{"sf1_id":2019660,"sf2_id":"rn9wva9e","title":"Chapter 10: Return","author":"HeatherOBunn","words":11305,"posted_at":"2023-07-06T16:42:00.000Z","tags":["Buck","Cat","Chapter","Doe","Fox","Novel","Oral Sex","Parents","Predator/Prey","Rabbit","Relationships","Romance","Thriller","Tongue","Vixen","bath","dinner","tom"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2019660-chapter-10-return","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/rn9wva9e","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/b6/5f/b65ff7a9-9da6-4674-99a9-ff7e760077c8","description":"#10 of The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror\n\nEllie and Jason return to Maplesburg to inform people about the Duchess.","content":"Chapter 10: Return  \nAside from stopping for lunch at a fast food joint and to use the restroom, Jason, Ellie,  \nPete, and Flora spent the entire day driving, or rather, Flora spent the entire day driving while  \nthe rest of them rode in the car. Jason found the vixen to be a very cautious driver, which  \npleased him greatly. Ellie was not at all pleased, and her frustration with their pace was only  \nexacerbated by her annoyance with the booster seat. She grumbled every time she had to climb  \nback into it, and Jason began to wish the fox would relent. She didn't however, and instead  \nseemed to find the whole thing highly amusing. Pete was clearly bothered by Ellie's discomfort  \nas well, and once, Jason even thought he would protest. However, as the black and white rabbit  \nopened his mouth, his wife turned to him with a toothy smile that seemed to melt his concerns.  \nShe reached over and petted his head, and that was the end of it. Jason had to admit the vixen  \nhad a charming personality, and it was probably safer. So maybe Ellie was the unreasonable  \none, not that Jason dared to suggest so.  \nThe sun had fully set and what stars shone through the Maplesburg lights were twinkling  \noverhead by the time Flora pulled up outside of Jason's house. The first thing Jason noticed  \nwas the absence of his car, and his heart sank into his belly.  \n\"Flora, could you wait here a minute?\" Jason asked worriedly.  \n\"Sure thing,\" she chirped cheerily.  \nJason climbed out of the SUV, and Ellie followed grumpily behind him. Jason had lost  \nhis keys, which had been in Ellie's car when they had been taken prisoner, but there was a  \nspare hidden under the patio out back. Jason hurried around the house to get it, but it wasn't  \nthere. His heart sank again. He trudged back to try the door, knowing it would be locked. It was.  \nFinally, he trudged around front to peer through the bay window: he couldn't see much, but from  \nwhat he could see it didn't look like things had been moved. At least no one else is living here.  \nYet.  \nEllie had been watching him curiously from the driveway the whole time, and as he  \ntromped back over to the side, she spoke, \"Locked?\"  \nJason nodded, \"And the spare is gone. We can call a locksmith, but who knows how  \nlong it will take to get them to open it when I'm supposed to be dead.\"  \n\"What do we do then?\"  \nJason looked back to the SUV. At least he didn't think Flora and Pete would mind doing  \nthem another favor. He tromped back over and stopped beside Pete's window. The window  \nrolled down, and Flora called out.  \n\"Is something wrong?\"  \n\"We're locked out,\" Jason admitted. \"Would-\"  \n\"You can stay with us of course,\" Flora cut him off. \"What are friends for?\"  \nJason gratefully climbed back into the car. Even Ellie seemed less annoyed as she  \nclimbed into the booster seat.  \n\"Thanks, Flora. It will only take a day or two to sort things out,\" Ellie stated.  \n\"It's no problem,\" the vixen responded jovially. \"I'll enjoy having you 'under my paw' a  \nlittle longer.\"  \nJason wasn't sure whether that was entirely a joke or not. Ellie rolled her eyes.  \nIt was a bit of a drive across the city to Pete and Flora's abode. The vixen parked the  \ncar on the street in front and turned to grin at her guests, \"Here we are. Come in and make  \nyourselves comfortable.\" She led the way to the two-story house and unlocked the door, holding  \nit as the rest of them filed inside.  \nOnce they were in, Flora led them down the short wood-floored hall and stopped next to  \na room on the left. The living room, as it turned out to be, was strewn with bedding and dirty  \nplates and utensils.  \n\"We had to leave in a bit of a hurry,\" Flora explained. \"Pete will help you clean up in  \nhere, and I'll fix us something to eat. Then we'll get you set up for the night.\"  \nFlora continued down the hall, to what Jason assumed was the kitchen, and Pete led  \nthem into the living room. He glanced nervously at Jason, and Jason blinked placidly back at  \nhim. The rabbit had become less nervous of him over the course of the day, but now his wife  \nwasn't here to comfort him. Jason didn't really know what else he could do to make the skittish  \nrabbit more comfortable.  \n\"I'll, uh, get the dishes if you two want to pick up the bedding. The washer is in the  \nbasement out and to the right. I'll show you if you can't find it. If you can start the first load, pick  \nthe blankets you want.\"  \nJason and Ellie nodded, and the three of them went about their respective tasks. Ellie  \nand Jason found the stairs to the basement underneath the stairs to the upper floor and carried  \ntheir bundles down. After they had gotten the laundry started, they returned to the ground floor  \nand proceeded to the kitchen.  \nThe kitchen area was on the right of the wood-floored room, and a dining table with six  \nchairs was on the left. The walls were painted light pink, and a dark brown, five-bladed ceiling  \nfan with a hexagonal glass fixture surrounding three bulbs hung over the right end of the dark  \nwalnut table. Three windows lined the back wall and looked out into the backyard where a white  \nwooden shed was adjacent to a towering beech tree. The security light from the neighbors on  \nthe other side of the painted wooden fence cast everything beyond the cheerfully painted  \nwindow panes in an unnerving golden yellow glow. Flora was at the stove stirring the contents  \nof a stainless steel skillet. Pete was on her left side, keeping an eye on a pan, and the vixen's  \nbushy gray and black tail was wrapped around behind the mostly black rabbit.  \n\"Do you want us to help with anything?\" Jason meowed.  \nFlora turned her head to glance at them, \"No we have things handled. Have a seat if you  \nwant. Dinner will be ready before long.\" She turned back to the stove.  \n\"Let's wait in the other room,\" Ellie murmured.  \nJason glanced down at her and realized she was covering her nose with one hand. Only  \nthen did Jason consciously note the smell of frying meat, and he looked back to Pete: Pete  \ndidn't appear to be having any issue. Did he never, or did he get over it? Jason didn't want to  \nembarrass Ellie, so he didn't comment on the other rabbit's tolerance. They returned to the  \nliving room and sat together on the pale green sofa.  \n\"At least we didn't have to stay at a hotel,\" Ellie remarked.  \n\"Yeah.\"  \n\"I'm sorry about your car and house. I'm sure we'll get things straightened out,\" Ellie  \nconsoled.  \n\"It's not your fault. My parents must have taken possession after I was declared dead.  \nWe should have let them know we were coming back.\"  \n\"It'll be nice to meet them tomorrow then if that's where we need to go. We could spend  \ntonight with them instead if you want.\"  \n\"Here is fine. You don't think Flora minds, do you?\"  \nEllie shook her head wryly, \"I think she likes the idea I'm going to owe her after this.  \nDon't you want to see your parents though?\"  \nJason looked down at his feet, \"I do, but I still haven't told them about, you know, us. I  \ndon't know how they're going to take it.\"  \nEllie stroked his back, \"However they take it, it'll be okay. If your parents are the most  \ndangerous thing we have to face over the next few days, I'll count myself lucky.\"  \nEllie spoke it as a joke, but Jason knew she understood as well as he did the risk they  \nwere taking in returning to the Duchess' domain. He wrapped his arm around her back and  \nsqueezed her close. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and they sat, silently reassuring  \nthe other, until Flora popped her pointy snout through the doorway.  \n\"Dinner's ready! Come on before it gets cold!