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Big thanks to Michael on BD for the edit again. Let the yiff return with a vengance!

Tuesday...

To say that the welcome back at The Swinging Sett had been exuberant was an understatement. Considering that up until two weeks ago no one there had even met them before, it was like they were family! Ruth had finally managed to extract Jessica from a tightly head-scarfed Alice and Harry, only for them to be pounced on in concern by Stefan and the skunk twins.

Jessica collapsed on the suite's bed with a thump, a smile plastered on her face as Ruth closed the door to the hotel hallway before collapsing next her with an exaggerated sigh. "Nice to be missed eh!" he commented as Jessica laid her head on his shoulder.

"You could say that. I needed a welcome like that after the stress of the last few days. I know it could only be Harry and Alice concerned over their reputation, but I think the greeting was genuine," Jessica replied, snuggling him.

"I do too...I have somehow got to survive giving the news to Giovanni as well..."

"Don't you mean survive Philly?" Jess replied, giggling as she interrupted him.

"Don't remind me...I wonder if I could just get away with dropping a message in at the restaurant?" Ruth mused.

"Well I can't give you your satisfaction properly for a week or more...go out to the rocks and give it to them in person," Jessica suggested, placing her hand on his crotch.

Ruth replied by rolling over gently on top of her, carefully making sure he didn't put any pressure on her midriff as he took her mouth into a deep kiss for a few minutes... "I seem to remember being told only that I couldn't penetrate you..." Ruth muttered as he traced her neckline down with his lips, nibbling affectionately at her scales with his teeth until he started suckling on her nipples as he moved her light dress aside.

Jessica relaxed into the pillows as he began to work her over gently, "I am not allowed to orgasm Ruth..." she reminded him blissfully, "But that still doesn't mean you have to be suffering too..."

"I know love...I can read your body quite well," Ruth murmured, "And if my needs become great I can always use the bathroom..."

Jessica gasped as he nipped a little too hard on one of her areolas, drawing a bead of blood, "Never... not while my mouth and tongue are still available..." she replied as Ruth abandoned her breasts and shuffled backwards down the bed, lifting the light summer dress from the hem instead. He began suckling on her toes while massaging her soles sensuously, pausing occasionally to run a hand up across her ankles towards her knees.

"But you always join me in orgasm when you do that..." Ruth whispered as his tongue followed his hand gently up her legs, never letting off with his kisses.

"You are about to send me into one now if you are not careful..." Jessica replied squirming, "Are you not aroused yet yourself?" she asked.

Ruth glanced up at the still shadowed vents under her dress...they were beginning to weep a little, but not excessively. He however was beginning to invert within his pants as he caressed her scales. "You are not on the edge yet love...I think I will enjoy this torment of you... It will be a challenge to bring you to your peak, but not allow you to fall over the cliff for once..." He loosened his belt and allowed his trousers to pool around his feet as he moved up past her knees with his tongue, tracing gentle patterns along her inner thighs that were still tainted by the taste of the hospital, bed applied soaps that were used to keep her clean while she was immobilized.

'It's his turn to gasp now,' Jessica thought as she felt his shaft's damp tip brush the soles of her feet as his tongue lapped at the area of fine scales between her lower ring and tail-base. Straightening her knees, she gripped him between her feet and started to manipulate him with her toes as his tongue moved to run around her ring.

Ruth tried to ignore the beginnings of her foot job. It was rather difficult as his nostrils were now barely an inch away from her out of bounds entrance for now. He grunted, as she started running her toe talons up and down his shaft while his tongue caused her to squirm underneath him as it dipped within her lower aperture. His balls slipped free and began to slap against her soles as her manipulations became more energetic. He moved that final couple of inches higher, and started to taste and lap at the fluids that were now running freely across her scales from her swollen lips. He resisted the urge to part them and suck on her clit, knowing that even with her iron will that would force her over the emotional cliff. He was coming pretty close himself now; especially he could feel her tail-tip creeping up the inside of his thighs, zeroing in on the target that was currently between her heels.

"You may not be able to cum in me today love..." Jessica gasped as he stimulated her further with a few nips, "But you can cum on me..." With that she slipped the first couple of tail ridges into his ass causing his neck to arch away from her pussy as he hissed in pleasure.

"You...Still...Have...Your...Dress...On..." Ruth struggled to say as her tail worked its magic on his prostate. She hadn't let off her attentions on his shaft either with her feet.

"It needs a wash...come on up...Paint me with your seed love..." Jessica replied, releasing her grip on his shaft, but not withdrawing her tail.

Ruth shuffled up, pulling her intimately connected tail with him until he was kneeling between her spread legs... "Are you sure?" he asked.

"If we were home I would be asking you to piss on me too..."

"What!?"

"Just like Harry did... Now cum for me!" With that she slipped a couple more ridges into him with no warning and twisted them against his swollen gland.

Shaft straining out in front of him Ruth arched his neck back as his balls contracted and ropes of his proven fertility pulsed out to soak Jessica's dress, pooling on her exposed breasts and running down her neckline onto the bed. She bent her head down and caught the last few pulses on her tongue, lapping up the milk like a new-born kitten as the flow subsided into a few bubbles of white taffy which oozed from his tip.

"The diet sheet did say I should take extra protein," she joked as she licked her lips, "I think I will take it direct from the tap though next time." Jessica slipped her tail out of Ruth's passage, letting it fall to slap against the mattress.

"You don't have to..." Ruth started as his breathing slowed again.

"Yes I do...And as you said before, I enjoy it as much as you. I had a little treat packed for this holiday, but my illness has ruined that and I am too tired to improvise. Come; help me to the shower so I can truly wash the stink of disinfectant from my scales. I will see what I can come up with when we get home tomorrow." Ruth backed off the bed, nearly tangling his feet in his discarded trousers before he held out his hand to her, "I could always sit back and watch if you want to invite Alice or one of her other staff up instead..."

"No...no...never again. We do it together, or not at all. I am guessing that it was Geraldine that saved my scales last weekend?" Ruth asked as he helped her stiffly to her feet and led her into the en-suite.

"It was her advice that made me think more...though I think that I would have come to the same conclusion soon enough on my own..." Jessica replied, leaning in to kiss him as he gently slid her ruined dress off her shoulders to pool around her feet on the tiles beneath them..."But actually it was Gwen who helped me come to my final decision over the situation...I phoned Australia while I was with Gerry."

"Whoa...You spoke to Gwen? Gwen the pilot? How did you manage to do that?" Ruth asked, holding Jessica steady so she couldn't break eye contact with him.

"Used my journalistic training and my maiden name to con Tangara's press desk into giving me an interview with her..." She shrugged as if it were nothing, "I told her who I was as soon as I was put through. You know Ruth, she signed off suggesting that she wished she was Mating with you, and not Joe, but then retracted it. That was the key you see. It made me realise just what I have got in you... and what I was almost about to throw away. Everywhere you go, everywhere you step, and everyone you come into contact with remembers you for something...and that is a rare gift to have." She leaned forward and kissed him again, pulling him close into her cum smeared breasts and then rested her head on his shoulders.

"You helped to make me what I am now...I would have just ended up a faceless bachelor in a dead end job if it weren't for you."

"Don't be daft love... You were the one that funded your own way through Oxford. You would never have just sat back and disappeared into a company's structure." Jess reached over and turned the shower onto full temperature, pulling him clear of the first burst of cold water.

"I don't know if I would have found someone though...I was too shy."

"You still are...though I have beaten some of that out of you now! It is one of the many reasons I love you." Jessica grinned, and then pushed him under the scalding flow.

"Ha ha..." Ruth laughed, towing her in with him and slowly starting to massage her scales to remove his seed.

"Not to energetically love...I am still pent up," Jessica cautioned, gasping as he worked over her nipples gently with his manipulating talons.

"Got to get you cleaned off..." Ruth replied grinning as he lowered his head to tongue wash her again, "You will just have to control your instincts."

Jessica grunted in response, "I am going to have to go to our GP tomorrow and see if he will prescribe me some suppressants. There is no way I will survive a week without an orgasm otherwise!"

"The pregnancy is still not depressing your needs?" Ruth asked, turning her in the flow so he could work over her back and wings as she leaned into him.

"No...My body and mind are still demanding more despite the current near miss with disaster."

"Why don't you ask your mother if she suffered from the same thing?" Ruth asked as he carefully cleaned her flight membranes.

"HA! That would be the day...You saw how embarrassed she was over our intimacy at the hospital. Besides which, she has been raped by my father for years and has the sex drive of a sloth on anti-depressants." Jessica responded as he moved his ministrations down from her wings to the base of her back and upper tail.

"Are any of your clients dragonesses then?" Ruth suggested, cursing his lack of thought over Elizabeth.

"No...You do know that it is unusual for dragon females to be highly sexed?" Jessica queried.

Ruth nodded, carefully cleaning her tail ridges. "I know that in that respect you are unusual...not that I am complaining." He grinned and turned her to face him again without getting up.

Jessica returned his grin, slipping her tail between her legs so it was underside up as he continued her toilette for her, "None of our species has showed up in the seven years I have been running my franchise love. I was not the only dragoness when I was at Oxford as a customer, but there were more of us around there anyway. The only female dragon I can think of that might be able to shed some light on if my sexual need will calm naturally is Aunt Gertrude...her exploits were known to me when I was still in daily contact with Jools. She was as highly sexed as I was in her youth, and has borne two children."

"Can you not get her number off Jools then? If you really want to know that is?" Ruth suggested as he carefully cleaned around her vents for her, without tormenting her further. He started to apply more saliva to the virtually healed incision on her belly as he slowly moved back up her body to his starting point.

"I suppose I could...I would like some warning if I am suddenly going to become frigid towards you..."

Ruth grinned, "I can live with just snuggles from you, you know," he interrupted her, ducking as she aimed a play swipe at him.

"You will never have only snuggles from me love, even if I can't stand your touch one day when I am gravid... I take our Mateship seriously. I know you have performed for me on days when you didn't want to..." Ruth opened his mouth to protest, but she laid a talon on it gently to stop him, "Dragons can't play poker love...I know that you have been too tired after long days in the office, so don't deny it."

Ruth sighed and kissed her, pulling her out of the shower gently and shutting the water off as he grabbed a fluffy towel, "I will stop though if you ever react negatively to me...You taught me that sex should always be mutually satisfying."

"That certainly surprised Jane didn't it..." Jessica grinned as he soaked all the water up off her gently with the clean cotton.

"And Xiu and Heidi... I wonder how they are getting on." Ruth mused grinning as he only then began to towel himself off with a fresh bath sheet.

"And the bitch?" Jessica queried, causing Ruth to frown deeply.

"It satisfied her...but for the wrong reasons. With me it was just an unwanted release," he grumbled. "I know that a fourth child and a half-breed at that would be a burden on us and our reputation love, but unless Janice fulfils her conditions, I will rescue our offspring."

"I know love...I know. No child of yours can be allowed to suffer what Janice did...Look at what it did to her. I promise that no matter what happens, I will treat them as if I have borne them myself."

"I really hope it doesn't come to that though..." Ruth replied, hanging the two towels up on the ladder radiator and opening the door to help her back to the bed.

Jessica smiled as he pulled back the sheets and then tucked her in gently when she lay down, "You think she will pull through then?"

"I don't know...but I do know she already had her claws into Kyle, the other pilot before she was detained. Gwen and Joe sent me an email while we were in London," he flushed slightly, causing Jessica to raise an eyebrow.

"Oh?" she pressed.

Ruth slipped his trousers back on and a fresh shirt before he retrieved his phone from his pouch and brought up the email and video file in question, before handing it to her.

