FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Eletta woke to the sound of her roommate getting up. She opened her eyes to see the rabbit’s tail wiggling wildly as she kneeled on the end of her bed to lean over her desk. She didn’t wiggle her tail very often, not when she was happy or excited like canines or agitated or bored like felines. No, it usually meant she was up to something, some secret plans she was eager to pull over on someone. Janice wasn’t usually the malicious type, so she didn’t see it often and didn’t need to worry about it, but this morning’s view was nice. The rabbit shifted her knees and leaned further to type something on her computer, making her bare bunny butt under that wiggling tail more pronounced and displaying the hidden flower below it. Eletta wondered how she could still think like that after what she went through, yet found her paw between her legs when the tail suddenly stopped.

Janice looked behind her at her ursine roommate and noticed the familiar pose that suggested her friend was feeling more like her old self. “Well good morning, sleepyhead.” She closed her computer and wrapped herself in her sheet as she stepped over to sit on her roommate’s bed. “I was wondering when you would wake up today.”

“Don’t you have classes to go to?”

“I’m taking the day off for you. Happy birthday, bear.” She leaned down to hug her friend.

Eletta hugged back, scared to disappoint her friend. She hadn’t been able to find her happiness since she woke up in the hospital and she didn’t want Janice to feel bad that she couldn’t make her friend happy. “You don’t have to do that.”

“But I want to. What do you want to do first? I have a couple things planned for later, but this is your day, so anything you want to do. Anything.”

“Can we just cuddle for a bit?”

“Oh, sure.” Janice started to slide in beside the bear.

“No, um, would you get … on top of me?” Eletta trailed to a nervous whisper.

“Um, of course. Anything you want.” Janice got up and stretched her leg over her friend to sit on her thighs. She paused a moment to rub her pregnant belly, then leaned over to bump noses with her friend.

Eletta lifted her knees, pushing her taller friend forward until she could bury her face between her furry breasts and hugged her tight.

Janice got her knees under her again and chuckled as she rubbed Eletta’s head and ears, “You’re a weird bear, but I like you.”

Eletta hid her tears against those soft, furry mounds. She had the sexy rabbit right where she always wanted and offering to do anything for her, but she couldn’t find the old happiness inside herself to enjoy it. Her belly lurched and the rabbit on top of her jumped, then sat up.

“Did you feel it? The baby kicked!” She grabbed Eletta’s paws and put them on her belly. “Just wait, maybe she’ll do it again.”

She felt the bunny baby kick, but so did the one in her own belly. She was glad Janice didn’t notice.

“Today is going to be a great day. Let’s get you out of this bed and get you showered clean and find some sunshine to warm your fur.” She leaned down to kiss the bear’s nose, then slid off her legs and headed to her closet to gather her shower things.

Eletta watched the tall rabbit drop the sheet to put on a robe, her fit body making her pregnancy obvious. Her own belly had always been big, mainly because she liked to eat, and it did a good job of hiding her own pregnancy. Janice had been eating more, sometimes on purpose, but also kept active and it showed. Since the incident at the wall, Eletta hadn’t felt like eating anything or moving much either. She couldn't believe that her closest friend couldn't tell the difference between her old chubby belly and her new baby belly.

“Come on. Get up and grab your things; you should be clean for your birthday.” Janice sat her bag by the door and turned to the other closet. She pulled a wrap out and threw it at the bear on the bed, then browsed for something nice. “This is good for a start. What do you say we go to town and I'll buy you a new outfit for your birthday? It'll be… Oh! Oh, oh.” She stuffed her paws between her legs in surprise, then pulled the robe around her. “Bring our shower things and I'll meet you in the bathroom. Oh!” The pregnant rabbit yanked the door open and rushed down the hall.

Eletta sighed resignedly as she sat up and pulled the wrap around her. With the door open and her friend waiting, she couldn't lie naked in bed any longer. She was glad she hadn’t had the urgent bathroom calls like Janice, but that was probably because she wasn’t drinking what she should. She shoved the dress her friend had picked into her shower bag, grabbed the bag by the door, and headed down the hall.

Jake rushed from the classroom, the only class that wasn’t available online. He had to get back to the office. Rosie could reschedule walk-ins, but he had an actual appointment in less than an hour.

“Jake! Hey Jake. Jake.”

He dodged the weasel that was trying to block his path and kept moving.

“Look. Look look look look look. I really need your help tonight.”

