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Chapter 10: Return

Aside from stopping for lunch at a fast food joint and to use the restroom, Jason, Ellie,

Pete, and Flora spent the entire day driving, or rather, Flora spent the entire day driving while

the rest of them rode in the car. Jason found the vixen to be a very cautious driver, which

pleased him greatly. Ellie was not at all pleased, and her frustration with their pace was only

exacerbated by her annoyance with the booster seat. She grumbled every time she had to climb

back into it, and Jason began to wish the fox would relent. She didn't however, and instead

seemed to find the whole thing highly amusing. Pete was clearly bothered by Ellie's discomfort

as well, and once, Jason even thought he would protest. However, as the black and white rabbit

opened his mouth, his wife turned to him with a toothy smile that seemed to melt his concerns.

She reached over and petted his head, and that was the end of it. Jason had to admit the vixen

had a charming personality, and it was probably safer. So maybe Ellie was the unreasonable

one, not that Jason dared to suggest so.

The sun had fully set and what stars shone through the Maplesburg lights were twinkling

overhead by the time Flora pulled up outside of Jason's house. The first thing Jason noticed

was the absence of his car, and his heart sank into his belly.

"Flora, could you wait here a minute?" Jason asked worriedly.

"Sure thing," she chirped cheerily.

Jason climbed out of the SUV, and Ellie followed grumpily behind him. Jason had lost

his keys, which had been in Ellie's car when they had been taken prisoner, but there was a

spare hidden under the patio out back. Jason hurried around the house to get it, but it wasn't

there. His heart sank again. He trudged back to try the door, knowing it would be locked. It was.

Finally, he trudged around front to peer through the bay window: he couldn't see much, but from

what he could see it didn't look like things had been moved. At least no one else is living here.

Yet.

Ellie had been watching him curiously from the driveway the whole time, and as he

tromped back over to the side, she spoke, "Locked?"

Jason nodded, "And the spare is gone. We can call a locksmith, but who knows how

long it will take to get them to open it when I'm supposed to be dead."

"What do we do then?"

Jason looked back to the SUV. At least he didn't think Flora and Pete would mind doing

them another favor. He tromped back over and stopped beside Pete's window. The window

rolled down, and Flora called out.

"Is something wrong?"

"We're locked out," Jason admitted. "Would-"

"You can stay with us of course," Flora cut him off. "What are friends for?"

Jason gratefully climbed back into the car. Even Ellie seemed less annoyed as she

climbed into the booster seat.

"Thanks, Flora. It will only take a day or two to sort things out," Ellie stated.

"It's no problem," the vixen responded jovially. "I'll enjoy having you 'under my paw' a

little longer."

Jason wasn't sure whether that was entirely a joke or not. Ellie rolled her eyes.

It was a bit of a drive across the city to Pete and Flora's abode. The vixen parked the

car on the street in front and turned to grin at her guests, "Here we are. Come in and make

yourselves comfortable." She led the way to the two-story house and unlocked the door, holding

it as the rest of them filed inside.

Once they were in, Flora led them down the short wood-floored hall and stopped next to

a room on the left. The living room, as it turned out to be, was strewn with bedding and dirty

plates and utensils.

"We had to leave in a bit of a hurry," Flora explained. "Pete will help you clean up in

here, and I'll fix us something to eat. Then we'll get you set up for the night."

Flora continued down the hall, to what Jason assumed was the kitchen, and Pete led

them into the living room. He glanced nervously at Jason, and Jason blinked placidly back at

him. The rabbit had become less nervous of him over the course of the day, but now his wife

wasn't here to comfort him. Jason didn't really know what else he could do to make the skittish

rabbit more comfortable.

"I'll, uh, get the dishes if you two want to pick up the bedding. The washer is in the

basement out and to the right. I'll show you if you can't find it. If you can start the first load, pick

the blankets you want."

Jason and Ellie nodded, and the three of them went about their respective tasks. Ellie

and Jason found the stairs to the basement underneath the stairs to the upper floor and carried

their bundles down. After they had gotten the laundry started, they returned to the ground floor

and proceeded to the kitchen.

The kitchen area was on the right of the wood-floored room, and a dining table with six

chairs was on the left. The walls were painted light pink, and a dark brown, five-bladed ceiling

fan with a hexagonal glass fixture surrounding three bulbs hung over the right end of the dark

walnut table. Three windows lined the back wall and looked out into the backyard where a white

wooden shed was adjacent to a towering beech tree. The security light from the neighbors on

the other side of the painted wooden fence cast everything beyond the cheerfully painted

window panes in an unnerving golden yellow glow. Flora was at the stove stirring the contents

of a stainless steel skillet. Pete was on her left side, keeping an eye on a pan, and the vixen's

bushy gray and black tail was wrapped around behind the mostly black rabbit.

"Do you want us to help with anything?" Jason meowed.

Flora turned her head to glance at them, "No we have things handled. Have a seat if you

want. Dinner will be ready before long." She turned back to the stove.

"Let's wait in the other room," Ellie murmured.

Jason glanced down at her and realized she was covering her nose with one hand. Only

then did Jason consciously note the smell of frying meat, and he looked back to Pete: Pete

didn't appear to be having any issue. Did he never, or did he get over it? Jason didn't want to

embarrass Ellie, so he didn't comment on the other rabbit's tolerance. They returned to the

living room and sat together on the pale green sofa.

"At least we didn't have to stay at a hotel," Ellie remarked.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry about your car and house. I'm sure we'll get things straightened out," Ellie

consoled.

"It's not your fault. My parents must have taken possession after I was declared dead.

We should have let them know we were coming back."

"It'll be nice to meet them tomorrow then if that's where we need to go. We could spend

tonight with them instead if you want."

"Here is fine. You don't think Flora minds, do you?"

Ellie shook her head wryly, "I think she likes the idea I'm going to owe her after this.

Don't you want to see your parents though?"

Jason looked down at his feet, "I do, but I still haven't told them about, you know, us. I

don't know how they're going to take it."

Ellie stroked his back, "However they take it, it'll be okay. If your parents are the most

dangerous thing we have to face over the next few days, I'll count myself lucky."

Ellie spoke it as a joke, but Jason knew she understood as well as he did the risk they

were taking in returning to the Duchess' domain. He wrapped his arm around her back and

squeezed her close. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and they sat, silently reassuring

the other, until Flora popped her pointy snout through the doorway.

"Dinner's ready! Come on before it gets cold!"

Ellie and Jason followed her to the dining table. On the table in stainless steel cookware,

were pan seared mutton filets, steamed cabbage, peas and carrots, and mashed potatoes.

Flora took some of each dish while Pete and Elllie took the vegetables. Jason took mutton,

potatoes, and a few peas.

After dinner, they all returned to the living room. Jason and Ellie returned to the pale

green sofa, and Flora and Pete took the matching loveseat.

"So what do you and Pete do for fun?" Ellie asked conversationally.

Flora eyed Pete slyly, "Oh, this and that."

