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*WARNING*: While this chapter is not filler this is where I find myself unable to avoid more explicit material. This is where Love Heart and Confidence Heart's relationship becomes more passionately physical and while I don't describe everything this may push things too far. Read at your own risk but remember that there is story and character development in there as well as sex.

Chapter 13: Life Moves Forwards

Confidence Heart sat on the exam table in her doctor's office and glared at Terrence, who was seated on one of the spare chairs. "Why do you have to be here?"

"So I can get the news and, if needed, help you plan your future around this." Terrence matched his sister's glare then turned to watch the door to the exam room. Confidence Heart just sulked as she waited for the doctor to return.

Thankfully it wasn't long before their doctor returned. "Ahh, Cassandra. The test is done and I have some good new for you: you're not pregnant."

Terrence and Confidence Heart both heaved a massive sigh of relief. "Thank god, that's that last thing we needed right now," Terrence had a hand over his chest.

"Unfortunately that's not all the news I have," their doctor interrupted their revelry. "I noticed something and went over previous tests you'd given us and I have some unfortunate news for you. Cassandra, you have a condition known as endometriosis. It's not pleasant and you're fortunate to not have any painful symptoms." He produced a file folder and handed it to Confidence Heart, "The details are in there but in summary: it's going to be nearly impossible for you to get pregnant and even if you do there's a high chance you will miscarry the child before it's born. Even if you successfully carry a child to term it will be a very painful experience."

Confidence just stared at the folder in her hands and then looked up at her doctor, "Anything else?"

The doctor shook his head, "Otherwise you're just as healthy as you were at your last checkup. Just take what I've said into consideration."

Terrence and Confidence Heart were quiet as they left the office and got into the minivan. It wasn't until they were stopped in front of a train track that Terrence decided to speak.

"So how to you feel about this, Cassy?"

Confidence Heart gave her older brother a surprised look. Then looked down at her lap. "I feel ecstatic that I'm not pregnant, as to the other thing... I don't know. I mean on the one hand I don't have to worry if Love Heart and I keep sleeping together."

"Seriously? That's all you can think about?" Terrence groaned.

"Hey!" Confidence snapped, "and no I just... I had fun and I want to keep doing it if I want but...I hate this...I mean I take good care of myself and now I find out that something in me is broken, something doesn't work, and it's something I can't do anything about..." Confidence rubbed her eyes to clear away some dampness, "And what if Love Heart says he wants kids, then what?"

"Do you think he'll leave you over that?" Terrence watched as the train's caboose finally pulled past and waited for traffic to start moving again.

"Not for a second, but still..." Confidence sighed.

"Well at least you're thinking about it." The train finally passed and allowed traffic to move on.

OoOoO

"We need to leave."

Love Heart was sitting with his family in the Avalon' living room. Life Heart's right hand rested on her just now visible baby bump. Sage Heart sat next to Life Heart on the loveseat with his right arm over her shoulders and Sweet Heart sat next to her brother on the couch. All three were staring at Love Heart.

"Leave? What do you mean, big brother?" Sweet Heart asked.

"We've been sitting on our asses for almost a year now, just living here, working and... nothing else." Love Heart looked at his little sister, "It's been fun but we have a job we're supposed to be doing: we have to find the Kingdom of Caring and help the Care Bear Family, that's what we were supposed to do, right?"

Sage Heart and Life Heart exchanged a look, then turned back to their son. "I see your point, but what if we can't find them before I give birth?" Life Heart asked.

"What if we never find them? What will we do then?" Sage Heart added.

"If we can't find them by then, we'll settle down somewhere else, or even come back here," Love Heart pumped a fist in the air. "But we will find them! I know we will!"

"That's right!" Sweet Heart jumped up and hovered in the air, "We'll find all the Care Bears and save the world!"

"Maybe not that far but you've got the right idea," Love Heart chuckled. "I'm going to ask Confidence to come with us too."

Sage Heart chuckled, "I'm not surprised. So we're not leaving until she graduates then?"

Love Heart nodded, "That's the idea. I'm going to ask her tonight."

