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Ryan stared at the picture. "My parents," he said again shaking his head. "Dragons..."

His mother at him worriedly. "Are you alright?"

Ryan blinked in surprise. "Why would I not be?"

She sat down next to him and rubbed his back. "Seeing another dragon for the first time may be a bit of a shock."

He looked back at the picture. "Why did you not show me before?"

She shrugged uncomfortably. "We just thought it best not to, Ryan."

Ryan sighed but, fortunately for her, did not ask any further questions. She handed him the folder with a sigh. "I suppose what's done is done; you may as well see the rest."

Ryan pulled the pictures out of the folder. The next one was of his parents in the same meadow, but this time his mother had her head resting on her crossed forelegs, her eyes closed, reinforcing Ryan's idea that she did not like to have her picture taken. His egg was nowhere to be seen in the picture. "My egg is not there," Ryan said, suddenly feeling odd to be talking about "his egg".

"No," his mother said, a little amused by his expression.

"Perhaps it was before I was born. I mean, maybe she had my egg inside her and had not laid--" he broke off suddenly, looking embarrassed. His mother bit back a smile as he quickly went to the next picture. It was of his mother and father in their small forms, which was still larger than he was in his full form, both of them sitting back on their haunches, looking attentively at a human holding a steak as if waiting to to a trick to receive it as a reward. There were other humans in the back ground, or dragons in human form, laughing and Ryan found himself to be doing the same. The next picture was a close up of his father looking ashamed. The caption read, "Bad Dragon! No Steak!"

Yet another picture of his father, at least he thought it was his father. The dragon had the same colors and the same looking face, but he was in some sort of a bipedal form, standing on his hind legs. He had a short neck, draconic head and features, and even wings and a tail, but was otherwise humanoid. He looked at his mother questioningly and she shrugged. "They took that form a few times when they were with us. I assume that you can as well but obviously I have no idea how."

Ryan nodded and looked down at the last picture. It was of his parents in their small forms sleeping side by side. It looked like they were on the same deck from the other photo. Ryan sighed as he placed the last picture back in the folder and his mother gently took the folder form him, taking it back into her bedroom. When she returned she found Ryan sitting on the couch in his dragon form. He looked up at her with his golden eyes and she smiled at him a little sadly.

"Mother, there is so very much we do not know about me. That other form, some of my instincts, and now that I am getting older," he said and ducked his head, lowering his ears in embarrassment, "there may be other things we do not know about."

"That's true, Ryan," she said as she sat down beside him, petting him seemingly by habit.

"Tanner would probably know more," he said carefully.

She continued to stroke his neck, silent for a moment. "I'm sure he would, Ryan." She looked down at him. "I know that you have his business card; I found it while cleaning your room."

Ryan chirped in alarm, ducking back as if expecting to get hit. "Easy, you're not in trouble, Ryan. I didn't tell your father about it, either."

"Thank you, mother," he said in relief. "Do you think we could ask Tanner some questions?" he asked, his ears perking.

"Perhaps later, Ryan," she said. "Let's be happy with what you've learned today, alright? You know more than you did before."

"Yes mother," he said and hesitated for a moment. "My parents..."

"You know I can't answer any questions, Ryan."

"I just wished to know their names, mother," he said quietly, not quite pleading.

She looked at him and he raised his chin bravely, meeting her gaze. "William and Sara."

His face lit up. "Thank you so very much, mother!"

She smiled, happy to see him happy, his spirits up from earlier. "Go on and play in your room while I make supper, little dragon."

"Yes mother!" he said and she patted him on the head. He snapped playfully at her hand and then padded off into his bedroom, head held high.

Ryan awoke, roaring in terror, writhing, trying to escape the bedclothes that had tangled around him, binding up his rear legs. The fabric split with a tearing sound as his talons raked through it and he twisted again, trying to pull away, banging one of his wings against the wall, causing him to hiss in fear and pain.

His parents burst into the room. "Ryan!" his mother called. He freed himself and literally fluttered over to them, jumping into the air and flapping his wings to get airborne. His father pulled him out of the air and drew him to his chest, holding him close. His mother stroked his back as his father carried him into the living room, sitting down on the couch, Ryan still in his father's arms looking around nervously, his eyes reflecting the dim glow of the night light. All of them were tired and drawn; this had been the sixth night in a row that Ryan had woken up screaming from a nightmare.

"Do you remember it at all?" his mother asked him.

"No, mother," he said as he reached for her. She pulled him up into her arms and he lay his head over her shoulder, trilling softly in distress.

"It's alright, Ryan, don't worry about it," she said as she pet him.

"This needs to stop, Ryan," Allen said tiredly.

"I am not doing it on purpose," Ryan said in a small voice.

"I know son; I know," he said soothingly. "We just need to find a solution so we can all get some sleep."

Ryan said nothing but lay his head against his mother's chest, listening to her heartbeat. She pet him, worrying that they had hurt his development not knowing how to raise him. This hardly seemed like normal dragon behavior to her.