Jessica hit play and watched the auto-land sequence with interest, suppressing her urge to trail her hand down to her own sex as Gwen peaked on the screen in front of her and signed off with a grin. "So that is Gwen and Joe then?" she asked as the vid ended.

"Yup..." Ruth replied shrugging, "What possessed them to risk their careers that way, I don't know."

Jessica laughed, "I am looking at the reason now love. I told you that you make an impression on whoever you meet. Now speaking of which, go and talk to Gio," she glanced out of the window, noting that the sunset was well progressed. "It is too late to fly out to the rocks now...you will have to go down to the restaurant."

"At least nothing embarrassing will happen there. Do you want room service while I am away?"

"Yes...I am peckish, but also very tired. Get Harry to send a couple of rare steaks up with rice or something to fill me. You can give me some more protein when you get back if I am still awake," she grinned as he bent over to kiss her.

"We'll see eh. I will grab something on the prom so I don't stink the place up if you have dozed off." Ruth replied as he headed towards the door.

Jessica half closed her eyes and drifted a little as the suites door closed behind him. Life could be better she supposed if her health hadn't taken this dive, but she was more than content as it was.

~~~~

Ruth placed Jessica's meal order with Harry at the desk, warning him that Jessica was in bed and not dressed, so he could send up George or someone who wouldn't be affected by any tease she was likely to try and pull on them. The badger grinned in response and assured him he would cover the serving of her himself.

The sun was just dipping below the horizon on the Atlantic as Ruth launched himself into the evening air that was rising up the cliff in front of the hotel. He spiralled lazily down to the promenade, landing neatly on the sea wall before hopping onto the footpath which was still occupied by the odd late beach-bather and those tourists heading towards the chippies whose smells were competing with the curry houses and Chinese for the early evening's trade. He had already decided on a Chinese as he approached Giovanni's door and stepped into the entry porch.

The mink Maître-Dee greeted him, looking over his shoulder to see if he was going to be accompanied, "Good evening Sir...I don't recall seeing you on the reservation list tonight."

"No reservation...I have come to update Giovanni on how my Mate Jessica is," Ruth replied.

A whistle sounded in the tank as some ingredients were dropped into the receiving basket as Giovanni spotted Ruth by the door. The mink glanced at the tank as the dolphin raised his head further out of the water and gestured with a quick flick that he should escort Ruth over without calling out and disturbing the customers who were dining. The mink sighed and indicated that Ruth should enter and walk over to the awaiting cetacean as an otter couple entered behind him.

"Ruth...how is she? I was so upset when Harry came down and left a message on Saturday afternoon about what had happened. Crystal is beside herself with guilt for not checking her over again...I should never have given her that nerve block..." Giovanni started, shaking his head in agitation.

"It was not your fault Gio...the nerve block did nothing but bruise her." Ruth reassured him.

"Then what was it? Something else must have happened. Are your children okay?" Gio asked, "Please, wait a minute... Crystal needs to hear this too." He submerged with a splash without waiting for any answers.

Ruth shook his head as the tank level dropped suddenly as Gio exited via his pressure lock. The female mink appeared and stood next to him with her pad as Ruth shuffled in place for a minute until with a large bubble the tank level dropped again and the water roiled as three delphinic heads suddenly appeared above the water, blowing air through their blowholes with hisses.

Gio glanced at the waiting mink as first Philly and then Crystal thrust themselves out of the water and planted kisses on Ruth's nose. "What's the order?" Gio asked her, one of the Pod is waiting in the tunnel while I talk to my friend here."

"Two lobster Supremes and a prawn and shrimp soufflé, Sir." The mink replied.

"The ingredients will be with you in minutes." Gio ducked under the water again as his Mate and daughter settled and awaited his return as the concentric rings of his sound clicked instructions spread on the surface of the water.

He surfaced again and floated back up towards Ruth, "Apologies, business must come first. Now what happened exactly?"

"The porcelain that Crystal detected in Jessica's womb floated free for some reason... possibly because of the sonar orgasm you gave her to finish the session. It cut her womb's lining and damaged the egg sack. She lost consciousness from internal bleeding and had emergency surgery, as I am sure that Harry told you." Ruth started. The three dolphins nodded in unison, "She is going to make a full recovery, and is back at the hotel as we speak. The children have survived as well, though it was a close call."

"I should have scanned her again..." Crystal started.

"I shouldn't have given her that sonar shock..." Gio protested.

"You couldn't have known...we didn't know. She kept saying she was alright until she started being sick," Ruth replied, reaching into the tank to soothe the agitated dolphins with his hand.

"It was still our fault...I was stupid...I just wanted to give her something to repay her for my experience." Gio protested still as he butted against Ruth's hand.

"She is fine now though, just too tired to walk down and prove it herself." Ruth reassured him.

Philly, who had remained silent nudged against his fingers and nibbled them, "She is orrrrdered to rrrrest then?" she asked.

"Yes...and do nothing more than the essentials for at least the next week," Ruth replied.

"So no sex then?" Philly continued cheekily.

Ruth flushed as Gio batted at his daughter, "No...no penetration and no orgasms until everything has settled down. Doctor's orders."

"Oh dear...she will not be happy about that, will she?" Crystal said, inserting herself neatly between Gio and Philly to calm the splashing.

"You could say that...she hasn't gone twelve hours without one since she hit puberty...She is a tad grouchy over it at the moment. I am doing what I can to comfort her non-sexually."

"So you arrrre sufferrrring too? Come down to the caves and I will help you out again," Philly suggested, this time getting smacked by both Crystal and Gio together.

Ruth grinned, "I will pass this time...much as the idea is delightful, I must return to Jessica's side. I promise though that the next time we are in the area, we will join you and the Pod again."

"Good...no invite needed, just come out to the rocks and we will give you the key. You must also accept a free night here on the house to for our negligence," Gio replied after Philly had been thoroughly chastised.

The Maître-Dee had appeared at Ruth's side and was glancing over his shoulder at the patrons who were all staring at the tank and the spilt water which was soaking into the flooring around it. "With respect Sir...the patrons are getting restless. If you do not want to lose custom, you need to calm your actions. I cannot keep making excuses," the male mink pleaded.

The three dolphins suddenly dropped a foot or so as the pressure lock admitted a fourth one. Jacques surfaced and dropped the lobster, shrimp and prawns into the basket before ringing the bell as the tank refilled. "Evening Ruth!" he greeted before swimming to the slightly flustered Philly's side, "I hope the news is good over your Mate."

"She is well on the road to recovery Jacques, thank you," Ruth replied as the dolphin nuzzled his hand.

"Just tell them the truth Bernard...That my daughter is misbehaving again in the presence of a friend. Any who have come across children or have them of their own will know the need for chastisement. Offer my apologies and ten percent off the bills of those who are seated at present when they come to pay. I only allowed Philomena into the tank because Mr Ruatha had arrived...she has proved yet again why she is banned from in here." Gio directed at the Maître-Dee as soon as Ruth finished speaking. The mink nodded and went back out onto the restaurant floor to calm the diners.

"I must be going now Gio. As I mentioned, I should be back at Jessica's bedside. I see no reason why you should offer us a free night though...you did nothing wrong."

"Do not make me chastise you like I am your mother too...though that could be arranged next time if you wish," Chrystal replied grinning. "Accept the offer Ruth, I for one feel at least partially responsible for Jessica's condition. If I had spotted the problem while she was in the water, she may not have needed an operation, and your children need not have been put at risk. It is the least I and my Mate can provide, and will not cause us hardship."

"No...no hardship at all," Gio insisted.

"Very well, I shall convey the offer to Jessica when I get back to her."

"Good, good. The matter is settled then. Do not be too long in your absence Ruth," Gio replied rubbing his head along Ruth's hand again in a parting gesture. "Now, Philly, Jacques, Chrystal...return to the supply caves. Work is not being done, and we have a reputation to protect," he ordered, grinning his perpetual grin as the three other dolphins all dived back into the tank's depths.

"We will be back soon...I promise." With that Ruth turned and headed back out into the evenings waning light, just stopping long enough to grab his egg fried rice with ginger and lemongrass marinated lizard shreds before he sat down in one of the wind-shelters and tucked in, his mind still revolving over the last few days events and revelations.

~~~~

"MALAPROP!" Lancelot shouted from where he was sat with Elizabeth in the study.

Heavy footsteps sounded...Quickly making their way across the heavy oak floorboards outside the room. The door opened and the black dragon stepped in, leaving it ajar behind him. Accessing the situation, he ascertained that the urgency in his master's request was not a physical threat, so he relaxed a little, "You called me Sir?" he asked.

"Yes. Book us three return tickets, first class up to Macclesfield station on Saturday, and find us a decent hotel to stay overnight in, in the vicinity and book a decent cab company to take us there. Make the returns for Sunday evening. Then draft a reply to the Knowles' accepting the invitation with your inclusion and send it by courier. I was denied the chance to be at my daughter's side while she was in hospital, so I will not be denied the chance to see her and her runt again as soon as possible!" Lance ordered.

Malaprop glanced at Elizabeth who was sitting back in her wingback, book long since forgotten where she had dropped it on the rug by her feet. The morning had not been good for him, Heather or Owen...The argument that had slowly been escalating into a full scale slanging match since Elizabeth had come down late for breakfast after arriving home late the night before. It had unnerved them all as the voices bounced around the manor with increasing veracity. She shrugged minutely, giving Malaprop permission to carry out Lance's orders while also admitting that she had lost the battle that they had both known to be unwinnable.

"I will do so immediately Sir. Do you require anything else of me?" Malaprop asked.

"No..." Lance huffed, sinking back into the shadows of his chair, "Just make a light meal today though, my appetite seems to be off a little."

"Very well Sir," Malaprop backed out of the room, but left the door open now the atmosphere had calmed a little.

Elizabeth stood, gathering her book as she started to head out into the hall herself. "Where are you going?" Lance barked.

"To the solar...I have had enough of your pig-headedness this day Lance. I warn you now though, if you do anything that will possibly put Ruth's career at risk when we show up, I will make sure your siblings pull the plug on you for a certainty!" Beth replied over her shoulder as she walked out of the study without waiting for a reply.

Lancelot huffed again. He was seething inside, though he couldn't deny that he was just a little bit pleased with himself that Beth had backed down on her insistence that they not go to the tea party. Everyone was treating him like a spoilt child again, even his staff! Of course he would control himself when confronting Jessica and the runt. His eyes glanced towards the pile of printouts that had been dumped on him the previous Friday. He had read them through again, several times in fact to keep his mind from fretting when Elizabeth had done her disappearing act without him to Bristol. He couldn't deny the fact that this 'Ruth' did have blood in his veins that was probably just as blue as his own. Possibly even bluer actually as the Giles' didn't really become a firmly established family name until the thirteenth century. His scales were the issue though...White was just not an acceptable draconic colour! The eggs had survived, mores the pity. He wondered if a good kick or tail slap to Jessica's belly would cause a rupture again, therefore solving that problem...knowing his luck it would leave her sterile though. He hated being backed into a corner!

He knew that Arnold's legals when they arrived would sew him up so tight financially that he wouldn't be able to buy a sandwich without permission, and having consulted with his own solicitors (at their extortionate weekend rates) he had found no way out of the situation. As soon as his mark was made, and his heart's blood was dripped onto the paperwork he was over as an independent dragon. Made to live the rest of his life as a puppet like figurehead while his Mate, heir and his siblings tried to undo the damage he had done through no fault of his own... Well maybe some fault of his own... He vowed that he would make Ruth's life hell for him if he came to live at the Manor... Maybe it would force a wedge between him and his daughter. A divorce was not as socially acceptable as widowhood, but it would free Jessica up again.

