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Swim Meet : Issue 8

_Characters copyright 2007 by their author, Hunterwolf.

Any resemblance to persons or events, living or dead, are purely coincidental.

The path is long and dark, and our wolf scours the shadows for light. But, if that light is found, will it be that which saves, or merely an indication of an oncoming train?_

_THUNDER roared its anger, split the brooding sky with vivid sheets of brilliant white light. The dour clouds, swollen with unshed tears, hovered silent and watchful.

Pain slashed through his brain and he whimpered, opening his eyes and shutting them again as such a simple action seared his nerves with renewed waves of agony. He cried out, soft and feeble, tried to move, but found himself held in place by unseen paws.

He struggled, in vain, for the grips holding him down were iron, and he lacked the strength to force them aside. Panic blossomed and exploded and he writhed and twisted, flailing weakly, and sharp pain sliced across his paw and he pulled it to his chest, whimpering loudly, tears spilling across his cheeks.

Daring to force his eyelids open slowly, he found that paws did not hold him down, but rather the seatbelt, and where it held him he felt a dull ache. He raised his paw, saw the fur wet with blood._

His _blood!

Shards of glass lay below his head, thousands of jagged pieces, some of which floated in small red pool._

Below? _He looked around, slowly, for moving brought pain, and he whimpered as it cruelly lashed his body.

Why was the car upside down? Why was there so much glass? His mind was foggy, stuffed with cotton wool, and his head ached. Beneath him, the small red pool grew a little more.

He shut his eyes, the darkness soothing him, and he heard the startled gasp of breath, the sudden scream, the screech that was long and drawn out, the horrible rending sound of metal against metal, then brutal momentum. The world spun and shook and darkness descended swiftly. The darkness lifted, and he was here, confused, in pain, and terribly frightened.

Mommy will know what is going on!

He turned his head, slowly, for it hurt more, and it must be raining in the car, because his headfur felt wet. He opened his eyes, looking for his mother. She'll know. She'll make things better. He started to sob.

Eyes, blue and unwavering, appeared before him, through the pain, through the tears. They gazed deep into his own, and he smiled. Mommy is here. She'll make it better. But, something was different about those eyes.

"Why don't your eyes shine anymore?" he sniveled. "They don't shine."

The blue eyes kept their gaze, silent and still...forever silent, forever still.

"Mommy? Mommy?"

He reached out with a trembling paw to brush against his mom's muzzle, batted it softly.

The blue eyes wavered, faded, became hazy. He felt tired, so very tired. Even the pain had gone. "No! Don't go!" he cried out, reaching out with a paw that trembled; trembled and fell limp, and he couldn't muster the strength to raise it again.

"I'm tired, mommy. I'm...tired. You...you must be tired...too. I'll...see you...when we wake. I...love..."

HE felt warm, and he turned and curled up and sighed happily. Soft, the sheets were so soft. He'd sleep a little more, and he brought his knees to his chest and pulled the sheets tighter. So warm. Not like the car.

The car. Something... Mommy! She must be awake by now. She must be, if_

he _was! He opened his eyes, the soft glow above gentle, soothing, and he rubbed at his eyes with tiny paws.

The indistinct figure shifted and loomed above him, and he smelled pine. Warm, tender fingers carefully brushed his headfur, and he murred happily.

"Mommy?"

The figure tensed, and there came a strangled gasp. "R...Roan."

He knew this voice, this scent. "Daddy!" he smiled, and his eyes focused on the older wolf, shirt collar undone, tie hanging at an angle.

"Roan!" his father gasped, and kissed the cub lovingly.

Roan smiled, and he batted playfully at his father's muzzle. "Daddy!" He nuzzled the warm fur at his father's neck, and the elder wolf's body shivered, and something warm and wet soaked into his headfur.

"Is mommy awake yet?"

A strangled sob, and powerful arms pulled the cub firmly, gently, lovingly, protectively into their embrace._

POWERFUL arms pulled the young wolf firmly, gently, lovingly, protectively into their embrace, and the wolf buried his muzzle into the fur, thick and lush and so warm.

The cheetah looked back from the driver's seat of the police car. "You must care about him a lot."

The bear looked up, his eyes sad, still haunted. "Sometimes you can't be an adult. You can't be a teacher. Instead, you must just be."

The feline nodded, and glanced out the window. "Ah, he's coming. We'll be on our way."

The lion climbed into the car as the cheetah turned the key. The engine growled to life, the sound, the vibration, startling the young wolf and he sat bolt upright and twisted his head around frantically, fearfully.

Coach Madson's paw wrapped around Roan's waist and pulled the young wolf close. It was a purely instinctual move, made not out of what he and the young wolf had shared, but out of simple compassion. The wolf allowed himself to be held and rested his head against the bear's broad shoulder.

Roan stared at the back of the seat in front of him, too many painful memories flashing through his mind, trying to ignore the churning void filling his gut. Over and over he kept wishing, praying, that things would be ok, that his dad would be ok.

But fear, coupled with the horrific memory that had resurfaced, tore at him with claws of razored shadow and anxious dread. He wanted to move, to run, to walk, to pace, to do something. Sitting here was so very hard, doing nothing, forced to wait. His paws clenched and unclenched, and tears forced themselves from his eyes.

He sobbed and gritted his teeth. He had to be strong, he couldn't fall apart.

"W...what happened?" He managed to choke out the words, but barely.

The lion looked in the rearview mirror. "The car was struck from the side at an intersection."

The past superimposed itself on the images Roan conjured in his head, and he hung his head and tried to stem the tide of tears.

"The driver of the other car was on his cellular phone, speeding, and ignored a red light. Your dad is in hospital. He's been looked after, try not to worry."

Yeah right, Roan's inner voice snarled.

"The passenger, a..." the lion paused, "Richard Vale, was also admitted, though his injuries were less severe." The lion clamped his muzzle shut, grunting in annoyance. Wrong word, he thought!

Roan fought for control of his emotions, and rage, fury, lent a helping paw, and the young wolf lifted his head, eyes red and fur around them damp, and stared at the lion in the mirror. "The other driver. Is he alive?"

"Yes," the lion nodded. "Air bag saved him major injuries."

Roan's eyes blazed and he turned his head, glaring at the seat back once more. His eyes drifted, and hate surged through him, fueled by a deep and tragic hurt that had never healed. The wolf's eyes brushed over the sidearms the officers wore at their hips, and his lips curled and a low, very low snarl escaped them.

A paw patted him softly on the back. "Roan, your dad will be ok!" The bear's voice was deep and soothing, and its tone seemed to seep into the young wolf's flesh, turning away the hate, the anger. But not the fear.

Roan nodded and felt his eyes brimming again and he turned and hugged the bear tight. Bear and wolf held each other for the rest of the trip, the only sound in the car being the occassinal squawk from the police radio in the front.

When Coach Madson shifted and Roan felt the bear's muscles tense, he lifted his head. The squad car had pulled into the hospital parking lot, bypassing parking and stopping just outside the front doors.

"Park it and come inside," the lion said as he popped open his door, the cheetah nodding in agreement.

The lion led the bear and the young wolf into the hospital, past admissions to a set of lifts. Once inside, the canine pressed the 5th floor button and the lift rose, taking a trembling wolf, his gut churning violently, upwards, to what, the young wolf did not know. And that, perhaps, was the most terrifying thought!

Roan wanted to bolt out the lift as the doors opened, but he held himself back, realizing he didn't' know which room his father was in. Before them, a nurse's desk, where a pretty young jackal nurse smiled at them.

"Can I help you, officer?" she asked.

