FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

OK...next chapter's up...bit shorter than others, but i'm trying to get them out sooner....or something like that, either way, i hope you enjoy it

Feel free to comment, or tell me if there's something i can do to improve upon the stroy, characters, details, etc....

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Lucas walked into the bathroom and grabbed a towel to wash himself off. After cleaning himself off he looked at himself in the mirror and smiled a bit. He put the towel away and walked to the door and stopped for a moment. He opened the door a bit and popped his head out to see if anyone was there, then ran quietly to his room. He shut the door and sighed, and grabbed a pair of boxers and put them on. He looked over and saw that Jake was asleep already; Jake sprawled out, the blanket covering almost none of his body. Lucas couldn't help but chuckled at the bear as he walked over , "Stupid...you act so cautious and then you sleep like that?" he said to the bear.

Lucas sat down on the bed and pushed the bear over, surprised that Jake didn't wake up from his actions. He made sure to cover the bear up and then got into the bed also.

Lucas stared into the darkness for a moment and could hear Jake shifting around in the bed. For a moment Lucas laid there and then looked over in the bear's direction. He moved over and put a paw out to the bear, and found that he touched the bear's stomach. Jake made an unintelligent sound in his sleep and moved closer to Lucas. Lucas couldn't help but smile and move closer to the bear also. He rubbed Jake's stomach and soon the two were touching again.

Jake opened his eyes from his sleep, and could see Lucas's eyes in the darkness in front of him. He didn't think Lucas could see him because he didn't open his eyes too much and his eyes were already dark. Jake smiled lightly and leaned forward and licked the wolf lightly on the muzzle. He felt Lucas's paw jump from surprise, and Jake looked in the wolf's direction, "Hey..."

Lucas was surprised that Jake was up. "Sorry...did I wake you?" Lucas asked and smiled at the bear's touch. Lucas began to rub the bear's stomach again, running his paw up to the bear's chest and down to Jake's waist.

"I don't mind..." Jake said and moved his paw to the wolf's shoulder. He began to run his paw down the wolf's back and eventually pulled Lucas to him. Now they could just barely see each other's faces. Jake leaned forward and kissed Lucas lightly. Instead of continuing though Jake turned around and moved back towards Lucas.

Lucas wrapped his arms around Jake and rubbed the bear's stomach with one paw and with the other petted the bear's head. Lucas moved up closer to Jake and rested his head above the bear's, and laid one leg on top of Jake. They lay still for a moment, Lucas continuing his actions. He could feel Jake continue to rub against him; Lucas mostly noticed that his sheath was rubbing against the bear's butt.

"This is different..." Lucas said with a small chuckle and lightly bit on one of Jake's ears.

Jake squirmed under the wolf at the bite, "What do you mean?"

"Well," Lucas said and felt himself blush and was glad Jake couldn't see, "you know...you're usually in my position..."

Jake chuckled a bit and nuzzled his head under the wolf's neck, "I don't mind it... I guess, normally, the 'big-guy' is in your position...What's wrong? Puppy afraid of being in different position?" Jake asked jokingly and felt Lucas take his paw off his stomach and pat it harshly. After that Lucas was a bit rougher when he petted the bear and Jake couldn't help but smile. He could feel the wolf's sheath on his butt and began to rub against it. Suddenly Lucas moved a paw down to the bear's own sheath and Jake let out a small gasp.

"Now, now, Big-Guy," Lucas said, playing on the last word, and gently squezzed on Jake's balls, making the bear squirm, "funny how things change. 'Puppy' seems to still have you right where he wants you..." Lucas said teasingly.

Jake could feel steering in his sheath and whimpered lowly, playing along with the wolf. He heard Lucas laugh above him and suddenly pull away, and this time Jake made another whimper-this time real though. He moved over to Lucas and wrapped his arms around the wolf, "I guess we shouldn't...should we?"

"We should get some sleep..." Lucas said with a laugh. He moved in the bear's arms, and soon they were back in their normal position-Jake holding Lucas, and Lucas nuzzling back into the bear. Lucas could feel his tail wagging a bit and a smile on his face.

