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"Chris, over here," Marion exclaimed, gaining the pup's attention. Chris still didn't know when he arrived at the school--he assumed it was due to the fact he'd only been picking him up for a week. Maybe the pup didn't recognize his car yet? Marion shook his head of the reasons why and watched as the pup lethargically moved over to his car.

Chris looked at the wolf and then slowly got in. Once he was in he stared at the floor; just like he always did. The teachers here were different, they didn't teach the same way they did at his school; it wasn't the same. Nothing was the same.

Of course that should've been a rather obvious notion; nothing could be the same. He was no longer with his mother, he was no longer joking with her, or getting to tell her about his day, or getting to hear about what she had done; nothing was the same.

"So, did you have a good day at school?"

Chris glanced hesitantly over at the larger version of himself. No, that wasn't right. The wolf next to him wasn't a version of himself--they weren't the same at all....at least, that's what he told himself. He knew it wasn't true, that Mr. Judith was his dad. But...

Was he his dad? Was a dad something that was defined by blood and genes? Was the wolf that had not been there in his life, who hadn't seen him on his first--or any--birthday, who never went to a single of his piano recitals, who had so much money he might've made his mother's life easier, who didn't even know he had existed...was that his dad?

Despite how easily he felt he could've placed the blame on the wolf he never did. A part of him knew that no matter how much money, or how well-off Mr. Judith was, it would've only made his mother's passing a little later--not much though.

The notion stung and Chris felt his eyes water, for what seemed like the thousandth time that day; or perhaps they had never truly dried to begin with. He wanted to be away from here, to be back and to see his family--to have them tell him his mother was just on a trip; even having Mr. Judith tell him that. Wasn't that what they were supposed to tell him?

After a brief bout with his emotions he calmed his mind, managing to push off another time of sobbing. He had fought well through it at school but he knew in the back of his mind that the second the door closed behind him in Mr. Judith's home he would break down. For some reason his mind ran to the wolf next to him, and the fact that he hadn't ever answered the wofl's question. Even more strangely; it calmed him down a bit.

"It was fine,"

Marion was a bit startled but didn't show it when the pup spoke. He didn't know if Chris realized it or not but the pup hadn't answered him for nearly three minutes. A part of him wanted to just keep the silence between them, and he was sure that was a more normal sensation than the other one he had; to talk and find some way to connect with Chris.

He didn't know what he was doing though. What was he supposed to do? He picked Chris up, he tried his best to speak with him, he cooked--becoming even more edible--meals, and everything he would've done if he had a guest living with him. But Chris wasn't a guest--the pup was his son.

The knowledge still made his head spin and he wasn't entirely sure he was able to process it at times. Sometimes at night he would be thinking of Chris and suddenly realize that the night was well passed; that it would soon be time to go wake the pup up for school. He wanted so badly to know what to do, but every time he felt he was close to an answer another situation popped up in his mind that made him question his abilities.

Slowly he pulled into the driveway and looked over at the pup, "Well...we're home,"

Chris winced at the wolf's words and nodded curtly. Home. This wasn't home; it couldn't be. He could faintly realize that the cliché 'home is where the heart is' was more true than it sounded.

Without a word the pup got out of the car. Marion watched as Chris went upstairs and heard the door shut behind him. He moved over to the couch and fell down with a plop wondering what he was supposed to be doing right now. A part of him knew Chris was upset, but how could he comfort him? Was he even a possible comforter to the pup, or just a source of pain to him?

__________________________________

"Hey Mary," Marion said, throwing on his coat and letting out a small sigh.

"Hey there...how's it going?" the rabbit asked as she screwed on the top to a bottle.

"Not bad..."

"How's Chris?"

"What do we got today?"

Mary didn't bother to reply, mainly because she knew Marion was still totally clueless as to what he was doing. When the wolf didn't answer her questions she took that as a sign that Marion didn't want to continue the conversation. As it was Marion went through swings of emotion right now. One day the wolf would begin telling her about the pup, but on another Chris wouldn't even be mentioned.

Of course she knew that even if Marion never mentioned Chris, the pup was always on the wolf's mind; mostly because Marion could be found with his nose buried into an "Idiot's Guide to Parenting" which he kept at his place under the desk. The title of the book was hilarious in itself, but what was funnier was just how enveloped in the text the wolf was.

