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Chapter 21: "A New Start"

"Well good morning, sleepy head." Aiden smirked as Max descended from her room that cool, autumn morning. It was late in the morning as well, though that wasn't so unusual for the skunk. The last few days of work for her had been emotionally draining though, even if they were getting gradually better, and had left her feeling a bit more tired than usual.

She just waved at him as she made for the coffee, needing to wake up her brain a bit more before she could hope to carry on any sort of conversation. Luckily caffeine and a simple breakfast worked quick, though Aiden was never much for conversation when he was working anyway. "Isn't it your day off? Why are you plugging away at your computer already?"

"A writer never has a day off." Aiden smirked, in an uncharacteristically good mood. "When else am I going to work on my novel? The weekends are really the only days where I don't have to focus on school work too much. And I've got to get as much done as I can before the homework really kicks in."

"If you say so." She watched him work for a while, casually sipping her coffee as she lazed about, not in any particular hurry to do anything that day. Much of the excitement and fallout from her attack had started to wear off, and now she was feeling a bit dead inside, as if in a rut. She kept wondering where her life was going, and if perhaps there was more she was missing out on. Sure, she no longer feared what might happen when she got older in relation to to the club. As Diamond had assured her, the Mistress would have something in store to keep her employed in one fashion or another. Perhaps a more behind the scenes setting, helping the Mistress directly.

But, was that really what she wanted in life; to work at a stripclub? Everyone around her seemed to be working towards other, grander goals. Aiden was working on his novel while working as a teacher, Cheryl was fast working her way up to full time in her family's bakery, with every intent on taking over one day, and even Jessica often went on about one day become a news reporter. She was started to feel a bit jealous of them, even if she only had herself to blame.

"Do you really enjoy that, working on your novel?" She asked, seemingly from out of the blue. "It seems like a lot of work for something that might never happen."

"Does it?" Aiden asked aloud, pausing to think about the question. "I guess I don't really see it as work. Work is grading papers and reviewing my student's short stories. This is more of a hobby, no, a passion for me. It's something I want to do, I can't just not attempt it."

"But what if you fail?" Max pressed on, suddenly interested in his work. "I mean, you've spent years working on this novel. What if, when you're done, no one wants to publish it?"

"Then I try again." Aiden said with a shrug. "I find out what I did wrong, and work to fix it. We can only learn from failure. It's something I tell all my students first day of every semester." He looked up at Max with an honest smile. "I can't let one failure stop me from trying to reach my dream. If I did, then I'd never make it. But as long as I keep trying, then there's still a chance."

Max was admittedly stunned to hear such advice from Aiden. He usually stumbled over his words, barely able to say what his mind thought. Yet what he said was so encouraging, and so truthful, that the skunk actually felt moved by them.

"So, as long as you keep trying, it's never too late?" She asked, pondering it as much for herself as questioning him. "Like that old saying, if you fall of the horse, you have to get back on."

"Exactly." Aiden confirmed with a warm smile. "The only way your dreams can truly fail is if you give up on them. And it's never too late to start working towards them either. Why, I've got a freshman student in my class who's almost fifty years old. Decided he wanted to try and write a novel himself, so now he's in college. Never too young or old to work towards your dream."

The fox smiled at Max, noticing a wistful look in her eyes. She seemed deep in thought, as if an internal debate was raging in her head. In the past he might have missed that subtle look, but he had been trying to pay better attention to things lately, and he had a good idea of what she was thinking about. "You know, even you could work towards a dream you might have, if you wanted to."

"Me?" Max was suddenly back to reality, blushing a bit at the suggestion. "I don't... that is... I mean..." Her words were getting caught in her throat now, her brain caught between having given up, and the thought that maybe she didn't have to. "I wouldn't know where to start." She finally admitted. "I mean, I don't have any training or anything. Where would I even begin?"

"At the beginning." Aiden answered matter-of-factly. "Maybe I can help. What is it you want to do?"

"I want..." She hesitated for a moment, honestly embarrassed to admit it. "I want to act. Not in movies or anything like that, but on a real stage. Singing and dancing in musicals, like on Broadway. I've... always wanted to be in a musical or play. I just, never had the chance."

"Well, now's your chance." He made it seem so easy, but to him, it was. "You could always take classes at my school. There's a whole program for performing arts like that. I'm sure you'd get in easily, especially with your talent."

"You mean, go to college?" Her shoulders slumped at the idea. "I don't know, Aiden. I didn't do all that well in high school. I probably wouldn't even get accepted."

Aiden was already shaking his head with an amused smirk. "This isn't some big university, Max. It's a small community college. As long as you graduated high school, you're pretty much guaranteed to get in. They care more about your talents than your grades anyway. I got a pretty good scholarship just for my short story portfolio, and I know Marcus and Jacob got in on similar. If you wanted to get into performing arts, all you'd have to do is give them a sample of your singing and dancing, and they'd have you signing up for classes in no time."

"And then what happens when I fail out?" She had to ask. "When I don't do well enough in the other classes, like math and science, what do I do then?"

"Did you fail those classes in high school?"

"Well, no not really." Max admitted with a sigh. "But, I was only a C to B student really, unless I spent all my time studying. I can't do that, not again."