Pete squirmed beside her, and Jason felt embarrassed as well. He didn't want the

conversation to turn in that direction.

Ellie rolled her eyes, "I mean do you like to play cards or-"

"We like board games," Flora finished. "Risk is one of our favorites. It's less fun with only

two people though."

"We could play if you want," Ellie offered.

"It can take several hours," Flora informed her. "Maybe some other time."

"We could play euchre," Ellie suggested. "That's quick."

Pete didn't verbally object, but he leaned close to Flora and nuzzled her side under the

arm.

"I think Pete is anxious to get to bed," Flora commented. "We were with my parents a

few days, and we were busy helping prey before that. There's a guest bathroom in the

basement if you want to shower."

Ellie blinked, "Uh, okay, goodnight then," she replied awkwardly.

Flora hopped up from the loveseat and trotted toward the stairs. Pete followed her

closely, hopping along just behind her bushy tail, which bounced beneath the knee-length wavy

black skirt the vixen wore. Flora glanced back mischievously then darted away. Pete raced after

her, but then Flora bounded to the side. Seeming to bounce off of the wall then the bottom stair,

the fox made a neat about turn and sprang on the rabbit, who squawked as she pounced on top

of him. Flora leapt up with Pete across her arms, grinned at Ellie and Jason, and turned to

continue up the stairs with her prey. Jason heard the door to their bedroom close. He glanced at

Ellie.

"Don't get any ideas about pouncing on me," she warned.

Jason smiled amusedly, "How about booster seats? If we only have my car, maybe we

should get you one."

Ellie narrowed her eyes dangerously, "Only if you want to end up riding in the trunk of

mine."

Jason chuckled.

"It seems to me it's been quite a while since you've had a proper bath," Ellie declared

irritatedly.

Jason's amusement fell away, and he shifted uncomfortably on the couch.

Ellie grinned triumphantly. She snatched his tail and hopped off of the couch, giving him

a tug. "Come on. It's time to get the kitty nice and sparkling clean!"

Jason followed reluctantly as Ellie led him down the stairs. The bathroom contained a

tub with a shower head fixed to the left end and a green curtain.

"We could take a bath," Ellie teased. "Don't you want to soak together for an hour or so?

Snuggle up in the warm water with your bunny?"

"I'd rather take the shower," Jason muttered.

Ellie cocked her head thoughtfully, one long, white ear bending over to the side, "Hmm,

you did let Flora make me sit in that seat, for hours even. I think one hour in the tub is at least

what you owe me after that."

Jason looked into the cold, white basin and back to the unremitting rabbit; she grinned at

him wickedly. "Do I have to?" he whined. "Please, Ellie, I'll do something else to make it up."

Ellie shook her head decisively, "No, I want you in the tub with me. Take off your clothes

while I fill it up."

Ellie turned on the water and adjusted it to the temperature she wanted. The roaring

torrent emitted swirling steam as it poured into the tub, filling the cold basin with piping hot

liquid, Jason's chamber of torture. He glanced toward the door, but Ellie kept a tight hold on his

tail. Miserably, Jason removed his collar, tie, and cell phone holster and hung them on the light

blue towel rack on the opposite wall. Ellie watched whilst the tub filled then tugged Jason toward

it by his tail.

"In you go. I'll join you in a second."

Reluctantly, Jason stepped into the steaming water; he slowly lowered himself down into

the hungry pool. The water lapped at his fur, clinging to his skin. The sweltering heat penetrated

to his bones. Being a cat, the latter, at least, didn't bother him. Ellie quickly pulled off her t-shirt,

dropped it onto the floor, and stepped into the tub between his legs.

"Scootch down," she instructed.

Jason hesitantly slid down, allowing the water to soak up his chest.

"That's good," Ellie decided once the water lapped around his shoulders.

She lowered herself down, displacing the water up his neck, and settled back in his lap

with her head resting back against his right shoulder. Her left ear brushed over his cheek, and

she sighed contentedly. Jason sat stiffly in the uncomfortable water with Ellie on top of him, her

wet fur mingling with his. After a minute she stirred, rubbing her muzzle against his neck.

"This isn't so bad, is it?" she murmured. "Don't you like being warm and cozy with your

favorite bunny?"

Jason sighed resignedly and relaxed a little as he wrapped his arms around her. "I still

don't like being wet," he grumbled. "We can be warm and cozy and dry in bed."

"You'll get used to it," Ellie murmured.

Jason doubted it, but he let Ellie enjoy herself. They soaked together until the water

began to feel cool, and then they took turns shampooing the other. Finally, Ellie let out the water

and turned on the shower for a final rinse. Jason thought the whole ordeal was a waste of water

on top of being uncomfortable, but he didn't say so.

When they were done, he stepped out onto the gray tile floor with a splat. Ellie had

hopped out first and she dug a pair of pale pink towels out of the cabinet under the sink. Jason

gratefully began extracting the offending water from his fur. Ellie searched the room, but she

didn't find a blow dryer.

"Maybe Flora has one upstairs," she suggested.

Jason was reluctant to poke around their hosts' house, but Ellie confidently led the way

upstairs. They passed by a closed door on the left, and Jason was relieved not to hear any

embarrassing sounds emanate through the wooden barrier. The bathroom was on the right side

of the hall, and Ellie soon located the blow dryer. They dried each other and headed back

toward the basement where their blankets were drying. These, they put on the sofa. Jason

climbed into bed first, lying on his side to make a space beside the cushioned back for Ellie.

Fortunately, the couch was longer than Ellie's Willowdale bed, and he was able to stretch out.

"Over on your back," Ellie instructed.

Jason complied, and Ellie climbed on top, tucking her muzzle against his neck, her head

under his jaw. Jason wrapped his arms over her and stroked her back, and she nuzzled his

neck. As aggravating as she could be, Jason couldn't regret meeting his beloved bunny. He

nuzzled her ear and breathed her warm herbal scent, now mixed with the sweet peach aroma of

the shampoo. Jason relaxed under the comfortable weight of her warm body and held her as

her breathing fell into the gentle rhythm of slumber. Finally, he closed his own eyes and slipped

into contented sleep.

* * *

Ellie yawned and nuzzled Jason's neck. She cracked open her eyes to see the morning

light filtering in through the front window. Underneath her, Jason stirred.

"Are you awake?" he murmured.

Ellie yawned again, "Mmhm."

"Is it alright if we get up? I kind of need to use the bathroom," he meowed.

Ellie pushed herself up, arms on either side of the brown tabby's head to look down into

his pretty sea green eyes. "How long have you been lying here needing to pee?" she queried

amusedly.

"I don't know," Jason murmured embarrassedly. "There's no clock."

Ellie smirked, "You could have moved me, silly kitty."

"I didn't want to wake you."

Ellie shook her head amusedly, "Better you wake me than pee the couch. We'd have to

take another bath."

Jason squirmed uncomfortably, "Can I get up now?"

"Sure, I have to pee too."

Ellie slipped off of the cat, and he leapt up and hurried downstairs. Ellie followed after

him and took her turn in the bathroom when he was finished. They proceeded back up to the

ground floor together but found neither Pete nor Flora in the kitchen.