“I can't tonight. I've got things to do.” He pulled out his phone and brought up his shopping list to see what he could put off until later.

“But it's important. See, Elsie and I have been doing this for a while now and I want to let her know I'm serious, but I can't do it on our anniversary, because she's going on that trip, right? So I've gotta do it tonight, 'cause I've got other plans for tomorrow night. You know what I mean. And I need you to be there 'cause you were the one that got us together. Come on, man.”

“Maks, I've got a lot of things to do today and I've got to get back to the GMAL.” He shoved his phone in the weasel’s face, making him stop, then started running for the bus stop.

“Hey, that looks like stuff for a party. If it's tonight, that's fantastic! We’ll come and it'll be great!” The persistent mustelid was jogging beside him.

“It's not that kind of party.” Jake leaned against the signpost as he caught his breath and watched the bus coming up the street. “You can't come.”

“Hey, a party’s a party, man. The more the merrier.”

“No. This is for Eletta and her friends; not a big crowd.” The bus stopped and the doors opened.

“We can be her friends. Come on, man. Give us a chance. Who's Eletta?”

Jake got on the bus, then turned around. “Maks. No.” The doors closed between them.

Janice opened the stall door to find the bear waiting and she smiled. “Let's get you cleaned up.”

Eletta followed the rabbit to a shower.

Janice took their bags and hung them on the hooks on the ends of the walls. She guided the bear inside with a smile and closed the curtain behind them, then slipped off her robe. “Come on, off with it.”

Eletta let the wrap slide off her shoulders and gave it to the now naked rabbit, who hung it on the hook outside. She could remember lusting for that fine body for so long, dreaming of exactly this, but now, all she could think about was her belly. It was beautiful and wonderful and she was happy for her friend, but it was also an obvious reminder that things were different now. It wouldn't have made a difference if it just meant she was happy with Jake. It was the one hiding in her own belly that meant things were wrong.

Janice smiled and intentionally brushed her bare breast against the bear’s cheek as she reached past to turn on the water. She wanted to see her friend smile again; see her relax and be her old self.

Eletta put her paws on the bunny’s belly and kept them there as she reached out for the soap, the water soaking into their fur as it fell on them. She wanted the baby inside to kick and punch and even bite her paws to prove how horrible she was, but it did nothing. She flinched a little when soap filled paws touched her head, but the stroking and gentle scrubbing soothed her. She closed her eyes and stared in her mind at the tiny almost bunny in the belly between her paws. It was beautiful and sleeping peacefully, curled up and happy. She wanted it to be happy. She wanted its parents to be happy. As she felt her friend’s fingers working the shampoo down her neck and shoulders, she leaned forward to bury her face between the breasts in front of her. Those beautiful mounds she had lusted for had hid a lot of her tears lately and the already wet fur absorbed a few more as Eletta relaxed against her friend.

Janice smiled as she lathered the bear’s fur. She was glad her friend was finally enjoying herself. They had grown so close, she didn't think of things like this as sexual anymore and didn't care if the bear did. They were sisters, despite their species, and she would do anything for her.

Eletta groaned as the breasts around her face slid down, the rabbit they were attached to smiling as she kneeled and gently scrubbed under her chin, then over her face. She kept her eyes closed while she lathered her arms; first one, then the other. The delicate paws on her chest were soothing, but when they moved down to her belly, her brain woke up again. It felt so good, but she didn't deserve it and what if she found the baby inside. She grabbed the friendly paws and looked at the startled rabbit, but words just wouldn't come. She turned around and put the paws on her back, hoping she hadn’t offended her.

Janice slid her paws up the bear’s back and started working her way down. There were still things that bothered the bear and she wondered just what exactly those FUX did to her that ruined all the things she used to love.

Eletta stretched her arms just barely reaching the walls and closed her eyes again as those friendly fingers continued roaming her sides and back. She really wished she could be as happy as the doe behind her about being pregnant, but if her friend knew where it came from she wouldn't be happy about her own anymore. Paws on her short tail cleared her thoughts. It felt good and was one place on her body that hadn't been violated, but it stopped too soon. She didn't know how to tell her friend to stop rubbing her butt and go back to stroking her tail. She put her paws on the same wall to hold herself up and consciously wiggled her tail, but it was too late.