Allen sighed, looking at the two of them and she worried for a moment that he was angry with Ryan, but there was only worry and concern in his eyes. "This can't go on, Beth. It's hurting all of us, but I just don't know what to do. I know it's not his fault, but we have to find a way to stop it."

"I know," Beth murmured, her lips against Ryan's head, "Look at him; his colors have faded."

"Poor little man," Allen said as he carefully pet Ryan's flank.

The little dragon lifted his head. "Perhaps Tanner would know something." His father stared at him but Ryan held his gaze. Allen sighed.

"Perhaps, but we don't know how to contact him."

Ryan looked away. "I have his business card, father."

His father stared at him for a moment. "Bring it here, then."

Ryan went into his room and brought the business card to his father. His father peered at it. "Well, he has an email address, I suppose we could try that. A lot less expensive than a transatlantic call that's for sure," he said as he went to their old computer. He started it up and the modems made a horrid racket as they handshaked. He opened the email program and typed out a short message, apologizing for what had happened and asking if he knew of anything to help Ryan.

"I only hope that we don't regret this," Allen said after hitting send.

Ryan padded over and put his fore claws up on his father's leg, his talons sheathed. "I do not think we need worry. Tanner is a good man."

"I hope you're right, Ryan," he said as he scratched him behind his ears. Ryan thrummed and his father patted his leg in invitation. Ryan hopped up into his lap and curled close to his chest, thrumming. The computer chimed that it had incoming mail and Ryan's ears perked at the sound. It was from Tanner.

"Already? He must be up early," Beth remarked.

"England is 8 hours ahead of us," Allen reminded her and opened the email:

Dear Ryan and family,

_It is I who should apologize for the distress I caused. It must have been a great shock to have someone show up that knew about dragons and had discovered that your son is one. I assure you again that I mean the boy no harm. My only interest is friendship and, frankly, curiosity as he is a unique breed of dragon in my experience. _

_To answer your question, I don't know of anything specific that would cause nightmares in a dragon. They're not prone to them or dreams either really, so far as I know. Attached is a list of things that may help him sleep. _

I do hope you will allow me to write to him. I again assure you that my only interest is friendship.

_ Rspct Yours,_

_ Tanner Wilberforce_

Ryan's father looked over the list. "Some of this will have to wait until morning," he said. He stroked Ryan's head who lifted it an looked at him hopefully. "Yes, you may write him, but only if we view the emails first. It's not that we don't trust you Ryan, it's that we need to make sure you're safe."

"I do not mind so very much; I have nothing to hide! Thank you so very much, father!" Ryan threw his arms and wings around his father, trilling happily, even marking his shoulder with his scent glands. Allen looked over at Beth wish a surprised look on his face at Ryan's display of affection and she smiled, nodding approvingly.

"Shift forms, Ryan," his mother said as she walked into his room with the concoction that Tanner had suggested. "Tanner said it was for dragon form only."

Ryan obediently shifted forms, darted out his tongue, and then recoiled in horror. "I am not going to drink that!"

"And why not?" his mother asked in an all too nice voice.

"It smells so very horrid!"

She sniffed at it. "Not really."

"And you are not a dragon!"

She stared at him and Ryan sighed and looked away. "Ryan, it may not smell the best but it's going to give you a good nights sleep. Surely that's worth it?"

Ryan sniffed the air, darting out his tongue again and gagged. "I do not think that I can!"

"Please Ryan? You can have some whoppers when you're done."

Ryan eyed the cup. "Yes, mother," he said in a resigned voice.

Beth handed him the cup and he took it between both fore claws, holding his head away with a look of disgust. He took a deep breath and threw the mixture down his throat as far as it would go, trying to drink it without tasting any of it. He eyes got really big and he gagged, clamping his jaws shut to keep it down, and swallowed hard. "Water!" he gasped.

She quickly brought him a cup of water, which he downed, then furiously started rubbing his fore claws against his cheeks, looking for all the world like a hamster grooming itself, then licked the back of his hands before doing it again.

"Ryan, what on earth are you doing?" she asked him worriedly.

"My scent glands taste better than that stuff!"

She looked at him in disbelief for a moment and then burst into laugher. He glared at her, ears flat, and she lifted a hand in apology. "I'm sorry Ryan. I'd say hold your breath but you use your tongue to smell with as well."

"I do not!" Ryan huffily. "My tongue does not smell anything, it draws in scent particles and pulls them into something that is probably like a Jacobsen's Organ, where..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "Sleepy," he muttered and laid himself out and was asleep before his head touched his forearm.

The medication worked and the whole family was much better off for a full nights sleep. School continued on, Sulvius helped him write his story and Ryan started to actually look forward to going to school, at least for that part of it. He was still chased home from time to time but even that seemed easier to bear now.

Beth started to write Tanner as well, concerning some of his behaviors and concerns that she had about him. He gave her bits of advice on how to better deal with some of Ryan's instincts and how to live with a dragon in general. She felt a little guilty about it, feeling as if she were somehow treating Ryan as an animal or somehow tricking him or using his instincts against him. Tanner assured her that it was quite normal and adult dragons were aware that their human friends would do such things that dragons, they explained, would do instinctively. She did have to admit that things went smoother around the house and that Ryan seemed to be in better spirits.