He smiled to himself. First things first, get her to come home. The rest could wait...

~~~~

Elizabeth headed towards the stairs at first, but as soon as she knew she was out of the line of sight of the study she diverted and followed Malaprop to his rooms just as he was trying to boot up the old computer he had been supplied with. "As soon as Arnold releases some of the funds Malaprop, order a new one of those. In fact order a laptop for me as well. If we are going to start entertaining again, we have got to move with the times."

Malaprop grinned and turned to face her as the machine beeped in its annoyance at having been disturbed from its electronic slumber again, "I will admit that this thing is becoming an annoyance. I heard no violence this morning Ma'am, so I did not intrude. Do you need Heather to tend any injuries?"

"No...just my wit was injured for once. You and I both knew I was going to lose, but I put up a good fight so that he thinks he has won!"

"So you want me to courier messages to Arnold and Jools as well, as we discussed in private when you arrived home last night?"

"Yes, and make sure you tell Jools to go ahead with his plan over funding the catering. If you were in my situation Malaprop, would you warn Jessica?" Beth asked, changing the subject.

"I thought you had decided on the answer to that question with Master Jools on the way back, Ma'am," Malaprop replied.

"I am just still worried as to what Lancelot will do..."

"That is understandable. I will be carrying a syringe of bane on my personage throughout the party Ma'am...Lance only needs to be immobilized enough for me to get at his shoulder veins that way. In answer to your question though...No. For all the reasons you came up with, with Master Jools." Malaprop replied, turning enter his password into the keyboard behind him.

"That is a last resort though," Beth replied, "It can't be good for his heart at his age."

"Maybe he should be reminded of that then... It could encourage him to restrain himself..."

Beth grunted a semi-laugh at that, "What was he doing while I was away at Jessica's side?"

"Aside from threatening to strip the scales off me on Saturday..." Malaprop grinned, and turned Elizabeth's laugh into a genuine one, "He read over all the printouts about Ruth a few times and had some heated arguments on the phone with his solicitors. He also sulked a lot."

"Sounds about right for him...I am guessing he was not happy about what his solicitors told him?"

"Let's just say that I have a feeling he came pretty close to asking me to pay them a visit... I would have refused of course."

"That bad eh...Good news for us though. I know he won't just give in though, he is too stubborn for that," Elizabeth sighed heavily turning towards the room's exit again, "Keep an ear on him for me would you, try and work out what he is planning on next."

"I will do so Ma'am," Malaprop replied as she left the room and he turned back towards the flickering screen as sat to begin fulfilling his instructions.

~~~~

Wednesday...

Ruth landed heavily on his doorstep, eyes heavy from all the paperwork he had been forced to clear up and authorise from his absence. Amy had done a sterling job, and the new contract she had won with her new sales techniques was already in full flow and keeping the office busy... But she couldn't make payments, clear new works or deal with the staffing problems that had come up while he was absent. She had been upset when given the news about Jessica's near miss, and had promised to come around at the weekend when everything was settled.

Felix had been on the phone half the day too. Clyde's flight had been delayed by a nasty headwind and had had to make a refuelling stop at Dubai, rather than being a non-stop as expected. The limo company had been grumbling over the two extra hours of parking at the airport and had charged accordingly. Warrington was apparently at least semi presentable now from the pictures Felix had sent him via email, and a catering company was going to be knocking up a buffet lunch for them all inside the newly created boardroom. At least Jessica had sent him the good news that Geraldine had extended her invite to Clyde and his Mate to.

Opening the door he dropped his briefcase at the foot of the stairs and slipped out of his flying jacket. The house was dark, though he followed his nose towards the kitchen where the smells of cooking were originating from.

Jessica heard the front door close with a thump and grinned. She was dressed in nothing but her apron, and after the meal she had put on hold due to his late arrival, she was going to have her fun with him, even if he didn't want it! Quietly she slipped into the dining room and picked up the black padded silk hood from the sideboard where she had left it, before letting herself through into the lounge as Ruth vanished down the hall towards the kitchen.

Ruth glanced around the kitchen, observing the bubbling pans and wondering where Jessica had got to. He was just about to open his mouth to call her when he was pounced upon from behind and a black hood slipped over his head.

"Gotcha!" Jessica whispered in his ear before he could start to struggle.

"Jess, I could have kicked back and hit you in the stomach!" Ruth protested as she tightened all the straps over his eyes and horns. His lips were free to move and his nostrils clear so he could speak freely enough.

"And why would you have done that?" Jessica asked as she walked around to face her now blinded Mate, "There is hardly anyone else likely to be here in the house other than me."

"What of your father...or this Malaprop person. You are the one that keeps telling me that I may be at risk?" Ruth protested.

Jessica stopped dead, shivering as she pulled his lips to hers in a kiss, "I'm sorry...that didn't occur to me at the time. I just wanted to surprise you with something a little different to normal."

"I am just glad that you spoke up as you hooded me...I was just about to attack you. What's with this anyway?" Ruth asked as he gestured at the hood with his still free hands.

"Ohhh, you will have to wait and see. Now slip out of your jacket and shirt please...I don't want to ruin them," Jessica replied saucily, starting to unbutton his front.

"Can we at least eat first? I have had a very trying day catching up with everything."

"I am going to feed you love. Did you not see all the food I have prepared?"

"I did wonder about all the abandoned pots..." Ruth started.

"Shit!" Jessica cursed, abandoning him and running over the stove, "Strip, but leave your pants on. I have just got to tend to these. Play along and you will not be disappointed, you have always trusted me before."

"Can I take the hood off?" he asked as he slipped out of his shirt as instructed.

"No... and you will be handcuffed too in a minute. Don't worry though; I am not going to treat you like Alice did!" Jessica commented as her footsteps approached him again on the tiles.

He felt her grip his right hand and a cool band of padded metal click into place around his wrist. His arm was eased gently around to his back as his left hand was grabbed, the second band snicking around that wrist. He was secured, his wings pinned by his own arms, though the cuffs were chain linked and not rigid, so he was in no discomfort.

"Come...I have brought one of the benches in from the laundry room so your arms are not trapped by a chair back. Oh... If you didn't get my email earlier as you sent no reply, I spoke to Geraldine as I said I would. You are to invite Clyde and his Mate to the party on Sunday. As I thought, the idea of a talking point intrigued her." She gently led him to the table and backed him on to the proffered bench until his knees folded around the smooth timber. "Stay," she instructed firmly.

Listening hard he could hear whatever she was wearing drop from her body to pool on the floor with a hiss of cloth cascading on the tiles. Something was placed on the table in front of him, before footsteps retreated towards the stove as Ruth's hearing intensified with the lack of other sensory input. The clunk of the oven door opening and the clink of plates knocking together as they were placed on the work surface followed. Stainless steel servers pinged as they bumped into the side of the hot saucepans, the smells of the herbs and spices welling up to fill the kitchen while being sucked into his eager nostrils with every pull of the heady air... Other scents caught at his brain's pleasure centres as the persistent arousal of his Mate's desire overpowered even the nutmeg and cinnamon from whatever pudding had been devised for him. He shifted on the bench, his trousers tightening slightly as the lure of the temporarily forbidden teased at his subconscious.

Jessica watched Ruth as his attitude shifted from annoyance, through acceptance and then into impatience as the other herbs she had woven into the stew intensified his desire for her. The bowl she had placed on the table next to him contained a mixture of her fresh fluids, gathered as she dreamt up this whole sequence of events earlier...She had come close to defying the Doctors orders, but had held back from her peak with the greatest of difficulties. Ruth was going to relax tonight even if he didn't want to; the signs of stress around his eyes were all to present to her for one who had known him so long.

A call to a friend or two had produced a good handful of fresh Arnica and Valerian, some of which she had crushed and mixed into a paste in the bowl containing her personal elixir, the rest was added to the stew. Mixed with a small dose of bane, the scents of the herbs were slowly working their magic on her Mate, the muscles in his shoulders and face releasing their tensions as the creases smoothed out. She hoped that they would also be relaxing another muscle later, enough for what she had planned. Damiana and Ginseng were stirred into the spiced pudding as a final touch to ensure his receptiveness.

She had eaten earlier, before the spices were added as she needed her wits about her despite the suppressant pills her GP prescribed her. The old wolf had looked down his nose when she had requested the drugs, pointing out that they were normally only given out to Lapines and Mephitises to enable them a normal day to day life. She had reached over his shoulder and pointed out the instructions written in her notes from Bristol hospital and then dropped one of her cards on his desk, and his Mate's name into the conversation. The prescription was produced without any further delay!

Spooning the now reheated stew mixture into one of the warmed bowls, she walked back over to her waiting Mate. The bulge in his pants was all too obvious and she grinned knowing the herbs were doing their jobs. "Open up love...I have a treat for you," she said, sitting down opposite him.

"Mmmm hmmm," Ruth muttered, "What is it?" His brain was slightly fogged with the effects of what he was breathing in. He was not entirely sure that he was enjoying it, but all his inhibitions seemed to be evaporating with his concerns.

"Oh this and that...I am sure you will enjoy it," Jessica reassured him before tapping his nose horn with her spoon. Ruth opened up and she began spoon feeding him like a naughty child.

Each droplet of stew hit his taste buds and set them on fire. There was definitely fish of some sort in the mix, but the peppers that were giving a pleasant burn on his tongue were covering his identification up of the type. As each spoonful was swallowed, the next was placed in his mouth before he could comment, though a none too pleasant aftertaste was making itself known by then. He shifted on his seat as the last few droplets were placed in his mouth. He knew he was semi aroused, but his brain was lethargic. Images of Jessica and the other women he had encountered over the last month or so were starting to play over the insides of his eyelids as the lack of visual stimulus played games with his overwhelmed consciousness.

"Jess..." he started hesitantly, "I don't feel so good..."

"Don't worry love, you will be fine. Just relax and let the herbs and spices do their work. This is something special to allow you to forget the stresses and tribulations of the last few days," Jessica replied, standing again, "Don't worry about tomorrow either...I have the antidotes to give you so your head will be clear for the morning."

"Antidotes...?"

"They might give you a hangover...Now stay put while I go and fetch your pudding," she reassured him. She placed the empty stew dish on the countertop and retrieved the laced desert before sitting before him again, "You ready for the second course?"

"If you are sure I will be okay...I must be fit to meet at Warrington in the morning," Ruth replied as the first spoon slipped through his parted lips. It was almost disgustingly sweet, the nutmeg and cinnamon biting at his taste centres as he finally worked out the mix was based on a bread and milk base.

"Before you sleep tonight I have a draft mixed up for you to drink...that and a couple of aspirin should clear your head I have been assured. My friends came up this cocktail to relax you love, so I assume they know what they are doing."

"Could we have not tried this on a Friday night?" Ruth persisted, though his mind was starting to slip even more now...the words becoming more difficult to form with each passing minute.

"You need to be relaxed and stress free now love...Clyde would only be worried if he saw you like you looked when you walked in tonight..."

Ruth snorted, blowing some of the milky mix out of his mouth, "I could hardly have looked worse than when I sat down in front of him in Aus love, after what the bitch put me through on the flight!" the bad memory breaking through his muzziness.

"He could have put that down to your tiredness and injuries at the time...You don't have that excuse this time. Appearances must be kept up, and a hot shower wasn't going to fix all the taut muscles that were bunched under your scales." She finished spooning the remainder of the pudding through his lips before wiping the mix off her face where he had blown it. "Now hold my tail tip in your teeth and I will lead you to take a shower with me. Watch your toe talons on the stairs."

Ruth allowed himself to be led gently through the house until they reached where he knew their master suite was, pausing when Jessica still tugged at his teeth. "Where are we going?" he queried.