"Are you gonna get married?" Sweet Heart asked.

Love Heart blushed, "Someday."

"Yay!" Sweet Heart did a flip in mid air then landed back on the couch.

OoOoO

"I saw the doctor today." Confidence Heart sat on her bed with Love Heart.

"And?" Love Heart leaned over to look Confidence Heart in the face.

Confidence sighed, "I'm not pregnant and I might never be." She turned to face Love Heart, "I have a condition called endometriosis. The details aren't pretty but the effect is that it's going to be very difficult for me to get pregnant, and if I do there's a good chance I'll miscarry." Confidence Heart started to cry.

Love Heart just stared as her and then gave her a hug, "Hey. It's alright."

"No it's not!" Confidence Heart pushed Love Heart off, "Something inside me is broken and I can't fix it!" Confidence hugged herself as her body starting shaking, "I-I can't help this or fix this, what am I supposed to do?" She turned her face to him with tears streaming across her cheeks.

Love Heart just stared at Confidence Heart in a state he'd never seen her in before. She was fragile, vulnerable, hurt, lonely and scared; her eyes were begging him for something, anything, to help her feel better.

Love Heart pulled Confidence into a deep hug and rested his head on her shoulder. "I'm here, Confidence, I'm here. Please don't cry." Love Heart found himself tearing up even as he tried to comfort her.

Confidence Heart couldn't help herself, despite Love Heart's insistence she started bawling into Love Heart's shoulder as she hugged him back. Confidence Heart sobbed and buried her face in Love Heart's fur and took in his scent, it soothed her and her sobbing quieted down to sniffling before too long. Love Heart rubbed Confidence's back and sighed contentedly as she let it all out.

Even after Confidence calmed down she didn't let go of Love Heart. She smiled as she took in his scent as her sadness evaporated and warmth spread through her body. Confidence Heart growled and gave Love Heart a little nibble on his neck. Love Heart winced but didn't let go.

"What?" Love Heart pulled back and Confidence dove in and kissed Love Heart hard and passionately on the lips.

"I love you," Confidence Heart said as she pushed him down on the bed and rolled on top of him. "I love you, Love Heart." Her face was a mix joy and lust as she pushed down and kissed Love Heart again.

Love Heart's brought his hands up to her back and kissed Confidence Heart back. "I love you too," Love Heart replied.

Confidence Heart grinned seductively and wasted no time in removing her shirt then tossing her bra onto the ground. "I want you, now!" She growled as a primal side deep within her took over. Love Heart didn't object as her scent drove him wild. He all but tore his shirt off in the brief moment he had before she was down on him again, pressing their lips together and dragging her arms down his chest and to his pants. Love Heart's hands stroked down Confidence's shoulders and down to her pants as well.

"Mmmmm, nice," Confidence cooed as her hands traced down to Love Heart's rear. Love Heart flushed and leaned into another kiss as they pulled each others' pants off. Confidence moaned into Love Heart's mouth as they kissed.

OoOoO

Love Heart was grateful that they hadn't climbed under the covers as he and Confidence lay with their heads on the pillows. Confidence sighed and turned to wrap her arms around Love Heart, "Thank you."

"For the sex?" Love Heart turned in her grasp to face her so he could embrace her back.

Confidence Heart giggled, "No... well yes but also for staying with me and being here for everything that's happened." She gave Love Heart a kiss then released him and lay back, panting. "So hot..."

Love Heart smiled and waved a hand which created a cool breeze in the room to blow over both of them. Confidence Heart sighed and practically melted into her blankets. "What did I do to deserve you?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Love Heart smiled and closed his eyes and let the breeze cool them.

"Confidence Heart."

"Yeah?"

"I have something important to tell you." Love Heart turned his head to face her.

Confidence Heart tensed up, "What?"

Love Heart took a deep breath, "We're leaving the city."