Janice rubbed the back of the bear’s thighs and smiled at the wiggling tail as she teased between them, but she wasn't going to go there yet. She wanted to keep her friend enjoying herself as long as she could and continued scrubbing her way around and down those brown furred legs. She picked a foot and tugged at the ankle until the bear shifted her weight to lift it. A shuddering moan as she stroked the thick sole told her she was doing it right and she worked it with her thumbs.

Eletta leaned against the wall, letting the joy from her foot push back against the heavy darkness. It wasn't much, but in that moment she could almost forget all her guilt and pain, broken only as she had to shift to lift her other foot. Same as the first; gently stroking her sole, then the sides, and finally each toe. She gave a sigh of disappointment as Janice guided her foot back to the floor.

It was time; she scrubbed her way back up the bear's legs as she got her own under her to stand up, staying low to match her friend's height and pressing her body against her back. She slipped a paw between those thick thighs and got the response she was hoping for.

Eletta gasped and gave a small moan as she felt the friendly touch meet her vulva. She spread her knees, eager to have a new memory planted there; one that she could enjoy again. The familiar smell of the rabbit’s shampoo filled her nose as she let herself be in the moment. She remembered catching the fresh scent of artificial clover and berries when her roommate would return from showering and watching as she changed clothes, sometimes more than once, trying to be modest and bashful, but it only made her look sexier. She opened her eyes and moaned again as a bunny finger pushed inside her, then closed them again to not look at the stark tiles. She pictured her beautiful rabbit friend naked and smiling as she fingered her vagina and it excited her as much as the actual touch, until the other rabbit paw slid around her belly. Suddenly fear took control again. She thought of the secret hiding there and how it would hurt her friends. Her brain muddied her pleasure with the memory of her punishment. She knew it wasn't rational, but the thought still remained and she could see the sneers and grins over her again. She tried to fight it back and focused on the rabbit fingers inside her, but instead she saw the horse pushing his fingers in. She pulled her knees together as she remembered the feeling of his whole hand stretching her open, then being replaced by his massive penis that got even bigger inside her. She clenched her paws against the tile as she tried to fight back the image of his determined face as he forced himself into her and released a flood, then he was Jake. The sight of her best friend’s mate looking down at her with a satisfied smile as he impregnated her was a shock.

Janice fell back on her tail as the bear stood up suddenly and pressed back against the wall looking terrified. She wondered if she had touched a spot that hadn't healed and started to get up to apologize.

“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.” All the guilt and pain returned at once as she looked at the confused rabbit. Eletta slid down the wall to sit on the wet floor and hugged her knees to her face as she started to sob.

“Oh, Eletta. You did nothing wrong.” She scrambled to hug her friend and try to comfort her. “This was all for you. I'm sorry for pushing you before you're ready.”

Her friend's apologies only made her feel worse and she sobbed harder with the rabbit wrapped around her as the shower rained down.

Jake pushed through the door, trying not to drop anything, and a fox girl rushed up to him.

“Let me help.”

“I've got it.” He nudged the door closed with his foot.

“I'm here to help,” she insisted.

With an exasperated sigh, he gave her two bags as his phone started to ring. He juggled the rest to pull it out, then the desk phone rang. “Hello?”

Rosie hurried to the desk and put the bags down as she answered. “Genetic Morph Ancestry Library. This is Rosie; how may I help you?”

“Crandall, hey.” He stuffed his phone against his shoulder and opened his office door. “Yeah, I'm in the office. I have an appointment in a few minutes.”

“Yes, sir. I have your appointment in ten minutes.”

“Sure, I can meet you after. I have some things to do today, but I should have plenty of time.”

“No problem, sir. I'll just make a note on the calendar and let Mr. Cohen know.”

“Oh just some personal things. We’re having a small party for a friend’s birthday tonight.”

“Certainly. We’ll see you then. Thank you for calling.”

“Oh, no, you don't need to. I think I've got everything worked out. Just one appointment today, then I'll meet with you, then a little more shopping before I catch the bus back to campus.” He sat down at his desk. “Yes, it will be easier once I finish school. Soon.” He noticed Rosie smiling in the doorway and smiled back. “Alright, I'll meet you there in a little more than an hour. See you then.” He hung up and looked to the fox. “Is my appointment here?”

“No, sir. He says he'll be about a half hour late and he's bringing someone with him that wants their own time right after.”

“What?” He started reevaluating his schedule in his head. “Do we even know who they are?”

“I started a preliminary search, but he doesn't know if she's registered.”

“Are they the same species? They’re probably looking for compatibility. That could take a while.”

