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I looked at Dr Stevenson, just stared at him. "You mean there was nothing wrong with what they gave me?"

"Not a thing, Jason. It was exactly what they said it was. No harm to you and honestly probably some benefit"

"I don't understand."

"Maybe we're trying to make problems where there really is none," my dad said slowly. "Maybe it's exactly what Grant says it is."

"I do not trust him," I rumbled.

"I'm not saying you should, son, I'm just saying maybe he really has changed."

"It's possible," Dr Stevenson said slowly. "Just doesn't seem likely."

"People change," mom said. "Maybe this is the start of a new beginning for you, son."

I shrugged. "Perhaps," said, and then turned, hearing someone approach.

Walking up the drive was a man dressed in sweats and a t-shirt bearing the logo of Grant Industries. He watched me nervously as he approached, swallowing hard several times. I started to move towards him when Dr Stevenson said in my ear "Jason, don't, let me see what he wants."

I rumbled quietly and Dr Stevenson walked towards the man. "May we help you?"

The man was staring at me, wide eyed, and didn't respond. "Excuse me, sir," Dr Stevenson said a little louder and the man started.

"I, ah, have a delivery for Jason," he stammered

"Of what?" Dr Stevenson asked pleasantly but I could hear the stress in his voice and see it

"M-meat," the man stammered. "Grant sent over a few tons of beef for him as a way of s-saying thanks. I have i-it on a semi near w-where they feed him."

"I do not need to be fed, human," I grumbled, my hackels coming up

The man took several steps back and fell, looking up at me in terrror. Dr Stevenson turned. "Jason, that's enough!" he said firmly. "He didn't mean anything by it!"

I rumbled again and looked away. Dr Stevenson helped the man up. "Sorry, he can be sensitive sometimes. Have the meat unloaded and Jake will take care of it."

"A-as you wish," the man stammered and jogged back down the path to the gate

My father was petting the fur on my neck and mom scratching my nose as Dr Stevenson walked back up. "Jason, I know that bothers you, but please don't raise a fuss. It looks like Grant is trying to get you some decent food and I'm sure you won't complain about meat verses the mush."

"No," I admitted. "It'd be rather nice"

"Agreed, and probably a bit better for you. Last draw you were low on some things; the meat will do you some good. Give Jake a chance to prepare it and we can all go eat with you."

I drew my head back. "People are uncomfortable around me while I'm eating."

"I'm used to it Jason and I"m sure you're parents are too."

"We will manage, son," mom said and dad nodded.

We waited for Jake to prepare the meat, just talking amongst ourselves, the three humans trying to soothe me as best they could after dealing with Grant and my outburst. I purred for all of them and relaxed my head against the gantry. It was nice, very nice, to be in the presence of three people who loved me no matter what.

We walked over to, well honestly, where they fed me and Jake already had the meat prepared, as well as meals for my parents and Dr Stevenson. He grinned. "Well, ya over grown house cat, looks like you're getting a decent meal tonight!"

I smiled. "Appears so, Jake, at least you don't have to sit around boiling mush."

He made a sour face. "Already had it going when that truck pulled up so it's done, if you want some."

"Ah, no."

"It's good for you, cat."

"Be that as it may, no."

He laughed. "Well, you all enjoy. I'm going to have a couple of beers over at the base cantina"

"Have a great evening, Jake."

We settled in and I filled my "plate" with food, the plate being a concrete wading pool built into the ground. I had thought about making my own dining ware, but simply never got around to it.

It was an enjoyable meal, even with the looming knowledge that I would have to see Grant and dig some more of that mineral for him tomorrow. I pushed those worries aside and concentrated on having a good time with my family.

I was awoken the next morning, earlier than I had anticipated, by my mother gently tugging on a whisker. "Mom?" I asked blearily.

"Ann wants you over at her office as soon as you get up," she said, sounding annoyed.

I groaned loudly. "Fine. Just fine."

"I don't like her!"

"Not too fond of her either, mom." I stopped. "Why don't you like her? She's only dealt with me."

Mom hesitated and I rumbled. She sighed. "She came over to talk to us, Jason. Asked a bunch of questions I didn't think she had any right to ask, was condescending and made it very clear that she thinks of you as nothing more than a giant animal, just a project for her."