\"  \nEllie and Jason followed her to the dining table. On the table in stainless steel cookware,  \nwere pan seared mutton filets, steamed cabbage, peas and carrots, and mashed potatoes.  \nFlora took some of each dish while Pete and Elllie took the vegetables. Jason took mutton,  \npotatoes, and a few peas.  \nAfter dinner, they all returned to the living room. Jason and Ellie returned to the pale  \ngreen sofa, and Flora and Pete took the matching loveseat.  \n\"So what do you and Pete do for fun?\" Ellie asked conversationally.  \nFlora eyed Pete slyly, \"Oh, this and that.\"  \nPete squirmed beside her, and Jason felt embarrassed as well. He didn't want the  \nconversation to turn in that direction.  \nEllie rolled her eyes, \"I mean do you like to play cards or-\"  \n\"We like board games,\" Flora finished. \"Risk is one of our favorites. It's less fun with only  \ntwo people though.\"  \n\"We could play if you want,\" Ellie offered.  \n\"It can take several hours,\" Flora informed her. \"Maybe some other time.\"  \n\"We could play euchre,\" Ellie suggested. \"That's quick.\"  \nPete didn't verbally object, but he leaned close to Flora and nuzzled her side under the  \narm.  \n\"I think Pete is anxious to get to bed,\" Flora commented. \"We were with my parents a  \nfew days, and we were busy helping prey before that. There's a guest bathroom in the  \nbasement if you want to shower.\"  \nEllie blinked, \"Uh, okay, goodnight then,\" she replied awkwardly.  \nFlora hopped up from the loveseat and trotted toward the stairs. Pete followed her  \nclosely, hopping along just behind her bushy tail, which bounced beneath the knee-length wavy  \nblack skirt the vixen wore. Flora glanced back mischievously then darted away. Pete raced after  \nher, but then Flora bounded to the side. Seeming to bounce off of the wall then the bottom stair,  \nthe fox made a neat about turn and sprang on the rabbit, who squawked as she pounced on top  \nof him. Flora leapt up with Pete across her arms, grinned at Ellie and Jason, and turned to  \ncontinue up the stairs with her prey. Jason heard the door to their bedroom close. He glanced at  \nEllie.  \n\"Don't get any ideas about pouncing on me,\" she warned.  \nJason smiled amusedly, \"How about booster seats? If we only have my car, maybe we  \nshould get you one.\"  \nEllie narrowed her eyes dangerously, \"Only if you want to end up riding in the trunk of  \nmine.\"  \nJason chuckled.  \n\"It seems to me it's been quite a while since you've had a proper bath,\" Ellie declared  \nirritatedly.  \nJason's amusement fell away, and he shifted uncomfortably on the couch.  \nEllie grinned triumphantly. She snatched his tail and hopped off of the couch, giving him  \na tug. \"Come on. It's time to get the kitty nice and sparkling clean!\"  \nJason followed reluctantly as Ellie led him down the stairs. The bathroom contained a  \ntub with a shower head fixed to the left end and a green curtain.  \n\"We could take a bath,\" Ellie teased. \"Don't you want to soak together for an hour or so?  \nSnuggle up in the warm water with your bunny?\"  \n\"I'd rather take the shower,\" Jason muttered.  \nEllie cocked her head thoughtfully, one long, white ear bending over to the side, \"Hmm,  \nyou did let Flora make me sit in that seat, for hours even. I think one hour in the tub is at least  \nwhat you owe me after that.\"  \nJason looked into the cold, white basin and back to the unremitting rabbit; she grinned at  \nhim wickedly. \"Do I have to?\" he whined. \"Please, Ellie, I'll do something else to make it up.\"  \nEllie shook her head decisively, \"No, I want you in the tub with me. Take off your clothes  \nwhile I fill it up.\"  \nEllie turned on the water and adjusted it to the temperature she wanted. The roaring  \ntorrent emitted swirling steam as it poured into the tub, filling the cold basin with piping hot  \nliquid, Jason's chamber of torture. He glanced toward the door, but Ellie kept a tight hold on his  \ntail. Miserably, Jason removed his collar, tie, and cell phone holster and hung them on the light  \nblue towel rack on the opposite wall. Ellie watched whilst the tub filled then tugged Jason toward  \nit by his tail.  \n\"In you go. I'll join you in a second.