Jake sighed and pulled Lucas closer, "Night Lucas, I love you," he said and kissed the wolf gently on the head. Unlike normally he felt Lucas's tail stop wagging suddenly. Jake yawned, and decided not to think about it, putting it away.

Lucas's smile disappeared at the bear's words, but he found himself pushing closer to the bear. Lucas knew that Jake meant the words, and that was why Lucas found himself growing sad. He didn't know if he was 'at that stage' yet. He knew that he liked Jake more than anyone else, but he didn't know what love for someone outside family was supposed to be like. Lucas felt Jake pull him closer and the bear's breathing becoming shallow. Soon Jake was asleep. Lucas listened to the bear's breathing and could feel his chest moving in and out as he slept. Normally Lucas would've slept but he couldn't-the thoughts taking place over sleep.

Lucas lied there thinking about what Jake had said. It was kind, and it was sincere but would they still be if the emotions weren't returned. Lucas shuddered for a bit and felt Jake instinctively pull on him, and Lucas realized that it was a stupid question. Jake wasn't the type to expect something in return if he gave something. Lucas sighed and closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away.

Jake woke up early the next morning; groaning and moving onto his side in the bed. He looked over and saw that Lucas was still asleep, and to the wolf's back he could see a digital clock. It was only five, but Jake decided to go ahead and start the day; standing up he stretched and quickly recovered his discarded clothes then walked to the door. After he left he instantly smelt coffee throughout the house and walked into the kitchen to find that Lucas's father was already up.

The wolf sat there drinking a cup of coffee and reading a paper, it all looked like something you expected to see in a TV show. He looked up at Jake and smiled, "You're an early riser," he said then nodded to the coffee pot, "Help yourself."

Jake looked over at the coffee, "No thank you, I'm not much for coffee..." he replied and shook his paws in the air.

Lucas's father laughed, "Well, you need to get something in you; get yourself some breakfast," he said and stood up. He walked around the kitchen and wandered around, "What would you like?"

"I guess I'll have some water and toast..." Jake replied.

"That's bland," Lucas's father replied but didn't say anything further.

He fixed the toast and offered Jake some jam, which he accepted with a glass of water. They sat at the table and Jake quickly finished off the bread. He looked up to see Lucas's father staring at him; almost like he was studying the bear. "Something up Mr. Vadik-" he began but stopped himself when the wolf coughed and fixed it, "Phil?"

"Much better...I can't stand 'Mr.' anything," he began with a laugh. "And I guess I'm just thinking about what you said lastnight...but I guess I should be thanking you."

Jake looked away, "No, you don't need to; it's nothing, and I should apologize...I basically eavesdropped and then overstepped my lines as a guest..."

"Yeah but you did it for my son, and that means more than anything else," he replied and patted Jake on the back. "I'm sure Lucas told you, but we want to talk more about this whole situation..."

Jake nodded firmly, "Yeah,"

"One quick question and then I need to get to work," he said and grabbed a case and began to walk off, "Why?"

Jake shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of water then looked back Lucas's father, "Why not? I mean, it's not really complicated..." he said and let it drift off.

Lucas's father was at the door now, but he didn't respond. Jake thought he saw a small smirk or something on the wolf's face, but the door was shut and soon Jake heard a car start. He thought about what Lucas's father meant and sat at the table for a bit, enjoying the quiet of the morning, at least for a moment. Within a few minutes Mrs. Vadikson came in and began to fix some breakfast then Ana came into the kitchen rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. When she saw Jake she gave a small shriek, not noticing him before, but she quickly changed back to a sleepy state.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Mrs. Vadikson asked from the stove.

"No, I've already eaten...in fact I was about to head out," Jake said as he finished off the glass of water.

"Oh...OK, well I'll wake up Lucas so that he can help," she replied as she set down a plate in front of Ana.

"Nah, no need. I'm just digging a hole..." Jake said and opened the door. He walked out and felt the cool morning air meet his body. It was almost six thirty and Jake realized how long he had just sat there. He stepped onto the lawn and grabbed the shovel from the day before then jumped into the hole. He wanted to get a lot out of the way by noon.