"Max, you don't need straight A's to pass through college." Aiden moved to sit closer to her, wanting to help explain this as best he could. "If anything, college grading systems are kinder than the ones in high school. Getting by with B's is perfectly fine, especially for the mandatory though secondary classes like math and science. If they aren't for your major, all anyone cares is that you pass them. Hell, some of them are simply done Pass or No Pass, so you're actual grade doesn't matter."

"Really?" Max was a bit surprised at the news. She had heard that college was supposed to be really hard, but Aiden made it sound like a walk in the park. Still she hesitated, torn between what to do.

"Look, you don't have to decide right now." Aiden smiled, sensing the conflict. "How about I take you down to the campus on Monday, show you around, let you meet some of the performing art professors and ask them some questions first. Then, if it seems like something you want to do, we can get you signed up for classes. If not, then no harm done. Sound good?"

"So, I can just look around first?" Max was twirling her hair between her fingers, but she looked more comfortable with that idea. "Yeah, alright. But just to look around. I'm not making any promises now. If I like what I see, then maybe I'll give it a try."

"That's the spirit." Aiden smiled warmly, patting her on the shoulder. "You won't regret it. You may even be pleasantly surprised with what you see. And it's a good first step towards reaching your goals."

"We'll see." Was the best Max would offer. She didn't see the harm in at least looking around the school. It wasn't like she was committing to anything just yet.

Confident he had helped, Aiden returned to his seat and his work. He didn't get much of a chance to get comfortable though, as he started shuffling through the many papers he had spread out around his laptop. "Dammit, where'd I put that review?" Muttering under his breath, he got back up and made for his bedroom, hoping to find the latest review from his editor up there, since he clearly hadn't brought it downstairs.

Max barely noticed, her eyes on what was left of her coffee and her mind on the idea of going to college. She was deep in thought when a knocking came at the door, and still a bit distracted she got up to answer it. One of these days she would learn to check the peephole before opening the door. Of course, she was never expecting to see Aiden's ex-girlfriend, Layla, on the other side.

"What are you doing here?" The vixen asked with a scowl, clearly not happy to see the skunk answer the door, let alone in nothing but a t-shirt.

"I live here." Max countered, matching her scowl with equal disdain. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Aiden." Layla replied, sizing the skunk up. She didn't even try to hide how displeased she was with learning this news. Still, she wouldn't be deterred. "Is he in? Or, has he moved out?"

"No, he still lives here." Max was happy to report. A smug grin and look of superiority crossed Max's face. Let the bitch assume what she wanted, so long as it kept her away from Aiden. The last thing he needed now was a visit from her, just as things seemed to be looking up for him. "Unfortunately he's out at the moment, running some errands. I don't know when he'll be back, but he said he'd be gone for a while, almost all day. Maybe you should try again another time."

"Found you!" Aiden suddenly exclaimed from his room, much to Max's dismay. She almost had the bitch gone, too. Now Aiden was making his way back downstairs, loudly, and in full view. She was caught in the lie and there was nothing she could do about it now. Aiden was on his own.

Layla didn't even hesitate, forcing her way past the skunk and into the apartment. "Aiden, sweetheart! Oh, how I've missed you!" She took advantage of Aiden's stunned silence to give him a hug and rather deep kiss.

Aiden did his best to stumble back from her, though it took a few moments of stuttering to form an actual sentence. "Layla? What... what are you doing here?"

"Aren't you glad to see me?" Layla asked with a bit of a hurt expression. "I mean, I know it's been a while. I would have come back sooner, but Daddy wanted to take the whole family on a world trip, and I just couldn't say no to that. But the important thing is that we can be together again."

"But, Layla," Aiden stammered, still trying to get his brain to catch up with current events. "You broke up with me. Over a text message."

"Well obviously I wasn't serious." The vixen countered, acting as if that should have been obvious. "Look, Aiden, darling, I know we both said some things, and maybe there were some misunderstandings, but I'm willing to forgive and forget. We shouldn't worry about the past, but instead focus on the present. Now I'm here, and I'm willing to take you back. That's all that's really important, isn't it?"

Max could already see this going horribly. That crafty vixen was already making the moves on Aiden, flashing her pretty eyes, and her high beams, right in his face, trying to catch him off his guard so he'd stumble and take her back. Back to a relationship of being used and abused, if what Jacob had told her was correct. The worst part was, she wasn't sure there was anything she could do about it.

Aiden did almost fall for it. Almost. But then Cheryl's words rang clear in the back of his head, reminding him of why the torgi had broken up with him, and why he had always gone back to Layla whenever she came to call. She was just using him, had always just been using him, and he wasn't going to be used anymore.

"That's nice." He offered slowly, working out the best, politest way to tell her his feelings. "But, the thing is Layla, I'm not really interested in going back to dating you."

"What?" Layla stared at him blankly for just a moment, before letting out a hearty laugh. "Oh Aiden, you're such a joker. Of course you want to go back to dating me. Who wouldn't?"

"No Layla, I'm serious." He reiterated more firmly. "And that's exactly one reason why I don't. You think everyone wants you, and you can just pick and choose at your whim. Why you ever picked me I could never guess before, but now I know. It's because I was easy for you to use. I'd just do whatever you wanted, and let you get away with hurting me with no consequence. Well that's all over now. You broke up with me, and I've moved on from you. I'm not interested in dating you, or anyone else for that matter."