"I guess they're sleeping in," Ellie commented. "I wonder how long they stayed up."

Jason flicked a triangular ear embarrassedly.

"Let's make breakfast, and maybe the smell will rouse them," Ellie suggested.

Jason nodded. Ellie dug around in the refrigerator and cabinets until she found whole

wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, oil, flax and coffee. She started some coffee in the cold drip

machine and began to mix the other ingredients with water to make pancakes. Jason poked

through the freezer until he found some breakfast sausages. Ellie eyed the meat uncomfortably:

she knew Jason would wait until she was done, but she didn't like that she couldn't tolerate the

smell. She wished she could get over her aversion.

"You can go ahead with those," she offered.

Jason glanced at the sausages thawing in their white paper wrapping on the counter and

back to her, "I can wait."

"I can handle it," Ellie stated.

Jason shook his head, "We've discussed this. I don't want you to suffer needlessly. I

don't think any less of you because the smell bothers you."

Ellie sighed resignedly. "I wish it didn't," she grumbled.

"We all have things that bother us. I don't like getting wet, for example," Jason replied.

Ellie glanced at him guiltily. Jason tolerated what he hated for her; she should be able to

do the same. "You should go ahead. If you can take a bath, I can put up with the smell of your

food."

Jason shook his head again, "It's not the same thing."

"But-"

"I won't get any pleasure from seeing you suffer. It makes me feel bad too."

Ellie's ears drooped, even guiltier than before, "Sorry," she murmured contritely. "You

don't have to take a bath with me anymore if you don't want to."

For a moment, Jason seemed pleased with her concession, but then he shook his head

yet again, "I don't want to give up time together you value. If it's something you enjoy, then I can

tolerate it. I think I'm starting to get used to it."

Ellie smiled slightly, "Thanks, Jason. I know you don't like getting wet, but I like our

intimate time together. I'll try not to enjoy the 'making you suffer' part."

Jason smirked, "You can enjoy it a little."

Ellie smiled wider and went back to making the pancakes. She was lucky to have such a

sweet kitty as her significant other.

Ellie was done with the pancakes and was sipping coffee on the far side of the room

after eating hers whilst Jason cooked the sausages by the time Flora and Pete emerged. Flora

yawned and rubbed her eyes as they entered the kitchen.

"Sleep well?" Ellie asked cheerfully.

Flora smiled, "Like a log, but not as well as Pete, I imagine."

The black and white rabbit tilted an ear and smiled at Ellie embarrassedly.

"How about you?" Flora queried.

"Well enough," Ellie replied. "I had a comfortable bed. I made pancakes and coffee if you

want. Jason is making sausage."

"I will have some, thank you," Flora chirped back.

She trotted over to the stove with Pete close behind. Ellie couldn't help but notice once

again how the smell didn't seem to bother the timid rabbit. If he can handle it, I should be able

to! Flora took coffee, but Pete did not. The couple proceeded to the table with their pancakes.

Ellie was at the end of the table, and Flora sat at her left with Pete on his wife's other side. Ellie

didn't realize she was staring at the black and white rabbit until he coughed nervously and

spoke.

"Is there something you need?"

Ellie quickly looked away and blushed, her ears getting hot, but then she looked back up

at him intently, "How do you tolerate it?!"

Pete blinked, "What?"

"The smell! How do you tolerate meat smell?!"

Pete shifted in his seat and glanced at Flora, "Er, well, before medical school, I couldn't.

I guess I've just smelled a lot worse at this point."

"I think you were getting used to it before that," Flora put in.

Pete bobbed his head in acknowledgement of his wife's assertion.

Ellie felt somewhat relieved. She'd only been living with Jason a short time; maybe she'd

get used to the smell too.

"I think it bothers a lot of prey," Pete added consolingly.

"It's dumb," Ellie muttered. "I know it's not really prey, but-"

"It's flesh even if it's grown in vats," Flora responded. "It's natural you'd have an aversion

to it. There are some difficulties being in a relationship with someone with a totally different diet,

but it's worth it if you really love each other."

Ellie glanced at Jason across the room and felt a wave of warm affection for the stripy

feline. Of course it was worth it! "Have there been any other difficulties we might not have

experienced yet?" Ellie inquired.

"Other than keeping things separated in the fridge and on the stove, not really. If you

were already friends, then you've probably already sorted through the other predator-prey

conflicts," Flora answered. "Really, it's just having basic consideration for others' feelings, which

I doubt either of you have much trouble with."

"Jason is a sweetheart," Ellie confirmed. "I could probably do a better job. He does make

it easy to push him around though."

Flora smirked, "Knowing you, I'm sure you enjoy that. I hope you aren't too hard on him."

Ellie grinned roguishly, "He only has to take a bath once a week."

Flora giggled, and Pete also seemed amused. Jason glanced back at the three of them

embarrassedly and swished his tail.

Ellie felt a little twinge of guilt for teasing him over the subject. He just agreed to that

again to make me happy. "It's less that he has to," she amended. "Jason puts up with my

demands because he loves me so much. I really am a lucky doe to have such a sweet kitty."

Flora put her arm around Pete's shoulders, "Pete's the same way. Of course, there's

nothing I wouldn't do for him as well, but it would be easy for him to complain about all of my

worrying. He knows it's only because I couldn't live with myself if I let something happen."

Pete gazed up at the vixen, his blue eyes brimming with affection. She looked down at

him with a gentle smile then nosed his ear lovingly. Ellie was happy that her friend had found

her perfect companion though she would have indeed complained if Jason were as protective of

her.

Shortly, Jason brought the sausages over and served two to Flora, keeping the other

two for himself. He sat on Ellie's right. They continued to chat while the others finished

breakfast, but Ellie kept an affectionate eye on her kitty the whole time.

When they were done, Flora stood, "Pete and I will get the dishes since you two

cooked."

"Why don't you and I get them?" Ellie suggested. "There's something I wanted to ask

you privately."

Flora gave her a curious look but nodded. "Pete, why don't you help Jason with

whatever laundry is left. Ellie and I need some time for girl talk."

Pete eyed Jason a bit nervously but then led him down to the basement. Flora collected

the plates while Ellie grabbed a couple glasses, and they proceeded to the sink. The dinner

dishes were waiting to be washed as well. Flora started filling a blue plastic basin with hot soapy

water before turning back to Ellie.

"Well? What did you want to ask?"

Ellie felt her ears getting hot, but she held the vixen's inquisitive gaze resolutely. "Is, er,

is there anything else you've learned about being with prey? Erm, in the bedroom, I mean."

Flora blinked at her bemusedly, "I wouldn't think you'd need tips on-"

"I mean special to predator and prey!" Ellie cut her off embarrassedly. "Do you, I don't

know, ever put your jaws around his throat or something?"

Flora frowned, "I don't think Pete would enjoy that."

"Is there something else though?" Ellie pressed.

Flora shrugged, "I think you're overthinking it. Just talk about what you want.