“I don't know. He didn't want to tell me much, even though I told him I had the same access and followed the same confidentiality rules.”

“I know. I'm sorry. We should figure out some way to make you seem less like just a receptionist, but we can't afford to hire another person.”

“It's okay. I understand.”

He huffed in frustration. “I just don't know how I'm going to do this now. Thirty minutes isn't enough time for me to get out and back, but they're going to be two or even three hours, then I have to meet with Mr. Griffin and I might make the last bus, but then I'll be getting back just as the party starts, with half the supplies, no time to set up, and it's supposed to be a surprise.” He swatted the top of the bags on his desk. “I need to call Crandall and tell him I'll be late and call Janice and tell her I'll be late and without most of the party stuff.” He put his head in his hands and groaned.

“I could go shopping for you.”

“It's not your job.”

“My job is to help you.”

“Your job is to help the clients.” He looked up to find her standing right beside him.

“It doesn't help the clients if you’re too preoccupied to give them the attention they deserve. Let me relieve some of that stress for you.” She put her black furred paw on his arm and smiled.

He looked at her paw, then followed her arm up, now thinking of something else. Why did she wear dresses? He remembered Christy smiling as she defended herself against his racism; standing defiant in her sun dress; the dress he later watched them rip off her body. This close, he could see the differences that made this Rosie, especially her blue eyes.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

He heard the question from Christy and wanted to ask her to forgive him, but stared at those blue eyes and stopped himself. “I… still have some things to get.”

“I can get them for you.”

There were now two small fox paws on his arm and he wanted to take Christy in his arms to protect her from the past, crying because he couldn't change it. Instead, he grabbed his phone from his desk and pushed his chair back until Rosie stood in front of him. “I'll send you the rest of the list and give you my bank card.”

She pulled out her phone as it chimed. “That's okay. I'll buy, and help you set up.”

Jake caught her arm as she started to turn. “No.” He quickly let go, afraid of the contact. “It's… our friend went through something, so it's a really small party of just her friends.”

“Oh, is this the friend that was attacked on campus? Eletta?” She held her phone to her flat chest.

“Uh, yes, and she's not ready for a big crowd.”

Rosie smiled and let her arms slide down her body. “I understand. You're a really good friend.” She leaned forward to pat and rub his arm.

He looked at her smile, wondering whether he wanted Christy to bite his face off or kiss him. Both images ran through his mind in a flash and he reminded himself of the rabbit he loved now.

Rosie stood up and turned to walk away, but knocked a few papers off the corner of the desk. She put her phone in her pocket, then bent over to gather them up.

Jake watched that fluffy fox tail flip up to rest on her back and remembered how soft it felt, then immediately hated himself for thinking it, not just because it was Rosie instead of Christy, but also because he regretted what he did to that innocent, young fox to feel it.

The fox stood up again and put the papers on the desk, then smiled over her shoulder and headed to the door.

“Rosie.”

She stopped at the door and looked over her shoulder, slowly swaying her fluffy tail.

“There's something I need to tell you.” He watched the tail hypnotically. “I should have said this months ago, but…” He watched the tail rise a little as it swayed. “Janice is pregnant.” The tail froze. “And I'm marrying her.” The tail slowly lowered. “Because it's mine.”

Rosie smiled again and flicked her tail as she turned around to walk back to the desk. “Congratulations. You two will make wonderful parents. I can't wait to see how cute the little bunny will be.” She grabbed her phone through her pocket. “When the clients get here, I'll bring them in, then I'll go shopping for the rest of your party supplies.” She smiled with a nod, then turned around and held her tail high as she walked to the door and through it without looking back.

“Come on, let's get you rinsed off.” Janice stood up and took the bear's paws, lifting her arms.

Eletta got to her feet and stepped under the falling water. She focused on the rabbit’s paws pushing the soapy water out of her fur and the sound of it hitting the floor in splashes. It seemed like she would never be able to enjoy anything anymore. Everything would be ruined by her thoughts. She opened her eyes to watch the bare belly and breasts jiggling in front of her; it was still a nice view. The rabbit knelt down to rinse her bottom half and Eletta thought about her long ears; they were turned back, because she was focused on what she was doing. Finding relief in having something to focus on herself, she gently grabbed those long ears and started stroking them.