"This is Scott Matthews son," the lion said, tapping Roan softly on the shoulder.

The nurse paged through a clipboard and nodded. "The doctor is still with him, but Mr Vale, the passenger, is in the waiting area, if you wish to speak to him."

The lion nodded and nodded at Roan. The wolf followed the cop, the bear following, and as they came to the waiting room, a comfortably furnished room separated from the corridor by glass panes and a closed glass door.

Richard was sitting, his head hanging. One ear was bandaged and his right arm hung in a cast clutched close to his chest. His eyes seemed to be closed, as though sleeping, but his left paw opened and closed, claws raking at the cushion, periodically.

Roan rushed forward, pushing open the door. Richard's head shot up, and a mixture of hope and fear flashed through his eyes before being replaced by surprise and concern. He stood swiftly as the wolf rushed up to him. Both wolves wanted to embrace, but thanks to Richard's injuries, that was not feasible.

"My dad?" Roan whined.

"Doc's with him now. Don't worry, Roan," Richard knelt and put his left paw on Roan's head. "Your dad will be fine." The older wolf smiled warmly.

Roan wished he could believe Richard, but fear was too powerful a foe, and it brushed aside all of hope's attempts effortlessly. He stared into Richard's eyes, unable to speak, unable to voice anything. Behind him, bear and lion entered the room.

Richard nodded to the lion. "Officer," he greeted the feline, and the policecat nodded back. Richard looked at the bear with a curious tilt to his head.

"Russell Madson. Roan's coach," the bear introduced himself.

Richard raised an eyebrow.

"The principal wanted someone to be with Roan on the trip here," Coach Madson explained. "Someone he knew."

The older wolf nodded, though the curiosity in his eyes did not dim in the slightest. If anything, it flared. Surely the horse would have been sent with Roan, since Gan was Roan's friend. Friend? More than that, actually. Unless the school didn't know how close the two of them were, which was very likely, and not just as - what, lovers? - but as simple friends. Perhaps the school didn't realize Gan and Roan know each other! Still, sending a teacher along with a student? Strange.

The door opened and an annoyed voice carried into the room.

"...late and I've given my statement already!" the ram grumbled, the cheetah police officer pushing him into the waiting room.

"I don't care if you're late, sir," the cheetah responded angrily. "I think you should see how many you've hurt today, by being reckless and disregarding simple safety measures!" the cheetah growled, pointing at Roan and Richard.

If anything, the ram seemed annoyed rather than abashed, and he stood there, saying nothing. The cheetah stood with his back to the door, preventing any escape, and the lion and bear came to stand behind the two wolves.

Roan's fear vanished abruptly before the hatred's searing heat. He glowered at the ram, his fury rising as he saw the complete lack of guilt or compassion in the ram's eyes. He stepped back, pawstep by pawstep, until he was behind the lion and bear.

All eyes watched him move, then shifted to the Ram when Roan stopped. Rage lent the young wolf a nimbleness that was almost quicksilver. One paw snapped loose the holster at the lion's waist; the other snatched the pistol from its leather enclosure!

Stepping forward, his body rigid, arm unwavering as he held the pistol one handed, finger curled in malice around the trigger, barrel aimed directly at the Ram's forehead. A loud snarl snapped from Roan's muzzle, followed by flecks of spittle.

"Fucking cunt!" Roan roared, and he stepped closer.

Behind him, both Coach Madson and the lion called for him to stop, to put the gun down. The cheetah held both paws before him in a gesture of supplication, and Richard was still on his knees, his soothing voice calling for Roan to calm down.

The wolf heard and saw all of this as though through a heavy red tinged veil. He ignored them, his teeth bared, lips curled up in utter hatred. The pistol shook slightly and the ram jumped backwards, glancing from cop to cop, begging them to intercede.

Yes, you fuck! Look at you now! Sniveling, pathetic. I've got the power now, I'm in control. You think you can be so snide and arrogant? Let's see how arrogant you are when I take something away from YOU!

The tinged veil became crimson, and for a moment Roan couldn't see, and when sight returned moments later, something big and black and white and stern yet friendly stood before him, between him and the ram.

Roan blinked, trying to figure out where this fur had come from. The door clicked shut and a low base voice broke through his rage with casual ease.

"You don't want to hurt anyfur, son. Give me the gun, please?" the badger smiled, his eyes full of warmth and laughter.

Roan hesitated, his arm lowered a little.

"Tell you what. You keep the gun, but please point it at the floor. You don't' want innocent furs getting hurt, now do you?"

The voice sliced through the anger, pierced the core of his being. The rage swirled around this intrusion, trying to burn it out, consume it, but it quailed before the simple tenderness and peace it called forth in the wolf.

Roan nodded, feeling his anger fade, replaced with a weary sense of fatigue. His arm dropped and the pistol stared at the floor. The badger's paw reached out slowly and gently slipped the automatic from the wolf's paws, handing it back to the lion.

"I WANT..." the ram began furiously.

"Silence!" The badger barked the word with such vigor that the ram shut his mouth immediately and stared, still in anger, at the young wolf, whose eyes were still on the badger's.

"What happened, son?" the badger smiled.

Roan stared, trying to find the words, and felt his vision shimmer and blinked away tears and sobbed. Coach Madson came to rest a paw on the young wolf's shoulders.

"His father was in an accident, sir. The ram over there ran a red light while speeding and talking on his phone." The lion coughed. "When he was small, this wolf, sir, he...lost his mother to a drunk driver."

Coach Madson gaped, a startled gasp of horror bursting from him. Richard looked down, eyes seeing something that wasn't there. Or rather, was no longer there, something consigned to memory and the past.

"I want the brat on charges!" the ram shouted suddenly.

The badger frowned and stood, turning to face the ram. "Now let's just..."

"NO!" the ram yelled. "I don't care you who the fuck you are, pal. I don't care that you managed to get the gun from that whelp's paws!" he gestured at Roan, who was standing, shivering, the bear kneeling behind him and holding him, whispering soothing words into the young wolf's ears. "I'm gonna sue!"

The badger's fur bristled. He turned to the lion. "Officer, I want the paperwork on this case on my desk by 17:00 today. Run his licence and if he has any priors, I want him locked up, bail denied. If he has no priors, release him on fifty thousand bail, and I'll see you, sir," the badger spun and pointed an accusatory finger at the ram, "Monday morning, 9am!"

"Yes, Judge Carter," the lion smirked.

The ram blanched.

"Oh, and, Mr...um..." the badger began, addressing the ram.

"Jonathon Sparks, Judge," the cheetah provided.

"...Mr Sparks. If you dare bring this youth up on charges, if you dare take any action against him or his family, or through inaction allow any action to be taken against them, I shall ensure that the next 10 years provides you with an excellent change to review your life and your outlook. The view is somewhat marred by bars," the badger added nonchalantly, "but I'm sure you'll get used to it. You have the weekend to think about your actions and your attitude. Let's see what changes are brought forth come Monday morning."

The ram spluttered. "Y...you can't do that! You can't threaten me! It's illegal."

The badger looked shocked, a look of pure innocence gracing his aged muzzle. "What? Me? What did I do?" He glanced from fur to fur, his gaze questioning, the hint of a smile tinting his lips.

"I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary, sir," the cheetah frowned.

"Me neither," the lion nodded. "Perhaps Mr Spark's hearing was affected during the collision?"

The ram looked at the other three furs, but Coach Madson's eyes narrowed and he growled softly," I don't think you'll find friends or allies here, pal."

The badger waved his paw in arrogant dismissal, as though the Ram were below his station to even look at, and he turned his attention back to Roan as the ram was lead away, quiet and now definitely abashed.