Communicate. It's no different from any other relationship really; people just act like it is."

Ellie was both relieved and disappointed. She would have liked Flora to provide her with

secret methods to excite her feline lover, but knowing there were no secrets was comforting in a

way.

They finished the dishes and rejoined Jason and Pete in the living room. The cat was

standing by the window, trying to appear occupied with watching the street while the black and

white rabbit was sitting nervously in the loveseat. Pete quickly hopped up and over to Flora as

she and Ellie entered. Flora tucked him close with a hand on his head.

"Did you and Jason get the laundry taken care of," Flora queried.

Pete nodded. Jason glanced over at the couple and then to Ellie. His look told her that

being alone with the timid rabbit had been a bit awkward, if not trying. Ellie felt a spark of

annoyance toward the other rabbit, but when she glanced toward him again and saw him tucked

in her friend's gentle arms, the spark was snuffed out. They're happy together, and that's what

matters.

"Could you drive us to Jason's parents' house, Flora?" Ellie asked.

"Sure, I have to return the rental anyway," Flora chirped. "You're welcome to stay with us

longer if you want though."

"We can if you want, Ellie," Jason responded.

Ellie gave him a quizzical look. Does he really think his parents' reaction is going to be

that bad? "We spent almost a week with my parents. I'd like to meet yours," Ellie replied.

Jason nodded in acceptance. "Alright, thanks again, Flora."

Flora led them out to the black SUV. Ellie sighed resignedly as she climbed back into the

booster seat behind the driver's seat. She hoped Jason's parents wouldn't see her climbing out

of it!

Jason's parents' house turned out to be on the East side of Maplesburg. The first thing

Ellie noticed was the size of the houses on their street: it wasn't that they were built for large

animals--they were clearly designed for small to medium sized mammals--but they were

sizable nonetheless. Many were three stories or more. They were clearly expensive. It hadn't

occurred to Ellie before now that the relative wealth of their families might be a division in

addition to the predator-prey divide. Yes, Jason had financed the start of their practice, but he

lived in a modest house himself and had never seemed haughty to her at all. His mother's a

doctor. They make a lot, but they still work for a living, Ellie reminded herself.

"This is it," Jason declared.

Flora stopped the car out in front of the house Jason had indicated. Ellie peered through

his window at his parents' abode: the house was three stories with white siding and four tall

windows looking out over the front yard on each floor. In addition, a matching two-car garage

was situated to the right at the end of a cement driveway. The front of the house was equipped

with a porch under a gable overhang supported by three two-story cylindrical pillars, and out

front, a pine tree with a knotted rope hanging from a sturdy branch stretched high above the

surrounding houses. Ellie wondered if Jason had scrambled up that rope as a kitten. I have to

remember to look at his itty-bitty kitty pictures, she reminded herself. That cheerful thought

washed away the anxiety that had been rising in her chest. This was Jason's home. These were

Jason's parents. If they had raised such a sweet kitty, they had to be nice too.

"See you around, Flora," Ellie said as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "We'll let you know

when we're back in our house, so you can come visit."

"I know where it is, so I just might show up uninvited if you don't," Flora jested.

"Bye and thanks for everything. Like Ellie said, we'll see you around," Jason meowed.

"Take care," Flora chirped.

Ellie and Jason climbed out of the car and gave Flora and Pete a final wave as they

pulled away. Ellie let Jason lead the way to the heavy oak front door. He rang the doorbell.

Nothing happened for a minute, and then, without warning, the door swung inward to reveal a

completely black middle-aged tom.

"Jason! You're here! You didn't say you were coming!" the black cat exclaimed in

surprise. His sea green eyes fell on Ellie. "Who's this?"

"Dad, this is my partner, Ellie, you know, the rabbit I work with."

The black tom nodded absently, "Yes, of course. Your mother won't be home until this

evening. Come in and get what you need; you know where everything is." He turned abruptly

and hurried inside.

Stepping in after Jason, Ellie saw the black cat dash up a curving stone staircase and

then heard a door slam.

Jason winced, "Sorry, he's busy. He'll be alright when he's done with whatever he's

working on."

Ellie was a little disconcerted by Jason's father's cool welcome--if you could even call it

that--but she smiled anyway. "It's a nice house. You grew up here?"

Jason nodded.

"My parents' house must have seemed small."

Jason shook his head, "It was nice. Your parents were nice too."

"I'm sure your parents are also nice," Ellie replied.

"They mean well," Jason responded. "I'm sure they'll like you once they have time to

notice you."

Jason led Ellie across the stone-floored entry hall to the spiral stairs. A brass chandelier

hung from the second floor ceiling above the entry hall, and Ellie watched it as they ascended to

the second floor.

"Where's the third floor?" Ellie asked.

"Through the door at the other end of the hall. Dad's office is up there. I'll take you to my

room for now, so we won't disturb him."

Jason's room happened to be through the first door on the right. It was fairly large. It was

also mostly empty. Like the upstairs hall, the room had soft, dark blue carpet; this was only

covered by a bed along the right wall, a large dresser on the far wall, and a bookshelf on the

wall adjacent to the door. A window looked out onto the street out front, and a white closet door

on the left interrupted the dark gray of the surrounding walls. There were no toys, posters, or

appliances beyond lights and a clock, which was situated on top of the dresser. The only item of

interest seemed to be the large maple bookshelf, and a quick scan of the shelves as Ellie

followed Jason in revealed mostly classic literature.

"Is your stuff all in the closet or dresser?" Ellie queried.

Jason glanced around. "I think Mom and Dad packed it all away in the attic," he

meowed.

"Why? Did they need the space?"

Jason shrugged. "Everything I cared about I moved to my house anyway."

Ellie would have liked to be able to snoop through some of Jason's old things, but it

didn't seem she'd be getting the chance. Unless I can find the attic. "As long as I get to see your

kitten pictures like you promised," she reminded.

Jason flicked an ear embarrassedly, "Yeah, I'm sure Mom has those around."

"So what do we do while we wait?"

"Do you want lunch?" He paused and frowned. "I hope we actually have something you

can eat. We might have to bug Dad after all if we need to go to the grocery."

"I guess we'd better check," Ellie concluded.

They made their way down to the kitchen, which was located on the back right side of

the house. The kitchen floor was varnished hardwood, and the counters were gray marble.

Jason opened the stainless-steel fridge and poked around inside. He emerged with a tiny bag of

green beans.

"I think this is all there is," he meowed worriedly. "I'll ask Dad where my car is, and we

can go to the store."

Ellie followed Jason back up the stone stairs and up the carpeted stairs to the third floor.

There was a short hall with three doors--left, right, and back--at the top. Jason motioned for

Ellie to wait, carefully opened the far door, and poked his head in. The sharp clicking of a

computer mouse emanated from the dimly lit office.

"Dad, where's my car?" he mewed softly.

"What?" came the distracted reply.

"My car, you know, the one that was at my house. You do have it, right?"

"Yes, yes, it's in the garage." Ellie could still hear the sound of a mouse clicking as

Jason's father replied.