"We need more room for what I have in mind...we are going to use my marketing bathroom. I have everything prepared," she replied, reeling him in for a kiss, "I promise there won't be a tense muscle in your body after this evening."

He shook his head after breaking the embrace, meekly complying with her instructions and following her lead into the room that he usually stayed clear of...Something was bugging him, but it slipped his mind as she closed the door behind them. The sound of the shower starting up filled his ears through the cloth before he felt Jessica's hands manipulate the buttons above his tail, allowing his trousers to drop to the floor in a heap, closely followed by his pants. He was semi erect, he knew he was. Despite there having been very little tactile contact so far, his fogged mind knew it would take very little to bring him off. He allowed himself to be pushed into the scalding flow, the water pattering heavily on the hood until it seeped through to his scales.

Jessica flicked the record buttons on, on the three steam proofed cameras in the room and knelt in front of him, already naked as she had been since shedding her apron in the kitchen. Running her hands over his thighs she lent in and pulled his glans into her lips, sucking gently as the stimuli from her tongue and the drugs brought him to full hardness in a record time. The water was cascading down his chest, parting in equal runnels around either sides of his shaft. Deep throating him, she squeezed his balls until they pulled back from her hands and he filled her with her own desired desert. He groaned in reaction as the last pulses of his milk trickled into her mouth. "Let's get you cleaned up now that your edge is gone for the moment," she whispered, standing and gentle cleaning him from naked shoulders down to his feet carefully.

Ruth relaxed into her ministrations, his mind registering the blow-job as his orgasmic pleasures washed over it, but the words that followed slipped across his consciousness as her hands pulled the strain from his tendons as they ran across his scales with meticulous care. The water flow ceased beating on his hood and he allowed her to tug gently on his elbow until he was back out on the heated tile floor. The chain between the cuffs clinked free as a key snicked in the lock, the metal bands remaining in place though around his wrists.

"Lie down love," he heard her whisper in his ear "On your back..."

He backed up with the gentle pressure of a hand on his chest until his tail butted against the padded couch bench the he knew resided in the room. Gentle and all so familiar hands guided his tip through the gap in the faux leather surface as his knees folded around the edge into a sitting position.

"Arms to your sides please love and lie back, I won't let you fall."

Her further instructions penetrated his aural receivers as he complied. Something soft and yet strong tightened around his tail base, hugging against his scales firmly as his head horns hooked over the couches roll-top pillow. His left hand was gripped gently as with a click she fastened the short chain to one of the legs, his right soon following the same way. "Jess..." he started, a fingertip silencing him as it was placed firmly on his lips.

"Ah ah ah love...trust me remember," she repeated. A silk collar was looped around his neck before he could protest further, and with a gentle tug he felt it secured to the frame under the pillow. "Am I going to have to gag you?" Jessica asked, running a soft ball of rubber over his still loose lips.

"N...no..." Ruth gasped breathily as the ball withdrew before padded clamps were affixed tightly to his tiny nipples, "Wha...what are you going to do?" he forced out.

Jessica giggled girlishly as she kissed his belly, "Oh only take you final virginity properly. Tails are only good for a few inches you know."

As that sank into his brain alarm bells started to ring, "Jess..." he started to struggle but found all too soon he had been completely immobilized.

"The gag it is then..." Jessica interrupted, cutting off any further protest by inserting the soft rubber ball into his mouth before tying it tightly to the other straps under his head. She resumed her kissing, teasing at his recharging shaft as she passed while ignoring the struggling white scales beneath her as they tensed and twisted from her lips. "Relax love...relax. You will enjoy this, I guarantee it. As this is your first proper time I have selected a simulated wolf cock for you...the knot should rub your prostate just right!"

Rubbing her hands across his pre dripping glans, she worked them lower and began easing naturally lubed fingers deeply into his ring until four were embedded to her palm. He tensed below her as they twisted skilfully, tips feeling for the promised bump until they contacted it gently. Beginning a rolling massage of the gland, Ruth fully inverted in front of her eyes, shaft seeming to swell even further than normal as a muffled groan slipped out around the rubber in his stuffed mouth. Gripping his shaft hard with her free hand she pulled against the tensioned tendons until it stood vertically from his belly, placing her lips above his tip without actually touching it as his balls virtually vanished from sight again.

Every muscle in Ruth's body locked tight as he went into full orgasm for a second time, his anus clamping hard around his Mate's fingers as his cock fought to free itself of her iron grip. Wave after wave of seed ripped from his aching balls as it fountained into what he assumed was the warm air of the room, only nothing splattered on his stomach as expected. He felt her gusts of damp breath wash over his super sensitive glans as the orgasm wound down after what seemed like minutes, explaining the lack of a cum shower, his nostrils flaring as his lungs tried to replenish his body's excess use of oxygen without the use of his gagged mouth.

Jessica giggled again after swallowing as she slipped her hands fingers free of his still pulsing ring, "I told you to trust me," she breathed as she stood.

Suppressants withstanding, she was going to HAVE to bloody orgasm, even if she knew she shouldn't... Her loins were aching as much as she knew Ruth's must be now with the fantasy she was playing out on him. Grabbing the wolf cock from the sink where it had been resting in warm water she contemplated fetching the harness she had practiced with, but disregarded the idea as she knew that without anchors within her, it would just slide around uncontrollably on her scales.

Rubbing the silicone shaft carefully across her labia, she soaked it in her sexual elixir until it almost dripped with her arousal. Bubbles of cream were still rolling out of Ruth's shaft as it began to deflate again from lack of stimulation. She darted forward and rolled the carefully crafted cock through the fresh cum until a second layer floated above her own in a shimmering mass before she bent and started to deep throat him again, tongue never ceasing to tease as she zeroed in her target with one hand, her sex weeping as the toy slipped within Ruth without so much as a squeak.

Ruth tensed as he felt something warm and obviously artificial roll over his micro scales, moaning again as he was engulfed by Jessica's mouth again shortly afterwards. She was not letting him come down from his peak, her tongue electrifying every nerve ending in his crotch. The warm object traced a line down his frenulum until he felt it rest lightly on his ring. Drawing a sharp breath, he tried to hold the gate shut will all his will, but failed miserably as his last defence was penetrated with only the lightest of pressures. His muscles were out of the control of his brain for now, an 'out of order' sign almost flashing across his blinded vision.

Jessica grinned around Ruth's cock as she felt the dildo's glans pop the gate without any resistance. Her sensitive ears were picking up the quickening of his heart again as he tried to work the muscles that were no longer answering his instincts calls. Oh how she wished she could be riding him at the moment with a strap on, rather than just having to feed him his inevitable pleasure by hand. Letting up slightly, she released the dildo from her grip, allowing it to just stand there proud with only two inches embedded for support within him as she withdrew her throat from around his now straining shaft again.

Gently she threw her left leg over his securely tied neck, belly resting on his chest as the underside of her tail ran up across his flaring nose until her own ring bumped across its scaly tip, "You can still flick your tongue out around the gag love. Do your Mated duty and pleasure me too...I can't hold out any longer myself." She settled her dripping pussy on his nose horn before she swallowed his shaft tip again.

Ruth tried to move his head as what was usually a delightful treat settled on his nose. His neck muscles wouldn't comply either now, despite his mind screaming the Doctor's instructions at him about Jessica not to have orgasms for a while. It was only two days...nearly three since the week of abstinence had been enforced on her, and now she was going to risk their children? He didn't want to comply with her instructions, but the steady drip of her fluids seeped around the ball in his jaws until they fell on the base of his tongue. Her throat muscles were working his shaft as rapidly as Philly's vagina had milked him during orgasm... he had to swallow as the elixir pooled... she was going to cum anyway...maybe if he brought her off quickly she would allow him up again? He gave in, slipping his tongue through the side of his muzzle, running the tip gently across her clit as she tensed from his touch.

Jessica braced herself as Ruth finally complied with her wishes...Dracos it felt so good! It was time to bring him to his third orgasm, and she determined that as he peaked, so would she with her one and only act of defiance. Not lifting off his cock she gripped the wavering dildo and began easing its lupine length deeper and deeper into his protesting sphincter until the knot rested tightly on the rippling muscle. Slowly she withdrew it, twisting slightly until just the head remained before plunging it deep again, the silicone spheres slapping hard against his scales as her pace increased further. His tongue was not holding back either. He seemed determined to force her to peak quickly, rather than prolong it as she knew she preferred. She grunted, contemplating ordering a slowing down, but she realised that maybe it was for the best if she didn't lose control completely. She renewed her efforts, pile driving him even faster and harder as the groans increased in volume from them both. Finally the muscle gave and the five inch diameter knot was gripped and then sucked tightly into his body. Gripping the end tightly she twisted it, spinning it 360 degrees in her palms while pulling it towards her to increase the pressure on his P spot.

Ruth fought the sudden urge to defecate as he felt his ass rammed tightly with the intruder. He coughed as he breathed in the sudden increase in the amount of fluids Jessica was emitting and he jammed his tongue tightly under her clitoral hood and twisted as he felt his balls suck themselves into his cavity again when she twisted against his gland. The orgasm ripped what little coherent thoughts he had left from his mind as reserves he didn't think he had blasted into Jessica's throat in ever weakening pulses. Every muscle that he thought was beyond his control now lit up with sensations as they went into paroxysms of uncontrollable spasms. The floodgates opened above him and his tongue tip was grasped tightly as she went into a series of convulsions so severe it felt like his neck was going to dislocate as his throat fought to swallow everything that was being poured into it.

Jessica came down rapidly from her release as his cock continued to dry twitch in her throat. Wheezing reached her ears as her mind fuzzed back from pink into the normal hues. She pulled herself off him rapidly, leaving the dildo still tightly anchored within his ass as she fought to release the gag and bindings from his neck, tilting his head to one side as his limp tongue lolled out from where it had fallen from her lips. "Ruth, Ruth...breathe love, breathe!" she encouraged getting more and more frantic as his strained breaths grew weaker and weaker. Scrabbling for the keys she released his cuffed wrists and pulled him bodily up into a sitting position hugging him tightly to her breasts.

He coughed twice, then she felt liquid dribbling over shoulders...hugging harder she squeezed his ribcage tightly until he began coughing harder and pushed her away from him as fresh air replaced the fluids he had inhaled in his struggles. They poured from his mouth in a vile river, soiling his scales and hers as each convulsion spat them in her direction.

"H...H....H...Hood!" he forced out.

Quickly she walked behind him, supporting his heaving shoulders as she released the slip-knots on the silk one by one until she could pull it free of his head. His eyes were rolling in their sockets alarmingly, more white showing than the usual azure blue as they fought against the harsh light of the overhead fittings and the remaining drugs in his system. Too slowly for her liking he stabilized into a normal breathing pattern as his shoulders rested on her breasts, lids blinking until his gaze became solid again and locked with hers.

"Sometimes love...you go too far!" he finally said with a slight grin to take the sting out of it, "And I thought I was going to be drowned by the dolphins!"

Jessica giggled as relief washed over her, hugging him all the more tightly to her as he joined with a weak laugh of his own, "Did you enjoy it then?" she asked after a few minutes.

"I will let you know when I can remember most of it... Now get this bloody thing out of me!" he said gesturing to the protruding stub of silicone that still resided between his legs.

Jessica released him reluctantly, "Oh I think you did...you can review the footage later if you want!" she gestured at the cameras which were still staring at him with their emotionless glass eyes, red lights blinking steadily as they continued recording their impartial images.

"You filmed this?" Ruth asked incredulously as she carefully knelt in front of him.