The badger let out a long sigh and gazed down at Roan, who looked up, somewhat fearfully. "You ok, son?"

The friendliness in the judge's voice surprised Roan, and he stammered out a "Yes, sir." The judge nodded and smiled. "Guns aren't for pups to play with. I think you've suffered enough so I'm gonna let you go with a slap on the wrist, and we'll leave it as a lesson well learned, ok?"

Roan nodded and the badger knelt, taking Roan's paw, holding it gently and patting the wrist once, softly, smiling. "There! Wrist slapping over!"

Roan couldn't help but smile, even utter a gasp of amusement. The badger grinned and stood. "Never underestimate the elderly," he laughed, and turned and walked away.

"Th..thank you, sir," Roan called out, finding his voice and the courage to speak at last.

The badger turned and smiled. "For what?" he grinned, winked, and pushed open the door and strode happily down the corridor, as though nothing had happened.

Roan felt a tidal wave of soothing relief flood his body and he blushed, feeling awkward under the gaze of the remaining three furs. The lion strode towards the door, pausing before leaving the room. "I'll be downstairs. After the doctor has seen you, I'll drive you back."

Coach Madson and Richard nodded. Roan stood there, replaying in his mind his actions. Fear, guilt, anger, relief all twisted and intertwined themselves within him. He lifted his paws, stared at them in horror, then curiosity. Would he have pulled the trigger? He thought back to his emotions when he'd held the gun. Yes, he wanted to pull the trigger, to make the ram feel pain, but it was as if something deeper inside held him back, freezing his finger.

Or maybe he just got so angry that he lost track of what he was doing, he thought, remembering the red veil. Anger could overwhelm and cause you do lash out, regardless of who or what stood in your way. It could cause you to snap, and you'd simply act, the subconscious beast clawing its way free and launching into action.

But if you got too angry, it could make you impotent! Your anger could rob you of the ability to do anything except rant and rave, or simply just freeze, your mind warring with itself, the primal versus the rational.

Roan shuddered. He might have hurt, even killed, somefur! What if his finger had slipped? The gun had felt so good in his paws. It held heavy, solid. It gave him a sense of power and control. Roan shuddered again. Such power, and the ease with which it could consume one, was terrifying!

"Roan?" Coach Madson said tentatively.

The young wolf turned around, unable to meet his coach's gaze. "I'm...sorry."

Richard stood. "Let's not dwell on what happened, ok? It all worked out, and that's what matters. Don't be consumed by what ifs. There's no point to that."

Roan nodded numbly and sat down, followed by the older furs. They sat without talking, just listening to their private thoughts. Coach Madson held Roan's paw, an act which Richard noted, with even more interest.

When the door opened again, all three of their heads shot up. A male raccoon, clad in white coat, stepped inside the room, shutting the door behind him. He looked pointedly at Roan and Coach Madson.

Richard spoke up. "This is Scott's son, Roan," the older wolf gestured.

The doctor nodded and raised a paw to rub his eyes. He approached Roan, looking tired and a little frazzled.

"Son," the raccoon started, and Roan's heart skipped several beats, the breath caught in his chest and a deep sense of anxiety filled him. "Your dad is going to be ok."

The sense of relief welled up inside Roan like a miniature super nova, exploding through his nerves and muscles. The young wolf jumped forward to hug the doctor fiercely, his heart pounding away so hard it felt as though it might burst from his chest.

The raccoon looked taken aback and then smiled and returned the hug tentatively. "We'll keep him here for a few days of observation, just to make sure he continues going from strength to strength!"

"Can we see him?" Richard asked, relief and a smile plastered all over his muzzle.

The doctor nodded. "He's still unconscious, and will be so for some time. There was some head trauma, but its superficial. Bruised ribs and a broken leg and some cuts and bruises that are associated with an accident. It's amazing he didn't suffer any serious injury, and that he got off so lightly!

"Follow me," the raccoon said, and Roan and Richard followed the doctor. Coach Madson sat down to wait, deciding that the visitation was for family and friends, not for him. He smiled and waved the young wolf on when Roan turned around to look for him. Roan nodded and hurried after the doctor and Richard.

SCOTT Matthews lay in a hospital bed in a private room, the right side of his head bandaged, as well as his right leg. A heart rate monitor beeped silently, and the sight of his dad lying there, hurt and fragile, tore at Roan's heart.

The young wolf whimpered softly as he neared the bed, reaching out to touch his father's fur, his paw hovering inches away from his father's form, afraid that to lay his paw on his dad might hurt him.

"It's ok, son," the raccoon said, then left the room, leaving two wolves to stand alongside an injured father, an injured friend.

"You'll be ok, dad," Roan mumbled, and tenderly brushed at his dad's headfur.

Richard's paw rested on Roan's shoulder. "How you holding up, Roan?"

The younger wolf looked up and smiled softly. "I think I'll be ok, Richard. How are you doing? Your arm..."

"It aches, but I've got painkillers for it."

Roan's ears drooped. "Um...I'm...sorry. For...earlier. I don't know what..." Roan fell abruptly silent, the mere thought of what he'd done sending harsh shivers through him.

"Sometimes our emotions get the better of us, Roan. Don't worry about it, ok? I won't tell your dad," Richard smiled.

Roan blushed suddenly. "W...why are you covering for me so much?"

The older wolf walked over to the window, rivulets of water running down the outside. He shrugged, turned around and leaned against the windowsill. "Your secrets are yours, Roan. It is not my right to go around telling your father what you're up to!"

The young wolf nodded. "So...now you know. About me. About what those..." Roan's voice fell "...condoms were for. Thank you. For covering for me with my dad."

Richard nodded and smiled. "I wasn't surprised, really, to see you with condoms and lube...and whatever else was in that bag." Roan's head shot up, his facial fur reddening. Richard laughed. "I knew you were gay the first day we met."

Roan's ears went flat, burning. He shifted uncomfortably. "Um...I...sorry...about staring...watching...you."

The older wolf chuckled. "Well, that wasn't how I knew you were gay."

Roan blinked. "What? Then...how?"

"You've got gay porn on your computer!"

Roan's eyes grew large. "No way! You couldn't have hacked my password!" Roan's eyes narrowed, as shock gave way to annoyance. "You didn't have any right to hack my computer!"

Richard raised his paws defensively. "Hey! I didn't! But you should know that Recent Documents reveals images and some movies that were recently viewed. The actual files may be protected, but some of the filenames for those pictures were pretty self explanatory!"

The younger wolf groaned. Shit! He'd forgotten all about that!

"Then there was you staring at my butt while I was changing," Richard continued, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "And that you did more than your share of staring at my crotch when I walked out the shower. Straight guys will avert their gaze, regardless of surprise. You took too long to do that."

Roan glanced at his father, still and silent and looking so frail in the bed. "I just hope my dad doesn't find out about me."

Richard walked forward and stood before Roan. "Hey, your dad loves you! You're the only family he has left now."

Roan looked up; saw the flash of pain in the older wolf's eyes, a brief glimpse into a part of Richard's soul before the barriers slammed back down. He nodded.

"Do you want to stay here for a bit, Roan?"

The young wolf looked at his dad, brushed his headfur lovingly, and stood there, staring. He'd almost lost his father, just like...like mom. Gazing down at his dad like this, Roan wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. The two emotions clashed, leaving the wolf to run his fingers through his dad's fur.

"When will he wake up?" Roan asked finally.

"I don't know. But when he does, the hospital will let us know immediately.