Marion obviously cared for the wolf, because ever since coming back the wolf's attitude had changed so much. One thing that was odd was the canine's attention to the clock, mostly at just before school would get out. Marion could get a bit curt with customers if he didn't think he'd make it in time to pick up Chris, which was usually his biggest concern of the day.

Mary had given the wolf all the motherly advice she could muster while not sounding overbearing or like she was trying to be rude. It would've been easy for Marion to snap back at her, especially since she didn't have a child of her own. As it was, the wolf accepted the advice with grace; usually noting places that were good to go, meals he could easily cook, and other things that he hoped would make Chris feel more at home.

The change in Marion was mostly good she felt. He did seem more tired all the tiem and knew that both of the canines were probably struggling at the moment. They had been thrust upon one another so suddenly; it would take time. As it was she just tried to give advice when she felt it was appropriate and made sure Marion kept up in his Idiot's Guide to Parenting.

The day passed slowly enough and Marion found himself back in the line at the school, waiting for Chris to round the corner. The students started pouring out and Marion wondered how many of them lived with two parents. Surely Chris wasn't the only one who just lived with one parent; the others had to be divorced and other matters of separation.

Of course down in his mind he knew his case was a bit different. Chris might've been the only one who had never known his father, and the only reason they had met was due to the death of his mother. That was most definitely uncommon. He gave a sigh of regret that he hadn't been able to see Chris before and wondered just what life might've been.

"Hello Mr. Judith,"

Marion jumped a bit when the pup got into the car, and spoke to him no less. Still, he quickly regained his composure and looked over at him, "Hello Chris...how was school today?"

Then the same reaction. Apparently all the pup had in him was a single greeting. Still, it was better than normal. Marion mentally marked it as a paramount moment; even if it didn't seem like such a big deal. He looked over and smiled at Chris, and nearly jumped when Chris noticed the smile, though they both played it off as if nothing had happened. Still, having black fur himself, he was able to tell that the pup had the slightest blush under his fur. "Hey Chris....I need to run by the store, are you OK with that?"

Chris nodded slowly and sighed. "Sure..." he said, but was still wondering why Mr. Judith had been smiling at him. It had felt creepy to him. Not a bad thing, and 'creepy' was just the initial feeling, because now it just felt warm--oddly so. He didn't want to admit the feeling and just laid his head against the window.

They didn't speak again till they were on the fifth aisle; where the frozen pizzas and other items were kept. Marion was digging through the selection of pizza when he realized that they were out of vegetables. He looked over at the pup that was drawing strange pictures on the frozen side of the glass. "Chris...would you mind going and getting a bag called 'Vegall' for me?"

Chris stopped in the middle of his drawing and looked over at the wolf, "OK Mr. Judith,"

Marion smiled at the wolf ran off and then continued his own searches. He eventually settled on three pepperonis, one cheese, four Supremes, and two meat lovers for himself and the pup. As he closed the door he jumped a little, seeing someone smiling at him with a set of smug eyes.

"Hey there,"

"Umm..." Marion said and looked over the fox. He was very familiar, like he'd seen him before in a dream.

"You remember me?"

Marion looked over the fox once more and then it hit him like a train. It was Nick; the fox he'd slept with what seemed like a life time ago. He could remember he'd wondered if he would see Nick again, but now that the fox was back he couldn't say he cared. The only thing he was concerned with was Chris. Still, he did acknowledge him. "Nick," Marion said, staring a bit blankly at the fox.

"Hey there wolfie...how are you doing?" Nick asked, smiling back.

"It's Marion...and I'm doing well. How can I help you?" Marion asked, not unhappy to see Nick but unsure whether the fox would be a good influence on his son. He couldn't help but notice how Nick's eyes weren't on his own but were rather looking over him as if he was some type of item. From his small experience with him he was unsure if he wanted someone who frequented the bar as often as Nick did--according to Toby--to be around his son. That was all that mattered now; Chris.

"I was just saying 'hi'," Nick replied, smiling at the wolf.

"Oh...umm...hey,"

"Who's the cutie look-a-like behind you...going for the same species are we?" Nick asked, looking over Marion's shoulder at the wolf he could've easily confused for him. In fact, he'd almost gone up to him instead of the wolf he saw right now.