Allen monitored Ryan's messages, ready to stop them at any sign of trouble, but neither of them gave him any reason. He grudgingly had to admit that Tanner had made their lives much easier, though he still worried very much that Tanner would turn Ryan over to other dragons. He had hinted that Ryan wasn't to see or be known by other dragons and Tanner seemed to be fine with that, even going so far as to reassure him that he would tell no one, human or dragon, about Ryan if they did not wish it.

All in all things were going relatively smoothly until Ryan came home one day to find his parents sitting on the couch, looking troubled. He froze, standing in the living room, looking at them both in fear.

"Come here, Ryan," Beth said, gesturing to him. Ryan took a few steps and froze again, unable to continue forward. She sighed and stood up, going over to him, putting her arms around him.

"What is so very wrong?" he looked up at her and then at his father. "Did someone die?" he whispered.

Allen shook his head. "No Ryan, everyone is healthy."

"It's Tanner, Ryan," Beth said gently.

Ryan shifted to his full dragon form, jumping back, snarling in anger, flaring out his wings nearly knocking over a bookshelf. "No!" he snarled. "There is nothing wrong with him! Nothing!"

Beth stepped back, startled and then sighed, kneeling down to the angry little dragon. "No Ryan, that's not what we mean."

"Then what?" Ryan rumbled, quite nearly growling.

"Come sit down, Ryan," Allen said. Ryan started to tremble put walked over to the couch and lay his head down between his two parents and they both pet him carefully.

"Ryan, some men came to Tanner's house and started asking questions about you. Tanner managed to put them off and called a dragon friend of his, Norian or something like that, from a pay phone several blocks away. He sent us an email from another account telling us that Norian was taking him to his estate and he would contact us when he could.

"That was several days ago Ryan. We waited as long as we could before telling you, hoping that he would contact us and that there would be no need to upset you. I'm sorry Ryan, we've not heard from him since then and we just thought it best that you knew."

Ryan lifted his head and looked between the two of them then drooped. "This is my fault," he whispered.

"No, Ryan, it isn't. Tanner was very explicit in that, he told us to tell you as many times as needed that this is not your fault and that you should't blame yourself. You wouldn't want to disappoint him, would you?"

"No father."

Beth pet him. "Be brave little dragon. I'm sure Tanner will be alright, the dragons there will protect him."

"I'm sure," Allen said, standing up and going to the window, his thoughts becoming grim. If this Norian had taken Tanner, he would ask why he was in trouble for certain. Ryan was going to be discovered, he was sure of it, and he had no idea what to do about it.

Ryan felt leery as he walked down the hall to see Mr. Sulvius. He didn't like the feeling. Mr. Sulvius hadn't done anything that should make him suspicious and yet with all that was going on with Tanner, Mr. Sulvius repeating back draconic idiom to him, he couldn't help but feel nervous. His father told him to be careful of everyone and he supposed that mean Mr Sulvius as well.

"Good Morning, Ryan! How are you on this pleasant, if a little overcast and humid, day?" Mr. Sulvius said as he walked into his office, his ever present smile on his face.

"I am well, Mr. Sulvius; I mean I'm fine," he corrected hastily.

"Glad to hear it, Ryan! So what have you done with your story?"

Ryan sat down and started to explain the latest plot twists and advances hesitantly at first, but quickly abandoned his nervousness as Mr. Sulvius engaged him and offered him suggestions. Within moments he was bouncing ideas off Mr Sulvius, pacing and gesturing excitedly. He felt a little guilty about enjoying himself with Tanner's situation being uncertain, but wondered if that was, perhaps, what he needed: some sort of pleasant distraction to keep his mind off his problems, to keep him from brooding over them. He was sure that Tanner would agree with him.

"Kir is very dependent on Kesryn," Mr. Sulvius observed. "I'm not sure that Kesryn truly understands just how much."

Ryan shook his head. "No, he does not."

Mr. Sulvius looked thoughtful for a moment. "Not understanding Kir fully, Kesryn is neglectful not to mention not being sure that he wanted the dragon in the first place."

"And the dragon turned out to take far more care than he expected," Ryan agreed. "He comes to care for him more later as he becomes more mature and their relationship improves and grows closer."

"Indeed. Sometimes it's hard to interact with people that don't fully understand you, wouldn't you say Ryan?"

Ryan sighed. "Yes. Very."

"For example: your parents sometimes?" Ryan looked at Mr Sulvius, startled, but he just smiled. "Sorry Ryan, I do have to do at least some counseling here and there you know."

Ryan grinned at him and then sighed. "I do not mind it so very much. I mean, I don't mind, really," Ryan said. "Sometimes it is hard because they have trouble understanding me. They forget that I am a--" Ryan froze, realizing what he nearly said, how far his defenses had dropped in the face of Mr. Sulvius' kindness. His heart started to pound heavily in his chest and he shook off the freeze, trying not to appear nervous.

Mr. Sulvius didn't seem to notice and just looked at him curiously. "Forget you are are what, Ryan?"