Roan nodded and leaned forward to hug his dad, nuzzling at the warm fur, expecting to feel a paw caress his fur in turn, half disappointed that it didn't. How long he held his father like that, Roan didn't know. Paws pulled at him and he started and jerked upright, glancing around groggily.

Richard stood behind him, having pulled him up. "You fell asleep. Almost fell off the bed."

"What?"

"Yeah. You've been like that for an hour."

Roan rubbed his eyes. "You waited for me?"

"Of course," Richard smiled.

The image of a bear sitting alone in a waiting room flashed into the young wolf's mind. "Shit! I forgot about Coach!"

"Don't worry. He'll understand. Blood is thicker than water, regardless of how much he cares for you."

Roan nodded and turned to kiss his father on the side of his muzzle. "Wake up soon, dad. Please."

It was hard for Roan to leave the room. It felt as though he was held back by invisible strings, or that the air had become thicker, making it hard for him to move. Once outside the room, however, that sensation passed. As the door closed on his father's still form he knew what it meant. Part of him wanted to stay, be at his father's side. He should be at his father's side, waiting for him to waken, as his father had done for him so many years ago.

Still, he allowed Richard to guide him back towards the waiting room, too worn out, mentally, physically, emotionally, to fight it. As they walked, Richard gazed down at the younger wolf with curious eyes.

"So, you and Gan are lovers?"

Roan started, then nodded, lowering his voice. "Yeah."

"Going steady?"

"No," the younger wolf shook his head. "Just lovers." There was a bitter tinge to his voice as he recalled Gan's attitude during the day.

They walked a little further before Richard spoke again. "I'm glad you're taking precautions. Using condoms, that is."

Yeah, right, Roan's mind sniped ironically. Bought the condoms and haven't used one yet! In reply to Richard's statement, the young wolf simply nodded.

Roan glanced over at the older wolf, wondering at the questions. Perhaps he was just making conversation, trying to get Roan's mind off the accident. They reached the waiting room, and Coach Madson stood as they entered. "You ok, Roan?"

The young wolf nodded. "I'm sorry, sir. For leaving you so long."

The bear shook his head and smiled. "Don't even think about it! Your dad comes first! How is he?"

Roan was silent. "He seems ok. Just, bandaged..." Roan's body shuddered. The though of his dad in pain, rushed to hospital, the fact that he might have lost his father, consumed him. Two sets of paws came to rest on the young wolf, offering silent support. It took several minutes, but Roan calmed down, wiped his eyes and sat down heavily.

"We should get you home, Roan," the bear said at last. "I think, under the circumstances, you can miss the rest of school."

Roan nodded, numbly. "I...I just need my backpack. My stuff."

Coach Madson nodded, standing, and offering the young wolf a paw to help him rise. The three furs left the room, made their way out of the hospital, and found the police car waiting for them, the cheetah behind the driver's seat, the lion standing outside, leaning against the car.

"Where shall we drop you off?" the lion asked once everyfur was in the car.

Coach Madson answered. "You've done enough driving for us," the bear smiled. "Thank you. If you drop us off at the school I will take these two home."

The lion nodded, and the cheetah pulled the police car out of the hospital parking lot and drove to the school. The trip there was done in silence, the three furs in the back seat battling with their own inner demons, their own personal thoughts.

Once they were dropped off at the school, Coach Madson and Roan realized that school had already ended. The rain had ceased to fall, though the skies were still swollen and grey. Several straggler furs glanced their way, whispering, though out of curiosity, not concern.

Roan thanked the officers before they drove off, then turned to the bear. "I'll just go get my backpack."

Coach Madson nodded. "I'll be here with Richard."

He strode through the corridors, trying to appear casual. He hoped his eyes weren't too puffy, that any furs still at school wouldn't notice he'd been crying. The last thing he wanted was pity, or furs coming up to him asking what was wrong!

"Where's your protector, bitch?" the snide voice startled him.

Roan spun around, too weary for anger to even register in his face. Kole stood in a classroom doorway, Tyris just behind him. The other wolf's muzzle with etched with malice as he glared at Roan.

"Not today, Kole," Roan sighed softly.

"Not today, Kole," the footballer said in a mocking, high pitched tone. "I'll tell you when or when not, faggot!"

Roan tried to muster his anger, his strength, as he had the day before, but it failed him. Too much had happened; too much had been drained from him. He simple threw what he knew to be a pitiful attempt at a glare towards the wolf before him.

Kole's eyes darted to something behind Roan, and Roan glanced around and winced as he recognized Kirk strolling towards them.

"Hey, buddy!" Kole grinned. "Just in time to help me teach this bitch a lesson or two." The wolf laughed and put his paws on his hips. "And this runt can't even run home to cry to daddy cos daddy ain't there!" The wolf's laughter was scornful, and a spark flared to life within Roan.

The clenched fist struck home with brutal force and Kole's head snapped to the side and he fell, as though in slow motion. Roan gaped, for it had not been his paw that had struck down the wolf!

As Kole tried to rise, Kirk's fist ploughed into the wolf's face again and again, splitting a lip, bruising an eye, and laying the wolf flat out of the floor, whimpering, his paws covering his face protectively. Tyris stared, mouth agape, and flinched at Kirk's eyes lifted to glare at the fox then back at Kole.

"Leave Roan alone, buddy," the tiger snarled disdainfully. "If you don't, I'll give you more of this!" the tiger lifted a fist. He spun and stalked away without a backward glance, leaving Roan to stare after him.

As the tiger turned a corner, Roan managed to pull his senses together and he jogged after Kirk, rounding the corner to find the tiger shaking his paw as though in pain.

"Damned prick's jaw is as thick as his head," the tiger grunted, and he pierced Roan with a look that was anxious and concerned at the same time.

"Why did... Thanks," Roan mumbled.

The tiger shook his head. "Don't thank me, Roan. I...don't deserve it. I..." he looked down. "I treated you...like...well...I'm as bad as Kole. I'm sorry, Roan. For...for what I've done to you."

"Why the change?" Roan asked, stepping closer.

Kirk raised his head, and the pain within the tiger's eyes startled the wolf. "I...I lost my brother...in an accident. So...I figured...I mean...I can't treat you like I have been if we share...well...I shouldn't have treated you like I did before...and...having something in common isn't a reason to treat you different...I mean...well...it is...but..."

The tiger hung his head, conflicted, struggling with words, thoughts, emotions. Guilt! He shut his eyes, tried to collect his disjointed thoughts, and opened his eyes to find Roan in front of him, paw outstretched, and a soft smile on his muzzle, the wolf's eyes moist.

"Roan...I..." the tiger struggled to find the words, but the wolf before him shook his head, his paw still held before him.

Kirk looked at it, and slowly raised his own, to grasp the wolf's in a firm affirmation of forgiveness and gratitude. The feline's own eyes wavered a moment, and he shook his head and blinked, but repressed memories surfaced, taking advantage of the sudden cracks in his once gruff and tough armor.

"Are you ok, Kirk?"

"No," his other paw wiped across his eyes. "You?"

"No," the wolf chuckled, though it was half sob, half chuckle.

What prompted him to do so, Roan didn't' know, though he figured it must be a desire to give comfort to a fur who, before had never seemed to need it, and he stepped forward to give the big tiger a hug, a friendly embrace. The tiger's eyes widened, and his head glanced up and down the passage, his muscles tense, but the feline's arms returned the embrace, and a soft sigh escaped the tiger's lips.

Roan pulled away, smiling softy. He found in the tiger's gaze upon his own a questioning look, a sense of appreciation, and a hint of something that flickered and was gone. The cat's body was warm against his, warm and buff and firm.