Marion grimaced and fought back a small bout of anger. He was unsure where it came from, but hearing someone speak about Chris that way made his blood begin to boil. Chris wasn't even old enough to date--in his eyes--so hearing someone he'd been with talk about his son that way irked him. "He is my son,"

"Son?" Nick asked, a surprised and amused look plastered on his muzzle. "I didn't see you as the married type..." Nick said, eyeing the pup who was walking down the aisle to grab more groceries. "You didn't have a ring when we met..." he said with a chuckle.

"That was a different situation..." Marion said, already disliking the tone of Nick's voice. It wasn't an interested tone, but rather one that seemed like he amused at the idea.

"Oh...well...just hook up with a girl and she dropped the pup off on your step?"

"What? No," Marion said, his face filled with something between shock and annoyance.

"Oh...are you a swinger?"

"A what?" Marion asked, his blood boiling even more.

"A swinger," Nick said, putting a bit of motion behind his hips and chuckling.

Marion moved a bit more so that Chris would not see the fox, at least not so clearly. He scowled at Nick, "No, I am not a swinger!" he hissed. He wasn't sure where it came from, but he didn't want Chris to even come close to this conversation. The pup wasn't such a pup, but to him he was now. To think of anyone saying things of that nature around Chris made him annoyed and he wanted to protect the pup from it.

Nick looked past the wolf and to the pup and then back to Marion, "You a single dad?"

Marion looked away and felt his face go slightly red. He wasn't embarrassed by the fact that he had a son. It was just odd; seeing Nick here and the fox realizing he was parent.

"Mr. Judith...is this what you wanted?"

Marion wiped the scowl off his muzzle immediately and turned around to see his son holding up a bag and he nodded, "Yeah, that's it Chris...think you could get me one more?"

"OK," Chris said and looked past the wolf at the fox who was eyeing him curiously. He quickly turned away and went to grab one more bag for his dad.

"Oh, calling you by your last name. Not on such good relations with him are you?"

"I don't see how that is any of your business," Marion replied, scowling openly at Nick now.

"Hey...it's OK, I don't care if you and the pup are at ends,"

That did it. Marion hadn't been sure of Nick's intentions, and had even been ready to gain a friend from him, but hearing the fox tell him that automatically put him in the 'never go near' zone. He wouldn't allow himself to be around people that might cause a rift between himself and the pup; Chris needed him. "Can I help you?"

"Well...you know..." Nick said and chuckled a little, "Besides maybe a bit of action when you're not playing daddy...not really. But I think I could call you daddy too,"

Marion's face turned to one of disgust. Had he really gone and slept with someone who was so openly ready to take another person into bed? Then again, did having a child change his morals that much? Of course he also remembered that night and morning after quite well, if not mainly because of how hungover he had been and because of Mary's concoction cure. In the back of his mind he made a quick note to never drink that much ever again; if only so he didn't make a stupid mistake. Still, the notion was enough to make Marion sure he didn't want Nick near Chris at any point. "Look Nick...I'm not exactly interested in anything between someone else right now. Especially not if it's just a pleasure based status,"

"Oh...you didn't mind that night wolfie,"

"I wasn't exactly thinking that night," Marion replied, beginning to feel a growl work its way through his chest. It was like Nick was trying to pry his way between him and his son, and it made him disgusted. Even if he didn't know what he was to Chris, or exactly what the pup was to him besides his son, that was enough to solidify his protective urges towards him.

"So, I was a mistake?" Nick asked, chuckling a little.

"No Nick...I'm not saying that," Marion said, not wanting t insult the fox. "I...look...I made a mistake in being with you that night. It's not that you're a mistake, only that my decision was a mistake. Things have changed,"

"You're being kind of stupid. It's not like he has to know," Nick said, wondering how he could convince the wolf otherwise. "I got a friend whose got a kid, but he doesn't mind playing every little bit,"

"I'm not interested," Marion replied surely. He especially didn't want the offer now that he knew Nick was the type that would help someone cheat on their spouse. He didn't want Chris, or himself, to be around those type people. Simply, he didn't believe it was right to cheat on someone, and he wanted Chris to have a good up bringing--if only so Nancy wouldn't come back and haunt him.