"A child," he said, stammering slightly. "Everyone says that I act older than my age and I think they forget that I am still just 14 years old."

Mr. Sulvius nodded, looking thoughtful again. "I could see that. You are such a bright young man. I'm sure they don't mean any harm by it though, Ryan."

"I am certain not," Ryan said in relief. "Perhaps that is why I wrote the story as I did."

"I agree, Ryan. So what do you think will happen to Kir in the meantime? What effects will Kesryn's lack of attention have on the dragon?"

"Well, Kir is unsure of himself as he is not sure of what to expect from Kesryn," Ryan said, suddenly realizing how much he and put of himself into the story and cursing himself for using dragons in the first place

"Lack of consistency makes things hard," Mr. Sulvius said. "Children tend to look for consistency and I'm sure that would apply to dragons as well."

Ryan nodded, swallowing nervously. This was far, far to close to home. "But they soon learn how to work together and Kesryn finds that Kir loves him unconditionally and Kesryn comes to love him in the same way." The same way he hoped his parents would love him.

Mr. Sulvius looked at Ryan thoughtfully again, making him feel very nervous. "Indeed. Kir's love seems limitless. A dragons love. Endless. Fierce. What a very interesting concept."

Ryan looked down, uncertain of what to say, when the first rumble of thunder echoed off the walls of the building. "Thunderstorm," Mr. Sulvius observed. "Explains the humidity doesn't it?"

Ryan flinched before he could stop himself. Please, please don't let the mating instinct hit! "Y-yes Mr. Sulvius." Blast it, stop stammering...

"Does thunder scare you, Ryan?"

"No, Mr. Sulvius, not at all," Ryan said hastily. "My parents say that I would be out playing it in if I could be."

Mr. Sulvius laughed. "No fear of that here; I can't let you outside until it passes over."

Oh no, I'm trapped, Ryan thought, panic starting to rise in him. Mr. Sulvius was looking over his story, not paying him any mind. "Kir seems to be wary of everyone save Kesryn. Do you think it possible for him to form a relationship with someone other than Kesryn?"

"Yes, I plan on having someone else befriend him and probably fuss at Kesryn to treat the dragon better," Ryan said, grateful that the conversation had gone away from the storm. "Kesryn will, of course, become jealous of Kir's attention towards the other person." Another echo of thunder and Ryan looked out the window uneasily. A thunder head was building up at a ferocious rate, lightning flickering across the dark face of it. A flicker of lighting, the distant sound of thunder, and Ryan felt a familiar tingle start in his belly. Oh Lord, please don't let it be too strong! Sometimes he could ignore the urge without inhibitor if it wasn't too great.

The next roar of thunder rattled the windows. The feeling surged inside him and he closed his eyes and groaned before he could stop himself. Mr. Sulvius looked up at him with concern. "Are you well, Ryan?"

"Yes Mr. Sulvius, I am well," he said, trying to clamp down on the urge. Mr Sulvius watched him for a moment and they went back to discussing his story, Ryan occasionally looking outside fretfully. Normally if there were the possibility of storms he wouldn't be allowed to go to school. He could inject himself with the inhibitor but doubted the school would be thrilled to see him shooting up some unknown substances in the bathroom.

He only hoped his mother was heading to the school with the inhibitor. If she wasn't, he supposed that he could hide away someplace or skip school. Better to get into trouble for that than to utterly loose control. He hoped he would be able make it home before the urge got to strong. They had no idea what he would do if it were not stopped. Probably shift forms and try to find a female...

Mr. Sulvius looked out the windows thoughtfully, the lightning and clouds reflecting in his glasses. "Excuse me for a moment, Ryan," he said and stood up. He walked over to his briefcase and Ryan watched in amazement as Mr Sulvius pulled out a syringe, carefully rolled up his sleeve and injected himself. He disposed of the syringe in a small red sharps container in his briefcase. He noticed Ryan staring and he smiled. "I am diabetic."

"Oh," Ryan said. But he had never seen Mr. Sulvius use insulin before. A flash of lightning lit up the room and a tremendous roar of thunder followed, rolling across the sky. Ryan stood up, groaning, and started to pace. He wasn't going to be able to control it; it was too strong for him.

"Ryan, are you're sure you're not sick?" Mr Sulvius asked with concern.

"I know not Mr. Sulvius. Perhaps I need to go...to go home," he said, trying not to stammer. He placed his hands on the sides of his head, squeezing his eyes shut, then started to pace again, shuddering, trying to keep control.

Mr. Sulvius watched him pace and finally went over to his brief case and pulled out another syringe. Ryan stopped, jaw dropped in amazement, as Mr. Sulvius walked over to him and handed it to him wordlessly, a neutral expression on his face. Ryan took it with a shaking hand, hoping that it was what he thought it was. He struggled to roll up his sleeve so he could inject himself.

"Do you need help, Ryan?"