Confidence Heart blinked and rolled over to face him. Her eyes started to fill with horror, until Love Heart held a hand up in front of her. "Let me finish, please. We've been living in this city too long, we need to continue the mission we were supposed to do this entire time: to find the rest of the Care Bear Family and help protect them. And I want you to come with us," Love Heart rolled over to face Confidence Heart, "Confidence Heart, will you join us on our journey?"

Confidence Heart's feelings of dread evaporated and she sighed in relief as she flopped back down and smiled, "Yes, as soon as I graduate."

"You're alright with this?" Love Heart lay back and stared up at the ceiling.

Confidence Heart tried to nod but only succeeded in rubbing her long hair into the pillow, "Yeah. I don't want to get a boring office job or go back to school for eight more years, or work retail until I die. I'd rather spend my time with you."

"Thank you," Love Heart smiled and took a deep breath. His small breeze had stopped and Confidence Heart's scent filled his nostrils. His expression became hungry. Love Heart rolled over until he was on top of Confidence Heart.

She grinned up at him, "You want to go again?"

"Oh yeah." Love Heart leaned down and kissed Confidence, his hands wandering to her chest.

Confidence Heart gasped then then moaned and growled up at Love Heart as she felt her body heat up, "You love those don't you."

Love Heart growled back and leaned down, "I wouldn't do this if I didn't. Don't you like it?"

"As much as you enjoy this," Confidence Heart's arms came up to Love Heart's face and she pulled him into another kiss.

OoOoO

Sweet Heart skipped and hovered in her pyjamas into the kitchen only to find Terrence seated at the kitchen table wearing his business suit and hunched over a mug of coffee. Sweet Heart poured herself a bowl of cereal and sat next to Terrence.

"Good morning!" she beamed at him.

"For you at least," Terrence grumbled as he took a drink from his coffee. "You were sleeping in my parents' old room. You didn't have to listen to your brother and my sister...last night."

Sweet Heart looked up and swallowed her mouth full of cereal, "You mean because they were having sex?"

Terrence almost choked on his coffee and spluttered for a moment before he stared at Sweet Heart in bewilderment.

Sweet just stared back, "What?"

Terrence cleared his throat and coughed a couple times, "How do you know about that?"

"Why else would they want to sleep together like mom and dad do?" Sweet Heart took another bite of cereal and swallowed.

Terrence shook his head, "No, I mean how do you know what sex is at your age?"

"Mom and dad told me." Sweet Heart dug her spoon in the bowl again. "Am I not supposed to know?"

Terrence sighed, "I guess that's up to your parents when you're old enough to know. Why did they tell you about it?"

"Because I wanted to know where babies come from and they told me." Sweet Heart took a bite of cereal.

"Right." Terrence finished his coffee, stood up and brushed down his business suit, "I should get to work. Can't take bereavement leave forever."

OoOoO

Confidence Heart ate the sandwich from her lunch while she stood outside the back of her school. It was peaceful outside since everyone else was involved with lunchtime clubs or cramming for exams in a couple weeks. Her ears twitched and she smiled, stuffing the last of her ham sandwich into her mouth and washing it down with the last of her milk just as Love Heart skidded to a stop nearby.

"Hey, Confidence, ready for your lesson?" Love Heart grinned as he approached her.

"Always, Love Heart."

They kissed briefly then Love Heart folded his arms and became serious. "Alright, so have you decided on an element?"

Confidence smiled, "Wind, 'cause I wanna fly!" Confidence pointed into the sky.

Love Heart laughed, "Alright then, let's get started."

Despite her enthusiasm, Confidence wasn't able to conjure a single wisp of wind after half and hour of effort. Love Heart just encouraged her to keep practising and they retreated to lean up against the school and stay in the shade.

"Hey, Love Heart?"

"Yes?"

"Want to be my date for the prom?" Confidence turned her head to face him.

Love Heart met her gaze and raised an eyebrow, "What's the prom?"

"It's this big dance we have before graduation for everyone to get together and dance and just celebrate the end of high school." Confidence Heart turned to face ahead and put her arms behind her head, "I was going to skip it if I could but now that you're here," She smiled, "I want dance with you and say goodbye to this place."