"Ah ha...I thought it was about time we had some films of our own. This will be kept personal I promise...unless you want some of my customers to view it?" She grinned up at him, cocking her head on one side.

"I think that I would prefer this to never see the light of day outside of our bedroom," he replied running a hand over her snout.

Jessica licked at his fingers, "It's a date then...Wait until I can truly peg you love. My harness won't stay put without anchors, we can have some real fun then!"

"Without drugs and a hood though...I want some control next time."

"Would you submit to me?"

"Jessica love, I have been submitting to you since that first night. Where you have led, I have followed...but you have always asked first. This was a surprise," Ruth answered smiling.

"Would you have done this if I had asked?" Jess persisted.

"I have let your tail up there love...so yes...But not before one of the most important meetings in my life! You have bruised me, and I seriously doubt I will have recovered before morning."

"You will be fine...there were muscle relaxants in that cocktail as well as the ones that made you compliant."

"We will see. Jane will be there and you haven't met Mr Jupiter yet either. They will know, trust me. I have a feeling that I will be the butt of several jokes about my butt! Now if you think I am so relaxed down there...get the bloody thing out of me so we can wash up." He grinned rubbing a hand over her horns again in affection.

"You ready for a fourth orgasm already then?" Jessica teased.

"There is no way that..." Ruth started as Jess gripped the silicone base with her mouth and started to twist as she pulled gently.

"Crrrrrraaaaaaapppppp!" Ruth exclaimed as the knot pulled against his prostate again, his cock jerking within his cavity as it rapidly erected again. He gripped Jessica's horns and braced himself as it pulled free finally and he dry spasmed, nothing but just a few beads of pre emerging to roll down his glans as his ring contracted again with a slurping noise.

His belly rumbled ominously and he let go of her horns quickly as his guts roiled, "Jess...can you help me to the toilet. My legs are still very unsteady...Quickly!" They roiled again as he concentrated hard on controlling himself.

Jessica stood rapidly and threw his arm over her shoulder, guiding him to the appliance in the corner. They only just made it in time, Ruth's tail barely being through the slot in the back before his control slipped violently. She turned her head but remained supporting him as everything was evacuated without prejudice.

"Is this normal?" He gasped as his cramps subsided.

"Yes and no...I have a feeling that the herbs have not combined well. You should be loose after a first time, but normally hours after the event. We will have to see if it repeats again, I wouldn't be worried yet though." Jessica said as she handed him the toilet roll.

"I bloody hope it doesn't. I can't go to the meeting like this!"

"You want me to mix some Loperamide into the antidote draft I have prepared you?" Jessica asked concerned.

"Shouldn't I just let my body flush it out first?"

"Maybe...I suggest you take it before we go to sleep though, I just changed the sheets."

"I will do so then, now help me to the shower again please," he nodded to the still blinking cameras, "I think that last bit should be edited out." He grinned again as Jessica burst out laughing as she eased him into the shower enclosure again.

It took over twenty minutes of gentle cleansing under the water to wash them both clean of the evening's fun, Ruth having to hobble over twice to the toilet again while leaving a trail of water across the tiles.

"Don't worry love, I will clean all this lot up again while you are away at Warrington in the morning," Jessica reassured him as she patted him down with a towel. "Come, let us head to bed early, I am guessing that you are exhausted."

"You could say that," Ruth replied and allowed himself to be gently led from the chaotic mess in the demonstration room and back to their main suite. His belly seemed to have settled for the moment, though he watched as Jessica went to the drugs cabinet and pulled out a couple of the bog stoppers she had promised and added them to a glass full of murky liquid by the bed.

"Drink up," she said, holding the glass out to him, "It is likely to taste foul, but it is better than the headache you will have if you don't."

Ruth grimaced and swallowed the thick liquid in one long draft, trying to not let it touch his tongue as it oozed down his throat. He gagged a few times until Jessica poured a can of Doke into the glass and swirled it around, handing it back to him to swallow as well, the overpowering sweetness removing some of the horrendous aftertaste. "That was disgusting!" he remarked after a few minutes.

"I thought it was. It should do the job though," Jess replied grinning.

"Why on earth would a few herbs give me a headache anyway?" he asked.

"Erm...One of them was Dragonsbane," Jessica said sheepishly.

"What!?"

"I knew what I was doing...I was very very careful love. It is usually only deadly if injected directly in a large dose," she protested as he struggled upright again angrily.

"And the possible brain damage, the muscle weakness, heart attack, the loss of hearing? For Dracos' sake Jess, what were you thinking?"

"Only if abused, only if abused..." she backed up a bit worried at just how angry he was.

"And drugging your Mate so you can use him sexually is not abuse? How the fuck did you get involved with it, or for that matter, know you were only giving me a mild dose?" He didn't actually stand, his legs going weak as his muscles refused to comply again.

"I did not do it to use you Ruth. The doctors in the hospital use bane all the time, and if you have the right contacts it can be found in the more extensive herb gardens as it is just a seasoning to the furred peoples. The information is there if you know where to look for it. I have given you the antidote for it now; you should be fine when you have slept it off. It worked didn't it, you must admit your muscles are all relaxed now."

"They are so bloody relaxed I can't walk at the moment!"

"Are you sure that is not just the weakness from your four orgasms and the diarrhea love. Your head appears to be perfectly clear now the endorphins and adrenaline have flushed your system of the drug. If you were in any danger you would be on the verge of unconsciousness by now."

"You damn near knocked me out with it...I can hardly remember what you did to me until you penetrated me," Ruth slumped back onto the bed, calming down again.

Jessica hesitantly approached him again, "Forgiven?" she asked, grinning a little.

"Only if you promise never to let bane into the house again...unless the Doctors should ever prescribe it for some reason." Ruth stated firmly.

"I promise," Jessica replied quietly as she sat down next to him, placing an arm over his shoulders.

"Good," he lent in and kissed her, "Now I think I at least need to get some sleep."