After about forty-five minutes Mrs. Vadikson and Ana walked outside. Ana had on a book bag and was now much livelier. She looked over at Jake and smiled, "Wow you're already working...it's so early."

Jake gave grunt and threw out more dirt, "It's nothing...you heading to school I guess?"

"Yeah..." she replied with a pout and her mother shooed her into the car.

Mrs. Vadikson looked at Jake from the window of the car, "Be careful, and make sure to keep hydrated," she said in a motherly tone and left.

After that it was quiet besides the occasional car. Jake kept to his work and his thoughts eventually drifted back to the night before. He continued to dig, and wonder if Lucas was Ok. He chuckled at the thoughts, thinking he knew what Lucas thought. Jake dug for the next hour and around eight he heard the door behind him open. He didn't turn around, but kept to his work, hearing Lucas jump down the porch.

"How long have you been working?" he asked from behind the bear, a shadow casting into the hole. Lucas had a smile on his face.

"About an hour or so..." Jake replied and put down the shovel. He leaned down and grabbed at a rock and picked it up. He hoisted it onto his shoulder then turned around to throw it. The rock was ragged and large, and was easily sixty pounds. With a small roar Jake threw it out of the hole and onto the pile then leaned down to rest. He heard Lucas jump down and the wolf sit down.

"That looked tough...You OK?" he asked.

Jake looked up at the wolf, "Yeah, ...just a bit winded...how bout you?"

"Why me?" Lucas asked with a chuckle, "I haven't even started working yet..." He stared at the bear for a moment. Jake was already covered with dirt and sweat. Lucas looked around and was surprised how much the bear had done. He had already cleared almost another two feet of dirt in such a large area.

Jake looked at the wolf, waiting to see if he would continue. When he didn't Jake spoke, "Oh well, so, what are you going to do today?" he asked, his tone now normal.

"Ehh...I want to finish the pump and get the tubes ready for lying out..." he said as he stared around the lawn.

Jake stood back up and extended a paw to the wolf, helping him up, "OK...well, I want to get this hole done by the end of the day..." he said calmly as he grabbed his shovel.

"What?!? That's crazy...I mean..." Lucas said and stared at Jake who just had a blank face. He realized that Jake was serious, but it was a huge task. He still needed to go another five or six feet, and the earth would only get harder. Lucas patted Jake on the back and smiled, "Good luck Big-Guy," he said and tried to get out of the hole. It was harder than it seemed. Suddenly he felt a paw on his thigh and another on his butt, and then rising.

"Up ya' go!" Jake said and threw the wolf out of the hole. Lucas turned around and stuck his tongue out at the bear, and Jake smiled in return. He turned around and started back at his original task. After all, he had all day...

Lucas went to the garage and looked over the pump, it was almost done. All he needed to do was make sure the valves were good, the rings were secure, and that the motor was actually working. He stared at it for a moment then sighed and looked around the room, it was bland; it looked like a long day.

The work on the pump was slow, Lucas running it over twice, not wanting to miss anything on it. He could've gone faster, but his mind kept running back to Jake. After a second time running through the pump he sat up and let out a sigh. All that was left would be to move it, but that would wait for a bit. He moved over to the blueprints his dad had lain out and began measurements. He started measuring the tubes then running outside and measuring the ground. He noticed that Jake was making good progress too.

As the morning passed, no real problems occurred and at around one Lucas stopped and looked over the work. He had finished the measurements and would just need to wait for his father to get back so he could say if it was ready. He smiled at his work and turned around and walked out of the garage. "Wow..." Lucas said as he walked up to the edge of the hole, "You're making great progress...."

Jake stopped and threw his shovel into the ground and turned around. He leaned down and grabbed another rock and threw it out with ease. His entire shirt was soaked from sweat and Jake had dirt everywhere on him. His shirt had a muddy appearance to it between the sweat and dirt, and his pants were dusty. Jake looked up at Lucas and frowned when Lucas started to chuckle. "What?" he asked, but was sure he already knew.