Love Heart smiled, "Sure, I'd love to."

"Thanks." The warning bell rang right as Confidence spoke, "Well gotta get to class, see you later." She and Love Heart kissed, "I love you."

"I love you too," Love Heart said before he headed for home.

OoOoO

"You're leaving with them!?" Terrence shouted as he stared down Confidence Heart.

Confidence didn't flinch and stared back at her brother. "That's right, as soon as I graduate."

"But you can't, why are you doing this?" Terrence's expression was livid.

"Because I want to, Terrence!" Confidence Heart stood up and struck the table. "What else am I supposed to do? Get a fast food or retail job? Spend four to eight more soul-crushing years in school to learn how to do something I'll hate? All four of them are leaving no matter what I choose and I want to go with them."

"You just want to be with your new boyfriend," Terrence sat back down and glared daggers at his sister.

"Yeah, so what's you're point? Even if we weren't together I'd still want to go," Confidence Heart pulled her shirt collar down and exposed her chest symbol. She pointed to the blue ribbon with the heart shaped button, "I'm one of them. I've always been a Care Bear and I belong with them!" Confidence Heart was panting as she sat back down.

Terrence just sat in silence for a moment and stared at the table. "I don't want to lose you too."

Confidence Heart blinked, her blood cooled for the moment, "What?"

Terrence looked up at her. He was crying. "With mom and dad gone, if you leave then I'm going to be alone in this house. I don't want to be alone," Terrence pressed his palm into his eyes to wipe the tears away.

Confidence hadn't seen her brother like this since they were both little kids and it sent a shiver up her spine. "Terrence..." she felt herself shuddering then took a deep breath and continued. "You could ask James to move in."

"I thought about that. It might be nice, but still...I don't like the thought that I might never see my baby sister again and I'm scared about what could happen to you out there."

Confidence reached across to table to tale her brother's hand, "I know how you feel. I'm scared too, scared that I'll never see you or this place again, scared about what I'll find. But..." Confidence stopped to wipe some tears from her eyes, "I need to do this. I've grown up, I've found out so much about myself and if I stay here I'll regret it the rest of my life. We still have the rest of the week before I graduate."

"Are you going to take the old car?" Terrence raised his gaze to meet hers.

"Maybe, I thought we could just take bus rides or go on foot. Camp, sleep in hotels and stuff. I won't be taking much with me." Confidence briefly averted her gaze from Terrence. "We can use some of those old camping supplies from when we're kids."

Terrence shook his head, "No chance, too old to be safe." He stood up and tried to smile, "Let's go shopping, just you and me, try to get some new stuff for you."

Confidence Heart smiled and stood up. She gave Terrence a hug, "thank you."

"Least I can do, squirt."

Confidence chuckled, "Funny, I think I'm going to miss you calling me that."

Terrence laughed as he fished his keys out of the bowl, "Then I guess I'll have to use it as much as I can until you leave squirt."

"Hey!" Confidence stuck out her tongue at her brother before she followed him outside, "As long as we're going out, I want to rent a dress for prom."

"You're going to wear a dress, just for Love Heart?" Terrence asked as he got into the minivan's driver seat.

"For me too. I want to just give a last 'screw you' to the whole tomboy thing before I leave," Confidence snickered at the thought, "And yeah, I want to see how I clean up for this last night."

"Sure, why not," Terrence said.

OoOoO

"Why do I have to wear this?" Love Heart stood with Terrence as he helped him get his tuxedo on.

"Because my sister is going to look her best for you so you're going to look your best for her," Terrence fixed Love Heart's belt buckle around his middle as Love Heart begrudgingly tied his bow-tie on.

"Alright. Ugg this thing feels like it's choking me," Love Heart pulled as his collar to give himself more room to breathe. Terrence grabbed the tuxedo's jacked and handed it to Love Heart who pulled it on. "There, are we done?"

Terrence helped fix the end of the sleeve, making sure the cuff-links were attached, "There, now you're done."

Love Heart tried to stretch but found himself confined by the tuxedo, "Ugg, I thought this would be more comfortable."