"I will set the alarm for six...I may need to massage you to get you walking straight again. Don't want it to be too obvious what's been going on tonight!" Jess commented reaching over for the bedside clock. Ruth snored, still in the sitting position, almost causing her to drop the clock with an amused snort. Gently she lowered his head to the pillows and covered him up, planting a gentle kiss on his nose, "Goodnight love," she whispered.

~~~~

Thursday...

Felix looked across from his parking place as Ruth gingerly came into land on the front paved area of the Warrington offices and folded his wings while automatically smoothing down his suit jacket and trousers. The day was bright if a little cool, but was showing promise for an early autumn day in the north... At least it didn't look like rain would be greeting Clyde and his Mate who were due in an hour or so.

The Abyssinian strolled over quietly and held out his hand in greeting to his colleague, "Good morning Ruth...I trust your break went well?"

"I will tell you later Felix...things could have been better, but they are alright now. Jessica ended up in hospital, having emergency surgery," Ruth replied taking Felix's proffered hand and shaking it.

"Oh no! Is she alright?" Felix asked as a large luxury minibus pulled up into the turning circle.

Ruth glanced at the arrival as it discharged Mr Jupiter, Mr Graham, Belinda, Jane and four others he didn't recognise before driving off. "Please Felix, I will tell you later. Jessica and the eggs are fine, but it was a very close call for a time."

Felix nodded as the London party started to walk towards them, "Very well, but I will hold you to that. Charity will want to know. She has healed well you know, and we are planning a little something this weekend ourselves. You can tell Jessica that I am more than grateful for the rejuvenation she has given our sex lives."

"I believe it was Charity's suggestion if I remember correctly," Ruth replied grinning as Felix flushed.

"It was Jessica that got her drunk enough and opened her mind a little... She has gone and booked us into a spa for Saturday night on the Wirral. We have never been to one before...and she keeps blushing when I ask her why!"

Ruth grinned having got a step by step from Jessica on what exactly had gone on while he and Felix had been in the meeting the previous week, "Oh...well I think you will enjoy it friend, just go with an open mind yourself."

They turned to greet the party as they approached, shaking hands where appropriate. "So did our visitors land and get to their hotel on schedule okay yesterday?" Mr Jupiter asked with one of his cere lift grins. Belinda leaned up and whispered something into an ear tuft, "Ah...of course after the headwind delay?" He harrumphed correcting himself.

"They checked in without difficulty and we paid the extra charges for the Limo Company. They are expected here in around fifty minutes," Felix replied after checking his watch while diplomatically ignoring his superiors slip up.

"Good, good. And everything is ready to rock and roll here?" the eagle continued.

"All is ready and set up...I believe I sent you some pictures via email of the rigged up boardroom."

"Did he Belinda?" Mr Jupiter asked turning to the skunk.

"He did Sir... You were unavailable when they arrived so Mr Graham approved the alterations in your absence," Belinda replied bobbing like she was his maid and not his secretary.

"Ahh...Well then I had better see them in person then. Felix, lead the way please as we are on your territory so to speak."

Felix nodded and turned towards the glass fronted building, stepping smartly as Ruth tried to follow with his normal walking pattern, but not quite able to cover up his John Wayne type swagger. Jane suppressed a titter as she followed the bow legged dragon towards the lifts, guessing what might be the cause of the problem. Felix turned to the building's reception desk, "Sally, buzz us when a limo arrives, and not when the passengers get out would you. We would like to be in the lobby when they walk in please," he asked the young mink who was sitting there in a smart dress shirt and scarf.

"Will do Mr Yucsum... I called upstairs when the minibus arrived and I believe the coffee is brewing as we speak."

"You're a lifesaver Sally...thank you!"

The mink blushed and then the phone console started flashing red so she picked up and answered in her usual professional manor. "Good girl you have there Felix, good looker too," Mr Jupiter commented as they stepped into one of the two lifts that had answered the cats call on their buttons.

"She is very efficient and seems to love her job," Felix replied as the doors shut him, Ruth, Belinda and Jane into the lift with him, while Mr Graham and the others stepped into the other lift-car.

"The temps the agency keep sending me in London are interested only in their pay and bugger all else. I need to find another front desker like Belinda here started out as. Where's Jones anyway?"

"Covering my office Sir," Ruth replied, "A new contract has just gone live and Amy needs back-up while I am missing for the day."

"Oh? Another one you have got us eh?" the eagle asked with a chuckle.

"Actually Amy secured us this one herself while I was in London and on holiday. They have the potential to be a good mid-level customer for the office." Ruth glanced at Jane who was grinning hugely at the probable benefits that had come along as part of the contract negotiations.

"Good good...I am guessing that she is a good looking..." he paused for a second and shook his head, "What is she?" he asked.

"A black rabbit Sir..."

"Ah... Rabbit tails tickle just so..." he mused as Belinda blushed slightly causing Jane to place a comforting hand on the skunks shoulder. It appeared that the skunk offered a more personal service to the old eagle when she was required, but still hadn't got over the embarrassment of his ways in public.

"I couldn't possibly comment Sir; I am happily Mated," Ruth replied grinning, causing everyone in the lift including Belinda to burst out laughing as the doors opened and they emptied out onto the third floor.

They all filed down the corridor into the offices that Felix and his team had converted hastily at the front of the building. A long table with matching chairs was down the middle, with a secretary's desk off to one side for Belinda. A mini bar was off to the side along with a buffet table with a selection of cling wrapped sandwiches and cakes on white china plates. Two coffee machines were bubbling away quietly along with a tea urn on the table, trying their best to overwhelm the scents of fresh paint and carpet adhesive that hadn't quite faded from the rooms new décor.

"Looks like a good job Felix...where did you get the board table from?" Jupiter asked as he headed for the head of the table along with Mr Graham, "Belinda, serve everyone a coffee or tea please," he instructed as he settled.

"It is rented Sir...It seems we are not the only ones who have the need to impress at short notice. It arrived yesterday afternoon as the carpet fitters left, along with the bar and the buffet tables. A catering firm came in before I did this morning with the food." Felix replied as he and Ruth placed their briefcases down in the places closest to the table head the eagle had chosen. Jane placed hers opposite Ruth's with a grin as the others from London took the remaining places.

"Well it looks well enough...How does it compare Ruth to what you were welcomed with by Mr Everidge?"

"It looks fine Sir...As I mentioned before, the Aussies do seem to dress their buildings to impress though. I am afraid the Manchester Ship Canal can't compete with the Coral Sea if you catch my drift," Ruth replied, fetching more chuckles from the assembled group.

"Well, you will get to see how the Chinese do it as well. Jane has the tender for Wan Chan in her case, and you are to present it in person on a week next Tuesday. We have you and your Mate booked on a flight a week on Sunday so this time you will have twenty four hours to acclimatise a little. If all goes well today, you can catch a connection to Sydney with Tangara on the Wednesday afternoon to begin set up. I am getting favourable feedback from the board that London will be rebuilt somewhere in the docklands, as well as the relocation of these offices if your friendly Roo puts his mark on the contract today or tomorrow."

Ruth glanced at Felix who just shrugged, "Well thank you Sir...I have not yet convinced my Mate to overcome her discomfort about commercial flight yet though," Ruth replied after a few seconds of silence. Things were moving very quickly and he didn't seem to have much choice in his next movements with the business.

"Well you would be away for at least eight to ten weeks...I think that should be enough to persuade her. I believe that the company files state she doesn't work, so it shouldn't inconvenience her to take an all-expenses paid trip abroad with you." Mr Jupiter stated, dismissing his concern.

"I will have to talk with her over it...She does have a home run business. Why so long may I ask?" Ruth interjected, "I can't leave Macclesfield unattended for that long either."

"Already thought of Ruth," Mr Graham answered in the eagle's place, "Jones can be assigned as cover while your replacement is advertised for and interviewed. That will take eight weeks or more anyway. We can always send Felix another youngster or two up from London or from a different office to cover Jones if Warrington is going to be short until you get back. After all, the airfreight will already be landing by then, maybe the first ships to. Means you will not have to suffer the trouble of interviewing candidates here either, though of course you will be vetting the aerial ones in Australia for fitness and aptitude. The second an advert hits the web pages Felix will be inundated with CV's the way the job market is at the moment. I know where I would rather be in a British Autumn! As for the time, it could be even longer. A new venture on the scale of this is bound to run into hiccoughs."

"Would the company pay for Jessica to fly home once a month to tend to her customers and to view properties as we will be moving closer to here? She will not abandon them, but her business is online so can be run from abroad in the day to day aspects," Ruth asked hesitantly.

Mr Graham glanced at Mr Jupiter who nodded, "Yes...but maybe only in business class though. We can hide the fares from the board that way and call them additional personnel costs. You will not be without support from the UK after all in Australia and we can disguise her flights as general expenditure. I wouldn't send anyone on a twenty four hour flight in a tin can crammed in economy, so she will have everything but a private cabin. Do you want to take Amy with you to as your secretary?"

"No, no...I can manage my own paperwork. Amy is needed too much at Warrington in my absence. I am guessing that though the office will be ours on paper, we will be using Austran's staff in the initial set up?" Ruth hastily replied, envisioning just how much trouble Amy and Jessica would get up to together for a month or more.

"That is to be decided today and tomorrow if Clyde signs. His board have given him full authorisation to negotiate the details," Mr Jupiter replied. "Now, there is no point in continuing professionally until our guest arrives. I noticed you were limping Ruth on the way in, have you sustained another injury while you were on holiday?"

Ruth flushed pink under his scales, not being able to hide his colouring up, "Not an injury as such Sir...just a discomfort from last night," he replied as the attention of the room focused on him.

Jane grinned hugely and let out a chuckle which refocused the attention onto her, "Something we should know about Jane?" Mr Jupiter asked.

"Oh no Sir...but I can guess maybe why Ruth is not being more forthcoming in an explanation. I have come across things during my climb up the company ladder into my current position and he is displaying symptoms of a personal nature if I am any judge," the doe replied seriously, winking at Ruth.

Mr Graham shook his head as a few giggles broke out from the others at the table and Mr Jupiter grinned, "Ah I see...your Mate tried something new then?"

"You could say that Sir..." Ruth replied wishing he could sink into the floor.

"Wish mine had when I was younger...I always hurts the first time when it is done properly. Clarissa was not happy when I waddled in like a duck after a chance meeting with a rather adventurous dominatrix." The eagle grinned as both Ruth and Felix glanced at each other, "Oh don't look so shocked, she Mated with me for my money not love. We share a bed but not a lot else. She gave me kids, I give her security. Don't know what she will do with me when I finally hang up my suit jacket and I am stuck around the roost during the day. Lionel here doesn't approve of course, but then he is a catholic," he gestured at the hawk who was trying in vain to ignore the conversation. "The rest of the London office all know of course, they get guest passes to my club when they do something good! Nothing more will be said of it, just try not to fart while Clyde is in here as your ass readjusts!" He laughed as the others made mock grimaces at his bawdy humour.

"I shall do my best Sir," Ruth replied seriously as the others continued in their humour at his expense.

The phone on the side buzzed and Felix quickly rose to answer it, "Thank you Sally," he said quickly and hung up. Turning to the table he addressed then, "Our guests have just pulled in Sir."

"Good good...Jane, Lionel and Ruth, you join Felix and I to greet them. The rest of you wait for us here, we don't want to appear like a group of over enthusiastic teens at a pop concert." Mr Jupiter said firmly, hopping down from his place and heading towards the door as those instructed followed in his wake.

They arrived in the lobby just as Clyde and a female kangaroo pushed into the revolving glass doors, spilling out into the receptions foyer. He was dressed in a dark blue winter suit of heavy wool with a neat, pinstriped sports jacket and matching thin gloves covering his hands which he quickly removed as the receptions heat blanket enveloped him. A pop up umbrella swung neatly from one wrist. His Mate was dressed more informally, a floor length heavy skirt complete with tail wrap covered virtually every visible inch of her tawny fur. A neat hat perched on her head as she shivered in reaction to hitting the warm blast from the vents above. They matched each other perfectly in height and from a casual glance weight to, the athletic build of the female obvious despite her unflattering choice of clothing. She was carrying a large briefcase in her right, gloved hand.

Clyde grinned after he had stowed his gloves in his left pocket, "Bloody Hell Blue!" he exclaimed, "Couldn't you have arranged for a summers day to greet us?" He joked as he hop-strode over to where Ruth awaited him and enveloped the dragon in a hug involving a huge backslap that would have floored a smaller person. "Nice to see you again feller, you had better make your introductions."

"Nice to see you to Clyde...I trust you had a more restful trip than I did?" Ruth responded as he turned to the group he was with.

"Apart from that bloody stop in Dubai, Felicity and I just slept and had fun in our cabin. You've recovered from the battering you suffered I see."

"I did at that...Now as requested, let me introduce Felix Yucsum, my immediate superior here at Northern. Jane, chief contracts manager from the London office. Mr Graham, Deputy Director, and finally Mr Jupiter, Director and founder of Overland Express." Clyde gripped and shook the proffered hands strongly, placing a kiss on the back of Jane's as each member of the welcome party was announced.

"Nice to meet you all...I will look forward to working with you, even if we only see each other by Skype connection," Clyde said smiling before turning to the female roo, "This here is Felicity, my Mate. She also acts as my secretary and PA. That was actually where we met when I was but a Joey in the company eighteen years ago and she was assigned to me in one of the small regionals. I don't have to make excuses for late nights home as we work together as a team in all respects."

That fetched a smile from everyone including Felicity who held out a gloved hand as an introduction, "Good day...If my Mate annoys you just ignore him and talk to me. I have been ignoring him for years quite successfully!" She said developing everyone's smile into a chuckle. She also spoke with a perfect English accent which added surprise into the equation. As Ruth shook her hand she cocked her head, "I can see why Clyde was wooed by you Mr Ruatha...you are quite the specimen and not what I was expecting. The male dragons I remember from my formative years were sports champions at senior school and usually total wankers! I was quite upset when Clyde came home and told me about your meeting, and that you were a male with brains, not air between his horns... One of our Joey's was home sick so I couldn't be there with him at the office that day, and so Sue stood in."

"Oh I am nothing special Mrs Everidge," Ruth replied blushing, "Too much office work and not enough exercise have taken their toll on me I am afraid."

"Felicity please, we are all friends," she corrected him, "I was raised from the age of four over here, hence my accent, and was educated right up to A levels at Roedean until my father was offered a position back home in charge of a new opal mining operation, but my opinion of your species was firmly embedded in my memory. I was not referring to your physique Ruth...more the obvious intelligence in your eyes. The dossier I was sent stated you gained entry to and graduated at Oxford on a scholarship, which marked you unusual by itself when it turned out you were male... I was destined for Cambridge myself, but settled for Adelaide instead. I didn't fancy staying over here on my own for another three years."

"She then ended up taking a secretarial position at Austran in Canberra upon graduation. I am actually three years her senior in age, and when I was given a position similar to yours Ruth in Newcastle, I was given a list of prospective staff to recruit from internally as my secretary. I took one look at Felly here, and I sucked her out of the city as fast as I could. Luckily she fell for me too, and we became Mates after just nine months." Clyde continued, placing an arm around her and planting a kiss on her cheek. Felicity blushed and returned the affection. "We are a good team, and with her behind me she made me what I am today. Now, speaking of which, I suggest that rather than lollygagging anymore here in your lobby, we should complete the business that we are here for?"

"Of course, of course," Mr Jupiter said with a nod of his head, "Come, the rest of my team are awaiting us in the boardroom." He turned and called the lifts, gesturing Clyde and Felicity into the first one as the doors opened.

~~~~

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, the details of the contract slowly being hammered out by carefully between Austran and Overland. Felicity it turned out had majored in corporate law, so she was the one questioning and confirming each individual clause with the legal team from London and Jane, while Mr Jupiter and Clyde came up with them! It was not going to be a short process, and Ruth could see that he was basically there for decoration along with Felix as the T's and C's were batted from one end of the table to the other.

"So you will definitely not be running the operation in Australia Ruth?" Clyde asked suddenly, catching him off-guard.

"I am afraid not Clyde...I did explain I have commitments with my Mate that mean I should stay here on home soil. I am quite willing to get everything set up and running smoothly though, as long as I am home for my children's laying." Ruth replied.

"Children? Crikey you are a fast mover. You were just trying for them when you left me a couple of weeks ago," the affable roo exclaimed.

"They were conceived the day I arrived home...Jessica was rather enthusiastic in her welcome back," Ruth grinned, not filling in the rest of the details as a smile spread on Clyde and Felicity's faces.

"Well congratulations then...Felly and I didn't have that trouble of course as she just carried ours in her pouch until they were two years old at work. I see the issue, though it did her no wrong being educated away from home soil. We have some good schools in Aus you know. The choice is yours though. Now may I suggest we break for the day?" Clyde suggested.

Ruth glanced at Mr Jupiter who nodded, "I don't see why not...Same time tomorrow then?" The eagle asked rising from his perch.

"Yes...shouldn't take more than the morning to sort the final details out," Clyde replied, "Felicity will communicate with our H.Q overnight, but I would suggest that you instruct your staff to take the options on the warehousing that was mentioned." The roo smiled as he stood and stretched.

Mr Jupiter nodded his head, "I will do just that...Lionel get on the blower to London and give them the go ahead. Now do you wish to dine with us at the hotel we are staying at tonight?" he asked politely.