"Nothing...just your face. You're a mess," Lucas replied. He jumped down into the hole and landed with a grunt, dropping to a knee to help from too much shock running through him. After he stood up he realized that the hole was up to his ears. Lucas smiled and looked around him; the entire place was nice, and even a bit cool on the legs.

Jake wiped his face with his shirt, but it had little effect. His face was covered with dirt also and it streaked his body. It wasn't bad until he got to the red dirt and then it was noticeable to his brown fur. He could feel it matting his fur, but it wasn't a big distraction. Whenever he wiped his hands or face all that he did was smear more dirt around on himself. He sat down and caught his breath, and Lucas sat next to him. "At least when you sit down it's cool..." Jake said with a sigh.

Lucas nodded his head, and sat down with one leg extended out and the other bent. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool air, resting his head on his knee. He looked over at Jake who had his head leaned against the dirt wall, "You hungry?"

"I just want to take a break..." Jake said with a grin, "but I guess I'm a little hungry..." He leaned back and felt his stomach growl, and then a paw on his stomach.

"A bit more than a little it sounds like..." Lucas replied with a grin and rubbed the bear's stomach.

Jake smiled at the wolf and stood up, "Well, let's get a move on," he said and extended a paw out to the wolf.

Lucas took the paw and felt the bear pull him up quickly and into a hug and kiss, but he didn't have time to register most of it. By the time he realized what Jake was doing Jake had already broken the kiss. Lucas smiled and looked at the bear who still had him in his arms. Lucas pushed on the bear, who let him go, "Gezz, now I'm dirty too..." he said with a smile and wiped his shirt off, where the dirt from Jake's hug had imprinted on him.

Jake smiled at the wolf, "In that case," he said and pulled the wolf into another hug, "I guess you shouldn't mind anymore...How's the work going?" he asked and smiled as the wolf fought to get out of his arms.

Lucas quit after realizing that he couldn't escape and looked back up at Jake, "I think I'm done. I've got my measurements done and all I'm waiting on is some slow poke bear," Lucas replied and felt Jake pull him closer. He felt the bear's sweat making his own shirt damp and the bear's breath hitting his face. The musk from the Jake was running through his brain and Lucas could feel his sheath stir. He leaned closer to Jake and wrapped his arms around the bear, and leaned his head closer to Jake so that their lips were now touching.

The kiss began slowly and Jake slowly lay down in the hole, felling the wolf's paws run over his body. He was sure to put Lucas on top so that he didn't get any dirtier, but was sure it didn't matter because his paws trailed the wolf's back.

Lucas broke the kiss and smiled at Jake, "Take off from last night?" he asked with a smile and ran a hand under the bear's shirt-the sweat making his own paw damp.

Jake smiled and pulled Lucas into a deep kiss. He felt Lucas rub against him and he returned the action. He let out a moan as he ran his tongue into the wolf's mouth and felt the wolf's paws move to his pants. Jake felt the wolf quickly undo his zipper, and Jake let the moment take over and their bodies enjoy it.

After a while Lucas emerged from the hole, and helped Jake out. Lucas smiled back at Jake who licked his lips playfully. Jake looked around the neighborhood, looking for anyone, nervous about what they had done. Lucas was laughing at how nervous Jake was when he heard the bear speak, "You might want to zip your pants..." Jake said with a sly smile.

Lucas looked down and quickly fixed the problem, "Thanks...OK, how about some lunch now?" Lucas asked with a smile.

"Sure...sounds good," Jake said and they walked through the garage. Jake noticed that his paw prints covered the wolf's back and he quickly moved up behind the wolf and rubbed the prints away, but only by making the shirt covered in dirt.

Lucas turned around and frowned, "Why did you do that?"

"...My prints were all over your shirt..." Jake said and shrugged his shoulders at the wolf.

Lucas took his shoes off and walked into the house, followed by Jake and went to the fridge. He immediately got out some water for the two of them, and then they looked around for some food. They decided to make a pizza and waited on it to cook, and sat at the table while waiting. "Sorry...my mom would kill us if we sat anywhere else." Lucas said with a smile.

"Not a problem..." Jake said and sighed, enjoying the cool air.