The tiger chuckled, somewhat embarrassed by his display of affection. "Um...hey, thanks...but I'm not your type!"

Roan shuddered and the tiger's eyes widened in shock. "Shit, Roan...I...I'm sorry! I didn't mean..." the tiger looked genuinely distressed at his choice of words!

"It's ok, really," the wolf tried to reassure the feline.

"No...its not! I've been this bad ass footballer all this time and I've ragged you about being gay, even though I had no proof. Not that I think you're gay!" the tiger added swiftly. "Just...I was trying to be funny. But in light of what I've helped put you through, it was not wise thing to say."

Roan chuckled. "I understand. It's ok, really. I know you weren't being mean."

They stood in silence for a while. "Um...why did you hug me?" the tiger suddenly asked, curious.

Roan looked away. While he was sure the tiger know his sexuality, he didn't want anything telltale in his eyes to give him away. "Well, hugs make you feel better, and I've been getting lots since...since..." he fell silent, clenched his jaw. Dammit! His dad was going to be fine! Why, then, did he feel like falling apart every time he thought about his father!

"How is he?" Kirk asked. "Your father."

Roan shivered and shut his eyes, feeling the tears welling up, his chest constricting.

"Ah geez, Roan, I'm...I'm so sorry. I'm not exactly Mr Subtle, am I?" the tiger stood and watched the wolf, unsure what to do, what to say next.

Roan shook his head roughly and growled, hoping that anger would displace his emotional turmoil. "My dad will be ok. Just...being kept in hospital a few days."

A couple of minutes passed before Roan raised his head and gave the tiger a casual smile. "So I guess the whole school knows about my dad?"

"I'd think most of it, yeah. You know how word travels."

Roan nodded. "I need to fetch my backpack."

Kirk nodded. "Oh, sure. Hey, we're....cool, aren't we?" There was an imploring look in his eyes.

Roan nodded. "If you're looking for forgiveness, you already have it, Kirk. Don't worry about what was."

The tiger looked relieved, and he smiled. "I hope your dad gets released soon."

"Thank you," Roan replied, "and thanks for sticking up for me." The wolf turned and continued towards the principal's office, still surprised at the tiger's change of heart. Kirk seemed really cut up about how he'd treated Roan in the past. The wolf hoped that he and the tiger would continue to get along. Besides, having a buff footballer at your back was always handy!

The secretary's had left for the day, it seemed, or were elsewhere finishing up paperwork and the like. The door to Principal Hargraves office was closed, and Roan wondered if the bull would still be here.

His paw rapped on the door, to be answered with a gruff;" Enter!"

Roan entered the principal's office, the bull standing up as he recognized the wolf. "Roan, please, sit." His voice was soothing, deep, and it set Roan's weary mind at ease.

He noticed his backpack in a corner behind the bull's desk as he took one of the seats. The bovine, too, sat, and gazed across his desk at Roan, his emerald eyes unreadable.

"How's your father?"

The words set off the inner turmoil that had assaulted him several times now since he'd left his dad's side. He opened his muzzle to speak, but his bottom jaw quivered and he gritted his teeth, staring directly at the desk, fighting the urge to fall apart, to start crying.

Principal Hargraves almost stood to walk around to give some physical support to the young wolf; a reassuring paw, a hug, anything. But he stopped himself. He was the principal here, he had to be in control. He had to be unbiased and firm. Yet those thoughts ate at him scornfully.

When it came to this young wolf before him, the bull found himself conflicted. Something of Roan's demeanor called out to a side of the bovine that he didn't believe existed. A side that would allow to slide the intimacies between a teacher and student.

The bovine sighed softly. It pained him to see Roan in such distress. Of all the students at Mosshall High, this one fur had a power over him that he couldn't explain. In all his years, the bovine had never met anyfur that could affect him so, cause him to make judgement calls contrary to what should be made!

It worried the bull, not knowing, not understanding. He didn't want to see his students hurt, but sometimes he had to take a course of action that would hurt them to a degree, either by taking from them freedom in the form of detention, or pain inflicted by caning, or even by refusing to allow them to participate in school activities that they loved.

But he couldn't bring himself to cause this one fur pain. It had stopped his paw at caning, had stopped him from giving Roan detention, and now had stopped him from reporting an abuse of power by a teacher! He was sure Roan would be hurt if Coach Madson was arrested or fired.

From what he'd overheard and seen through a closed door, the bull knew that Coach Madson had not abused his position. Roan had come onto him, and the bear had succumbed. The bull could see the two cared for each other, and that made it even harder to do what had to be done!

The call he'd made the day before had been a last ditch effort to rally his strength. His closest friend had given him advice, had made the bull face some tough questions. In the end, there was a way in which all sides could be appeased. Well, all sides save the law!

"He'll be ok."

Principal Hargraves started, jolted from his reveries. Roan had not lifted his gaze, still stared intently at the desk, the concentration etched into the wolf's muzzle intense.

"I'm glad to hear that, Roan. And...I'm sorry."

Roan lifted his head at that, hearing the resignation in the bull's voice. He gazed curiously at the bovine, who averted his eyes for a second before looking back.

"I'm sorry the fear I put you through earlier."

"I...I don't understand," Roan said, his mind drawn away from his father by the bull's words.

"When you walked in and saw the police officers, you thought they were here because of..." the bull coughed, looked embarrassed, "...you and Coach Madson."

Roan froze, felt the ice returning to his flesh. He stared at the bull, fear rising, sinuous and swift.

"Yes, Roan," the bull sighed, keeping his gaze on the wolf, though it hurt him to see the wolf's fearful stare. "I know that you and Coach Madson are more than coach and student. I...overheard..." The bull fell silent, his fur burning. The images, the sounds, were etched into his memory.

Roan sat frozen and afraid, watching the bull, his pulse fast and furious.

"I didn't intend for you to feel that fear. I asked Coach Madson to join us because...well...because you care for each other. I thought you might need somefur to be with you during this trying time. Only afterwards did I realize what I had done, and I apologize."

The bovine stood abruptly and started pacing, seeming agitated, anxious.

"Roan, you're not in trouble. Neither is Russ...Coach Madson. He should be. By law...well... Roan, I have a duty to this school and the other students. It was beyond inappropriate to have relations with Coach Madson on school premises, and I must ask you, no, tell you, not to do so again!" The bull stopped and turned to look at the young wolf. He seemed drained, as though this speech had cost him a great deal.

"You...heard us?"

The bull nodded, and looked away.

"How much did you...hear?"

The bull coughed uncomfortably. "Enough, Roan. Too much, if you ask me."

Roan looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry, sir."

Principal Hargraves turned and walked over to Roan, seating himself on the edge of his desk. "Roan, please understand, I don't want you or Coach Madson getting into trouble. Russell is a damned fine fur. I'm proud to have him on my staff. I was surprised that he'd..." The bull looked uncomfortable again and he stood and began pacing again.

"It was my fault, sir. I forced myself..." Roan stopped as the bull's paw shot up to forestall any further words along that line by the wolf. "I mean, I seduced him. I should be punished, not him."

The bull sighed and shook his head. "I'm not going to punish anyfur, Roan. I should, dammit! I should stop this, but..." The bovine trailed and stood, staring at the floor.

"Is this what you wanted to speak to me about yesterday?" Roan asked.

The bull nodded.

"What stopped you?"

"I don't know," the bovine admitted, his voice soft. "Maybe knowing that Russell wouldn't harm anyfur, or that it seemed you and he were consensual."