"Don't trust what you see in anime." Terrence stood up, "Cassandra should be down soon so try to be a gentleman tonight."

"And how do I do that?" Love Heart asked as he followed Terrence out of the sewing room.

"Hold the door open for her, open the car door, pull out her chair, be polite," Terrence listed off all the etiquette requirements, "I know how she is but I think she'll appreciate, or at least tolerate, one night of that treatment."

Love Heart nodded, "Right." He stood in the entrance foyer to wait for Confidence Heart. He didn't have to wait long.

Confidence Heart strode down the stairs. She was wearing a black dress that stopped just above her feet with a slit cut up to her right hip. The dress went up her front and up to a loop around her neck, but had no sleeves and left her back exposed down to where her tail poked out over the hem of the dress. Her black high heels clacked as she stepped down the stairs. As Love Heart stared he couldn't help but notice that she had done something to her eyelashes, they were noticeably longer as she fluttered them at him.

"What do you think?" Confidence Heart asked, brushing her tail against Love Heart as she passed him.

"It's...I uh...wow." Love Heart swallowed hard to avoid stammering, "I've never seen you in a dress before, or with your eyelashes umm."

"It's mascara, that's the limit I'll go for makeup." Confidence Heart turned and gave Love Heart a soft kiss. "This is just for you, don't expect me to wear this all the time." She giggled.

Love Heart chuckled and kissed her too, "I'll enjoy it while it lasts."

"Good," Confidence leaned in closed and gave a husky whisper, "I want you to enjoy it until the end of the night." She left Love Heart slightly flustered and grabbed her runners from the closet then slipped her high heels off before heading out to the car with the high heels in hand. Love Heart darted ahead and opened the driver's side door of her old car for her.

She gave him a funny look, "Did my brother tell you to be a gentleman tonight?"

Love Heart coughed awkwardly, "Yes?"

Confidence Heart sighed then smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek, "Alright, for tonight that's fine. Just don't overdo it."

"I can't promise that," Love Heart closed the door for her then walked around to get into the passenger's seat.

The prom was being held in the huge gymnasium at Confidence's school. When they arrived, Confidence parker right near the front door in a somehow still empty spot and pulled off her runners so she could put her high heels back on. Love Heart offered a hand to her to walk her to the doors, which she accepted and didn't object when Love Heart held the front door of the school open for her.

Everyone in the gym was wearing dresses and suits and there were banners and other decorations strung up on the ceiling. Love Heart and Confidence's entrance was thankfully lost in the cacophony of music that pumped through the gym's intercom and they made their way to the buffet table that had been set up for the graduates off to the side. The same lady who had barred Love Heart's entrance from watching Confidence Heart's wrestling practise tried to tell Love Heart to leave, as he wasn't a student, but it took only a fierce glare and growl from Confidence to make her back off.

Confidence smirked as she filled her plate with luncheon meats, cheese and a couple buns, "I'm not letting her ruin our date tonight."

Love Heart chuckled, "I love that about you." He gave her a kiss on the cheek which made her blush as she waited for Love Heart to grab a plate full of meat and fruit. They took a seat at one of the round tables, where Love Heart pulled out the chair for her, that had been set up for the graduates to eat at.

Both ate carefully, neither wanting to foot a massive cleaning bill for their rented clothes, as they watched other couples and singles dance on the floor.

"Do you know how to dance?" Love Heart asked.

"Not really? Do you?" Confidence Heart popped a piece of cheese into her mouth.

Love Heart stared up at the ceiling, "Nope. So what do we do tonight?"

Confidence smirked, "We wing it when we hear a song we like." She closed her eyes and listened to the somewhat generic pop playing on the speakers. Confidence's ears perked up as the song on the speaker's changed. She grabbed Love Heart's hand and dragged him towards the dance floor, "I like this song, let's dance!" Love Heart was taken aback but smiled as they joined the main body of graduates on the floor.