Janice froze in surprise and looked up at the bear; she seemed calm and fixated on her ears. It had been hard watching her friend suffering after what she went through. Her own experience just didn't compare. It was rough and terrifying, but it was over before it got bad. At the time, she didn't think she would ever be happy again, but she had Jake, her hero and now the father of her baby. Eletta had nothing to save her from being horribly raped and beaten and nobody to be her happily ever after. She tried everything she could to be a good friend, but it just wasn't the same as having a hero to help her through it. She felt so… so…; the bear's paws on her ears felt so good. No, this was about making Eletta feel good. She stood up slowly and started to reach to turn off the water, but her friend stopped her.

Eletta wasn’t ready to go back to reality yet. She looked up at her roommate and tried to sound insistent as she rubbed the rabbit’s arms, “It's your turn, now.”

Janice smiled and reached the other direction to pull the shampoo back out of the bag hanging outside the curtain. She was committed to letting her best friend have anything she wanted for her birthday and glad she was finally wanting something.

Eletta squeezed some soap into her paw and some more on top of Janice’s pregnant belly, then dropped the bottle to the floor. She started lathering her friend's shoulders as she watched the blob of soap slowly spreading into her fur. She worked down her arms and held her paws for a moment as she spread her long fingers with her own short ones, then worked back up to her neck. She couldn't reach very far, but ran her claws under her chin before moving down her chest and starting on those beautiful breasts. They weren't huge, but since she didn't have any, they were a fascination. She rubbed and squeezed; they had gotten a little bigger and firmer lately, while her own teats had just become sore and irritating. She wanted to teach her friend how to pleasure her, but didn't want to ask, so all she could do was show.

Janice leaned back against the wall as her friend fondled her breasts. They had been getting tender and the attention felt good, but soon those paws moved down to her belly. They were gentle and focused and almost worshipful; she wondered if someday her lesbian friend might want to have her own baby, then they fell away. For a moment she thought that was it, but a paw on her hip encouraged her to turn around.

Eletta picked up the shampoo bottle to squirt more in her paw, then left a dolop above the rabbit's tail before putting it down again. She reached up to lather her friend’s shoulders and worked her way down her back. For some reason she was feeling nervous. This wasn’t the first time they had been intimate and she knew it was just casual pleasure, but something was different. The rabbit gave a soft moan as she rubbed her lower back, so she lingered there a little longer before she knelt down and wrapped both paws around her small, fluffy tail.

Janice looked back at her weird friend, but was soon gasping in surprise and clinging to the cold wall as tingles and sparks of pleasure crept up her spine. She shuffled her feet to spread her legs, worried that she would collapse. She pressed her chest against the wall and pushed her hips back for balance, both scared of and begging for more. What was the bear doing that could feel like that?

Eletta continued working through the long, fluffy fur of the rabbit's short tail with her fingertips and claws, paying extra attention to every place that made her friend jump or squirm. She hoped that if it was good enough she might be willing to reciprocate, but more than that she enjoyed hearing those cries of pleasure. She leaned close and rubbed the sides firmly, then licked the underside and wrapped her mouth around the whole thing.

Janice squeaked in surprise, but the bear's tongue flicking on her tail was a pleasure she never expected. She was sure it was still weird, but it felt too good to care. The crazy bear was holding her hips and she hoped she could hold her up as her body was feeling like marshmallow. She clamped her thighs together, trying to hold off what she felt coming and begging for something, “Eletta. Eletta. Eletta!”

The bear leaned back to sit on her heels and watch the rabbit fall to her knees and whimper against the wall as her tail vibrated and she shook with orgasmic jolts. The sight made her smile, but she wasn't done yet. She pulled one of the rabbit's long feet into her lap and started stroke it.

Jake dropped his phone on his desk. Everything was ready for the delayed appointment. He had sent an update to Mr. Griffin, which was confirmed. He had sent a message to Janice, but she didn't respond, so he called her, but she didn't answer. The party things he had were stashed away and Christy was going to get the rest during the appointment. Not Christy, Rosie. Why was he thinking about Christy so much? Rosie had been working with him for months, but she only occasionally reminded him of Christy, he had never completely mistaken them like that. He needed to distract himself, so he turned to his computer and checked his appointment calendar. Twelve appointments this week, three more than last week. Fridays and Saturdays were popular. Then he noticed the date. Tomorrow is Missing Morphs Day, a reminder and memorial for all the morphs that have vanished, started by the Harstleins on the one year anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance. That meant that tonight was the third anniversary of the night he raped Christy. He had almost missed it, but now the whole scene rushed out of his memory at once. He felt like throwing up. Tomorrow was also the anniversary of killing Ed. Suddenly nothing he had done mattered; he was a murderer, a rapist, and responsible for Christy's disappearance. He had no right to be here. He didn't deserve to be in a position where morphs would thank him. He shouldn't be in charge of anything, especially not here.