Roan thought on the bull's words, realizing how lucky he and Coach Madson were. If any other fur had overheard their rutting, the Coach would be in jail by now! And if... Roan's eyes snapped wide and gaped at the bull.

"Sir, you overheard me and Coach Madson yesterday afternoon, right?"

"Yes. Why?"

"You just said that you wanted to speak to me about my relations with Coach Madson yesterday morning, which is before Coach and I had se..." Roan shut his mouth, realizing how uncomfortable this was for the bull.

Indeed, the bovine seemed even more discomfited. "I...kinda...overheard you the day before as well."

Roan blinked! "So you had a feeling Coach and I would do something again after school and you came by to check up on us?"

The principal nodded.

"Why didn't you stop us?"

"I tried talking to you, Roan," the bull said, turning to face the wolf and looking very ill at ease.

"I understand that, sir, but you could have made a noise in the passage, knocked on the door, anything to let Coach and I know that somefur was there! It would have stopped our...er...us."

The bull stared at the wolf, unable to reply.

"Did you..." the wolf paused. Dare he say what was on his mind? "Did you enjoy it at all?"

"WHAT?" the bovine gaped. "No! NO! I...I..." the bull hung his head. "I ididn't know what to do. For the first time I didn't have an answer. I...froze. I...I couldn't do my job, I couldn't make my decision. I...I have a responsibility to my students, to this school. I...I failed in that." The bull sighed, shuddered, and returned to his seat, sitting down heavily.

Raon sat still, taken aback by the bovine's confession. This once strong and determined bull now seemed to be nothing more than calf, confused and at odds with himself. The wolf felt bad, knowing that in some way that he couldn't fathom this was partly his fault.

Roan frowned as a piece of the puzzle that was his life snapped into place. Though it didn't explain anything, it posed a question, and that question stunned the wolf! What was it with other furs and how they treated him?

First Gan had come on to the wolf, offered himself to him. Then Coach Madson succumbed to his wiles, despite having the strength for so many years to combat his baser desires! Roan wondered if any other young furs had offered themselves to the Coach, and he made a mental note to ask the bear.

Next Principal Hargraves letting him off with only a warning, instead of a caning! Thereafter, it was the liger, Feral, offering to buy Roan's sex merchandise, then taking him in he back seat of the taxi cab and afterwards he'd waiving the fare. This was followed by Richard covering for the wolf, not once, but twice! Then Principal Hargraves, unable, or unwilling, to stop relations of a most inappropriate nature between a staff member and a student!

Finally, Kirk, one of the footballer's who had tormented him, struck him, now showing a completely different side of himself, coming to Roan's aid, admitting guilt about what he'd done!

He studied the bull, who still hung his head, gathering and composing his thoughts. The wolf wondered what would happen if he came on to the bull. Would the Principal turn him aside, or would he allow Roan to be sexual with him? Gan had said that more than a few straight furs didn't care who serviced them! Judging by the bull's emotional state, Roan thought it very likely the bull would allow, in this moment of weakness, Roan's advances.

He stood, walked around the desk, and came to stand behind the bull. His paws found the bovine's neck and he started massaging the taut muscles, at the same time saying: "Sir, don't beat yourself up over this. You're not to blame, really! If blame should fall on someone, it should be me!"

The words were not empty. The wolf sincerely believed them.

Principal Hargraves sighed, though it was part contentment, part resignation. His shoulders relaxed and his breathing slowed as the wolf gently eased his fingers across the bunched muscles in the bovine's neck and shoulders.

Roan brought his muzzle close, breathing in the adult's scent deeply. The bull smelled good, and Roan's eyes closed as he luxuriated in that aroma, be it the bovine's natural body smell or some cologne.

Suddenly Roan's eyes sprung open and he almost jumped backwards, startling himself and the bull sitting before him. Principal Hargraves swiveled his chair with a concerned frown, eyeing the wolf who stared back in shock!

"Roan?"

The wolf swallowed as he realized something, and it was a double edged blade to be sure! He had power, a great deal of power, over others! How, he did not know, but there was no way in hell that the Principal would allow a student, male or female, to massage his shoulders, regardless of his mental state of being!

Gan! It would explain Gan's actions earlier the day! Gan would never had treated Roan like he did, but somehow Roan had some power over him that...that...what? Made the horse angry? Roan shook his head. No...it had to be more than that. Shutting his eyes he concentrated, sifting through his memories, trying to recall any fact, however slim, that might explain Gan's shift in attitude!

The answer stunned him, though there were no real facts, only intuition that guided Roan's mind to that realization! For some reason, Gan valued his opinion, his...what...thoughts? Ideas? And by saying what he did shook the horse's faith in him, made Gan angry because of what the horse was expecting of him.

He opened his eyes, saw the bull rising from his chair. Had Roan continued with his massage, at the very least he would have been rewarded with a kiss! At most...images of him bent over the desk, the bovine wielding not a cane, but another long, hard shaft that would come into contact with his outthrust rump!

"Roan, are you ok?" The bull looked very concerned.

The wolf nodded, slowly. Then he opened his muzzle; "Sir...I...Why are furs treating me different?"

The bull raised an eyebrow, confused.

"It's not just you, sir. It's everyfur, it seems. My dad's friend, Coach Madson, Gan, a random taxi driver, Kirk - one of the footballers who assaulted me, and the one whom I threw into that door! I can't put my paw on it! Why are they, are you, treating me...well...so unlike you, they, should be treating me!"

The bull sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his paws, deep in thought. He stared at the wolf before him for a long time before saying: "Roan, I don't know what it is about you, but...it's like I need to...give in to you!"

Roan raised an eyebrow himself this time, and the bull shook his head in response. "No, I'm not going to give in to you that way!"

"But sir," Roan almost yelled, stepping forward, "you almost did!"

"What?" the bovine gasped. "When?"

"Just now! When I massaged your shoulders! I bet if I continued I could have at least gotten a kiss out of you! It was a test, to simple test to prove something to myself."

The bull shook his head aggressively. "Roan, I'm not gay!" he growled. "You're a student in my school! I'm the Principal!"

"You overlooked my advances on Coach Madson," the wolf pointed out. "And you allowed me to massage your shoulders, and you enjoyed it!" Roan pointed out, waving his paws expressively. "You can't tell me you'd allow any other student to do that!"

The bull blanched. He reached out behind him to steady himself against the desk. The young wolf's words hit home, and the wolf's original question flew across his mind, over and over again. What, indeed, was it about this wolf? He'd asked himself that question before, and never come up with an answer!

Could he be...gay? Subconsciously? Did he want what Coach Madson had been given? A young eager male fur, ready and willing to do anything to make him feel good! The bull shook his head again. No, he didn't want Roan in his bed! Roan was...his student. One of many! The argument sounded pitifully weak, and the bull growled, angry and exasperated, unable to find the answer that would set his mind at ease.

He looked up, began studying Roan.. A student. A young male. Intelligent. The bull sought in desperation for a logical reason why he'd treat the wolf differently, why other's would apparently treat him differently. Others. Others?

"Roan," the bull asked, "how did the others treat you differently?"

The young wolf leaned back against the windowsill. "Well, Gan..." Roan paused. He couldn't tell the bull anything about Gan without revealing the horse's sexuality. "...he discovered my sexuality and overlooked it. You didn't cane me, nor give me detention. The taxi driver gave me a free ride. My dad's friend covered for me when I dropped a bag containing condoms." Principal Hargraves eyes widened at that, but Roan ignored him and continued. "He then overlooked the fact that me and...er...well...he overlooked something that happened in my house this morning. Then Kirk, one of the footballers I fought with, backed me up against another footballer, even apologized to me for how he'd treated me!"