(Dj Got Us Falling in Love by Usher)

Usher (yeah man)

So we back in the club

With our bodies rockin' from side to side (side to side)

Thank God the week is done

I feel like a zombie goin' back to life (back to life)

Hands up, and suddenly we all got our hands up

No control of my body

Ain't I seen you before?

I think I remember those eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes

_ _

'Cause baby tonight,

The D-J got us falling in love again

Yeah, baby tonight,

The D-J got us falling in love again

So dance, dance,

Like it's the last,

Last night of your life, life

Gon' get you right

'Cause baby tonight,

The D-J got us falling in love again

_ _

Keep downing drinks like there's

No tomorrow there's just right

Now, now, now, now, now, now

_ _

Gonna set the roof on fire

Gonna burn this mother fo----

Down, down, down, down, down, down

_ _

Hands up, when the music drops

We both put our hands up

Put your hands on my body

Swear I seen you before

I think I remember those eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes

_ _

'Cause baby tonight,

The D-J got us falling in love again

Yeah, baby tonight,

The D-J got us falling in love again

So dance, dance,

Like it's the last,

Last night of your life, life

Gonna get you right

'Cause baby tonight,

The D-J got us falling in love again

_ _

Usher, don't lie

Hear no evil, or speak no evil, or see no evil

Get it baby? Hope you catch that like T-O

That's how we roll, my life is a movie, and you just TIVO

Mami got me twisted' like a dreadlock

She don't wrestle but I got her in a headlock

Yabadabadoo make her bedrock mami on fire, (psh) so red hot

Bada bing bada boom Mr. Worldwide as I step in the room

I'm a hustler baby, but that you knew, and tonight it's just me and you

_ _

'Cause baby tonight, the D-J got us falling in love again

Yeah, baby tonight, the D-J got us falling in love again

So dance, dance, like it's the last, last night of your life, life

Gon' get you right

_ _

'Cause baby tonight, the D-J got us falling in love again

Yeah, baby tonight, the D-J got us falling in love again

So dance, dance, like it's the last, last night of your life, life

Gonna get you right

_ _

'Cause baby tonight, the DJ got us falling in love again

Yeah, thank you D-J

The faster paced song had everyone up and dancing, bringing the whole dance floor to life. Despite never having danced before, Love Heart and Confidence found themselves moving in sync with the beat and swinging each other around until they found themselves sweating. Far from tired they stayed on the dance floor as the song ended and there was a momentary lull in the music.

Love Heart and Confidence looked off to see that a bunch of the graduates had formed a circle around another couple that was dancing farther away from them, but they both shrugged it off, giggled and held each other.

"Not bad for your first time," Confidence Heart said.

"You too," Love Heart gave her a kiss. "What are they doing over there?"

"Probably gathered around whoever is going to be the prom king and queen," Confidence turned to look again.

"Disappointed it's not you?" Love Heart cocked his head to one side.

Confidence smiled and turned to face Love Heart again, "Nope, you're the only whose attention I want." As she spoke the music finally came back on and a slower song started playing. Confidence Heart couldn't help herself and found herself resting her head on Love Heart's chest as they started slow dancing to the song.

(I Never Had a Dream Come True, by S Club 7)

Everybody's got something

They had to leave behind

One regret from yesterday

That just seems to grow with time

There's no use looking back, or wondering

How it could be now or might've been

All this I know

But still I can't find ways to let you go

_ _

I never had a dream come true

'Til the day that I found you

Even though I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where life takes me to

A part of me will always be with you

_ _

Somewhere in my memory

I've lost all sense of time

And tomorrow can never be

'Cause yesterday is all that fills my mind

There's no use looking back, oh wondering

How it should been, now oh might've been

All this I know

But, still I can't find ways to let you go

_ _

I never had a dream come true

'Til the day that I found you

Even though I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where life takes me to

A part of me will always be with you

_ _

You'll always be the dream that fills my head

Yes you will

Say you will

You know you will oh baby

You'll always be the one I know I'll never forget

There's no use looking back, oh wondering

Because love is a strange and funny thing

No matter how hard I try and try

I just can't say good bye

No no no no

_ _

I never had a dream come true

'Til the day that I found you

Even though I pretend that I've moved on

You'll always be my baby

I never found the words to say

You're the one I think about each day

And I know no matter where life takes me to

A part of me will always be with you

Confidence Heart was crying. Love Heart stared down at her as they swayed back and forth, not really dancing but moving enough to keep with the song's pace.