"N-no. I can get it," he said and fumbled the syringe

"Here, Ryan, allow me," Mr. Sulvius said gently and carefully took the syringe form him. Ryan watched him, eyes wide, as Mr. Sulvius expertly injected him with inhibitor. The mating urges receded instantly, leaving him near breathless in relief, and Mr. Sulvius disposed of the syringe in the sharps container and then sat back down, looking at the story as if nothing had happened. "So do you think that Kesryn would abandon Kir in his frustration?"

Ryan shook his head, still stunned. "No. No I do no think he would abandon his dragon," he said and then flinched at a flash of lightning.

"If you need more inhibitor, Ryan, you may have some; it is quite alright," Mr. Sulvius said quietly.

"No. I am well, Mr. Sulvius," Ryan said.

Mr. Sulvius watched him for a moment and then looked back at the paper. "So you were saying--"

"You are a dragon!" Ryan blurted out.

Mr. Sulvius smiled. "Yes. And? So are you!"

"But I..." Ryan trailed off and started pacing again. "Mother and father are going to kill me!"

Mr. Sulvius laughed. "No they won't Ryan. You've been discovered by another dragon; it happens from time to time. I'm sure it's happened to them a time or two as well."

Ryan shook his head. "No, you do not understand. My parents are not dragons. They are humans."

Mr. Sulvius jerked back, looking surprised and Ryan took a step back. "Humans?" he asked softly, eyebrows raised.

Ryan nodded, starting to feel even more uneasy. "Yes, I was given to them shortly after I hatched," he said, remembering Tanner's surprise when he said he and been raised by humans.

Mr. Sulvius cocked his head as he considered Ryan and Ryan found himself starting to shake. "There is nothing to be afraid of, Ryan," Mr. Sulvius said softly. "I am only curious about you and your family."

"I --I know little about my dragon parents. My human parents will say very little about them, only that they said to keep me away from other dragons..." He looked at Mr. Sulvius in fear. Mr. Sulvius looked down at the table.

"And that may have been the wisest thing they could have done," he said so quietly Ryan wasn't sure he heard it. He looked back up at Ryan and smiled reassuringly. "Would you mind taking your dragon form for me, Ryan?"

"I know not. I mean, my parents..." he said, looking uncertain.

Mr. Sulvius stood and drew the curtains shut tight, then locked his office door and wedged a char under the knob. Ryan gave a small cry of fear and Mr. Sulvius lifted a hand. "Easy, Ryan. It's to keep them out, not you in." He considered Ryan for a moment and then was suddenly surrounded by a blue glow, shifting to his bipedal form. Mr. Sulvius was mostly white with blue markings. His eyes were a bright blue color and he held his wings loose, his tail swishing gently behind him. "See? I am a dragon, as you said," he said, perking his ears forward.

Ryan looked at him in amazement. Another dragon, the thought, I am seeing another dragon! He hesitated, swallowing nervously, then shifted to his small form. He leaped up on the table so Mr. Sulvius could see him better, his heart pounding in both fear and excitement. Mr. Sulvius looked down at him and he chirped questioningly, cocking his head.

"So," Mr. Sulvius said very softly. "So..."

Ryan sat back on his haunches. "What?" he asked wonderingly.

Mr. Sulvius smiled, ears perked. "A very interesting dragon you are, Ryan."

"That is what Tanner said as well," Ryan said, "He said that I was very interesting and did not look like any dragon he had seen before."

"Who is Tanner?" Mr. Sulvius asked sharply and Ryan winced.

"He is a human that I met while I was at camp. He knew that I was a dragon after talking to me awhile," Ryan said and looked down. "He was the first human outside of my family to know what I was. He was the first to tell me anything about dragons; my parents tell me so very little."

"He has not caused you any trouble? Asked questions about yourself or your dragon parents?"

Ryan shook his head. "No, Mr. Sulvius. He has been very kind to me. He only wanted to know more about my breed as he had never seen a dragon like me before, though he said he was no expert on North American dragons which he thought I was. He was only curious about my family because I had been raised by humans."

Sulvius seemed to consider something. "I would be very surprised if he had seen a dragon of your breed before. He is correct, your breed is not very common."

Ryan's ears perked in curiosity, then lowered. "Tanner may be in trouble. Some men came to his house asking about me. He had to go to another dragon he knew to get away and we have not heard from him."

Mr. Sulvius stared at him for a moment. "I see."

Ryan winced. "I am sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, Ryan."

Ryan's ears slowly came back up. "What is my breed, Mr. Sulvius?"

Mr. Sulvius sighed. "I fear I will have to answer that on another day, Ryan, we're out of time."

"But!" Ryan started to protest.

"No buts," Mr. Sulvius said gently. "I promise I will tell you more at our next meeting. You need to get back to class or there may be questions and I have another appointment that I will be late for as it is."

"As you wish, Mr. Sulvius," Ryan said, trying not to sound too disappointed.

Mr. Sulvius cocked his head. "May I pet you, Ryan?"

Ryan looked at him nervously, then nodded and pushed his head out towards him. Mr. Sulvius gently stroked his head and neck, smiling. "Thank you so very much, Ryan."

"You are most welcome," Ryan said, wondering why Mr. Sulvius seemed to get so choked up over simply petting him.