Layla just stared at him in disbelief, truly rendered speechless by the sudden rejection. When did he grow a pair? That was all she could think, and after a few moments of silence she finally found her words. "Now you're just being ridiculous. I could have anyone in the world, but I want you, Aiden. Now stop acting like you know what's best for us, because you're clearly wrong. You were always much happier with me anyway. So come off your high horse and let's go. I want to go out somewhere nice for dinner tonight and I'm not going without my boyfriend."

"I am not your boyfriend." Aiden countered rather firmly, showing an aggressive side that surprised even him. He didn't take the time to ponder it though, rather using it to his advantage. "I was never really happy with you, Layla. You just made me think that way. You never cared about what was best for us, only what was best for you. That's why you're here now, isn't it? Your last boy toy finally got tired of being bossed around, so you came back to me, to use me until you found someone else. Well I'm not falling for it anymore. I'm going to do what's best for me, and that is to stay far away from you. I am done with you Layla. Now, kindly leave my home. You're not welcome here."

Layla was once again left speechless. Aiden had never talked to her that way before, and she certainly didn't like it. "Fine. I'll leave. But when you come to your senses and try to come crawling back to me, don't expect me to just accept you with open arms. You had your chance, Aiden Snowtail, and now you blew it. You remember that."

"I will." Aiden promised her. "I will remember it fondly." With that he pointed to the door, making his own opinion on the matter rather clear.

Layla could only huff at him in frustration, marching towards the door and shooting Max the vilest death glare she could on the way out, slamming the door behind her.

Max, a bit in shock herself, watching Layla leave, then turned to see Aiden returning to his work, trying to brush the whole thing off as if it never happened. "Aiden... wow." She walked over to him, giving him an approving smile. "That was very impressive. Way to tell her off."

"I just told her what she needed to hear." Aiden remarked, trying to act casual, though a faint smile did cross his muzzle. "Can't believe I finally told her to get lost. That felt good. Great even. I should have done that years ago."

"Feels good to be honest with yourself, huh?" The reality of that hit Max hard right after she said it, and she could only smirk at the irony there. Like she had any right to tell other people to be honest with themselves. "Maybe this is a new start for both of us. You taking charge of your dating life, me possibly going to college or something. Might be good for both of us."

"I'm not objecting." Aiden laughed, organizing his drafts once more. "After all, perhaps we've both earned the chance for a new start."

---

The next morning dawned bright and early for Aiden, as usual. A bit too early for Max, who had agreed to get up and go with the fox, to get the tour of the campus out of the way early. She was regretting the decision now as she fought to stay awake in the passenger's seat of Aiden's car, the mug of hot coffee in her hands not seeming enough to help her keep her eyes open. "How do you do this every morning?" She muttered after a rather large yawn. "If they try to give me any classes this early, I'm out."

"There aren't any classes before eight a.m." Aiden explained with a bit of a chuckle. "And it's not so hard to be awake this early in the morning when you go to bed at a decent hour."

"I can't help that I work nights." Max argued, sticking her tongue out at him. "I don't get out of work until around two, and in bed around three. I need more than five hours of sleep each night, Aiden." She was clearly not a morning person, if the amount of grumbling she'd been doing was any indication.

It only made Aiden smirk though. "You didn't have to come in with me now. The tours aren't until eleven. You could have slept in a bit longer."

"But then I would have been on my own." She countered, as if that should have been obvious. "I don't know where to go or who to talk to. I need your help, Aiden."

That simple admission, though perhaps a slip of her sleep deprived mind, touched Aiden and brought a smile to his face. "Don't worry Max. You'll do great. You can rest in my office until the tour starts, and I'll be there with you every step of the way."

"Thanks Aiden." Max said, doing her best to stifle another yawn. She was truly thankful Aiden was helping her out on this, as she had no idea what to expect. Having someone she trusted at her side would help fill her with a bit more confidence in facing the unknown.

The young skunk did indeed doze off in Aiden's office, right at his desk even, while he was busy in class. Luckily he returned in time to wake her up or she would have slept right through the brief tour. She was lucky it was still early in the school year, the college was still open to new applicants for about the first month.

The tour was pretty basic, and Max was surprised to find she wasn't the only one taking it, though there were only two others who had signed up. They went about the campus as the five school's were explained, and Max got to see what it was like bustling with students. She found it surprisingly comfortable there, everyone seeming more laid back and relaxed then she remembered it being in high school. Some students were out tossing frisbees or playing hacky sack in the open squares, while other's played music on their instruments. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, which was something Max had never associated with school before.

After the tour, Aiden took Max to the school of the Performing Arts, where he had managed, very last minute, to get a couple of the professors together to talk to Max about what they did, what type of classes they taught, and the types of careers students usually obtained after graduating.

"So, you really have a lot of students who get into theater work?" Max asked towards the end of the questioning. "Is it really that easy to get into Broadway?"

"Broadway? Oh no, that's very difficult." The Performing Arts Director, a woman ferret by the name of Doctor Amanda Bellerose, explained with a chuckle. "We have had a few students make it there over the years, but most of them stay local, joining small though successful theater troupes all across the country. Other's get into radio or television, or even the movies. Some even self produce on the internet with fair success."