A message popped up on his screen: [Your appointment is here.]

Fuck, they're early; late, but sooner than they said. He sent a quick response: [just a moment], then tried to straighten himself up and calm himself down. He grabbed a bottle of water and chugged the whole thing. Before he could tell Rosie he was ready, his phone chimed a message.

[Ylinee's on it. I love you. You're still my hero.]

He stared at the message. It reminded him that tomorrow was also the anniversary of the first time he saw Janice and saved her life. She had always believed in him. It reminded him of the reason he was there: not just to make up for what he had done, but to make the world better for morphs. And he could prove it in just a moment. [Send them in.]

Janice was floating in bliss for a moment, unable to grasp a thought. The first one she found told her she had fallen out of bed and was lying on the floor. No, slowly she recognized the sound of the shower and realized she wasn't laying down. Memory came back and she remembered the amazing orgasm from just her tail. “Eletta, how did you…?” She was interrupted by her own moan as she felt her friend rubbing her feet more firmly.

Eletta worked both bunny feet in her lap. She dabbed some soap from her friends back to lather them up, then splashed water from the falling stream to rinse them. She worked the toes and pads and up to the heel, then back down; they were beautiful. She lifted one foot and rubbed it against her cheek, then slowly slipped a toe into her mouth.

Janice opened one eye to look, then closed it again. “You're weird. … But it feels so good.” Everything felt good. She rubbed her breasts and cheek on the cold wall and slid her paws over it as her weird roommate moved to the next toe. She could feel the bear's paws playing over her foot like a musical instrument while her tongue flicked around, then moved to the next. She imagined herself laying in bed, not her dorm bed, but a big, comfortable bed, with the bear working her way down her toes. In the brief moment as Eletta moved from one foot to the other, she realized her awkward position, but was too relaxed to move; and it was the perfect position for Jake to join them. She thought about him slipping in behind her and imagined him sliding into her as her toe slid into the bear's mouth. She moaned at the odd image, wishing it were real. She wanted to touch herself, but didn't want to break the fantasy she had. Each toe was another moment of sensual connection and each moment built on the last.

Eletta finished with the last toe and wanted to start over again, but knew her friend wouldn't let her continue forever. She rubbed both long rabbit feet against her cheeks and kissed a heel, then brought them down to her lap. She needed to keep going, to keep focused. She reached past the soaked bunny tail and scooped up the rest of the soap, then smeared her paws and started lathering the rabbit's calves.

The bear's paws felt good, but she couldn't hold the pose anymore. Janice twisted and sat down on the wet floor, leaning against the cold wall, then looked at the bear kneeling in front of her with her paws on her knees and smiled. “Eletta, I'm supposed to be making you feel good, but…” She leaned her head back and it hit the wall, but she didn't care. She chuckled as she felt her friend’s paws on her legs again; it was useless trying to deter a determined bear.

Eletta covered those long, strong legs in soapy lather and as Janice spread them welcomingly, she could see the bunny flower under her pregnant belly, but she didn't want to go there yet. She leaned forward and crawled between those legs.

Janice gasped and gave a surprised moan when the bear's round claws gently pinched her nipples. She looked down to watch those claws trace and tease and graze and squeeze, then finally the bear licked one and began to suckle. It was a relief she didn't know she needed. She put an arm around her friend’s back and reached her other paw down to rub the bear's belly, but she caught it. “I really wish I could make you feel as good as you do for me.”

Eletta left the nipple she was suckling and moved to the other one, holding her belly against the rabbit's and wishing she could just give Jake's baby to her. They would have two bunnies and she wouldn't feel so guilty. She tried to imagine it, Janice's belly twice as big and nothing in her own. No reason not to just be happy for her friends. She slid her paw over that big belly, savoring the fantasy. She knew what she would do. She rubbed her face against her friend's breasts and slid her paw down between her legs. She took a breath, pushing back the memory of unfriendly paws. Then her baby kicked.

Janice smiled as she felt the soft kick, then gasped in surprise as Eletta started crying. Before she could say anything, the curtain was yanked aside by a stern looking koala, but the face quickly fell.