Clyde glanced at Felicity who shook her head slightly, "I am afraid we must decline, Felly and I are still partially running on home time, so need our rest. We will just eat and retire, so joining you would be unfair. Tomorrow for lunch maybe, when things are completely finalised," he suggested.

"That sounds like a date then. As you are not scheduled to fly back until Monday morning, Overland are not adverse to extending the lunch into an evening out, if that would suit you?" the eagle replied.

"I think that would suit us just fine. It will be nice to see some of the old sights again. I travelled the UK with my parents and friends quite extensively when I lived here. Some of the nightclubs in Manchester were quite rowdy too if I remember well from my date trawling crawls with my dorm-mates during A levels!" Felicity answered, patting Clyde on the back, "It will be fun to see if Canal Street is just as full of trouble and fun as it used to be in the early nineties."

Lionel coughed and looked away as a grin spread on the others faces, "I wasn't actually thinking of going there. My club has a branch in both Manchester and Liverpool for that matter," Mr Jupiter replied hastily, wondering if she knew where she was asking to go.

"Oh...and why not may I ask?" Felicity queried, "I did not say that I confined my date hunting to those of the opposite sex. I am well aware of what goes on in Canal Street. Both Clyde and I are very open minded in that respect. I think as you are hosting us, it would be polite if we chose the venue so to speak. The ladies lounges in gentleman's clubs can be so boring at times... we Aussies like to party hard when we are with friends."

Jane nodded at that, thinking of all the times she had had to sit through watching her boss get lap-danced alongside prospective clients...Some of which she then took on to 'confirm details'... or just 'tails' with.

"Canal Street in Manchester it is then. I will book us all a minibus at around two tomorrow afternoon until midnight..." the eagle started.

"Midnight is a little early I think..." Felicity suggested, politely interrupting.

"Two?"

"I think two will be fine..."

"Two it is then," Mr Jupiter conceded, tilting his head on one side. "I can see your Mate is just as hard a negotiator as you are Clyde!"

Clyde laughed, hugging Felicity close to him, "I warned you that she made me what I am today!"

"Ahem...I will have to plead differences," Lionel said quietly as everyone started to head towards the lifts. Clyde and Felicity looked at him quizzically, "I...I am a Mated Catholic...I would just bring the party down..." he explained.

They both nodded, "Each to his own... We think no ill of you, as I hope you think no ill of us. We are happily Mated, and as loyal to each other as I am sure you are to your Mate. That does not mean though that we do not enjoy people watching, and the gays in society are much more entertaining to party with in that way and make loyal friends to." Felicity walked over to the subdued hawk and bent to rub cheeks with him. "Sins of soul with no pleasures of the flesh and all that doggerel is so outdated in modern society. I was confirmed as a Catholic and still attend Mass at Christmas and Easter with my parents. Clyde is not religious at all and our Joeys have been given the choice on if they want to attend the services of any church. Only Lucinda has chosen to so far, but we think that is as she has formed a childhood crush on one of her Methodist classmates at school. She looks super cute when all dressed up on a Sunday morning when his parents come to collect her. Our house is neutral with copies of several Bible versions on the shelves in the library for if they are curious. Think of me a fallen angel if you will, but you won't find me in a confessional box any time soon."

"Ahh...Well..." The hawk looked away embarrassed.

"I am not trying to convert you Lionel. My parents hold your views also, but they love me, and have learned to love my choice in Clyde too. It will make no difference to Clyde and I when we deal with you. You will at least join us all for lunch and an evening meal though?"

"I would be happy to Mrs Everidge," Lionel replied ducking his head.

"Felicity please...that is settled then." She turned and smiled at the others who had been carefully ignoring the exchange while in the lobby. "And you Ruth and Felix are to invite your Mates along too... That way I will not be forced to hog Jane and Belinda's company all night while you males all get pissed!" Everyone laughed at that, the tension defused.

"I will ask Charity if she feels up to it," Felix replied.

"And I Jessica...though we are unlikely to drink as she is pregnant," Ruth answered.

"That is all that can be asked then," Clyde replied, "I look forward to meeting the female that made you what you are Ruth."

"Ahem, we will take our leave then Clyde, Felicity and leave you chatting with Ruth until your transport arrives, as our minibus is here already," Mr Jupiter interrupted. See you here at nine again?"

"Yes nine will be fine...that way we will be wrapped up by lunch. See you in the morning then." Clyde shook hands with the London party again as they all left and boarded the waiting bus before turning back to Ruth.

"She is looking forward to meeting you too. Speaking of which, do you have any plans for Sunday afternoon?" Ruth asked.

"No...and with all of Saturday to recover from tomorrow night we should be fit company... Why?" Clyde asked.

"Well...Jessica and I are attending one of her friends garden tea parties, and upon hearing you were over, the invite has been extended to you too."

"Ahh...a talking point eh?" Felicity replied with a grin

"Oh no..." Ruth protested.

"Ruth...you forget that I attended boarding schools over here for years. The token Aussie roo was always a top attraction for the other gal's parents, much to their chagrin. I attended more country house parties than I could shake a stick at. Rolled a few of the male heirs in the bushes to, but never landed more than a couple of baubles off them as I was not of the right breeding, being of working class parentage. How do you mix in those circles anyway?"

"We don't much...Geraldine Knowles 'the host' is open-minded with her invites and as she is a customer of Jessica's. What began as a formal relationship became a close friendship over the last few years. Jessica boarded to throughout her schooling, so she knows how to mix in polite society. I went through the public system until I gained my place at Oxford, so I am usually the talking point, what with my scale colour and all that." He deliberately avoided mentioning Jessica's 'breeding' as it was a sore point with her.

"Ahh, is she a hair stylist or manicurist then...or maybe an interior designer?" Felicity pressed interested.

Ruth averted his eyes as Felix also looked away, "It is more of a home based sales business," Ruth answered eventually.

Clyde placed a hand on Felicity's shoulder, seeing the discomfort she was causing in the dragon, "I think we should maybe let her tell us in person if she wishes?" he suggested diplomatically. He glanced over at mink behind reception with a minute shake of his head.

Felicity followed his glance and then looked back at Ruth and the faint colouration that was showing under his scales, "Ahh...I see," she grinned. "Something tells me that I will get along very well with her then. We accept the invitation."

The limo pulled up outside then and Clyde glanced at the doors, "Come love...Our chariot awaits us...Until the morning then Ruth, Felix." They nodded and exchanged handshakes together before they left.

"Well done Ruth...I was wondering how you were going to get around Jessica's sales parties for a minute there." Felix said as the limo pulled away.

"I have a feeling that Clyde has worked out what was being worked around, and so has Felicity. It is a good job they both have a broad sense of humour or things could have gone awry," Ruth replied grimacing.

"Oh I don't think so...Felicity has had her eyes on you all day when not pummelling the legals out." Felix grinned as Ruth blushed again.

"Don't bloody tell Jessica that or we will end up with them in our bed after tomorrow night!" Ruth whispered.

Felix laughed out loud and slapped Ruth on the back, "I won't...though I wouldn't put it past Felicity to proposition her from what she was saying to Lionel. That hawk is a bloody good businessman, but I dread to think what will happen to the company when Jupiter finally steps down. He has no flexibility. He will have to watch his back with the board if he doesn't learn to bend with the clients. If I was in your position, and his position is offered to you when the eagle retires, I would take it. You could be running Overland in five years if you do."

"Oh I don't think so..." Ruth protested.

"I do...Now get your arse back to Jessica and I will see you bright and early. I am just going to take care of the bits and pieces that have come in while I was tied up with the meeting and I will be off too. If I am going to be crawling all over Manchester tomorrow night with Charity, we are going to need our sleep!"

Ruth laughed and turned for the doors, "See you then Felix."

"And I still want that explanation on Jessica's health," Felix called after him.

Ruth just raised an arm in reply as he unfurled his wings.

~~~~

Saturday...

Ruth groaned and rolled his eyes without opening them as the smell of fresh coffee and a full English breakfast penetrated his nostrils.

"Wakey wakey," Jessica said, giggling as she pulled the plate out from under his nose where it was still half buried in the pillows.

"I'm too old for this..." Ruth grumbled as he winced, head spinning when his eyelids cracked open, he picked at something in his teeth, "Why do I have fur in my mouth?"

"You didn't seem too old when you stripped your shirt off and jumped in the canal with that amorous otter..." Jessica teased.

"I didn't did I? You should have stopped me!" Ruth protested, sitting up groggily.

"Oh no... HE and his friends thought it hysterical. I thought Mr Jupiter was going to have a heart attack laughing. It was all Felicity could do to stop Clyde hopping in as well when you started kissing!"

"Oh Dracos no!" Ruth exclaimed holding his head in his hands.

"I do believe that if the police officer who showed up hadn't told you to calm it down, you would have put on a better show for us all as well...remind me to get you drunk more often when I'm not drinking!"

"Have I still got a job?" Ruth asked mournfully.

"Oh I think so...Jane got tumbled by an elk young enough to be her son and didn't join us on the minibus home. Belinda raised her tail to Mr Jupiter on one of the benches to the crowd's applause, though he didn't follow up on her invitation in public. Felly and I stripped and lezzed out together on one of the tables while everyone slipped notes into our lingerie... We got enough in tips to cover the bar bill! I think it was the best night out I have had in years! Now drink up and line your stomach before you chuck up. You will feel better in a few hours."

"Did I really kiss a male otter?" Ruth persisted, sipping at the coffee mug.

"If that cop hadn't pulled you out of the canal, you would have done a lot more than just kiss him love, he had his pants down and tail lifted for you, and your pants were fit to burst at the seams. I think it was the crowd cheering the pair of you on that caught the cop's attention. I blew you behind some of the false bushes while the others watched, though you tasted horribly of canal water." Jessica giggled as Ruth's jaw dropped.

"You blew me in public?"

"Well you needed it. Felly did the same for Clyde, he has a most unusual shaped cock, not like anything I have in my range you know, and Belinda went nose deep in Mr Jupiter's belly feathers too after he had drunk a few more whiskeys. Dracos that old eagle can drink. I don't know how he stays on his feet the way he did."

"Dare I ask what the others were up to?" Ruth asked as he began eating the breakfast that had been prepared for him.

"Well Jane as I mentioned had vanished off with that young Scandinavian stud. Charity and Felix just kept sipping at their wines and absorbed the shows. Our group were not the only ones mucking around, though we were the only group that had pensioners, fur, feathers and scales in it which is why we ended up drawing in the crowd! A couple of the legals got it on together too, though after a word from Mr Jupiter they backed off a little. Considering he is such a sexual old bird, he doesn't like office relationships does he? Unless of course it is him shagging the receptionist pool."

"Jane did mention something of the sort when I goosed her in the boardroom in London as she was challenging my sexual prowess. I have no idea why," Ruth replied around a slice of sausage.

"Anyway, the way they were stripping each other they will have ended up in the same bed I would guess back at the hotel. Oh...One other thing. We need to get everywhere tidied up spick and span today. Felicity and Clyde are coming home with us after the garden party tomorrow. They both want a guided tour of my stock and demonstration rooms, and they will be staying the night too."

"They are what?" Ruth spluttered.

"They are going to stay with us. Felly really wants a go at what is between your legs, and to be honest I want to tickle my throat with Clyde. They know roughly what happened last weekend, so he won't get to ride me...Felicity might though," she grinned, "Clyde will have to wait until he has me on his home soil."

Ruth looked up sharply, "Home soil?"

"Yes home soil. I sent off the emails this morning warning those I sell for that I was going to be in and out of the country for a couple of months. I am coming with you on your trip." She leaned over and kissed the tomato that was dripping from his open lips off him. "There is no way I could survive without you for weeks on end."

Ruth leant into the tomatoey kiss, "Are you sure love?" he asked.

"I am sure. Keeps us well out the way of my family until the eggs are well on their way to."

"It actually came up in the pre contract meeting on Thursday morning. Overland will pay for you to fly home business class for a week a month if you still want to keep your sales meetings up. You need to start looking for new houses to closer to Warrington as well. I think that is what swung it actually. They know that as soon as things are set up, I will be needed there," Ruth replied hedging around the subject of her family carefully.

"WE need to look for houses, though I could do the first viewings. We won't be able to travel abroad together as a family for at least a few years when the kids hatch, unless it is by the Chunnel to France or somewhere. Hatchlings on a plane sounds like a bad movie title. I must get over my irrational hatred of artificial flight, and Aus does sound an interesting place to visit."

"Trust me, it will scare you shitless the first time the engines wind up and you are pounded into the seat leather...it did me. Oh, and we are stopping for a day or two in Singapore as well on route. I am to present a tender to the Chinese dragon, Wan Chan I met on my return flight in person."

"Will Heidi be there too I wonder?" Jessica teased.

"I have no idea, and you are to keep that out of your head love. I got the feeling that Wan Chan is not a free swinging personality. Nothing is to be hinted at in that way okay?"

"Okay, you said that about Clyde too you know and now look where we are. My loins will remain tightly closed, trust me. It is a shame that Felicity is Clyde's P A. We got on like a house on fire last night and you will be stealing both from me during the days," she pouted. "You know that I attended Roedean too. She must have been a prefect in her last year though when I enrolled there as I don't remember a roo. She is five years older than you and I, but we still joked over a couple of our mutual teachers."

"We will always have the weekends," he pointed out.

"And the evenings..."

"They have joeys love... I am quite sure that tonight will be them just letting their fur down while away from the kids."

"Won't stop us will it? With your promotion we could afford a nanny for a few days a week." Jessica mused.

"Never liked goats myself..." he started and ducked as she threw a pillow at him.

"Ha de ha ha, very funny. Au pair then if you insist."

"What time is it anyway?" he asked trying to focus on the clock.

"Noon, we didn't get in until four after the bus had dropped everyone else off first, we were last on the run."

"We have tomorrow morning as well don't we?" Ruth asked pulling her towards him as he set the breakfast tray on one side.

Hangover or not, he made Jessica forget the cleaning up for another hour or two.