"Confidence?"

"Don't talk, just hold me," she whispered to him. Love Heart nodded and hugged her close.

When the song ended the vote was called for the prom king and queen so Love Heart and Confidence Heart used the opportunity to retreat from the gymnasium. A moment later they were both seated on grass in front of the school as they let the cool summer night air settle on them. Both were grateful there was no wind.

"Just the graduation ceremony tomorrow and it's all over." Confidence sat with her knees bent on the grass slope downwards.

Love Heart leaned back and supported his torso with his arms. He looked sideways at Confidence Heart, "How do you feel about this?"

Confidence turned her head to face him, "About what?"

"Everything. Graduating, leaving your home with us, trying to find the rest of the Care Bear Family?"

Confidence smiled, "I feel great. I'm done with this stupid school for the rest of my life, I'll get to go on an adventure, see new places, meet new people and," she closed her eyes and leaned up against Love Heart's side, "I'll get to be with you."

Love Heart smiled and put and arm around her shoulders. He looked into her closed eyes and saw tears starting to leak out. "Confidence, are you alright?"

Confidence wiped the tears away and opened her eyes, "Just emotional..." they both leaned back until they were lying on their backs. "Did I...ever tell you about how I was adopted?"

"No."

Confidence sighed, "Well, it was 18 years ago now."

OoOoO

Six-year-old Terrence Avalon was riding with his parents in the back of a jeep along a dirt road in Africa. It was the evening in the middle of July and they were heading back to their hotel for their last night stay before they headed home. Terrence was leaning over the side of the Jeep, peering out from under a wide brimmed hat at the expanse of desert surrounding him.

The Jeep came to a halt as their tour guide and driver stopped to do a routine check on the engine. His paranoia was a bit annoying but it was better than risking a breakdown in the middle of the desert. Terrence sighed and tried to stare out at the desert, but it was mostly too dark to see anything that far away.

A terrified squeaking drew his attention as a small sandy dog-like animal with huge ears had started running towards the Jeep. Terrence was too curious for his own good and undid his seatbelt before he jumped out and ran towards the small dog-thing.

"Terrence!" Sarah Avalon had been too slow to react and jumped out to run after her son but she was too late as Terrence scooped up the small creature just in time as a screeching was heard and a huge owl dove down at them, pulling up when it saw a human holding onto its prey. Some shouting from the tour guide and the Avalons was enough to send the eagle-owl flying off, not wanting to contend with humans for a meal.

The little dog-like creature was shivering in Terrence's arms not caring that this was a human holding her, only grateful that the predator had left her alone. Terrence stood up as the tour guide and his parents surrounded him.

"Terrence, are you alright?" Sarah asked.

"I'm OK, but look, this dog's scared," he let the adults look at the animal still shivering in his arms.

Their tour guide, a middle-aged native African man, looked closer. "Looks like a young fennec fox, barely more than a baby." He tried to take the fennec from Terrence, only for the boy to shield her with his body.

"No!" he protested.

"Terrence, please you can't take a wild animal back with us. It's not safe," Adrian pleaded with his son. Part of him wanted to just take the fox from his son but he was afraid of hurting either of them.

"It can be a pet, can't it?" Terrence asked, still guarding the fennec.

"Fennecs can be domesticated, but this one is wild it will be difficult at best," their guide said.

Seeing the resolve in his son's eyes, Sarah sighed, "Let's just let him keep it for now, we can deal with it tomorrow, OK?" She asked the other two.

Adrian sighed, "Alright, let's go before the sun sets." Terrence smiled and hopped back into the Jeep with the still shivering fennec in his arms.

Sarah and Adrian peered into their son's hotel room and looked down at the small fennec sleeping on the pile of clothes their son had worn that day. Despite everything it was still oddly calm where it lay.