Ryan hurried home after school, ducking down an ally to avoid the bullies as usual, preoccupied with the memory of the meeting with Mr. Sulvius. A dragon! He had met another dragon, a flesh and blood dragon, and had even touched him. He still couldn't quite believe it. He saw Mr. Sulvius in the hall later that day and smiled at him, still feeling a little nervous about what had happened. Mr. Sulvius just winked at him and gave him a small grin. He felt so much better afterwards for some reason.

Mr. Sulvius had allowed him to call his mother so he could reassure her that he was OK, even with the thunderstorm, knowing that she would be upset with him being at school while there was a thunderstorm going. She was very relived to hear it but cautioned him to come straight home and not to dawdle, not that Ryan did anything other than rush home after school anyway.

He wondered if he should tell his parents about any of this as he walked through the back door of the apartment. "Mother, I am home!" he called, but there was no answer. Suddenly nervous he walked into the living room to see Tanner sitting on the couch as if he were simply there on a social visit. His mother sat in a chair next to him and smiled at Ryan. "Look what the cat dragged in!"

"Hello, Ryan. Long time no see isn't it?" Tanner asked with a smile

"TANNER!" Ryan shouted and ran over to him, nearly jumping into his lap, crying in relief.

"There, there," he said as he patted Ryan on the back. "There, there." Ryan shifted forms and crawled up on the couch next to him, thrumming happily and Tanner laughed quietly and continued to pet him.

"I need to get supper started," Beth said as she stood up. "Are you okay, Ryan?"

"Yes, mother!" he chirped happily

"Ok," she said and pet him a few times and he trilled happily. "Let me know if you need anything, either of you," she said as she walked into the kitchen.

"I was so very worried about you, Tanner," Ryan said, ducking his head.

"Things are fine, Ryan, don't get worried about it, okay?" Tanner assured him.

The back door opened and Allen walked in. Ryan tensed up, unsure of what his father would say to seeing Tanner sitting there, not even sure if he knew that Tanner had showed up. He had seemed so suspicious of Tanner before. Tanner stood up and walked over to Allen and they embraced briefly and shook hands. "It is good to see you again, sir," Tanner said. "And I do apologize again for the scare that I gave you."

"It's not a problem, Tanner. I'm grateful you were there to help and that you helped us with his nightmares. The poor little guy was turning pale!" Allen said. "I do apologize as well for overreacting at Glorieta. Still, I do think you can understand why!" he laughed.

Tanner laughed as well. "Certainly!" he said and sat down next to Ryan again. Ryan moved closer, thankful that the two seemed to be getting along, but still watching his father for his reaction. Allen just nodded to him approvingly as he rested his head against Tanner's shoulder and Ryan felt the tension melt away like a snowman in the desert, as Tanner stroked his back absently.

"My complements on the cooking," Tanner said as he sighed happily. "Much better than a bachelor like me could ever do. Plus American food has a certain flair to it that I find lacking in English food."

"Thank you," Beth said, pleased with the complement.

Tanner sat back on the couch with Ryan sitting next to him in his human form. He looked at Tanner curiously. "Why are you not married?"

"Ryan!" Beth said in exasperation and Tanner laughed.

"No worries; I don't mind the question. The truth is I am engaged but I fear it's not working out well," Tanner said with a sigh.

"Oh, I am so very sorry!" Ryan said.

"It's quite alright, Ryan, you did not know and I don't mind telling you anyway," Tanner reassured him.

"So what in the world happened?" Allen asked.

"Interesting story, that," Tanner said with a laugh. "As you know, I was looking into Ryan's breed." He paused and sighed. "And I'm afraid I was looking into his adoption as well, I'm abashed to say. I worried that perhaps he had been kidnapped and stolen away form other dragons. I'm sorry for thinking so."

Beth laughed. "Oh no, we adopted him! If we had kidnapped him we'd have put him back a long time ago!"

"Mother!" Ryan said in anguish and she winked at him. He settled back against Tanner, muttering to himself.

"Well, anyway, he appears to be your naturally born son, by the way," Tanner continued.

Allen nodded. "His parents said they would set it up that way. I don't know how they managed it and I'm not sure I want to."

"Dragons have ways around things," Tanner admitted. "Consequence of having to stay hidden in plain sight as it were. So I was talking to a few dragons I know about Ryan, about his breed, and they all became very wary once I described him. One of them called Norian, the dragon that my grandfather rescued during the war. Norian came up to speak to me in person, which is unusual as he hates to travel, and told me that I was getting into something that was dragon only business and that I needed to be careful or, better yet, mind my own business.

"He asked me more about Ryan, but I told him that I had promised not to tell anyone else. Dragons take their promises very seriously and he told me that he would never ask me to break a promise like that unless it was very important. Well, I had to think about it. Norian was not at all happy and he made me promise not to tell anyone else, human or dragon, about Ryan and to call him if anything came up. Well, things came up faster than I thought.