The bovine devoured each fact, sifted through the information, trying to find a common thread. But without being on hand at each event, the bull found he lacked the mortar that would fill the spaces between the bricks, binding everything into one coherent answer.

Principal Hargraves sighed. "I can't think of an answer. The only thing that comes to mind is that everyfur you mentioned is gay and wants you, thus will "overlook" or cater to you! Which of course they're not!" the bull hastened to add. "Since I'm not gay."

"I'm scared, sir."

This startled the bull. "What? Why, Roan?"

"I seem to have this...power...for lack of a better word, over others. I'm not consciously doing anything to promote it, but it's there, nonetheless! I'm afraid of what I could effect in others, without even realizing it!"

"I don't know what it is about you, Roan, that can prompt others to act in ways contrary to their nature, but I agree that it's dangerous. If you can wield such influence subconsciously, what could you do if you put your will and mind to accomplishing something?"

Roan looked anxious.

"I will say, Roan, that forewarned is forearmed. Knowing and being able to identify your ability, for lack of a more suitable word, will allow you to limit the contradictory actions of others. Though," the bull paused, "it may grant you more ways to manipulate others, too! Especially if you know what you're doing!"

"But I wouldn't, sir!" Roan exclaimed.

"Would you say Coach Madson did...um...acted as he did because he was in charge? Or because you orchestrated events to what you desired?"

Roan gaped. He cared about the bear, and he was sure, no, he knew the bear cared about him. Still, he'd put down their sex to mutual longing and need. Yet he'd been the one in control, pulling the strings, getting the coach to lay aside his qualms and hesitations and take the wolf!

True, they'd both enjoyed the rutting. But the bear wouldn't have fucked him if he hadn't forced the issue. Perhaps the bear saw in him something similar to what the bull did! Perhaps the bear felt the need to give in to him!

"Taking responsibility for something is never easy, Roan."

"Like allowing an underage wolf and an adult bear to have sex?"

The bovine winced. "Touche'. But now that you realize the influence you can assert over others, how will you handle those others in the future?"

Roan pondered the question. How would he handle others? Retreat into his private world? Become the loner he had been? Shun the comfort and affections of other furs for fear of manipulating them, albeit unintentionally?

The wolf closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, the opened them again. He stared at the principal before him. "Carefully," the wolf said.

The bull nodded, a soft smile playing at the corners of his muzzle. "A good answer, Roan."

"It still doesn't explain how I can affect others so."

"I think, Roan, now that I've had a little time to ponder what you've said, that part of it is your openness, your trusting nature. In some it would open avenues for other furs to use you! But in your case, for some reason, and I'm no shrink so please don't ask me to psycho-analyze you, it inspires the same in others, to the point of them forsaking their own natures to cater to yours!"

"Mine?" the wolf asked, puzzled.

"Yes, Roan. Before all of this, you were a loner. Solitude was your world, and you kept to yourself. Suddenly you've discovered something new in yourself, and you're wanting to learn more, you want to experience more, and above all, you want to be cared for. You don't want to be alone anymore! This is recognized on a subconscious level by those you interact with, and your openness and trust makes others want to help you!"

Which would explain why Gan was so upset, Roan thought in a flash of realization! Gan wanted to take care of him, help him in his stumbling discovery of his sexuality, and when Roan snapped at Gan the horse felt betrayed, having treated the wolf much differently than any other he'd been with!

"I think I need to go home and...think," Roan mumbled.

"I think you should go home and rest, Roan," Principal Hargraves corrected. "You've been through a hell of a lot!"

Roan nodded, began walking over to his backpack. He stopped, turned, and walked back to the bull. He didn't stop until his body was pressed against the bovine's, his arms around the adult's waist, his muzzle against the bull's chest. "Thank you, sir. For the talk. For....everything. I'm sorry I...caused you so much...distress."

The bovine's arms hovered behind the wolf's back, the bull unsure of what he should do, how he should respond. He sighed and returned the hug the wolf was giving him, brushing his own muzzle against Roan's head. "It's ok, Roan. Just don't do anything with Coach Madson on school premises. Or anywhere you might be discovered!"

The wolf lifted his head, found his muzzle not even an inch away from the bull's, their eyes meeting, holding, lingering. Damn, this fur was hot. Temptation was but an inch away, and it was Roan's for the taking, should he so desire.

And desire he did!

Roan pulled back, releasing his embrace on the bull, and smiled softly. "I 'm doing it again, aren't I?"

Principal Hargraves nodded. "Yeah, you were."

"And you gave in to it, for a moment."

The bull nodded. "The force is strong in this one!"

Roan blinked, then burst into laughter, the bovine joining in. The stress, fear, anxiety of the past several hours seemed to amplify the humor in the situation. Tears spilled from their eyes as both furs lost themselves to the sheer hilarity of the statement. Several long minutes past before either fur could pull themselves together. Wiping at their eyes, they stood and smiled at each other.

"Thanks for cheering me up, sir," Roan grinned.

"Thank you for controlling yourself, Roan, at the end," the bull replied, his smile still in place, though his eyes were serious.

"Would I have succeeded?"

Principal Hargraves gazed at the young wolf and shook his head. "No. I'm not gay."

Roan nodded and walked to the door of the office. "Have a good weekend, sir. And...thank you once again."

The bull nodded and smiled and watched the wolf leave. He turned to stare out the window. It had gone better than he'd expected. Then again, what had he expected? Certainly not the conversation he and Roan had had. The wolf was intelligent, and strong. He would control himself. He would think before acting.

In the corridor, Roan walked with a spring his his pawsteps. He had a lot to think about, but he'd learned a great deal about himself this day. And Coach Madson wouldn't get in trouble!

The thought bitchslapped him out of nowhere, and the wolf stumbled over his own paws, so stunned was he. Why had the bovine paused before saying "No"?

COACH Madson drove, Roan riding shotgun and Richard in the backseat, opting for it probably out of anxiety of sitting in the passenger seat again! The drive was done in silence, as it had been in the police car on their return from the hospital. Roan wanted to talk to Coach Madson, but couldn't in front of Richard.

As they turned the corner and drove up to Roan's house, the wolf was startled to see a familiar equine figure sitting on the porch steps. As the Coach's car slowed down the horse looked up and jumped to his footpaws as he recognized the occupants. He stood, anxious and fidgeting, waiting.

Roan waited till Richard had exited the car and started walking to the house before turning to the bear.

"Sir, I...Everything is ok. Everything is going to be ok." The wolf placed a paw on the bear's knee. "Principal Hargraves will overlook our fucking, and..."

Coach Madson went white, his eyes wide. He trembled, and Roan squeezed the bear's knee hard.

"No, sir, listen to me! He's ok with it!"

The words seemed to snap the bear out of his shock. "He what?"

"Well, ok, maybe not ok with it, but he thinks highly of you and knows you wouldn't manipulate a fur in your care to be sexual with you. I also told Principal Hargraves that I seduced you! He said he won't allow us to have sex on school property again, but I won't stop us from being intimate outside school, provided we did so in private."

"He...he said that?" the ursine gasped.

"Well, yes. He didn't say he would allow us to have sex outside school, but he eluded to it! Go ask him if you're concerned. But know that we're ok, and you're not in trouble!"

The bear leaned back, breathing a sigh of relief. "I was so scared, Roan. When I walked into his office and saw the cops, I thought...thought..."

Roan nodded. "So did I, sir. Principal Hargraves apologized for that. It was unintentional."

"When he told me to accompany you to the hospital, I knew then and there that he knew about us. I thought I had a temporary reprieve. I feel a lot better, Roan. Thank you."