~~~~

Sunday...

The alarm went off at seven, breaking into their exhausted minds with its nagging tones until Jessica's talon silenced it. "You want a shower love?" she queried as Ruth groaned next to her.

"I want to go back to sleep. There should only be one seven on the clock on a Sunday."

Jessica chuckled and peeled the sheets back from her naked body, "I will get the water running. We need to be up at this time so I can change the bedclothes. Eau de stale dragon cum may be attractive to me, but I am not sure that Felly and Clyde will find it quite the same."

Ruth grumbled again, sitting up gently. He was still a little sore from the pounding Jessica had given him seventy two hours ago, and all the cleaning they had done in preparation for their guests. "I am still not sure that I should be mixing business with pleasure."

"And Amy was not business?"

"You pushed me into Amy and you know it," he stated standing and going to pull the curtains.

"I know, I know...And you did shag Heidi too, which resulted in more business," she grinned as he looked over his shoulder at her.

"Very funny...remind me to get her to knock your head on the ceiling if she is around when we get to Singapore."

Jessica chuckled, "When you were drunk, Jane told me she was planning on sending some of the prospective female clients in your direction to..." She was silenced as a throw cushion hit her squarely on the snout from the chaise longue.

"I am not being whored out for business...it is just wrong!" he grinned to take the sting out of his words.

"Works though...Jane has got where she is by doing it, and Amy has discovered that it can help her get bigger bonuses too. You enjoy sex, so why not?" Jess teased.

"It is...it is...Oh I don't know. It's not like I am religious or anything like Lionel. Something would just feel wrong if I were to start trying to seduce the clients. Besides, I thought we were going to only stray when we are together from now on?" Ruth protested.

"Mmmm hmmm," Jess agreed as she placed the cushion back on its home, "I would turn a blind eye if you ended up promoted..."

"If I end up getting promoted any further I will have to work from London...and you know what that means."

Jessica frowned, "Yes I bloody do. Sometimes I think it would be better to have never known my parents!"

"Don't say that love...Being raised as an unwanted burden like I was, you were very lucky, trust me. A child needs parents that love them," he drew her in for a hug, pressing her tightly against him.

"Mother loved me..." she started until she was silenced with a kiss.

"Still does, as proved by the fact she turned up at the hospital only a few hours after you collapsed. As for your father, well are you sure he was not just trying to look after your interests...I am after all but a common..."

"You are not common, my mother revealed that!" Jessica protested.

Ruth shrugged, "I look it though don't I?"

"You look rare...hell you are rare! Felly was really impressed you know that you could actually hold a conversation in company." She grinned as he batted her to one side.

"So I got a few brains from somewhere. These bloody scales of mine slam a lot of doors in my face in society. Hell Geraldine only likes me to come along with you to these bloody parties so her other guests can stare and chuckle behind our backs."

Jessica frowned, "Don't be cruel about Gerry love. She has been like a mother to me for the last few years. Yes the guests talk about you, but trust me when I say they usually say how lucky I am to have you after you have spoken to them. They don't know anything about my history, so apart from Gerry they consider me to be just a commoner lucky enough to have been born the right colour...or worse, a bastard child of a lord somewhere. I have sworn Gerry to secrecy after she found out about my Giles heritage."

"Why hide it now that they know where we are?" Ruth asked.

"You don't know high society love. I peddle dildos and sex aids for a living! High society might buy from me as a commoner, but for them to think of 'One of them' selling the goods...hell my client base would collapse if they thought gossip could be spread."

"Your client base is predominantly middle and working class and you know it..."

"It would still hurt love...and it could cast shame on my mother. I wouldn't do that for anything," Jessica replied quietly.

"No...Lady Elizabeth doesn't need any more trouble than your father to deal with."

"Exactly!" she grinned, "Okay, I promise not to whore you out to anyone other than my friends who have Mates I fancy from now on."

Ruth shoved her backwards, sending her squealing and sprawling on the mussed bed before he pounced on top of her gently, "Dracos I am lucky to have you," he said planting a kiss on her snout tip. "I can't wait to get back inside you as well!"

Jessica laughed and tipped him off the bed with a crash, "Tuesday love...Tuesday and I will greet you naked and tied to the bed if I can get one of my clients to tie me up!"

"Just greet me on the doorstep and I will be happy. In all seriousness though, Felix took me to one side on Thursday and pointed out that Lionel, who will take Mr Jupiter's place when he steps down is so damned inflexible the board of shareholders will either remove all control from him, or will force early retirement on him. He is nearing sixty himself. In a few years if this works out with Austran, Felix thinks I will be offered the directorship."

"What of the whole company?" Jessica asked astonished.

"Yup. I couldn't turn that down either if I valued my career," he replied seriously.

"Well that would push things wouldn't it? With a bit of luck my father will be dead by then."

"Do you really want him dead? Really?"

"I don't know Ruth...I don't know. I suppose we will have to see what he does when we meet him again in a few months," she frowned upset.

"We will cross that bridge then then. Now, about that shower," he grinned and a smile spread on her face again.

"And my morning protein shake too!" she commented and towed him towards the en-suite.

~~~~

Jessica glanced out of the window at the sky. Puffs of white were scutting across the pale blue heavens, the sun playing 'peek a boo' with the nimbus as each fought for supremacy over the early autumn afternoon. Ruth placed a hand on her shoulder, "Is it going to rain?" he asked quietly.

"Possibly a shower or two," she replied turning to look him over, "You look smart enough to pass love."

"I should hope so...I feel like a popinjay dressed like this," he commented as she smoothed the blue silk jacket down across his shoulders.

There was a crunch as an S class limousine pulled onto the gravel driveway, "I will take the umbrellas just in case," Jessica said as they turned to walk down the stairs. She scooped them up out of the stand by the door as Ruth opened it for her.

Clyde and Felicity were both peering with interest out of the limo's side window at the old Victorian brick villa. There were very few of them in Australia, so the sight of all the mellowing bricks was a novelty to Clyde in itself.

"If they are impressed with this, Clyde will be gobsmacked at Endon Hall," Jessica chuckled as she locked the front door behind them.

Ruth grinned as the chauffeur opened the rear door of the Mercedes so they could join the roo's on the face to face rear seats. "Bugger me, you look a right dandy!" Clyde commented as Felicity shoved him for his rudeness.

"Ha ha Clyde...Jess here insisted I wear this get up. I have never understood why females can just get away with summer dresses when we males have to go all formal."

Felicity laughed, "That's for us to know, and you to find out!"

"Endon Hall please driver," Jessica said with a giggle of her own, "West wing entrance."

"Yes ma'am," the capped jackal behind the wheel answered as he pulled off smoothly.

"I am looking forward to the guided tour of yours later," Clyde said as he poured a flute of Champagne for Ruth and chilled water for Jessica as the car headed towards the Bollington valley.

"Drinking already?" Ruth asked with a raised eye ridge, accepting the glass.

"You did look a little worse for wear when we got out at our hotel yesterday morning...Recovered yet?" Felicity asked.

"I took him until about three in the afternoon," Jessica joked as the limo turned up the part cobbled driveway to Geraldine's abode.

Clyde and Jessica looked out the window at the crenulated edifice that they now approached from the side, "Geraldine's husband hit hard times and rather than move from the place, they divided it and rent out the other side for extra income. The mews are all rented out as well, rather than being for the servants as they used to be. It was built in the 1830's from the quarry stone up the hill that also founded the family's fortunes. Don't mention it though please, she is sensitive about it." Jessica told them.

"Our lips are sealed," Felicity said, Clyde nodding as they pulled into the courtyard.

Lawrence waited on the steps, the oak door open behind him. Various sports cars shared the cobbles with Astons and Bentleys as the lemur descended the steps to open the rear door to let the dragons out with the roos following. "Afternoon Mr and Mrs Ruatha," he greeted, "Mr and Mrs Everidge," he continued nodding as they all stood in the weak sunlight and adjusted their accoutrements. Lawrence led the way up the steps as Geraldine and her Mate appeared in the doorway at the top.

The vixen looked a little uncomfortable, not looking directly at them or at her Mate for that matter. She stepped forward and embraced Jessica and Felicity in formal hugs as Owen shook hands with Clyde and Ruth. "Welcome to Endon Hall, the party is just through to the rear. The guests are just itching to meet you," Geraldine greeted, glancing over her shoulder furtively.

"Something up Geraldine?" Jessica asked, standing back and looking her over.

The door to the private rooms opened behind them as Lawrence closed the main door at the front. Lady Elizabeth stepped through with a smile, followed by Malaprop and Lancelot.

"Hello daughter," he said emotionlessly.

Jessica just stared at the red dragon in silence as Clyde and Felicity looked on puzzled.

"Jessica..." Felicity started only to have Jessica's clawed hand placed over her muzzle firmly.

"Lawrence...please escort Mr and Mrs Everidge through to the main party. We may join them later," she said coldly. Geraldine looked to say something, but an icy stare from the furious dragoness silenced the words before they could form.

Jessica waited until the two roo's had been shown out of the hallway before she spoke again. "You have betrayed my trust Geraldine; you can ride out the tempest now. Sir Owen, I suggest that you leave us. I will do my best to ensure that your Mate survives the contretemps that will now ensue."