They both sat in silence for a moment, but the phone rang and Lucas went to go get it. It was just a telemarketer and he hung up. When Lucas came back he didn't sit down, but went over to Jake and wrapped his arms around the bear's chest and put his head on the bear's head.

"Hey, Jake..." Lucas said and waited for the bear to give a response, "...Thanks for everything again..." he said and nuzzled the bear.

Jake sighed at the wolf's touch and looked up at him, "Well, it's not exactly how I planned it...I mean I asked you in before all this, and this doesn't change anything...right?" Jake asked, concerned.

"No, it doesn't..." Lucas replied with a smile.

"OK...Lucas?" Jake asked again, trying to get his thoughts straight.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think it's ok...My saying..." Jake stopped and hesitated, searching for the words, "My saying what I said to your parents?"

"I don't think they enjoyed you speaking out like that, but I know they appreciate the motive and all that..." Lucas replied.

"Well, you know that my motive is different from what they believe is my motive..." Jake said, then looked up at the wolf, "Mine is a bit more personal. I did that because...I love you Lucas," Jake said and kissed the underside of Lucas's muzzle.

Lucas didn't respond and pulled Jake closer, but it wasn't like it usually was; there wasn't doubt, but there wasn't confidence. Lucas held onto Jake before he realized that it was weird at the moment. He loosened his grip and placed his head back onto the bear's.

"Everything OK?" Jake asked.

Lucas tensed up, "Yeah, fine," Lucas replied quickly.

Jake moved a paw to where the wolf's rested on his chest and removed them and gestured for Lucas to sit down. When he sat down, Jake looked at the wolf sternly, "I mean what I said you know..." he told Lucas-looking in his eyes.

"Yeah...I know you do..." Lucas replied and felt worse, avoiding the bear's eyes after that. The problem wasn't with Jake; the problem was the other way around. Lucas knew that he liked the bear; he liked Jake more than he had ever liked anyone else in a relationship, but love? He first realized it when Jake first said it and he hadn't said it back, and slowly it was building up doubts in him.

"Lucas?" Jake asked and moved his head so that he could see Lucas's.

"What?" Lucas replied, almost in a demanding tone. He quickly fixed it, realizing that Jake wasn't waiting for a response that he thought the bear wanted. Every time Jake said that, Lucas felt like he was disappointing the bear. "Sorry...I'm fine..." Lucas said.

"I'm not waiting for a response...if that's what you're thinking..." Jake said with a chuckle.

"What?" Lucas asked, wanting to rehear the bear.

"A response...I don't need one." Jake said flatly then continued, "I can only guess that's what you're thinking about...Don't let it bother you."

"I'm sorry..." Lucas replied and looked away again.

Jake frowned at the wolf's attitude and jumped up, "Come-on, come-on...this isn't like you Lucas..." Jake said, encouragingly and hoped the wolf would smile. He was glad when a smile quickly crossed the wolf's lips, but it disappeared just a quickly.

"I know...I just feel bad," Lucas said and looked up at Jake, whose head was tilted to the side with a confused look, "I mean, when you said that you loved me...it felt genuine...nice...warm..." Lucas said and smiled at the bear.

Jake smiled back, but didn't say anything; waiting for Lucas to continue.

"But...I can't say it..." Lucas said and looked back at the bear's face. He saw a frown cover the bear's face, and Jake trying to hide it. Lucas hated what he was saying, but he didn't want to mislead Jake.

"Lucas..." Jake said and let the words trail off.

"No, it's not that...I mean I like you Jake, tons..." Lucas said, but knew that Jake wasn't getting what he meant.

"Is there room?...I mean, do you think you could?" Jake asked, giving a weak smile to the wolf.

Lucas frowned at the bear, sad to see what he was causing. He knew that he had to respond, but he didn't know how to. Lucas felt his head beating and shut his eyes and let out a groan. Before he could respond he heard a chair move and felt Jake over him.

"Sorry..." Jake said with the same smile. "I shouldn't be asking you these questions... Lucas, I can't say I've gone through what you're going through...but I'm there for you, like you're there for me..." Jake said and waited for a moment, "But if you need me to get away I can..."

Lucas looked up at Jake, "What do you mean?"