Roan looked down. "There's something else."

The bear's muscled tensed beneath Roan's paw.

"I...I want to apologize for seducing you, for manipulating you into having sex with me."

"Roan, you didn't manipulate me!"

Roan shook his head. "I did, sir. I...I learned something today, with the principal's help. I...I can make others act contrary to their nature. It's what I did to you, unknowingly, but I did it anyway."

The bear stared at the wolf, a warm pride welling up inside him. There was more to this young fur than met the eye. A responsibility and even wisdom beyond his years lurked within this adolescent wolf!

An ursine paw came to rest on top of the wolf's. "Roan, yes, you did seduce me. But it wasn't just you. It takes two to tango, wuff. I gave in to my desires..."

Roan's head shot up, his eyes flashing. "...because I manipulated you! If I hadn't pushed it, we would never have fucked!"

"Do you regret the sex?"

Roan shook his head, his eyes distressed. "No, sir, not at all. But..."

"Neither do I," the bear cut the young wolf off. "With what you just said, yes, I agree that there is something about you that urged me to throw caution to the wind and submit to my baser desires. I do not in any way regreat any of it. We both took responsibility for our actions, and we both consented.

"Sure, it's not something a teacher and student should have done, but we did it anyway. And we enjoyed it. I don't feel guilty about it, and neither should you! If anyfur should feel guilty, I should! I'm the one who should be wiser, more mature. I have had experience fighting my desires. I gave in, and for a time I did feel guilty. But not anymore. Because I didn't have sex with a teenager. I had sex with a wolf!"

The bear looked over Roan's shoulder, out the window. Richard had vanished into the house already.

"Mr Auran looks like he's about to have foals!" the bear smiled softly. "We can talk about this another time. Spend time with your friend, get lots of rest. I'm sure Mr Auran can get you to relax," the bear smirked, winking.

Roan chuckled, his previous qualms fading before the bear's words and jest. "Thank you, sir. For everything."

The bear smiled and waved the wolf off. "Go, go, before I lose control again and hug you. Or worse," he smirked again.

"Worse?" Roan grinned. "Or better?"

The bear laughed, and Roan climbed out the car, smiling and waving goodbye as the coach pulled out and drove off, waving back. Once the car had rounded a corner and was lost to sight, Roan turned and walked up the path to the porch, where Gan stood, looking terribly worried.

The two stood in awkward silence, neither meeting the other's eyes, casting their gaze at the ground, the sky, the road, anything but each other. How long they stood as such, neither realized.

"At least stand in uncomfortable silence inside the house drinking hot chocolate!" Richard called out in mock annoyance from the front door. "And you'd better drink it, cos it's damned difficult making this stuff with only one paw!"

Horse and wolf couldn't help but smile as they walked past Richard into the house. The older wolf entered the kitchen, leaving Roan to close the front door. As soon as it was shut the young wolf found strong arms around his waist, pulling him back, and Gan's head resting on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," the horse whispered.

"Me too," Roan replied, closing his eyes and leaning back into the embrace.

"How's..." the horse fell silent.

"Doctor says he will be ok," Roan breathed. "Just keeping him for a few nights."

Gan continued to hold the wolf, his breath warm on the side of the canine's muzzle. "I don't know what came over me, Roan." The horse finally spoke. "I'm sorry."

"I think I do!"

Gan released his friend, who turned to smile warmly at him. The wolf brought his muzzle to the horse's and kissed him, gently. Gan returned the kiss, a simple and tender affection.

Roan saw the question in Gan's eyes and he said; "You were hurt by my words because you expected more of me. You were angry not only at me, but yourself too, for letting yourself be drawn to me more than you'd intended, getting hurt in the process."

Gan blinked. "Roan, I..." He paused. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But I..."

Roan's paw on Gan's lips silenced the horse. He felt so weary all of a sudden. His brain was stuffed with cotton wool and all he wanted to do was rest. "No talking, stud. I'm so drained. I just wanna lie down for a bit. Afterwards, we can talk." He smiled.

The horse nodded. "Yeah, sure, Roan. Sorry, I know this day has been hard on you. I'll let you rest. I have...stuff...to do anyways, in the meantime. Call me, when you wake up."

"Nofur is leaving without drinking the hot chocolate I made with but one paw!" came Richard's voice from the kitchen doorway.

Horse and wolf grinned sheepishly and nodded and followed the older wolf. Three mugs of steaming hot chocolate sat on the kitchen table. The two young furs picked up a mug each and smiled their thanks to Richard, who simply lifted his and grinned.

"Roan's not going to call you later, Gan."

The horse looked surprised, Roan confused.

"What?" they both gasped simultaneously.

Richard gestured at Roan with his mug. "You're going to go lie down and get some rest. Sleep off the stress, wuff. And that's an order!" The mug pointed at Gan next. "And you, you're gonna slide into bed with Roan and hold him till he wakes up! That's also an order!"

The two friends gaped at the older wolf, who took a swig of his chocolate, licked his lips and regarded them with feigned curiosity. "What?"

"Thanks, Richard," Gan smiled broadly.

Roan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, thanks. But...what about you?"

Richard tilted his head to one side. "I don't think your bed is big enough for all three of us," he stated deadpan.

Gan and Roan's jaws dropped.

"It's called a joke," the older wolf chuckled. "I'm gonna pop a few more pills and catch some shuteye. It's been a long day for all of us!"

The hot chocolate infused Roan's body with lethargic warm and he nodded and set the mug down. Climbing into bed with Gan, so simple an act, sounded awesome. Even if all they did was curl up and sleep alongside each other, just having the horse next to him, holding him, made the wolf feel so at ease.

Richard sat and nursed his hot chocolate as Roan and Gan made their way to the young wolf's room. Richard smiled softly as he heard the door close. Then he sighed. He knew Scott would forgive him, but Roan? Not that it mattered for now. Scott would never tell Roan, and Richard himself wouldn't bring it up.

He leaned back, wincing as his injured arm complained. He thought of Roan and Gan, sleeping together, holding each other, sharing comfort and warmth. Popping open the tube of pills given him by the hospital, Richard, took two and swallowed, gulping down the last of the hot chocolate to help wash it down.

He wolf stood and made his way down the passage. He reached the bedroom, shedding his clothes and sliding under the sheets, careful not to jar his arm.

"Wish I was holding you right now, old friend," he murmured and closed his eyes, fatigue and medicine allowing sleep to claim him swiftly.

_To be continued...

Finally managed to complete this issue! My apologies for it being so delayed! The more I write, the more I discover about the reasons behind the actions of the characters. Hopefully the characters will have grown more in your minds as well._

So all's well that ends well...for now!!! Who knows what challenges may lie in wait for our heroes!

Comments and suggestions, ESPECIALLY suggestions, are more than welcome! This story has come along much further than I'd anticipated, and while I still have ideas...the time has come to ask what YOU the reader would like to see...er...read!

Author's Note: While some may think Roan's actions with the firearm is a little hard to believe, let me hasten to assure you that all encompassing rage is brutally seductive, sensually empowering.

Twice have I fallen before it, and twice, thankfully, I've only had to walk away with minor consequences. I only hope that none of you have had to endure it, and that none of you ever will.

Lastly, i have uploaded the first Issue of a series I began working on some 7 years ago. It's called Final Nights. I have uploaded it in an unedited format. I havn't re-read the story, so any mistakes or grammatical errors are intact. If you would be so kind, please give it a read and let me know what you think...especially in regards to how, if at all, my writing style has changed between then and now.

Thank you very much! ^.^