I growled quietly and mom closed her eyes. "Sorry, mom. I'll talk to her about that. No one badgers you guys, no one."

"Just hold your temper, Jason. It wont' get you anywhere good."

"Yes mom."

I went through my morning routine of stretching and performing my morning ablutions. You don't honestly want to know how my waste is disposed of so don't ask.

I made my way over to Ann's office, growing more annoyed with every step. I had tried to contact Dr Stevenson or David but could get in touch with neither of them.

Ann was waiting with a big smile on her face. I just stared at her. "You wanted to see me?" I rumbled.

"Why, yes, Jason," Ann said, still smiling. "I had some tests I need to run and a few questions for you."

My hackles raised before I could stop them. "What?" I said flatly.

She simply smiled again, a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Oh, just some odds and ends, specimens to collect, things like that."

"I just had a draw a few days ago. Use it."

She smiled all the larger, a glint of maliciousness in her eyes. "Not everything that we need, I'm afraid."

I just stared at her, a low growl starting to rise in my throat. "Get to the point, Ann."

A flash of irritation crossed her face. "We need some fur and skin samples, to start with."

I rumbled. "You have those on file."

"I want new ones."

"Jason, go with it, it's not that big a deal," David's voice suddenly said in my ear. "Just follow what she wants for now."

"Fine," I said

She grinned at me. "Wonderful. We also want to take some of your mucus membranes."

I rumbled again. That was a bit tender. "Fine."

She just stared at me. "And one of your whiskers."

I took several steps back and snarled before I could stop. "Like hell!"

She staggered back but recovered quickly. "Jason, you have no choice."

"You are not getting anywhere near them!" I hissed

"Oh yes we are, Jason. You're going to let us take a whisker and that's the end of it, or do I have to report you for non compliance?"

"Jason, don't! She's serious! If they have the deck stacked against us as bad as we think, it's going to cause all sorts of problems for you!"

I growled at her. "I am going to file a grievance."

She smirked. "That's quite fine, Jason, but you do know the rules for that changed right? We still operate as normal while it's being heard."

I growled again, very deep in my throat and she just laughed. "Oh, stop it, it's just a whisker!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Dr Stevenson screamed as he walked out onto the deck. She spun around and looked at him in rage.

"You were told to report to Emmet's Crossing!"

"I did, by phone, they said they had no reason for me to be there. What the hell are you doing, Ann?"

"She wants a whisker," I growled.

Dr Stevenson clinched his fists. "There's no call for that, Ann, we have one on file and that should be all you need unless he should loose one."

"I want one fresh."

"It hurts like hell to take one from him Ann," Dr Stevenson said with grit teeth. "Those things are not just dead cells, they're a sensory organ. Taking one will throw him off not to mention the pain. We took one in the early days before any of us knew and we won't do it again."

"I want-"

Dr Stevenson took a step towards her and she took a step back, startled. "Get back from me before I call security!"

I reached out and scooped Dr Stevenson up in my hand, then thrust my face right in front of her. She froze up totally. "Listen closely, Ann," I rumbled. "You are not taking one of my whiskers, you're not taking any samples you already have, and you sure as hell aren't going to be upsetting my friends and family. I dont' care who you are or who you think you are, you do not own me or rule over me."

"I'm the lead on this project," she screamed.

"And I am a thinking, feeling, being!" I snarled back.

"You're a fucking animal!"

"Jason, for the sake of god get the hell out of here!" Dr Stevenson screamed.

I took a step back, rage in my eyes and was ready to wipe her off the face of the planet when a HumVee tore up next to me, actually banging into my ankle. I snarled in pain and looked down to see David getting out with the lead security officer.

"Jason, stand down this instant!" he yelled up at me and the security officer aimed a dart gun at me.

"Jason, I like you and I don't wanna use this on you! Come on, boy, stand down!" he said

I looked at Ann and hissed menacingly at her and took several steps back. "Keep her away from me and mine!" I said, voice hardly intelligible through the growls

"I'll do my best, Jason, now get home! Now!" David barked as he ran into the building.

Ann looked as if she wanted to say something when the security guard aimed the trank gun at her. "Shut it, woman! Or I'll hit you with it! Jason, go!"

I spun and stalked away to my home, rage still boiling over and over inside me.

"That was way too damned close," Dr Stevenson said from my hand, shaking violently