"Some men came to my door, I don't know if they were dragons or not I am guessing they were, asking some questions about Ryan, hinting at large monetary compensation and other things, if I should give them information. I said I would consider it, that it would have to be a lot of money and power for me to do it, and they left." He grinned at Allen and Beth. "I hinted at millions of pounds and islands, all sorts of things. I must have done a good job in displaying greed because they seemed to buy it. I got out of there as fast as I could and called Norian from a pay phone. Norian immediately booked me on a flight down to his home.

"I arrived and Norian seemed nervous, which I assure you is not normal for him at all, and asked if there was a place that I could go to where no dragons knew me. That's impossible in England; I am too well known over there. I said that I had a few friends in France, but didn't know if they would be home this time of year and that I had a few friends in the USA. He asked if my American friend could take me in and I told him most likely. The next thing I knew I was on a plane to Chicago but decided not to go to my friends but to come here instead."

He sighed "I don't know if that was the best of ideas, dragons are good at hiding tracks and trails, but I didn't know what else to do. They may have been able to ferret out the connection between me and my friend and I feared that the dragons would go searching for Ryan and possibly find him. I thought that perhaps if I came here I could give you some warning and perhaps get him to Norian and safety."

"Why didn't you just tell Norian where he was?" Beth asked.

Tanner shrugged. "Norian did not ask and seemed all too eager to get me out of England. I fear I may have kicked over the proverbial hornets nest here. I got the impression that Norian was dealing with several situations at home, he's high up in what they call the conclave, but I didn't ask."

"Well. Damn. Now what do we do?" Allen asked.

"Sleep on it and figure it out in the morning," Beth said firmly. "We're all too rattled to make any decisions right now and I doubt they'll have sorted out where Tanner got off to so quickly."

"Most likely right. They probably think that I am still with Norian," Tanner said and then yawned hugely. "I'm dashed, as you say. Is there a hotel near by?"

"You can stay here," Beth said. "There's a hide a bed in the couch. Not the most comfortable thing in the world but it will do."

"As you wish, Madam," Tanner said in a theatrical voice, bowing, then ruined the effect by yawning again. Everyone laughed, happy to relive some of the tension. "I'll just go get my meager belongings from my rental car."

"Does this mean no school tomorrow?" Ryan asked as he watched Tanner walk out the back.

"More than likely not," Beth said and Ryan sighed. "What's this? Ryan wanting to go to school? Are you well?"

"Mr. Sulvius has been helping me write..." he trailed off unsure of what to tell them. He decided to bring it up in the morning; there was no point in stirring things up any further.

She laughed. "He finally wants to go to school and we're keeping him out. The world is coming to an end!"

Allen sighed as he looked out the window pensively. "I hope not," he said quietly.

Ryan's mother awoke early the next morning to get breakfast ready for everyone. She walked into the living room to see Ryan curled up next to Tanner in his small dragon form, thrumming. She could hear him from the bedroom door. He had started the night in his own bedroom, she had tucked him in herself. She watched him as he slept uncertain of how she felt seeing her son sleeping next Tanner, who was still asleep, one arm resting over Ryan's foreleg. She shook herself and went into the kitchen to start breakfast, chiding herself for feeling jealous.

She had to admit it. She was jealous. She wondered at the feeling. Up until now she and Allen were the only person that Ryan was a dragon for, so to speak. They were the only ones that he could curl up next to, thrum for, all of the wonderful little things that Ryan did that were previously reserved for them and them alone.

It suddenly occurred to her that if Ryan were human, she would be worried about Tanner's intentions towards him. If Ryan were human, she would be concerned about the affection the man showed, that Tanner was somehow going to molest or hurt Ryan in some way. If Ryan were human.

But he wasn't. Surely Tanner would have no interest in Ryan in that way?

She felt troubled as she pulled the eggs and bacon from the refrigerator. Tanner seemed like such a nice man, well mannered, easy going, friendly. All things that a man who was interested in little boys would do to gain their trust and attract their attention. She cursed her suspicious mind. She was creating trouble where there was none, she was sure of it she thought, trying to convince herself.

She cracked the eggs and added some milk, then whisked in pepper and salt, hoping that Tanner would like his eggs scrambled. She snorted. Here she was wondering what his intentions were towards Ryan and she was worried what the man would think of her breakfast. That made perfect sense.

"Need any help?" Tanner's voice said from the kitchen door and she jumped, startled, and nearly dumped the eggs on the floor. Tanner laughed. "Sorry for startling you."

"Oh, you'd think I'd be used to it by now. Ryan makes practically no noise as he walks in his dragon form; he's startled me more than once coming up behind me. We've taught him to announce himself to avoid getting his tail stepped on."

"I know what you mean," Tanner said. "I grew up with enough young dragons underfoot to automatically be cautious of them. You almost develop a radar like sense to keep track of where they are, or at least where their tails are. Nothing worse than stepping on a dragons tail! Hurts their pride more than physically I think."

She glanced towards the living room and Tanner quietly said. "He's still asleep. I heard you walk in and thought you may need some help in the kitchen." He paused and grinned. "And I figured you'd probably like to ask some questions without certain little dragon ears overhearing."

She laughed at that and handed him some potatoes to peel. "So you've always had dragons around?"