\"  \nReluctantly, Jason stepped into the steaming water; he slowly lowered himself down into  \nthe hungry pool. The water lapped at his fur, clinging to his skin. The sweltering heat penetrated  \nto his bones. Being a cat, the latter, at least, didn't bother him. Ellie quickly pulled off her t-shirt,  \ndropped it onto the floor, and stepped into the tub between his legs.  \n\"Scootch down,\" she instructed.  \nJason hesitantly slid down, allowing the water to soak up his chest.  \n\"That's good,\" Ellie decided once the water lapped around his shoulders.  \nShe lowered herself down, displacing the water up his neck, and settled back in his lap  \nwith her head resting back against his right shoulder. Her left ear brushed over his cheek, and  \nshe sighed contentedly. Jason sat stiffly in the uncomfortable water with Ellie on top of him, her  \nwet fur mingling with his. After a minute she stirred, rubbing her muzzle against his neck.  \n\"This isn't so bad, is it?\" she murmured. \"Don't you like being warm and cozy with your  \nfavorite bunny?\"  \nJason sighed resignedly and relaxed a little as he wrapped his arms around her. \"I still  \ndon't like being wet,\" he grumbled. \"We can be warm and cozy and dry in bed.\"  \n\"You'll get used to it,\" Ellie murmured.  \nJason doubted it, but he let Ellie enjoy herself. They soaked together until the water  \nbegan to feel cool, and then they took turns shampooing the other. Finally, Ellie let out the water  \nand turned on the shower for a final rinse. Jason thought the whole ordeal was a waste of water  \non top of being uncomfortable, but he didn't say so.  \nWhen they were done, he stepped out onto the gray tile floor with a splat. Ellie had  \nhopped out first and she dug a pair of pale pink towels out of the cabinet under the sink. Jason  \ngratefully began extracting the offending water from his fur. Ellie searched the room, but she  \ndidn't find a blow dryer.  \n\"Maybe Flora has one upstairs,\" she suggested.  \nJason was reluctant to poke around their hosts' house, but Ellie confidently led the way  \nupstairs. They passed by a closed door on the left, and Jason was relieved not to hear any  \nembarrassing sounds emanate through the wooden barrier. The bathroom was on the right side  \nof the hall, and Ellie soon located the blow dryer. They dried each other and headed back  \ntoward the basement where their blankets were drying. These, they put on the sofa. Jason  \nclimbed into bed first, lying on his side to make a space beside the cushioned back for Ellie.  \nFortunately, the couch was longer than Ellie's Willowdale bed, and he was able to stretch out.  \n\"Over on your back,\" Ellie instructed.  \nJason complied, and Ellie climbed on top, tucking her muzzle against his neck, her head  \nunder his jaw. Jason wrapped his arms over her and stroked her back, and she nuzzled his  \nneck. As aggravating as she could be, Jason couldn't regret meeting his beloved bunny. He  \nnuzzled her ear and breathed her warm herbal scent, now mixed with the sweet peach aroma of  \nthe shampoo. Jason relaxed under the comfortable weight of her warm body and held her as  \nher breathing fell into the gentle rhythm of slumber. Finally, he closed his own eyes and slipped  \ninto contented sleep.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nEllie yawned and nuzzled Jason's neck. She cracked open her eyes to see the morning  \nlight filtering in through the front window. Underneath her, Jason stirred.  \n\"Are you awake?\" he murmured.  \nEllie yawned again, \"Mmhm.\"  \n\"Is it alright if we get up? I kind of need to use the bathroom,\" he meowed.  \nEllie pushed herself up, arms on either side of the brown tabby's head to look down into  \nhis pretty sea green eyes. \"How long have you been lying here needing to pee?\" she queried  \namusedly.  \n\"I don't know,\" Jason murmured embarrassedly. \"There's no clock.\"  \nEllie smirked, \"You could have moved me, silly kitty.\"  \n\"I didn't want to wake you.\"  \nEllie shook her head amusedly, \"Better you wake me than pee the couch. We'd have to  \ntake another bath.\"  \nJason squirmed uncomfortably, \"Can I get up now?\"  \n\"Sure, I have to pee too.