"Well, that's still very promising." Max had to admit. She was afraid a degree in performing arts would be rather useless when it came to practicality, and that most graduates just ended up teaching, like Aiden. If most of the graduates actually went on to some form of acting, maybe this really was worth a shot. "What are your requirements for joining the program?"

"A passion for the arts, and a desire to see things through to the bitter end." Dr. Bellerose proclaimed with all seriousness. "Our students must strive to bring out the very best in themselves, and present it on the stage for all to see. A true master of the performing arts is not interested in fame or wealth, but in the art of theater itself! To get in front of the crowd and pour your heart and soul into the performance takes great commitment, and that isn't something just anyone can give. Do you think you can commit your heart and soul to the stage?"

Max was momentarily stunned by the speech. The woman hadn't mentioned anything academic at all. Was a drive for acting all she really needed? If that was the case, then the answer was an easy one. "Yes. All my life I've wanted to get up on stage and sing." She found herself moved and inspired by Dr. Bellerose's speech, and it gave her the confidence to finally be truly open with herself. "I don't care about being rich or famous. I just want to get up there, be under those lights, and express myself through song and dance. I want to tell a story, and drive the audience to laugh and cry."

"That's what I like to hear." The woman smiled warmly. "But it won't be easy. A lot of practice and training is required to truly bring forth emotion in the audience. If you happen to already have any training or skills in the field, it would certainly help you get started."

"Well..." Max hesitated, twirling a few strands of her hair around a finger. "I do have some training, though..."

"She's a fantastic singer." Aiden interrupted, having been sitting quietly by the entire time. "She doesn't do it in front of others very often, but I think you'll be pleased with her voice when you hear it."

"Aiden!" Max was blushing now. The skunk wasn't used to people complimenting her singing voice so openly. "I... I'm okay I guess."

"Well, let's hear it then." The woman requested, leaning back in her chair as if preparing for a performance. "If you'd like to that is. But if you're afraid to sing in front of others, you may have a problem performing on stage."

"No, I'm not afraid. I'm just not used to it." Max took a deep breath. She wasn't expecting to be put on the spot. She'd get Aiden back for this later. Now, she had to come up with a song to sing.

Her mind race for a few moments, bouncing back and forth between a few theatrical numbers, and a few from some of her favorite Disney movies. In the end though, only one would do. Closing her eyes and evening her breath, Max began to sing "I'm Not That Girl", one of her personal favorites from the musical "Wicked". She had a bit of a personal connection to that song, and the story, which helped her put a bit of herself in the impromptu performance. She quickly forgot about singing for others, and sang instead for herself, carrying through the song with near perfection, and true emotion.

When she finished, the sudden sound of clapping brought her back to reality. Both Aiden and Dr. Bellerose were applauding her, and the simple act had her blushing and fidgeting in her chair. "Th-thank you." She murmured, not sure what else to say.

"No, thank you." The woman replied. "That was quite an exceptional performance, and a lovely choice of song, too. I think you do have the talent to help you along this path. That voice will carry you far, dear. Now, do you also have any other talents? Perhaps for dancing or acting?"

"Well, I do dance for a living right now." Max admitted, sticking to her new philosophy of being honest. Having Aiden by her side to support her helped a lot. "I'm a dancer at a nightclub. Specifically, I'm a stripper." She still cringed at the admission, fearing that this would ruin the respect she had just earned.

"Exotic dancing? Wonderful!" Dr. Bellerose's enthusiasm was quite the surprise for the young skunk. "It may not be appropriate for the theater, but it's a great way to train your body's flexibility. Plus it gives you experience working in front of an audience. Unfortunately, it's not something I can really have you demonstrate for me. If word got out I had a student perform such a dance for me, well, it wouldn't be good for either of us."

The woman tented her fingers as she thought for a moment, but her eyes lightened up as an idea formed in her creative mind. "It's not necessary of course, but if you could get a letter of recommendation from your employer, it would certainly help your credentials. Perhaps even get you passed some of the introductory classes, giving you credits and the opportunity for more interesting ones. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yes." Max said with an eager smile. She was suddenly liking the idea of going to college. "Yes, I'm pretty sure I can get a letter of recommendation. Do you think it will help me get accepted into the school?"

"As far as I'm concerned, you're already accepted." Dr. Bellerose smiled warmly at the woman. "We still have room for new students for this semester. You can go down to the Admissions office and file to become a student right now if you wanted." The ferret rose from her seat, shaking Max's hand as the skunk did the same. "I look forward to seeing you in a few of my classes, Miss Douglas."

"Me too." Max admitted, surprising even herself. She had no idea it would be this easy. Or that the head of the school of Performing Arts would actually be impressed with her singing. It had been quite a few years since Max had been excited about the prospect of getting into theater.

Before she knew it, Aiden had taken her to the Admissions office, and Max was filling out her paperwork to become a student. "Wow, I even get some say in when my classes are, and which ones I can take?"

"Told you it wasn't like high school." Aiden smirked, helping her fill out some of the paperwork. "Just make sure to give yourself time for work and sleep, and for your homework."

"I can do this." Max replied, and she paused as a deeper meaning behind those words hit her. "I can do this." She reiterated, no longer meaning just her schedule. It was the reality that she could go to college, for the degree she really wanted to obtain, and work hard for her chance to achieve her goals, goals that she had nearly given up on. She knew it wouldn't be easy, juggling work and school at the same time, but she was sure she could manage it.