"You sure? It would be pretty nice. I bet you don't get too much action,"

Marion let out an 'ugh' sound and shook his head, "I'm sure Nick..."

"That's just stupid..." Nick said, his face a heavy scowl.

Still with the sex? Marion rolled his eyes and made sure everything was in his cart so as soon as Chris was back he'd be able to leave, "Sorry you feel that way Nick,"

"I got another bag," Chris said, putting it in the cart and stopped automatically. He wasn't sure why but he could sense the tension in the air, at least from the large wolf. He stared at Mr. Judith and wondered if he'd messed up somehow; the wolf was visibly annoyed.

"Well....I hope he isn't pig-headed like you," Nick said, scowling at the wolf. He didn't do well with being rejected, and he didn't like the idea of the wolf getting off so easily.

"Don't you ever say something like that again. He is a smart pup!" Marion said adamantly, and so quickly he didn't even realize he'd spun around on Nick. Even though he'd never seen a single grade from the pup he didn't want anyone insulting him. It didn't matter though, all he could think of was the fact that someone had the audacity to insult his son. "You can insult me however much you like but if you dare insult him or anyone from his family...."

Marion never finished the threat. In the back of his mind he knew that the last thing he could afford was to end up away from Chris because he'd been stupid and gotten into a fight and then thrown in jail. Chris came first. He unclenched his paws and curtly turned around, walking off and motioning for Chris to follow him. "Come-on Chris...let's go home,"

Chris followed quickly behind the wolf, his face painted with confusion and wondering what had just happened. It was all just a bit strange to him. He knew that the fox had insulted him, but what confused him was how Mr. Judith had reacted. To him it hadn't been that odd, he had a stranger insult him and his mother had always taught him to not care what others said about him if their words were filled with ignorance. Even still, if the insult had hurt he wasn't sure he wouldn't noticed the pain for the feeling of awe that was over him. It had almost seemed like Mr. Judith had defended him.

Still, that couldn't be true. There was no reason for Mr. Judith to do that; the wolf didn't have to do anything for him. Why would he defend him? His mother had simply told him Mr. Judith would care for him, but that couldn't be more than just physically could it? If the wolf truly cared for him, then why wouldn't he had been in his life before.

They got into the car and Chris was sure the wolf was actually angry, but at what he was unsure. A part of him was scared, even if it was irrational, that the wolf was angry at him, but he felt that it wasn't right. He wanted to believe--at least he thought he did--that Mr. Judith cared for him, but it seemed too soon.

His mother hadn't told them about each other, so he knew blaming Mr. Judith about anything was wrong, but that didn't stop him sometimes. The wolf's sticking up for him just added another act to the jumbled mass of 'mistakes' and 'caring' acts that Chris had stored in his brain about his father.

His father.

The thought shocked him. It was the first time he'd referred to him as that, even in his mind. At least, it was the first instance subconsciously. Sometimes at night he would entertain eh notion of calling Mr. Judith his father. Even more rarely he had a dream where he, his mother, and himself were all together; like one big family. Still, when he woke up his mother was in the past and Mr. Judith was in the present--nothing about it was fair.

______________________________________

The two wolves ended up watching TV together later that night, but neither spoke to the other by unspoken consent. Both were deep in thought about the other, and what they were to each other. By blood they were related, and Marion felt that the pup was very important to him, otherwise he was sure he would not still be angry. Still, a part of him was holding back; he didn't know if he could handle the pressure. He knew that if he ever failed Chris it would hurt him, maybe even more than it might hurt the pup.

That was the scary part, failing the pup. The fear of messing up and ruining something kept him from ever going for it. What he had with Chris now wasn't terrible, and at the same time he knew he could never settle for it. A part of him craved a relationship with Chris, for them to be able to laugh and talk together. He gave a huff and wondered if Chris felt the same way.

Chris looked over at the wolf who was staring blankly at the TV screen. It was obvious that Mr. Judith was in deep thought, but of what he didn't know. Was the wolf thinking about him? Mr. Judith had stuck up for him.

That single thought kept buzzing about in his mind.

Even if it wasn't true--and if it was he was unsure--he couldn't get it out of his mind. The idea that Mr. Judith cared for him.

"Catch him!!" the police shepherd on the TV said, and Chris wasn't quite sure what was going on. He wondered if Mr. Judith knew--or were they both just pretending to watch the show? Maybe Mr. Judith was thinking about him, but Chris didn't want to get his hopes up that anyone was thinking of him anymore.