"Sorry...bad wording maybe...I can give you space," Jake said with a weak chuckle.

"Jake...just because I don't say it now doesn't mean that I won't say it later. I-" Lucas said but Jake cut him off.

"I know what you mean Lucas...I'm not looking for you to return the same feelings I have for you. I'm not in control of my emotions that I have...sounds weird..." Jake said with a small laugh.

Lucas sighed, reassured and looked back up at Jake. He knew Jake meant what he had said and it did bring some comfort. "Jake...thanks...I wish I could say it...I really do, but I don't know. I mean, I love my family, but it's not that type of love is it? Because I don't like you in that sort of way..." Lucas said and looked up at the bear.

Jake chuckled lightly and shook his head, "No, it's not like that...It's..." he began but didn't finish.

"I mean...I feel like you and I are close...closer than family, like you and I share some sort of bond, but I don't know how to interpret it...I guess..." Lucas said, just letting the words come out.

Jake's face wasn't sad, or happy. Lucas looked up and felt reassured though, the bear's face was understanding. Jake didn't push Lucas further, and stood there for moment. Jake knew how Lucas felt, because he had gone through something similar, and guessed he would feel the same if he hadn't said the words first.

"If I can ask...how do you know?" Lucas asked. His depression was gone and he felt a bit happier around the bear. It was weird; to talk about these things, but Lucas was always happy after he did. He knew that Jake really didn't want him to say it yet, and was happy to wait.

Jake's face changed at this and he smiled a bit, "I just know," he said happily and then tried to explain further, "I love you because I know that I do..."

Lucas frowned and chuckled, "That's circular logic, and you know it..." he said and pushed his head into the bear's stomach.

"You'll see it one day..." Jake said and ran his paw through the wolf's head then continued, "It is something that develops in you and someone else...Lucas you're the first person to make me feel this way..." Jake finished and when Lucas looked up the bear had his big grin on his face.

Lucas couldn't help but to smile also and buried his head into the bear's stomach also. "Thanks..." he said and hugged Jake's waist.

Jake didn't respond, and put his rested his paws on the wolf's head. After a moment the mood returned to how it had been before. They sat around and talked, joked, and enjoyed the company. Soon Lucas heard the oven ding and he ran over and looked inside, "Yes! It's done," he said happily and ran over to get a stone sheet.

Once the pizza was out, Lucas quickly cut it and they grabbed the slices and sat back down to eat. Jake blew on the pizza to cool it off, and heard Lucas quickly spit the piece out and grab a glass of water. Jake looked up and laughed at the wolf, "You didn't just bite into it did you?"

Lucas glared over at Jake, "Shut-up..." he said and stuck his tongue into the glass and let the water run over it.

Jake just chuckled at the wolf and then returned to the pizza. The meal passed quickly and after they ate they cleaned up the kitchen. Jake looked over at the clock and was surprised to see the time, "Wow...it's almost three...we need to get back to work..." he said and sped up his pace.

"I guess we spent longer in that hole than I thought..." Lucas said with a grin.

Jake smiled back and continued his work. After the kitchen was clean they went back outside, and Jake grimaced at the heat. He looked over at Lucas, "What are you going to do...You said the pump was complete?"

Lucas looked back at the pump and smiled, "Yeah...just need my dad to check it...Do you need some help?" Lucas asked and grinned.

"Only if we dig..." Jake said and poked Lucas on the head.

"Aww...that's no fun, but OK...I guess I'll help," Lucas replied with a grin and poked Jake on the stomach in return.

Jake smiled at the wolf and walked to the hole. He jumped in and only his head could be seen. Lucas grabbed a shovel and followed after the bear. After about twenty minutes Lucas took his shirt off, and tried to convince Jake to do the same, "No way...if I do that then you wouldn't be able to focus!" Jake said in a joking tone.

"Don't flatter yourself," Lucas said mockingly, "But don't overdo it..."

"Yeah, yeah...don't worry...we're almost in the shade from the hole and it's a bit cool down here actually," Jake replied and threw a pile of dirt out. He continued to dig and then heard a car pull up, and a loud voice.