And if she did, perhaps she could finally prove to her father that she wasn't the failure he thought her to be. A nice added bonus to reaching her dreams.

---

Max ended up spending the rest of the day on the campus, filling out paperwork and learning more about the layout of the grounds. She spent the time with Aiden when he wasn't in a class, though enjoyed the opportunities to simply explore on her own, talking casually to other students and getting a feel for the place.

By the end of the day, Max had finally accepted the reality of going back to school, and she was rather liking the idea. It may not be Harvard or Yale, but she wondered if even her father might be just a bit impressed.

Jessica certainly was, as well as a bit surprised. The young vixen had met up with them after her last class, and was intent on following them home, at least for dinner. She had been sneaking her way into dinner almost every night now, much preferring to eat and do her homework there than at home. She claimed it was because the apartment was quieter and more calming, and that Aiden's food was better than their mother's. Both arguments, as well as some batted eyelashes, were usually all it took for Aiden to concede.

"Delicious as always." The young girl exclaimed after another one of his wonderful meals. "It's so much easier to do homework after eating your cooking, Nii-san."

"I hope you never let Mom hear you say stuff like that." Aiden said while he cleared the dishes. "You might hurt her feelings."

"I never said her food was bad." Jessica countered as she moved to help. "Your's is just better."

"Leave those dishes." Max interrupted, having stepped aside to retrieve her phone. "I'll do them after I make an appointment with the Mistress for that letter of recommendation."

"You have a mistress?" Jessica had to ask, eyebrow raised with curiosity. "I thought you said you worked as a waitress at some nightclub."

"I do." Max replied without hesitation. "My boss just likes us all to call her Mistress. It's a weird quirk, but she's a good employer so we all comply." Shrugging it off like it was no big deal, Max turned her attention to her phone call, setting up a formal meeting for later that week, after one of her shifts.

"That is weird." Jessica shrugged, not wanting to think too much about it. Instead she sat near her brother as the two foxes settled in to do their work. This was the real reason Jessica always insisted on trying to spend the evening here; it was time she could spend with her brother. When he graduated high school and moved on to college, the younger sibling barely ever got to see her older brother. They had always been so close growing up, and the sudden separation had hit her hard. Now, she had the chance to rekindle their sibling friendship, and she intended to take advantage of that. Plus, he was always really good at helping her with her homework.

The evening went by rather quietly, a side effect of all the work they already had to do. Jessica had learned quick that college professors aren't shy about giving a lot of work in the first couple weeks of the semester. Max, meanwhile, managed to busy herself on her night off with some television, knowing better than to bother their work. Jessica did catch the skunk peeking over the couch at them as they worked now and then, especially when she was getting some help from Aiden. She wasn't sure why, but Max would always smile warmly at them before turning her attention elsewhere.

They ended up working until nearly ten, when Aiden finally gave up for the night. "Oh man, bedtime I think. Looks like you get to spend the night here after all, squirt."

"Really?" Jessica beamed at the idea. "You don't mind me sleeping here?"

"For tonight, no." Aiden made sure to be pretty specific with that. "Just as long as you don't mind sleeping on the couch."

Jessica pouted at that, her ears going back a bit. "You mean I can't sleep with you? We used to sleep together all the time."

"Yeah, when we were kids." The elder replied with a roll of his eyes and a pat to her head. "You're a bit old for that now, kiddo."

"You can share a bed with me, if you want." Max volunteered without hesitation. "I don't mind. I'm gonna be up for a few more hours, but you can go on ahead. I'll try not to wake you when I do finally decide to sleep."

"Thanks, but the couch will be fine." While she appreciated the offer, the idea of sleeping with the buxom skunk did not sit well with her. Who knew what that hussie might try to pull in the middle of the night. "All I'll need is a blanket and a pillow and I'll be good to go."

"Suit yourself." Max said as she rose from the couch, shutting off the TV. "If that's the case I'll just camp out in my room for the night, so I don't keep you up."

With that settled, Aiden fetched a warm blanket and spare pillow for his sister, and with good night's passed all around, Jessica soon found herself alone in the dark, curled up on the couch waiting for sleep.

Sleep didn't want to come though, as idle thoughts crept through the young vixen's mind. Thoughts she knew she shouldn't be having, but just couldn't keep away. She tried her best, focusing on school work, classes, anything else, but inevitably her mind always wandered back there, giving her thoughts that left her quite flushed.

"Dammit." Finally relenting, Jessica threw the blanket aside and very determinedly made her way through the apartment and up the stairs. She had to sneak quietly passed Max's room, who sounded like she was rather engrossed in watching something, before slowly entering her brother's room.

She didn't know what she was doing here, but she just couldn't turn back. Maybe, if she asked him while he was sleeping, and flashed those eyes of hers, he'd let her sleep next to him, like he used to when they were little kids. Jessica wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not, but her paws brought her ever closer to Aiden's bed. "Nii-san?"

The sound of her voice was enough to get Aiden to roll onto his back, though he remained fast asleep. Jessica's eyes widened at the sight now presented to her: the sheets had been pulled away, and Aiden had elected to sleep in just his boxers this night. His trim, muscular torso was on full display, and the underwear wasn't able to hide the bulge of his girth beneath it.