“Is she okay?”

Eletta scrambled away and knelt under the shower to hide her tears.

“I'm sorry, I thought… Does she need help?”

Janice pushed herself to her knees and waved off the intruder, “I've got this, just close the curtain.”

The koala stared for a moment at the pregnant rabbit's soapy legs and the curled up bear and tried to figure out what was happening, then pulled the curtain closed.

“Eletta, I'm sorry. I can't control them, but you're not bothering them.” She held her crying friend, consciously keeping her belly away. “Why don't we get out of the shower. We can take a walk and let the sun dry our fur.”

Eletta wasn't in the mood for being in public, but she knew she couldn't stay in the shower, so she stuffed down her grief and guilt and pushed herself up.

Janice got up with her and quickly rinsed off the soap as the bear got her towel. They rubbed out most of the water and got dressed, then started for the door just as Ylinee came in.

“Hey, are you guys okay? Vinita said somebody fell in the showers. Is anybody else here?”

“It's just us. Nobody's hurt.”

“Oh good. When she said a pregnant rabbit and a bear were on the floor, I panicked. Are you sure you're okay?”

Janice smiled at both her friends, “We’re going to take a walk in the sun to dry off.”

“Oh, well good timing. Some rain blew through a bit ago, but it's clearing now. Supposed to be cloud free through the night.”

“That's good to hear. We’ll just drop off our bags in our room and go enjoy it.”

“I can do that for you.” The wolf smiled as she took their bags. “You two just relax and enjoy yourselves.” She watched them head for the stairs, then made her way to their room. She hung the towels over their chairs and dropped their bags on their desks. As she turned to leave, a chime drew her attention to Janice's phone on her desk. Curious, she picked it up.

Jake [Last minute clients. Won't have time to get ice, ice cream or flowers. Have to wait for last bus so I'll be late. I'm so sorry.]

This could be a disaster. She couldn't chase down Janice to tell her. She just had to take care of it herself. She tapped a quick response, pretending to be his rabbit, then headed out on her mission.

Eletta watched her toes cross cracks in the sidewalk as they walked. The warm sun felt good, but she could also feel the stares and they burned deeper. She noticed the welcome mat for the Caf and stopped.

Janice opened the door and looked back at her friend, “Come on, we’ll grab some lunch and go sit in the circle for a picnic.”

“Is anybody in there?” She couldn't even look; she remembered the scene from her last visit and just focused on being invisible.

“Just a couple. I don't recognize anybody.”

“Let's just go back to the room.”

“We'll be quick; just get our food and go.”

Eletta carefully looked into the Caf and saw someone jog up to the door. She stepped out of the way quickly and waited, but they didn't go by.

“Um, hey, um, I don't know if you remember me, but, um,… I remember what you like.” He held out a small paper bag.

Eletta looked up at the fox boy, wondering why he was noticing her.

“It's, um, peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwiches, Two of them, And a cookie. After what happened, I got some special honey; it's lavender; I kept it hidden, so we’d never be out when you came back. I felt kind of responsible, because if we had it, you wouldn't have been there when she came up.” He looked nervously at the rabbit holding the door. “Well, um…” He offered the bag again and the rabbit took it with a smile. “Oh, I also brought this,” he pulled a bottle of water from his apron pocket and gave it to the rabbit, as well. “I only grabbed one, but I can get another.”

“We'll be okay.” Janice smiled to the half-fox, then looked to Eletta.

“Well, um, I'm not trying to keep you out. You can come in and sit. I won't let anybody bother you, but, um, I've got to get back to work, so, um, you be, uh, careful, okay?” He backed up slowly, then went back to the counter, keeping an eye on the bear standing outside the door.

“That was nice of him. Do you want to sit inside?”

Eletta watched the fox behind the counter until she remembered him yelling. “Can we just go back to our room?”

Janice let the door close. “We have our picnic now; we could go to the circle.”

Eletta turned and started back the way they had come.

“So, it's not perfect or complete, but there is usually some connection for everybody. It just takes time to search through it all. And the more people that register, the more connections we can find.”

A message popped up on Jake's screen from Rosie [You have company]

“Uh, if you'll excuse me. You can look through the packet while I…”

The door opened before he could get up and a tall, slender fox stepped in smiling. “I'm not intruding, am I?”

Jake jumped up, “No, no. Not at all. Mr. Baker and Ms. Tashe, this is Crandall Griffin, my predecessor.”