"Ohhh, ya'll are fast!!" Ana said as she stood on the edge of the hole.

Jake watched carefully as the child walked along the edge, making sure she was close by. She was too carefree, and Jake was happy he was cautious because the edge finally gave way and the young wolf began to fall. Jake made sure to catch her and put her down safely, "You need to be careful..." he said as he gently set her down.

Lucas ran up behind Jake, "Thanks for the save," he said to Jake then looked at Ana more sternly, "You shouldn't be walking along the edge. What would've happened if Jake didn't catch you?"

The young wolf looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry...I was just having fun..."

Lucas sighed and wiped his head, "I'm no good at this scolding thing..." he said and leaned down to be at eye level with his sister, "Just please be careful," he said and patted the young wolf on the head.

At this Ana had a wide grin on her muzzle and hugged her brother around the neck, "Thank you!"

Lucas laughed lightly, "Don't thank me yet...You still have to deal with Mom..." he said as he picked the wolf up and pushed her up, out of the hole. He set her up and in front of his mother, "Here's the little devil," he said jokingly.

Mrs. Vadikson had a frown on her face, and Ana's mood quickly faded and she made a hasty apology. The scene quickly faded and Lucas's mother sent her inside to finish her school work. She too walked along the edge, more cautiously though, observing the work. "Ya'll are doing very well," she commented.

"Thanks...it'll be done by six," Jake said optimistically as he slammed the pick end of his mattock into a large rock. He grimaced as he heard the sound of metal bending and looked up at Mrs. Vadikson, "Umm...Sorry I think I just broke your mattock..." he said as he held up the now bent pick.

Mrs. Vadikson didn't look angry, in fact she was grinning slyly, "Oh, no...now I'll have to replace the old one with a new one..."

Jake had a confused look when Lucas came up behind him and whispered, "My mom is probably happy you did that...our tools are old as dust, but my dad doesn't like to buy new ones until they break...Needless to say; my mother enjoys breaking them."

"Ohh..." Jake said and then redirected his attention to what had destroyed his tool. The rock didn't look big at all, but after uncovering it, it was actually the biggest one they had seen. Jake looked over at Lucas with a frown, "What's with this land. I mean one or two big rocks, sure, but this many...I mean come-on?" he complained.

Lucas smiled at the bear, "I think this used to be an old place for dumping rocks, from mining...of course I have no proof of that...I guess the deeper into the crust you go the worse it gets..."

Jake bent down to pick up the rock and found that he could barely pick up one end, let alone the whole rock. He sighed and let it down and looked at Lucas, "I don't know how to handle this one..." he said and kicked it.

Lucas looked at the rock, "Well, maybe we should break it..."

Jake looked over at the wolf, "Yeah...cause it worked well the last time..." he said mockingly as he held up the broken mattock.

"I mean to find out its weak spot...you know a crack or something then to smash it..." Lucas replied and stuck his tongue out at the bear.

"I knew that..." Jake said and turned his back to the wolf, who began to laugh.

After that they began to knock off the clots of dirt from the rock looking for a weak point, and finally found one. It was a clear crack along the middle thankfully. Lucas ran to the garage and looked for something to break it with. He returned with a small hammer, "Think this would work?" he asked with obvious doubt and held it by the head.

Jake was stomping on the rock's crack trying to break it when he heard the wolf and looked up. "Yeah...I think I have a better chance with my foot..." he replied mockingly and then stomped on the rock again.

Lucas laughed and jumped back into the hole. He motioned Jake back and began to pound on the rock. After hitting it for almost three minutes Lucas yelled at the rock, "Break already!!"

Jake was behind him laughing at the wolf's efforts. "Hang on...I have an idea,"

Lucas watched as Jake climbed out of the hole. He ran over to the large rock pile then looked back at Lucas and gestured for him to move. Lucas moved back a step and Jake chuckled, "Umm...how bout you just get out of the hole?"

Lucas climbed out and walked over to the bear, "What are you doing?"