Adrian closed the door and sighed, "What do we do? We can't take a wild animal with us back home."

Sarah nodded, "I know, but how do we tell Terrence? I just hope he didn't get too attached in one night. Hopefully by morning he'll be more reasonable."

A voice reached the little fennec vixen as she slept on a pile of soft bedding and a bright light shone down on her through the ceiling.

"Don't worry, little fennec. These people are kind and you will be taken care of until the day you join the rest of your kind."

Despite her youth, those words stuck with the fennec for the rest of her life.

Sarah and Adrian were awakened by a loud banging on their hotel room door followed by the door bursting open as Terrence ran in and jumped up on their bed. "Mom! Dad! Get up! You have to see what happened to the fox!"

Sarah and Adrian had thought that the staff had quietly come in to take the fennec away while Terrence slept, to avoid an argument in the morning, based on the shock and distress in Terrence's voice. Deciding to get this over with they both threw on basic clothes and followed their son back to his room. As soon as the door opened they were greeted with what sounded like a baby's cries.

Lying on Terrence's clothes from the previous day was a baby fennec fox, but it looked almost human or like some sort of living stuffed animal. With sandy yellow fur lighter than its previous shade, a white muzzle with a valentine heart at the tip of the nose, heart shaped pads on her feet and very human hands with thumbs that were balled into fists that she flailed around as she cried out in pain and confusion.

Adrian and Sarah just stared at the baby crying in front of them for a moment before Adrian spoke up. "We need to see a doctor."

Thankfully the baby fennec had cried herself to sleep by the time they got to a local hospital. Despite being an animal they did find a doctor to examine her.

The doctor shook his head, befuddled by what he had found. "Well she's not quite human, but most of her organs and body structure are. If what little knowledge I have of fennec foxes is correct she still has a lot of the unique traits they do, fur, tail and her ears will still dissipate heat for her if she overheats." The doctor sighed and looked over to where the little animal slept. "I feel sorry for her. Once people find out about this she'll probably be taken away to see how she works like this."

"NO!" Terrence's loud shout awakened the fennec as he ran over to her and scooped her up into his arms, "She's my little sister! I won't let them take her!" the fennec had started bawling again as the doctor stared at the boy holding the fennec like a favorite stuffed animal.

Sarah and Adrian shared a quick look, then Sarah strode over and carefully took the fennec from her son and managed to cradle her like a human baby and rocked her in arms. The fennec calmed down and rested in her arms.

"Well that settles it, she's coming with us," Sarah turned to the doctor, "Any objections?"

The doctor sighed, "I won't stop you but I can't help you either. Good luck Mrs. Avalon."

"I guess we have a strange daughter now," Adrian sighed as they left the hospital as he looked at the sleeping kit in his wife's arms. "What should we call her?"

Sarah looked down at the sleeping kit and thought for a moment, "How about Jennifer?"

Terrence stuck his tongue out, "No that's dumb." Before either of his parents could admonish him he brightened up, "Cassy!"

"Cassy? Isn't that short for Cassandra?" Adrian asked.

Sarah smiled, "It sounds perfect. Cassandra Avalon."

OoOoO

"They never told me how they managed to get me out of Africa, whenever I asked they'd get these thousand-yard stares like they were having a war flashback," Confidence Heart had sat up and drawn her knees up to her chest while she relayed the story to Love Heart. She smiled, "they told me it was worth it though, they didn't give up and I was officially registered as their daughter when we got back. I wish they could be here," Confidence Heart let out a soft sob.

Love Heart sat up next to her, "Hey. I know they'd be proud of you for finishing before you leave." He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.

Confidence Heart smiled, "Thanks." She turned to Love Heart and give him a kiss, "What do you say we cut out and head home?" Her voice became sultry and she whispered in his ear, "And you can see this dress on our bedroom floor."

Love Heart smiled back and whispered in what he hoped was a sexy voice, "Sounds perfect."

He helped her to stand and they made their way back to the car.