“When you say it like that, it makes me sound old.” He offered his paw to the bulldog and human girl still sitting. “Would you give us a moment? We'll be right back with you.”

Jake smiled as he slipped out after the fox, then turned to him, “What's wrong?”

“Nothing. Nothing. I came down to see if I could help. Don't worry about dinner. I just wanted to sit down with you and talk about tomorrow's anniversary.”

Jake frowned to himself, the old fox didn't even know half the real story.

“I know you have your own connection, but I'm expecting we’ll have a lot of people calling or walking in to ask about their missing relatives and friends. Rosie says there are four appointments, which is already pretty busy, so I'll come in and help. And I'll help you with this. I'll take over here, so you can get what you need for your party. Just don't stay up too late tonight.” He smiled slyly and jabbed Jake's arm.

Rosie stepped closer, “I already have the ice and everything on your list.”

“Looks like you're all set to start the party early.”

“Well, I was going to get the ice at the Caf.”

“Don't worry, after some time in these freezers, it'll survive the trip.”

Jake wasn’t sure it worked that way, but it wasn't worth arguing.

“So, get me up to speed on these two and I'll take over.”

“Not much to it. They're not together. They met online and he convinced her to come in with him and register. I processed her DNA while I was talking with him about his and it's running through the system. He's a fourth generation, line started in France, but he was born here. Everything is in there.”

“Sounds pretty straightforward. Let's get you to your party.”

Rosie stepped up again, this time with the ice and other bags.

“I have more in the office.”

The fox led the way. “Due to a scheduling conflict, I'll be taking over for Mr Cohen, here. We’ll let him get his things, then we'll take a look at what we have for you so far.”

Jake grabbed his bags and headed out.

“I'll help you get to the bus.” Rosie carried the rest of the party things into the hall.

A quoll at the elevator noticed them and smiled, then it dinged and opened. She held it for them. “That looks like a nice party. Do you have something big planned for Missing Morphs Day? I can see how it would fit right in with the GMAL.”

“Evening, Wendy. Uh, no, this is for a friend's birthday back on campus.”

“You’re not planning to take that all on the bus, are you?” She pushed the 1.

“I don’t have any other choice.”

“Sure you do. I'll take you.”

“You don't have to do that.”

“Thinking about you hauling all that on a bus, I don't have any other choice,” she smiled playfully, “You just wait and I'll get my car.”

The doors opened and they followed her to the sidewalk, then waited as she hurried into the parking lot.

“Jake. I am happy for you.”

“Huh? For what?”

“For you and Janice. I hope she makes you happy.”

“Oh, uh, she does. She does.”

“That’s good.” Rosie stared at the condensation dripping down the bag of ice she was carrying. “You can talk to me if she doesn’t.”

The strange statement shook Jake out of his thoughts for a moment and he looked at the fox beside him, but a car pulled up before he could say anything.

Rosie loaded what she was carrying into the car and then Jake’s bags, as well. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled and headed back to the office.

“So, I haven't seen Janice in a while. Are you two still together?”

“Huh?” Jake was so wrapped up in trying to figure out what was going on in his head, he didn't remember getting in the car. “Oh, yeah. She's just been busy on campus.”

“That's good. You two seem to have everything worked out. I wish my life went as smoothly as yours.”

Jake chuckled, wishing his life had been easier. “I'm not very smooth.”

“Oh really? That cool confidence that has her wrapped around your finger. You could knock over your wedding cake and she’d still be all over you. You'd better be careful, though. I think your assistant might be interested, too.”

“Rosie? No, she's just doing her job. It's nothing like that.”

“Don't be so sure. Even I had some thoughts about you.”

He looked at the quoll driving and wondered what those thoughts were.

“Don't worry; I love Aido and I respect your relationship.”

That didn't help; his mind was imagining the small morph naked and smiling at him as she drove. He looked out at the road as they pulled into the campus.

“Here we are. Enjoy your party and say hi to Janice for me.”

He got out and gathered the bags from the bank seat, trying not to reveal the thoughts that were pulling up in his head about the quoll's thoughts about him or Rosie's or Christy's. All of their thoughts and his thoughts were making him feel guilty and wonder about Janice's thoughts and those thoughts mattered the most. He stood on the path as she drove away, trying to pull his thoughts together, until the cold of the ice demanded his attention and he hurried to Janice's dorm.