Jake picked up the hardest rock he could find and walked to the edge closest to the rock, "Fire against fire...I hope..." he grunted as he walked. He moved to the edge of the hole and then slammed the rock against the other rock-throwing it with all his might, but sadly it didn't work. The only thing that happened was the thrown rock busted into more pieces.

"This is troublesome..." Lucas replied with a sigh.

The two sat down and stared at the rock, thinking of ways to break it.

Lucas looked over at Jake, "Hey, what if we...," he began then stopped, "no, wait...that would be worse..."

"Maybe we could...," Jake said also then stopped, "Hang on...That is illegal, and only made in labs..." he said and moved on to his next thought.

They sat together thinking of ways to break it. They bounced ideas off of each other and after half an hour Lucas's father came home. He walked up behind them, "Taking a break?"

They both jumped at the voice and Lucas turned around, "No...this rock," he said and growled while pointing at it, "It's like a diamond..."

Mr. Vadikson jumped down and kicked the rock as Jake had done. He walked around it for a moment, his finger on his lips. After a minute he quickly got out of the hole and moved to the garage.

Jake was surprised how clean the wolf kept himself. He also finally noticed about his stature. Mr. Vadikson was taller than Jake, which was strange. Jake was usually one of the tallest people in a group. He watched as the wolf moved and noticed that Lucas's father was built also. Jake was surprised when he compared himself to the wolf; Mr. Vadikson was taller, stronger looking, and bigger overall. He was wider, but not in a fat way, taller, and it was obvious that he had muscle. Jake watched the wolf carefully as he came back out with a large hammer.

Mr. Vadikson had rolled up his sleeves and jumped back into the hole. He raised the hammer above his head in both paws and then slammed it back down onto the rock, and it broke, but it broke into five separate parts. He then put the hammer on his shoulder and looked up at the two gaping at him.

"Lucas...you never told me your dad was a monster..." Jake said in a daze as the older wolf climbed out of the hole.

"Yep..." Lucas replied simply then looked at his father, "We could've done it eventually..." he told his father, but was obviously lying.

Mr. Vadikson just laughed at them, "I'm not that old yet," he replied and flexed one of his arms.

Jake stared at the wolf, admiring his strength. Mr. Vadikson was one of the few people Jake would classify as 'buff.' He looked back down at the rock, and then at the wolf, "Thanks...that was a pain,"

Mr. Vadikson grinned, and walked over and patted the two on the shoulder, "Just remember, I can still whip you pups..." he said playfully.

Jake and Lucas gave a weak laugh as the older wolf walked by them. Lucas looked over at the bear and smiled, "Well, then...let's move the rock now,"

Jake laughed and jumped into the hole with the wolf. They were able to each pick up the pieces and Jake looked over at the wolf, "Man...now I feel bad that we couldn't do it...it seems easy now,"

Lucas was about to respond when his father cut in, "Do ya'll need help with anything else?" he asked from the doorstep.

Lucas looked up at his father and jumped out of the hole, "Yeah, actually...can you come look at the pump?"

They walked into the garage and Mr. Vadikson looked over the pump. After a few minutes he nodded his head and patted Lucas on the shoulder, "Good job."

Lucas could feel a smile beaming and nodded his head, "Thanks. So what else is there?"

"Well we need to start with the lining and actually putting the tubs into the ground next...that shouldn't take, but one day," his father said and paused for a moment. He was thinking then looked back at his son, "Maybe, by Friday?"

Lucas chuckled and looked outside, "We can get it tomorrow then..." he said and looked back at his father who was confused, "Jake is determined to finish the hole by today..." he said, trying to explain it to his father.

"He doesn't have to push himself...do I need to tell him that?" Mr. Vadikson asked, still confused.

Lucas laughed a bit harder now, "No, he knows...He just set a goal and he is going to complete it." Lucas said then looked back towards the hole, "I should go help..."

With that he ran off and jumped back into the hole. Jake was breaking the ground up, and looked back at Lucas when he heard him, "OK...I think I can still finish by six...don't you?" he asked.

Lucas chuckled a bit and took out a pile of dirt," Not if you keep talking..." he replied and stuck his tongue out at the bear.

Jake smiled at the wolf and nodded. They began to work quickly, trying to make up for their lost time.