"Ellie and I are going to go shopping. There's nothing here for her to eat."

Ellie heard the clicking stop and then a pause. "I, uh, guess not. Your mom is going to

the store after work. You can call her and tell her what you want unless she's hungry right now."

"I can wait," Ellie told Jason.

The clicking started again, but the cat muttered, "Odd having a herbivore in the house.

You should have told us you were coming."

Jason closed the door softly and turned back to Ellie, "Sorry."

"I had a big breakfast," Ellie consoled. "If I really get hungry, I can go out in the backyard.

Don't worry about it."

Jason shifted uncomfortably, "You shouldn't have to eat the lawn."

"It might be kind of amusing if I did. It would give them something to talk about. 'The first

time we met our daughter-in-law she ate our lawn!'" She grinned.

Jason smiled too, "I guess that would be a little funny."

Jason showed Ellie around the rest of the house, excluding the other bedrooms. The

third floor door on the right opened to a tv room with a sofa and bean bag chairs while the left

room held air hockey and foosball tables and a stereo with expensive-looking speakers.

"Not that we could use either when Dad was working," Jason commented dryly.

On the ground floor, the front left corner contained the entry hall while the back right

contained the kitchen. The dining room was on the back left, and the living room occupied most

of the front of the house. There were no bathrooms on the ground floor but two on the second

floor--one connected to the master bedroom--and one in the basement. The remainder of the

basement was half laundry room and the other half wine cellar with a wall between. Finally, a

screened-in porch stretched across the back of the house at ground floor level.

"It's a big house," Ellie commented when they had finished the tour and returned to

Jason's room. "How many siblings do you have again?"

"Just two."

"I wish I'd had this kind of space. I might have been able to get some privacy."

Jason shifted embarrassedly. "I, uh, I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Ellie smirked, "That your family is rich? I'm not exactly upset about it."

"I should call Mom and tell her what you need at the grocery," Jason changed the

subject. "What do you need?"

"Grass of course," Ellie answered. "Root vegetables and whatever other produce looks

good. As long as she doesn't get too much. Make sure she knows it's only for one rabbit."

Jason lifted his cell phone out of its holster and dialed. He waited, and then he waited

longer. Finally, he spoke, "Hey, Mom, this is Jason. I'm at your house right now. Sorry I didn't

tell you I was coming. Um, my partner Ellie is here too. Dad said you are going to the grocery,

so could you buy some stuff for her? Grass and roots and stuff. She's a rabbit if you didn't

remember. Thanks. See you when you get home. Bye." He hung up and turned to Ellie, "I got

her voicemail, but I can call again later if she doesn't reply."

Ellie bobbed her head once in acknowledgement.

"Now what do you want to do?" he asked. "We can play cards or read. We could watch a

movie upstairs if we keep it quiet."

"Do you have wifi? I want to check on what's been going on since that witch took power."

Jason gave her the wifi password, and they plopped down together on the blue

comforter of his double size bed. Ellie leaned against the dark gray reading pillow with her

tablet-sized phone, and Jason sat perpendicular to her with his back against the wall. He lifted

her feet into his lap and gently massaged them whilst she perused online news articles.

Everything Ellie found oozed glowing praise for the vixen. Apparently, she hadn't wasted

any time declaring herself 'Interim Governor' and making the remaining City Council moot. The

fact that no one seemed to see the problem with that was highly disturbing. The press seemed

too enthralled by the vixen's supposed heroics to question whether it was really appropriate for

her to usurp the elected government. One article did call the move "unusual" but went on to note

that nobility had seen fit to step in during times of crisis many times in past centuries.

Perhaps if Ellie hadn't known the vixen, she might have been as easily pacified. After all,

the Vulpinevan constitution ensured that elected government would be restored once elections

could be held. Assuming she allows them to be. Ellie also knew the lack of regard the vixen held

for the constitution, and even if she'd believed for a second the fox would hold to her duty in that

regard, nothing could erase the fact that they were dealing with a murderer. An insane

psychopath. Ellie had to correct herself that the vixen clearly wasn't insane since someone

disconnected from reality wouldn't have been able to bamboozle so many people into

supporting their rule. The vixen was simply evil. And she knows how to hide it. Ellie felt a stone

sink into her stomach as she tried to imagine how they would convince enough people of the

vixen's monstrous nature.

"We'll figure something out," Jason soothed.

Ellie looked up at the cat who returned her gaze with his calming sea green eyes. Ellie

stared back into his limpid, almost luminescent orbs and let her worries sink into those tranquil

pools of inky black and soft green. Jason smiled softly then looked away to return to massaging

her feet. Ellie put down her phone and lay back, allowing the pleasant sensation to relax her

tense muscles and anxious nerves. The truth was on their side. They still had friends in the

police department and at the coroner's office. They would find the evidence they needed, and

the vixen would be removed from power. Not only in Maplesburg, but completely. There would

be justice for Danny and Bartholomew and everyone else the vixen had murdered. Ellie picked

her phone back up and texted Katya to let her know they were alive. It was time to get started.

* * *

By midafternoon, Jason received a reply text from his mother. It read, "Glad you made it

home safe! I'll pick up vegetables on the way. It'll be fun to cook for a herbivore! Love, Mom."

Ellie also exchanged several texts with Katya. She informed Jason they were going to

meet the ginger officer early tomorrow morning at her own home. It was safer not to be seen

anywhere too public in case the Duchess was looking for them.

Around four, his father popped in to ask him to put the lasagna in the oven at five so that

it would be ready when his mother got home. He glanced at Ellie briefly, but didn't offer any

further salutations. Jason couldn't help but feel worried. If his father was uncomfortable now,

what would he think when Jason told him about their romantic relationship? Jason told himself

he was just busy and had been unprepared to welcome guests. At least his mother had

sounded happy to welcome his partner.

Jason nodded off reclining with Ellie against the reading pillow, and she poked him when

it was time to head down to the kitchen. Jason preheated the oven then inserted the foil-topped

baking dish from the refrigerator. He wished that there were something for Ellie to make and

considered that perhaps they should have made a trip to the grocery anyway. Ellie hadn't seen

anything about a warrant for their arrest, so perhaps no one was looking for them. The Duchess

might even think they were dead.

They moved to the living room while the lasagna baked. Jason kept an eye on the

driveway while they read. Jason had selected a Dickens novel, and Ellie had gotten her ebook

on her new phone and was reading Lovecraft. At about a quarter till six, an orange compact

SUV pulled in, and his mother hopped out. She was a lovely silver tabby with bright blue eyes

and a particularly long tail that flicked to and fro as she sauntered toward the door with her

reusable bags full of groceries. She wore only a pair of lavender shirt cuffs and a pair of blue-

rimmed, cat's-eye glasses. The alarm for the lasagna screeched, and Jason leapt up in

surprise.

"My mom's at the door! Wait here, and I'll be right back!"