It was more than the young girl had been expecting, and her heart raced in her chest as her eyes slowly roamed over the body laid before her. She swallowed hard, her hands slowly reaching out to feel those tight abs, that soft fur, and perhaps reveal what lay hidden beneath the thin fabric.

At the last second she pulled back, mentally chastising herself for those thoughts. With a whimper she retreated, not caring as much about stealth as she barricaded herself in the bathroom. Her butt fell on the toilet seat as her panties found the floor, and she unabashedly slid her fingers up between her legs to provide some pleasure to her heated sex.

"It's not fair." She whimpered as her fingers danced between her virgin folds, quickly zeroing in on her already swollen clit. "Why'd it have to be you, Nii-san?"

Her mind wandered again, and this time she did nothing to stop it. The image of that beautiful man stood out strongly in her mind, and she let her fantasy play out. Those boxers quickly disappeared, revealing her brother's stiffening member to her grasp. She could only imagine how firm and smooth it must be, how strong his musk smelled and how he might taste. Jessica presumed it all to be sinfully heavenly, and her fingers picked up the pace.

"It's... not fair." She muttered again, gasping as a finger slid inside to tease her g-spot. Her other hand slid under her shirt, squeezing her breast, adding to the pleasure as her mind went to a place she knew it shouldn't. But the forbidden nature only seemed to excite her more, and she was soon panting out her brother's name. She thought of his strong arms wrapped around her, those delicate fingers roaming through her fur, tenderly teasing her body. He would be loving about it, she imagined, expertly catering to her every need, exciting her body in ways she could only imagine. His fingers could reach so much deeper than her's, she bet, spreading her as they hit the back and tickling every one of her nerves. And that would only be the beginning.

He would be gentle, he always was in her mind. As she slid a second finger into her moist sex, she imagined it was him, pressing his body against hers, kissing her along her neck and shoulders, whispering sweet things into her ear as he slid that wonderful girth deep inside her, taking her for the first time.

"Aiden!" She let out a muffled cry, her body curling up as she brought herself to the height of ecstasy. Her fingers were curled up tight within her as all her muscles clenched up, her body shivering from her lustful play. She held it there for some time before her body finally relaxed, the young girl letting out a bittersweet sigh as she unfurled on the toilet.

"It's not fair." She said again, her mind finally letting go of those forbidden thoughts, for now anyway. "Why did it have to be him? Of all the people in the world, why does it have to be him?"

She had asked herself this question many times before, and still Jessica had no answer. Feeling her exhaustion finally taking hold, she picked herself up and returned to the couch, curling up under the blankets with a soft whimper. "It's not my fault." She reasoned with herself and not for the first time "I can't help how I feel. But he's my brother. It's just... not fair."

---

The next few days carried on rather quietly. Max's registration paperwork went through rather quickly, and she already had a preliminary class schedule on hand that worked fairly well with her work hours. Sure, she'd have to get up a bit earlier than she was used to, and she'd have less time for leisure, but she knew it would be worth it in the long run. There was only one thing Max still needed, and it was the reason she was standing outside Mistress Vanessa's office right after her shift.

Ray had sent her up as soon as she had approached, thanks to Max making an appointment in advance. Still, she was rather nervous about making this request to the Mistress. The skunk had never asked for a letter of recommendation before, and wasn't sure how to go about it, or what it even entailed. She decided she'd have to settle for asking directly, and gave a light knock on the door before entering.

"Ah, Maxine, please come in." The Mistress beckoned her from behind her desk, nodding to an empty chair. "What was it you wanted to discuss with me?"

Max respectfully made her way to the chair, bowing her head before sitting. "First, thank you for seeing me, Mistress. I know this is somewhat short notice, but it is a bit time sensitive. You see, I've recently applied to college, to try and get a degree in the performing arts, specifically in the theater. I think I'll do well, but I was hoping I could get a letter of recommendation from you, speaking towards my dancing skills. It would help with my credibility and might even get me past some of the introductory courses. And, on a personal level, it would mean a lot to me."

The fennec stared at Max for a short while, her fingers tented as she pondered the request. "So basically, you want me to write a letter of recommendation for you, so you can go to college, get a degree, and find a career that would most likely cause me to lose one of my star dancers?"

"Well, I..."

The Mistress stopped her with an upraised hand and a smile. "I'm kidding, I'd be more than happy to write a letter of recommendation for you. I'd never do anything to stop any of my boys or girls from trying something new, even if it meant they might one day leave here. If it's important to you, then it's important to me, too."

"Thank you Mistress." Max had to work to contain herself from jumping right out of the chair. "Really, it means a lot to me. And I won't let it interfere with my work, I promise. I've already made sure to schedule my classes to give me plenty of time to get to work every night."

"Speaking of work, how have you been holding up?" Mistress Vanessa asked with a bit of concern. "I was worried after that last... episode. You seem to be doing better though. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"

"Oh, no I'm fine." Max tried to smile it off, but it was hard to lie while under the Mistress's gaze. "Well, it is still a bit tough. It's hard to perform for the customers and not see... him... staring up at me. It's getting easier though. I just have to keep doing it, and force myself through this. I'll be alright, eventually." Despite her words, there wasn't as much confidence in her voice.

