle, "True... I guess that IS true..."
"On the other hand, I suppose that might make sense as to why you're so aggressive lately." David added.
Daryl paused at that. Licking the inside of his muzzle, the panther flexed and unflexed his claws, "You mean, the more I deny the beast a chance to do what it wants, the more trouble I'm going to have dealing with it in a civil manner?"
David shook his head, "No Daryl... I'm saying that you and the beast are one. The more you tempt yourself the more likely you are to give in." the answer caught Daryl's stomach in a tight grip of unease, but it was nothing compared to what the ferret said next, "At some point you'll have to decide whether you're going to let Courtney in or push her away. Whatever you decide we'll help how we can, but it's not a decision any of us can make for you."
Daryl nodded numbly, slowly getting to his feet. He stiffly about-faced and made his way to the door. The discussion he had shared with David was completely different than the one he was looking for. The panther wanted to be reassured, calmed, and given some kind of confirmation that everything was going to get better-- it wasn't what he ended up with.
"Where are you going?" David inquired.
"To the gym." Daryl answered numbly, "Abe said I should consider finding out what this body can do. From the sound of what you're saying the first test is to find out how far I can push myself until I fall unconscious."
"Why test something like that?" the ferret asked.
Daryl glanced back over his shoulder as he exited the room. "If I'm that full of fury then I have to find a way to let it out. Tearing open a few sandbags sounds like the safest and least self-destructive option." The two locked gazes for just a moment until the door closed between them. Daryl did not bother answering further.
David said he could either let Courtney in or push her further away... he wasn't sure he would be able to forgive himself no matter which choice he made.