Jason raced to the kitchen and frantically dug around for oven mitts while the timer

continued to squeal. At last, he found a pair and transferred the dish to a hot-pad before

dashing back out to the living room. Ellie was already gone. Jason sprinted to the door but

halted as he reached the entry hall: between a pair of stuffed grocery bags that had been set on

the stone floor, his mother had her arms wrapped around Ellie. Ellie's face was pressed into her

soft silver fur, as the queen hugged the diminutive rabbit to her chest.

"Jason! I was just saying hi to your friend," his mother chirped happily. "I'm so glad you

finally brought her to meet us!"

"It's nice to meet you too," Ellie responded. She sounded a bit embarrassed, which was

unsurprising considering his mother was still hugging her tightly.

His mother turned her head to beam down at the rabbit a moment longer before finally

releasing her. Ellie hopped back, looking relieved.

"Help me get these inside, Honey. There's another in the car," his mother instructed. She

hefted one bag in her right hand but then caught Ellie's hand in her left. "Come on, Dear. You

show me what you like, and I'll whip something up for you!"

She led Ellie to the kitchen, and Jason quickly retrieved the bag from the car and the

second from the entryway and followed them. His mother was setting vegetables out on the

counter and querying Ellie about them.

"I also got you a few kinds of grass; I wasn't sure which you liked best. Would any of

these be suitable for dinner? There's not a lot of time, but I'll fix them how you want them."

"I can saute some turnip, and then I'll also make a salad," Ellie replied.

"I'll do that for you. Are there any spices you'd like, or do you eat turnips plain."

"You don't have to. I think it's easier if I cook for myself. If you show me where the spices

are, that will be fine."

"At least let me help!" his mother implored. "Tell me what to do, and I'll do it."

"Er, alright, you can scrub and chop the turnip. I'll have four slices about this thick." Ellie

indicated the thickness with her thumb and index finger.

His mother nodded excitedly and then turned to regard him, "Let Ellie see what else I got

then put away what she doesn't want." She turned back to Ellie with a toothy grin, "I should have

had you over for dinner a long time ago! You both only work across town; I don't know why we

didn't!"

Ellie selected a radish, a carrot, and one of the bags of grass for her salad, and Jason

put the rest of the produce in the refrigerator. He was certain his mother had bought too much,

but he supposed that, like he had when he'd shopped for Ellie, she'd wanted to make sure she

got something to the rabbit's liking. Jason stood out of the way whilst his mother helped Ellie

cook. Ellie braised the turnip with sage and savory, and his mother cut up the carrot and radish

for her salad. Jason's father appeared while they were working and stood next to Jason, silently

watching the pair with mild interest.

When she had finished her part of the task, his mother turned around and spotted his

father, "Blake! Have you met Jason's friend yet? Isn't it exciting to have a herbivore here for

dinner?"

His father nodded. "Is dinner about ready?"

"Almost! I'm just helping Ellie make hers, and then we'll be ready!"

Ellie glanced back, "Almost done. You can go ahead if you like," she said awkwardly.

His mother turned back to her, "No, no, we'll all eat together. Take your time, Dear."

Fortunately for Jason's father, who seemed to be getting anxious as the clock ticked

past six, Ellie's food was soon finished. They transported it and their lasagna to the dining room,

which held a long pine table with eight chairs. Jason's parents sat across from each other at one

end.

His mother patted the seat next to her, "Come sit next to me, Ellie. I'll make sure you

have anything you need."

Ellie gave Jason a meaningful glance but then sat next to his mother. Jason sat across

from her next to his father. Jason's father cut the lasagna, and as he served it, Jason couldn't

help but think about how different it was from the one Ellie's family had made. The cats' lasagna

was loaded with ground meat and cheese. There were no vegetables, and even the tomato

sauce seemed to be an afterthought. Jason hoped the smell didn't put Ellie off of her meal, but

she didn't seem too bothered.

His mother turned to smile sweetly at Ellie, "Is everything alright for you, Dear?"

Ellie nodded, "Mmhm."

"Well then, I think we're owed an explanation," his mother declared decisively. "We were

worried sick! Where were the two of you?!"

Ellie looked up at Jason, her expression puzzled. "Hasn't Jason told you yet?"

"Not a word! He said you were safe with your parents, but before that, we had no idea

where you went to! The police said you were dead!"

Ellie gave him a stare that said, This is your job. Jason took a deep breath to calm his

rising anxiety.

His mother looked at him expectantly, "Well?"

Jason shifted uncomfortably, "We, uh, we were with the Duchess."

His mother blinked, "What? The Duchess? The one who's in charge right now? What

were you doing there? Why didn't-"

"We were captured!" Jason cut her off.

His mother exchanged a confused glance with his father.

"By the Duchess, I mean. She, she's the murderer we were trying to find."

"The Duchess? You're not making sense, Honey," his mother meowed worriedly.

Ellie groaned. "Alright, I'll explain. Jason and I were investigating a serial killer. We

tracked them to the Duchess' estate, but then it turned out she was the serial killer. And she

took us captive. We only escaped when the terrorists attacked to take her hostage. That's when

I took Jason to my parents' house. There's a lot more than that, but that's the gist of it."

"Thank you, Ellie," his mother replied hesitantly. "I can't say I'm not shocked by what you

said, but I think I understood it. Maybe it will make more sense when we hear the whole story."

Ellie nodded, "It will."

"I'm just glad you're both safe now," his mother meowed. "Let's not discuss such terrible

things at dinner though. We'll listen to your whole story afterward."

"There is something much more pleasant Jason would like to tell you," Ellie stated

mischievously. "But maybe that can wait till after dinner too."

"If it's good news, you can tell us now," his mother replied. She looked back at him

expectantly.

Jason squirmed in his seat, even more uncomfortable than before. He would have liked

to wait until after dinner! Or maybe until after they weren't here at all! Ellie watched him

expectantly as well. She told her parents right away.

"W-we, uh, Ellie and I, we're, we're dating," Jason hastily mumbled the last word.

His mother's bright blue eyes popped wide behind her blue-rimmed glasses, and she

quickly looked from Ellie to him and back. "Oh! Oh, she's so adorable, Jason!" She leapt out of

her seat and snatched Ellie out of hers, causing Ellie to give a little yelp of surprise. His mother

hugged the doe, petting her head with one hand. "Isn't she adorable, Blake?"

Jason's father nodded slowly, "It's a bit odd." He turned to regard Jason thoughtfully,

"But if she makes you happy, son, rabbit or not, I'm glad you found someone."

"Yes!" his mother exclaimed. "You were alone for so long after you broke up with Miss

Schulz, we were worried you'd given up entirely!" She looked down at Ellie, who she was still

hugging. "Welcome to the family, Ellie!"

Jason felt a weight lift off of his chest, and he smirked at Ellie, still trapped in his

mother's arms, "I'm glad you're happy. I was worried you'd be upset."

His mother blinked at him questioningly, "Because she's a rabbit? That's not what's

important, Honey. As long as she makes you happy, she could be a dog, and I wouldn't mind."

His father shuddered, "Thank Zeus she's not a dog!"