He took them from her. "Well, not always around the house, though my father, Clive, did do quite a bit of fostering, teaching dragons the human way of life for those that tended to stay in the company of other dragons and avoid humans entirely. We went to gatherings frequently as well and I spent a lot of time at Norian's estate. He and his mate raised me just as much as my parents did, really. It was a wonderful way to grow up," he said and laughed, "well assuming you like being about around large, winged, predators."

She grinned and shook her head. "It's hard to consider Ryan to be a predator."

"True enough! Just remember that he is one, at least deep down inside. No matter how cute and cuddly he seems, no matter how small he is, he's still a dragon with a dragon's temper and instincts."

She sighed. "Yes. We've found that out on a few occasions."

"Yes but he's a very loving and kind dragon," Tanner said soothingly. "Very well mannered and very well behaved from all that I've seen, very respectful. You've done a good job in raising him."

"Thank you," she said quietly and watched Tanner for a moment as he peeled potatoes and decided the best course was to just plunge in. "Tanner, what are your intentions towards my son?

Tanner stopped and looked up at her confused. "Intentions? I'm afraid I don't understand exactly what you're asking. I want to be the boy's friend and help to teach him, if you'll allow me."

"Did he come to you last night or did you go into his room and get him?"

Tanner looked even more puzzled. "He came to me; why would I want to disturb his sleep? He needs his rest as much as any of us do. I would say about three hours after we went to bed, I was laying there dozing, I felt him climb up onto the bed. I asked him if he was doing alright and he said that he was, but I could hear in fear in his voice, so I invited him to lay down with me for awhile. I scratched his head and ears, stroked his neck, until he fell asleep. I thought it best just to let him sleep there rather than trying to carry him back to his room and risk waking him again." He paused. "Beth, if you would just ask me directly what you want to know I could give a better answer, I hope."

She sighed. "Are you sexually interested in him?"

Tanner's eyes practically bulged out of his head, his jaw dropped in a near comic look of dismay, and she laughed. "Well, buy that reaction, you're either not interested or you're the best actor I've ever seen."

Tanner shook his head. "I almost don't believe you're asking such a question. What kind of human would be sexually interested in a young dragon?" Tanner asked sounding confused and sickened by the concept.

"I just had to know, Tanner. Things happen. You have to be alert, not paranoid, just alert," she sighed. "I have no idea if such things have happened in the past or if," She paused, blushing. "If relationships between humans and dragons are taboo."

Tanner laughed. "Not taboo per se, but frowned on more because of the life span difference. Some dragons consider it taboo, others don't care much. In general the idea is resisted though there have been couples throughout history." He sighed. "Well, as you know engaged, though I don't think it's going to work out, and have no interest in a mate I am outside my species even if Ryan were female. I'm sorry if I had you worried and can back away from Ryan if you like. I assure you that I'm not acting any different than any other dragon friend who found a young dragon that he was fond of."

She looked into his eyes and held his gaze for some time. "I believe you Tanner. Please don't betray that trust."

"I won't. I would rather die than to hurt a dragon, especially him," Tanner said quietly.

"What's so special about him," she asked sharply

He shrugged. "I'm not sure of that, at least not from the dragon side of it. For me... There's just something about him. He's unique in my experience, but there's also his personality. Most dragons tend towards a certain arrogance or aloofness, Ryan is so much more innocent and open. He's just a joy to be around, so bright and curious. Perhaps it is that I've not been around a very young dragon in some years."

"I worry that we may have made him too timid," she said quietly.

Tanner shrugged again. "I would by lying if I said that he wasn't more timid and shy than other dragons I know, but then his circumstances are different too. I wouldn't worry about it much. He's entering puberty and there will be times you'll wish he were more quiet and docile."

She laughed. "We noticed! I was hoping it wasn't going to be as bad as a human teen!"

Tanner stared at her. "You can hope, but I wouldn't hold my breath."

They stared at each other and both laughed as they went back to cooking breakfast.

The family and friend sat around the breakfast table a short while later eating and talking happily. Ryan took his human form so as not to aggravate his father. The food was wonderful, the conversation light, and Ryan felt at peace and happy with the world, one of the rare times he could remember such a feeling. It seemed after having Tanner and his family all together on a bright and sunny morning that nothing could go wrong.

Ryan wondered to himself when or even if he should admit that Mr. Sulvius was a dragon. Perhaps he should talk to Tanner first, he thought.

A few moments later and the decision was taken out of his hands.

There was a knock at the door and everyone tensed up. "Just keeping eating and act normal," Allen said tersely as he stood up and walked to the door. He cracked the door open to see a silver haired man standing there. "May I help you?" he asked.

"May I come in? I'm Mr. Sulvius," he said in a tense voice.

Allen jerked back. "Ryan's counselor? Why are you here?"

Mr. Sulvius looked around and then motioned for him to go inside with a firm gesture. Allen frowned and backed inside and Mr. Sulvius practically shoved him aside as he pushed through the doorway and stared directly at Ryan. Tanner stood up and stood in front of Ryan, a wary expression on his face.

"What the hell is this about?" Allen asked.

"We have to move him. He's in danger."