"I know you will." Vanessa confirmed with a warm smile. "You're a very strong woman Maxine. I know you can overcome this. But, if you need any help, or even need to talk, don't hesitate to come to me whenever you need it."

"Thank you Mistress." Max was already twirling a few strands of hair around her fingers, her nerves getting the best of her. "The truth is, it has been difficult to do a lot of things. Getting by, day to day, hasn't been too bad. I have my friends, and they've been helping me a lot. I know I can and will be able to enjoy working here soon, too. Still, there is one thing I haven't been able to do since that night."

She took a deep breath, blushing a bit as she met the Mistress's eyes. "I haven't been able to be... intimate, with anyone, since that night. I've tried a couple times with my best and most trusted friend, but once we get started, all I see when I close my eyes is Schleck leering down on my, taunting me and attacking me again. I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll never be able to make love to anyone again. That he'll always be haunting me, preventing me from experiencing that joy ever again."

Mistress Vanessa let out a sigh before raising and making her way around the desk to Max's side. "Maxine, I may be able to try and help you with this problem. But you must want this help, and you must trust me completely, and do everything I say without question, understand?"

Max wasn't sure what her employer was getting at, but when the fennec's hands moved lovingly across her shoulders she got the general idea. "Yes Mistress, I'll try."

"I know you'll do well." The Mistress cooed, getting Max to her paws and leading her to the bed. "Now strip. Everything but the collar. All your other clothes go to the side, then stand there and wait for me."

"Yes Mistress." Max knew the routine by now, and didn't hesitate to remove all her clothes, folding them up neatly and placing them off to one side. She stood and watched as the Mistress removed some of her clothes as well, leaving on a tight fitting corset and her panties and stockings. Slipping on a pair of matching elbow length gloves, the fennec approached the skunk with a length of soft rope. Without a word she draped it over Maxine's neck, wrapping the rope up between her legs. She wrapped and knotted the rope in several places, lacing it around her breasts and tightening it up through her rear.

Max let out a soft hiss, the ropes digging into her flesh. It stung just a bit, but not enough for her to object to the Mistress's works. The woman said nothing as she took another, shorter length of rope, moving Max's arms behind her back before tying them together, using the extra length to tie her tail up. "There, that should do it."

With a soft smile, Vanessa circled to Max's front, running a finger along the skunk's chin. "Not too tight I hope. Any discomfort?"

"N-no Mistress." Max replied, blushing heavily. The ropes created an interesting feel against her skin, exciting her nerves. They were tight, slightly uncomfortable, but she found it oddly exciting.

"Good." The Mistress smiled, leaning in to bring her muzzle close to Max's. "The safety word is cucumber. If anything happens that crosses the line, just say that, and everything stops, understand?"

"Yes Mistress." Max nodded without hesitation. She fully trusted the Mistress, and wanted, needed the help in getting passed her nightmares. She was willing to try anything, even this.

"Good. Now spread your legs and bend over. You have to stay on your paws. If you fall over you'll be punished." She disappeared behind the skunk, retrieving a small riding crop from her collection. "Now, I want you to count to ten, slowly. Take your time and start counting."

"Yes Mistress." Max thought it an odd request, but so be it. Taking a deep breath and deciding it best not to question. She bent over, presenting her rear to her Mistress before starting the count. "One... YIPE!"

A loud crack filled the office as the crop struck her ample rear end. She stumbled as the light pain assaulted her sensitive flesh, but managed to stay on her paws and bent over. The skunk looked over her shoulder at the Mistress, who was already shaking her head with disappointment.

"I didn't tell you to stop counting. Now you'll have to start over again. Every time you hesitate, we start from one again. Now, count."

Another crack filled the room as that whip struck Max's ass again, the skunk yelping as a few tears filled her eyes. She recovered quickly though, resuming the count. "One... T-two..."

Another crack filled the air. Max flinched but did her best to keep counting. She didn't want to extend this any longer than she had too. Still, she trusted the Mistress, and kept counting all the same.

She made it to ten without a second interruption, determined to prove herself. She made it out with a stinging rear and a few tears in her eyes. At her Mistress's command she stood upright, retaining as much of her dignity as she could.

"You did very well." The fennec praised, running her fingers over Max's shoulders. "I think you deserve a reward. Perhaps a drink." Taking a firm grip of Max's shoulders, the Mistress carefully guided her onto the bed, on her back. With a smirk she slipped off her panties before climbing onto the bed. She put her knees to either side of Max's head, her pussy just inches from the skunk's nose. "Go ahead dear, enjoy your drink."

"Yes Mistress." Max was more than eager to receive her reward, and didn't hesitate to run her tongue through her Mistress's moist slit. It was warm and delicious as ever, and the skunk wanted to drink up every last drop. More importantly, it was intimate and tender, something she had desperately wanted for quite a while now, but had been unable to achieve due to her unwanted memories.

"That's it love." The Mistress cooed, grinding her sex into Max's muzzle. "Put that tongue to good use, enjoy your drink and get your Mistress all warm and wet."

Max moaned in response, her mouth too busy to properly reply to the command. She let her tongue glide over every inch of flesh it could reach, digging it in to her Vanessa's depths, inhaling deep to enjoy that musky, sexual scent. Her eyes rolled up in her head as the fluids began to coat her muzzle. It was heavenly, and she much preferred it to the whipping she had just received. She wanted to make her Mistress proud, to make her squeal, to make her climax like never before.