Ellie let out a snort of laughter, which was only a little muffled by the side of her face

being pressed against his mother's chest. "Jason did date a dog, but I rescued him from that

misfortune," she joked.

His mother chuckled, and her hand caressed one of Ellie's long ears. "Hahaha, how

could he resist such a cute little thing?" She held Ellie a moment longer then looked down at her

with a soft smile, "You know, I could hold you all day, but I think I'd better let you have your

dinner before it gets cold." She let Ellie go, and they both sat down.

The remainder of dinner was uneventful. Jason's parents--primarily his mother--queried

Ellie about her own family. His mother seemed anxious to meet the other rabbits. Jason

wondered if he should remind her that he and Ellie weren't exactly married yet, but as he

watched Ellie entertaining his parents, his chest filled with radiating love. It was only a matter of

time and filling in a form, nothing could make him love Ellie more.

When they had finished dinner, they moved to the living room and sat together on one of

the two matching burgundy microfiber couches. Jason began their story with the first murder

case. It wasn't an easy story to tell; there had been so much heartbreak and tragedy that Jason

didn't like to revisit. He had to take a break more than once while his mother cried. She was

particularly affected by his recounting of the murders of the Planter boy and the family of

squirrels. However, that was before he told her about how the Duchess had starved him, how

she'd tried to make him eat Ellie. Ellie was sitting on Jason's other side, but she quickly ended

up in his mother's lap when he reached that grim section. Wide eyed, his mother hugged Ellie

tightly as she listened in horror to their terrible ordeal.

When he finally finished the lengthy story, his mother looked down at the rabbit she was

holding and softly murmured, "Thank you for being there for him, Ellie. You're an awfully brave

rabbit, and Jason couldn't have a better companion. I said it before, but let me say it again:

welcome to our family."

"I'm lucky to have him too, and I'm glad to be a part of your family," Ellie replied. "Thank

you for raising such a kind and compassionate kitty."

His mother stroked her head affectionately.

"What are you going to do now?" his father broke in. "You escaped the Duchess, but as

you said, she might be looking for you. Maybe you should have stayed with Miss Bennett's

parents longer."

"We thought about that," Ellie answered. "But we couldn't sit by while she continued to

murder prey. We're getting in contact with people who can help us, and we're going to make

sure everyone knows what a monster she is!"

"It's such a terrible risk!" his mother protested. "I can't bear the thought of you being

captured again!"

"We'll be as careful as we can," Ellie returned. 'But we have to do this."

"At the very least you need to stay somewhere safe," his mother argued. "I won't let you

run off who-knows-where. Until this is over, you need to stay here! I won't sleep right not

knowing whether you're safe."

"We don't want to put you in danger," Jason returned.

"Don't worry about us, or if you do, worry about how we'll feel if you get captured again.

She's less likely to find you here than at your house."

"She would have been even less likely to find us at Pete and Flora's," Jason noted. "But I

wouldn't want to put them in danger either."

"Who?" his mother asked, confused.

"Er, sorry, Flora is Ellie's friend. She drove us back to Maplesburg. Pete is her husband;

he's also a rabbit."

"From what you've told us, she likes to kill prey. You're better off here than with a pair of

rabbits."

"Flora is a fox," Ellie clarified. "But I agree we shouldn't stay with them. That monster

might try the same thing she did with us!"

"So you think we should stay here?" Jason asked.

Ellie shrugged, "It probably is safer than your house right now. Fortunately, you never

gave her this address, and 'Brown' must be a common enough last name that it'll make it

difficult."

"You're forgetting she has every resource at her fingertips," Jason reminded. "We might

be safer with Fitzie or Katya, but my parents' house is no better than mine."

"Hmph, we can ask Katya about it tomorrow," Ellie decided.

"Or Fitzie, I've known him a lot longer."

"I haven't been in contact with 'Fitzie'," Ellie rejoined irritably. "Besides, I'd rather not put

my life in the hands of the person who let us down the last time!"

"I know he did, but-"

"No Fitzie! I'd prefer we didn't involve him at all, but we'll probably need him to access

the evidence. We'll see what Katya can get us then contact him if we need to."

Jason looked away moodily, "Okay."

Ellie put a hand on his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Jason. I know he's your friend, but it's going

to take time for him to regain my trust, and we don't have that luxury right now."

Jason sighed resignedly and turned back to her, "No, you're right. He let us down before.

Katya is a better choice."

His mother, who was still holding Ellie, blinked at him worriedly, "I just want the two of

you to be safe. If it's not safe here, then you should stay where it is, but I won't sleep well not

knowing."

"I'll let you know everyday," Jason consoled.

"Speaking of which, I need to call my mom," Ellie noted.

"Oh! Can I talk to her too?" his mother asked, suddenly more cheerful.

"Uh, yeah, that's fine," Ellie answered.

Jason handed Ellie her phone, which she'd left on the couch earlier, and she dialed her

parents' number.

"Hi Mom, it's me."

...

"Sorry, I meant to. We stayed with Flora. We're with Jason's parents now."

...

"Yeah."

...

"He did."

...

"They were happy. They've been very welcoming."

...

"Mmhm, Whitney wants to talk to you actually."

...

"Alright, here you go." Ellie handed the phone to his mother.

"Hi! This is Whitney Brown, Jason's mom."

...

"I'm doing well. Blake's doing well too. Is everything alright there?"

...

"That's good. We're just tickled to finally meet your daughter. She and Jason make quite

the cute couple, don't you agree?"

...

"Hahaha, well, we'll be happy to have you here anytime too. Ellie's showing me the kinds

of things you like to eat. It's all quite interesting. I didn't think we'd ever have a herbivore in the

family, but it's kind of exciting! So many new things to learn!"

...

"Oh, it's no trouble. We're delighted to have her, and she's so cute I could just gobble

her up! Erm, metaphorically of course."

...

"Alright, it was nice talking to you. I'll give you back to Ellie." She handed the phone

back.

"Alright, Mom, I think that's all I had to say. We're safe, and I'll call you tomorrow."

...

"I will. Love you. Bye."

...

Ellie hung up and handed the phone back to Jason. He set it on the burgundy cushion.

"Thank you for letting me talk to her," his mother meowed. "It'll be nice to get to meet

your family. I hope we won't have to wait until the wedding."

"Willowdale's a bit far," Ellie noted. "But we'll see. Maybe if we go to visit, you could

come along."

"Whatever works. We'd be happy to have them, but if it's too far a drive, we might make

the trip there. I've never been to Willowdale. Have you, Blake?"

His father shook his head.

"There's nothing there," Ellie stated dryly.

His mother petted Ellie's head fondly. "I suppose it's time we groomed ourselves and got

to bed. That was quite a long story you told. If you decide tomorrow that you need to stay here,

we'll be happy to have you."

"Uh, do you have shampoo?" Ellie asked. "I'd like to take a shower if I could."

His mother frowned, "I'm not sure we do. You can rinse off if you want, but I wouldn't

think you'd want to go to bed damp."

"Don't you have a blow dryer?"