Still, the thought stuck. He wanted to try and get closer to the wolf, perhaps if just a bit. Maybe Mr. Judith would accept him. Surely the wolf actually did care for him and wasn't still just 'dealing' with him.

Chris slightly shuffled over towards the large male, unsure why he did so. He was glad of one thing though; that Mr. Judith did not notice. Even if he didn't' know why he did it, he continued to do so, and was soon pretending he was falling asleep. Chris let out a few fake yawns at increments he felt were appropriate.

He couldn't help but feel like a pup again. It was almost like he was with his mother for a second, because he could remember laying down with her and watching TV, but at te same time it was entirely different. With Mr. Judith there were the same feelings of comfort and ease, but unlike with his mother there was something he couldn't place; like an odd warmth.

Chris let his head droop a bit and leaned towards the larger male, not trying to give anything away though. As slowly as he could he let himself naturally fall he did; eventually resting his head on Mr. Judith's shoulder. The oddity of it all was how natural it felt; like he was with a parent--a father figure.

Marion glanced down at the pup and cocked his head, as if to ask Chris what he was doing, but the pup had his eyes closed. Maybe he'd fallen asleep? Either way, Marion found his brooding attitude gone now as he kept his eyes trained on his son. More surprising still was how his eyes changed from angry and distant to having a strange warmth and care to them. A tiny smile worked its way over his muzzle and he let one of his own arms drape over Chris.

Chris felt the wolf pull on him, not quite as gently as his mother could, and not nearly as lovingly. In fact, it was a curt pull, as if Mr. Judith himself was unsure of what he was doing. Even still, there was a part of him that felt oddly warm, not physically, but in some other way that he didn't quite know how to define.

Marion felt his anger that he'd been holding onto for so long slowly beginning to seethe out of him when Chris was in his arms. He'd never imagined he'd see Nick again, and the knowledge that he'd thought he was nice and that he'd even bedded with him made him feel nauseous. He couldn't afford that type of behavior anymore, not with Chris. He wanted the pup to be happy, and he didn't want to bring in anyone that might change that.

His grip slowly became more unhindered around Chris, and it almost felt like he was just resting with the pup. It felt nice; oddly nice. Looking down he could see Chris's chest rising and falling in rhythmic time; the pup was asleep. For a moment a small trace of a smile crept over his muzzle, and then the anger reemerged for a moment.

It wasn't anger at Chris, or at Nick; he felt angry with himself. He wished he had done so many things differently. It was annoying to think of how much of his life he had let go to waste. Sure, he had a good job, and could provide for himself, but just now he felt like he was beginning to get what could bring him happiness. All those years in school almost seemed wasted to him, but he knew that they would soon be important again; because they menat he could provide for Chris.

The pup seemed the help the anger, and it once more seethed away from him and he calmed down. While his own heart seemed to go through rhythmic cycles of fast pumping and steady beats, Chris was calmly sleeping in his arms.

"Chris?" Marion asked and stared down at the pup, but he was quite sure that he was asleep. He kept watching him for a few more moments and a tiny smile crept up over his muzzle. The pup would occasionally nestle closer to him and just like that the notion hit him again; his son. He had a child.

Being as gentle as he could Marion picked up Chris. The pup weighed possibly a hundred or more pounds, but to Marion he felt surprisingly light. An odd thought hit him; he was beginning to get used to holding Chris. This seemed like one of the many times he'd picked him up and carried him to his bed, and he couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like to do that all of the pup's life.

Those thoughts kept with him as he tucked in his son, even making him smile at some of the notions. For a moment he kept close to Chris, watching him sleep and wondering if the pup would open up to him soon. He didn't care to rush Chris and knew that he could wait for as long as it took; his only purpose was to show Chris one thing--he was there for him.

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Geez...sorry it took me so long. I have the next 12 chaps already written but i had this weird 'something feels missing' so i put a bit of text in and then rearranged the story into a format that i felt was more apropriate and all that good stuff. That was about a week. In that time i had one of those 'what the hell am i doing with my life' moments (which is mostly why this is such a late time in posting). So...those are my 'excuses' and what not. Hope you've enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next bit.