She wasn't going to get the chance however. "I think you've had enough of that now." Mistress Vanessa quipped, pulling her sex away and leaving the skunk whimpering for more. "That was only the warm up my dear. Now we get to the real fun."

She slid her body along the skunk's until their hips lined up. The fennec crossed her legs with Max's, lifting one up to get better access at the skunk's dripping sex.Vanessa pressed their pussy's together with a soft moan. "Hmm, I remember this being quite pleasant the last time. Let's try to make it even better this time."

"Yes Mistress." Max moaned as she lifted her hips to meet her Mistress's. They went right to it, grinding against each other with heated passion. It was wonderful to make love again. The skunk had missed it dearly and had desperately wanted to feel this close to another person again. It felt good, and filled her with a warmth that could only come from this act.

Until she closed her eyes, and the warmth was lost to the cackling of Walter Schleck, his vile eyes leering down on her. Her contented smile quickly turned into a grimace, her pleasured moans traded out for whimpers of fear.

She was almost about to call out the safe word and end it all when a loud crack filled the room. Max's eyes shot open to see her Mistress leering down at her, that crop once again in her hands. "You were thinking about him, weren't you?"

"M-Mistress?"

"You were thinking about that weasel." She slapped that crop against her palm again, the sound making Max flinch. "How dare you think of anyone else while making love with me." The crop slowly dragged along her body, between the skunk's breasts to press up against her chin. "While we're making love, you are to think of me, and only of me. You are to hear me and see me only, understand? If I catch you thinking about him, or anyone else, we count again." She cracked that crop one more time. "And each time, we count ten numbers higher than before. Understand?"

"Y-yes Mistress." Max's eyes were wide and focused on the fennec now, not wanting to feel the sting of that crop for even one more number, let alone ten or twenty. She swallowed hard, working to get her hips grinding again, working to please her Mistress as best she could, and then even better.

"Good girl." The Mistress praised, her hips grinding in kind once again. They were soon wrapped up in their lovemaking once more, moaning loudly as they rubbed their bodies together. Schleck kept trying to creep into Max's mind, but the fear of that crop was greater, more immediate, and she managed to push it away, calling out to her Mistress instead. Every time she did, her pleasure seemed to heighten, and the praise from her Mistress helped her along even further.

It didn't take long for the two woman to reach the height of ecstasy, crying out in unison as they hit orgasm together. It was glorious, Max grinning and whimpering happily at finally feeling that closeness to another person, one whom she trusted so well, too. It brought a warm smile to her face, and to her heart.

"I hope you're not feeling too spent." The Mistress grinned, Rising from the bed and making her way to her collection of toys. "Because I'm not done with you yet." Max swallowed hard at the sinister grin on her Mistress's face, and the large vibrating wand she now held in her hands. This was going to be a long night.

The session lasted for over an hour, with the Mistress having her way with Max the entire time. Her treatment got rougher as they went along, but never enough to leave any permanent marks. Max was brought to orgasm time and again, when she was allowed to climax at all. She learned quite a few new tricks and techniques in the bondage field that night, many of whom she found both painful and pleasurable. Only once did she have to count again, when thoughts of Schleck tried to invade her mind. The reminder was enough to not let it happen again.

It was quite early in the morning when the Mistress finally finished with the poor skunk. There were no words left, Max feeling rather physically exhausted by this point. The Mistress was also silent at first, undoing the knots that bound the ropes tight to the skunk's skin.

"You've done well, my dear." The Mistress praised as she tossed the ropes aside. "You've followed every one of my instructions perfectly. I only have one more for you." An arm wrapped around Max's shoulder as the Mistress leaned in close to whisper this order in her ear. "Let it out, Maxine. Let it all out, or we count again."

The threat wasn't even necessary, nor was any explanation. Max heaved once before burying her head against Vanessa's shoulder, sobbing heavily, letting her tears flow, letting out all the pain she had pent up for so long. All the anguish, fear and terror she had felt that night, that she had bottled up for so long, came out of her in heavy sobs.

"That's it dear." Vanessa encouraged her with soothing words, gently stroking her back. "You're safe here. You are always safe here my dear. No one can hurt you here. No one will judge you here. You're safe to let it all out."

Let it out she did. In her arms, Max really did feel safe, and so she did as she was instructed, getting her torment out in her tears and cries. The physical pain she had endured opened the floodgates for all the emotional pain she had pent up inside. She didn't know how long she cried for, but it felt oddly cathartic. By the time her eyes were dry, she felt an odd sense of peace within her. Like perhaps she might actually get passed this and move on to better days and happier times.

"You did well, Maxine. You've done very well. You may stay here with me if you like. I promise to watch over you and protect you while you sleep."

"Yes Mistress." Max whispered, indeed feeling sleep creep up on her. The bondage session had left her physically tired, and the release left her emotionally exhausted. The skunk could think of little more than sleep now. And sleeping by her Mistress's side sounded like the perfect way to end the night, even if it was almost morning.

"Thank you, Mistress." She whispered, curling up a bit more in her lap, letting sleep take her. She knew she would be safe here. She knew she would be happy, with time.