His mother shook her head. "Is that something you need?" she asked worriedly. "I could

run back to the store and get one."

"Uh, no, that's fine. Jason can take care of it," Ellie responded.

Jason blushed as his mother and father exchanged a meaningful glance.

His mother responded, "Jason gives you a bath then. The two of you must really be

serious. Do you exchange the favor or-"

"Ellie thinks it's a bit gross," Jason cut in. "She relents and lets me do her ears."

His mother smiled, "I'm glad you're able to compromise. Blake and I will be headed to

our room unless you need something."

"We're fine," Jason quickly replied.

His mother gave Ellie another hug then set her in Jason's lap. She and his father left to

head upstairs.

When they had disappeared and Jason had heard the door to their room close, Ellie

spoke, "You lick a lot more than my ears, Jason," she teased.

"They don't need to know that," Jason murmured under his breath.

"I thought you said it was normal for cats."

"It is! But only, you know, when you're about to get married, and the fact that you don't

ever groom me is a little awkward. It'd make them think the relationship is one-sided."

Ellie shook her head in mock severity, "You naughty kitty. You made it seem like

something you'd do on the first date!" she scolded humorously.

"I-if you don't want me to, I'll-"

"I want my bath! You'll just have to perform as I've come to expect!" Ellie demanded

amusedly.

Jason nuzzled her head. "Of course, Cutie Pie."

Ellie grunted in displeasure at the pet name.

"Mom thought you were cute," he teased. "I thought she might try to take you to bed with

her as her plush bunny toy."

"If she wasn't your mom, I'd let her have it," Ellie replied dryly. "Pete might like that kind

of thing, but I'm not a doll."

"I can ask her to stop if it bothers you," Jason replied apologetically.

"No, I'm glad that she likes me. The novelty will probably wear off. If not, at least she's a

pretty kitty." She looked up at him mischievously, "Even prettier than you. How'd you end up a

brown tabby when your parents are black and silver, by the way?"

"My grandfather is a brown tabby, and Mom is a beautiful cat. Everyone thinks so."

"She doesn't lick my butt, so I guess I'll stick with you," Ellie replied. "Are you ready to

get started?"

Jason scooped her up across his arms and stood, "More than ready. Let's go."

He carried Ellie up to his room and laid her on the bed before sitting down beside her.

Jason wrapped his left arm around her shoulders and leaned over to begin washing her ears.

* * *

Jason had hardly reached her neck before Ellie began to feel the warm tingle between

her legs. It had been ages; they'd expected to be in their own home by now. But now we might

be with Katya, sleeping who knows where! Jason eased her down onto her back, crouching

over her right side as he moved to her chest. Ellie's heart pounded as she stared up at the cat

looming over her, his warm, muscular form nearly on top of her. She wanted to feel his weight,

to feel his body pressed close to hers. She wanted to feel him inside her. But they couldn't do

that now! Jason's parents were directly across the hall, and there was no way they wouldn't

hear! Ellie squirmed her legs as the tingle progressed to hot arousal. Jason was sure to notice

the dampness. She wondered if he could already smell it. If he could, he didn't give any

indication, washing diligently, his rough tongue rhythmically rasping over her fur. Finally, Ellie

could take it no longer; her arms shot up and grabbed Jason by the ears.

"Get your tongue down where I need it, Jason!" she hissed.

Jason embarrassedly glanced toward the damp fur between her thighs. "Mom and Dad

are-"

"Screw it! I can be quiet!" She yanked him toward her loins, and he winced.

"Easy! Just try not to be too loud, okay?"

Ellie nodded. Jason repositioned himself behind her rear and grasped her ankles in each

hand. With one more confirmatory glance, he bent down and pushed his muzzle into her hot

vulva. Ellie sighed in relief as his rough tongue pushed inside her, stimulating her eager vaginal

walls. She grabbed his ears again and held him close as he satisfied her aching desire. His hot,

rough tongue lapped her folds and occasionally flicked out to bathe her clitoris, which his moist

nose rubbed. Ellie forced herself not to moan too loudly though she couldn't hold back gasps of

pleasure as waves of orgasmic ecstasy flooded through her. She didn't let go until she'd had

enough, his rough tongue eventually overstimulating her such that further licking would avail no

pleasure. She released his ears and flopped back with a final sigh. Jason let go of her legs and

sat up.

"Do you want me to finish your bath?"

Ellie nodded through her lingering euphoric daze, and Jason got back to work as if

nothing had occurred. Ellie smiled at him affectionately, Silly kitty. Ellie let Jason turn her as

needed as he finished her wash. When he was done, he lapped his palm a few times then

began on himself, starting at his shoulder.

Ellie considered the tabby as he washed, contemplating what he'd said about how his

parents would interpret their grooming routine. It's what he wanted. However, that didn't mean

he wouldn't appreciate someone grooming him. Not his whole body, just the parts he can't

reach. It might not be too gross, and it would make her feel good to reciprocate what he did for

her.

Ellie pushed herself up onto her knees next to the seated cat, and gently wrapping her

arms around his neck, she leaned her nose in against his ear, breathing his faintly tangy scent.

Jason stopped his washing and regarded her curiously. Ellie extended her tongue and

tentatively licked his cool, velvety ear: it tasted like fur and not a whole lot else. Maybe grooming

him wouldn't be so bad.

"I'd like to try washing you, Jason," Ellie murmured. "Just where you can't reach." She

pulled back and looked at him sternly, "And I'm not licking your earwax."

Jason purred amusedly, "Whatever you want, but try not to get carried away and bite

me, okay?"

Ellie rolled her eyes, "Unless I bite you for making dumb comments, you don't have

anything to worry about."

"I promise I won't, and you can stop if it's too gross for you."

Ellie nuzzled his ear, "You're my sweet kitty; you're only too gross some of the time."

Ellie extended her tongue again and gently licked his fuzzy ear in short little laps. She

started out hesitantly but began to get into a rhythm; it even began to feel natural to her. Rabbits

used to groom themselves after all. Ellie reached the base of his ear and took two long laps

over the top of his head.

"Eck!" Ellie sat up and quickly wiped her tongue, which was now furry with long cat hairs.

She wiped her hand on the sheet and, tongue still hanging out, picked at the remaining tabby

fur.

"Is something wrong?" Jason queried amusedly.

"My tongue is covered with cat hair!" Ellie complained.

Jason chuckled lightly, "Haha, that will happen."

Ellie sat back on her rear, "Sorry, Jason, it's too gross. I don't want to eat your fur."

"That's alright. I can handle it myself."

Ellie watched whilst the tabby finished his bath, and then he pulled back the blue and

white blankets and flopped down on his side, inviting her in. Ellie crawled up next to him and

scooted close, pressing her nose against his neck. Jason pulled the blankets over them,

covering up to Ellie's head. Ellie took the end and pulled it the rest of the way over her, sealing

her in with Jason's warm body and familiar scent. Jason wrapped one arm over her and stroked

her back. Ellie soon fell into contented slumber, pressed close to her sweet kitty.