\"  \nEllie slipped off of the cat, and he leapt up and hurried downstairs. Ellie followed after  \nhim and took her turn in the bathroom when he was finished. They proceeded back up to the  \nground floor together but found neither Pete nor Flora in the kitchen.  \n\"I guess they're sleeping in,\" Ellie commented. \"I wonder how long they stayed up.\"  \nJason flicked a triangular ear embarrassedly.  \n\"Let's make breakfast, and maybe the smell will rouse them,\" Ellie suggested.  \nJason nodded. Ellie dug around in the refrigerator and cabinets until she found whole  \nwheat flour, sugar, baking soda, oil, flax and coffee. She started some coffee in the cold drip  \nmachine and began to mix the other ingredients with water to make pancakes. Jason poked  \nthrough the freezer until he found some breakfast sausages. Ellie eyed the meat uncomfortably:  \nshe knew Jason would wait until she was done, but she didn't like that she couldn't tolerate the  \nsmell. She wished she could get over her aversion.  \n\"You can go ahead with those,\" she offered.  \nJason glanced at the sausages thawing in their white paper wrapping on the counter and  \nback to her, \"I can wait.\"  \n\"I can handle it,\" Ellie stated.  \nJason shook his head, \"We've discussed this. I don't want you to suffer needlessly. I  \ndon't think any less of you because the smell bothers you.\"  \nEllie sighed resignedly. \"I wish it didn't,\" she grumbled.  \n\"We all have things that bother us. I don't like getting wet, for example,\" Jason replied.  \nEllie glanced at him guiltily. Jason tolerated what he hated for her; she should be able to  \ndo the same. \"You should go ahead. If you can take a bath, I can put up with the smell of your  \nfood.\"  \nJason shook his head again, \"It's not the same thing.\"  \n\"But-\"  \n\"I won't get any pleasure from seeing you suffer. It makes me feel bad too.\"  \nEllie's ears drooped, even guiltier than before, \"Sorry,\" she murmured contritely. \"You  \ndon't have to take a bath with me anymore if you don't want to.\"  \nFor a moment, Jason seemed pleased with her concession, but then he shook his head  \nyet again, \"I don't want to give up time together you value. If it's something you enjoy, then I can  \ntolerate it. I think I'm starting to get used to it.\"  \nEllie smiled slightly, \"Thanks, Jason. I know you don't like getting wet, but I like our  \nintimate time together. I'll try not to enjoy the 'making you suffer' part.\"  \nJason smirked, \"You can enjoy it a little.\"  \nEllie smiled wider and went back to making the pancakes. She was lucky to have such a  \nsweet kitty as her significant other.  \nEllie was done with the pancakes and was sipping coffee on the far side of the room  \nafter eating hers whilst Jason cooked the sausages by the time Flora and Pete emerged. Flora  \nyawned and rubbed her eyes as they entered the kitchen.  \n\"Sleep well?\" Ellie asked cheerfully.  \nFlora smiled, \"Like a log, but not as well as Pete, I imagine.\"  \nThe black and white rabbit tilted an ear and smiled at Ellie embarrassedly.  \n\"How about you?\" Flora queried.  \n\"Well enough,\" Ellie replied. \"I had a comfortable bed. I made pancakes and coffee if you  \nwant. Jason is making sausage.\"  \n\"I will have some, thank you,\" Flora chirped back.  \nShe trotted over to the stove with Pete close behind. Ellie couldn't help but notice once  \nagain how the smell didn't seem to bother the timid rabbit. If he can handle it, I should be able  \nto! Flora took coffee, but Pete did not. The couple proceeded to the table with their pancakes.  \nEllie was at the end of the table, and Flora sat at her left with Pete on his wife's other side. Ellie  \ndidn't realize she was staring at the black and white rabbit until he coughed nervously and  \nspoke.  \n\"Is there something you need?\"  \nEllie quickly looked away and blushed, her ears getting hot, but then she looked back up  \nat him intently, \"How do you tolerate it?!\"  \nPete blinked, \"What?\"  \n\"The smell! How do you tolerate meat smell?!\"  \nPete shifted in his seat and glanced at Flora, \"Er, well, before medical school, I couldn't.  \nI guess I've just smelled a lot worse at this point.\"  \n\"I think you were getting used to it before that,\" Flora put in.  \nPete bobbed his head in acknowledgement of his wife's assertion.  \nEllie felt somewhat relieved. She'd only been living with Jason a short time; maybe she'd  \nget used to the smell too.  \n\"I think it bothers a lot of prey,\" Pete added consolingly.  \n\"It's dumb,\" Ellie muttered. \"I know it's not really prey, but-\"  \n\"It's flesh even if it's grown in vats,\" Flora responded. \"It's natural you'd have an aversion  \nto it. There are some difficulties being in a relationship with someone with a totally different diet,  \nbut it's worth it if you really love each other.\"  \nEllie glanced at Jason across the room and felt a wave of warm affection for the stripy  \nfeline. Of course it was worth it! \"Have there been any other difficulties we might not have  \nexperienced yet?\" Ellie inquired.  \n\"Other than keeping things separated in the fridge and on the stove, not really. If you  \nwere already friends, then you've probably already sorted through the other predator-prey  \nconflicts,\" Flora answered. \"Really, it's just having basic consideration for others' feelings, which  \nI doubt either of you have much trouble with.\"  \n\"Jason is a sweetheart,\" Ellie confirmed. \"I could probably do a better job. He does make  \nit easy to push him around though.\"  \nFlora smirked, \"Knowing you, I'm sure you enjoy that. I hope you aren't too hard on him.\"  \nEllie grinned roguishly, \"He only has to take a bath once a week.\"  \nFlora giggled, and Pete also seemed amused. Jason glanced back at the three of them  \nembarrassedly and swished his tail.  \nEllie felt a little twinge of guilt for teasing him over the subject. He just agreed to that  \nagain to make me happy. \"It's less that he has to,\" she amended. \"Jason puts up with my  \ndemands because he loves me so much. I really am a lucky doe to have such a sweet kitty.\"  \nFlora put her arm around Pete's shoulders, \"Pete's the same way. Of course, there's  \nnothing I wouldn't do for him as well, but it would be easy for him to complain about all of my  \nworrying. He knows it's only because I couldn't live with myself if I let something happen.\"  \nPete gazed up at the vixen, his blue eyes brimming with affection. She looked down at  \nhim with a gentle smile then nosed his ear lovingly. Ellie was happy that her friend had found  \nher perfect companion though she would have indeed complained if Jason were as protective of  \nher.  \nShortly, Jason brought the sausages over and served two to Flora, keeping the other  \ntwo for himself. He sat on Ellie's right. They continued to chat while the others finished  \nbreakfast, but Ellie kept an affectionate eye on her kitty the whole time.  \nWhen they were done, Flora stood, \"Pete and I will get the dishes since you two  \ncooked.\"  \n\"Why don't you and I get them?\" Ellie suggested. \"There's something I wanted to ask  \nyou privately.\"  \nFlora gave her a curious look but nodded. \"Pete, why don't you help Jason with  \nwhatever laundry is left. Ellie and I need some time for girl talk.\"  \nPete eyed Jason a bit nervously but then led him down to the basement. Flora collected  \nthe plates while Ellie grabbed a couple glasses, and they proceeded to the sink. The dinner  \ndishes were waiting to be washed as well. Flora started filling a blue plastic basin with hot soapy  \nwater before turning back to Ellie.  \n\"Well? What did you want to ask?\"  \nEllie felt her ears getting hot, but she held the vixen's inquisitive gaze resolutely. \"Is, er,  \nis there anything else you've learned about being with prey? Erm, in the bedroom, I mean.\"  \nFlora blinked at her bemusedly, \"I wouldn't think you'd need tips on-\"  \n\"I mean special to predator and prey!\" Ellie cut her off embarrassedly. \"Do you, I don't  \nknow, ever put your jaws around his throat or something?\"  \nFlora frowned, \"I don't think Pete would enjoy that.\"  \n\"Is there something else though?\" Ellie pressed.  \nFlora shrugged, \"I think you're overthinking it. Just talk about what you want.  \nCommunicate. It's no different from any other relationship really; people just act like it is.\"  \nEllie was both relieved and disappointed. She would have liked Flora to provide her with  \nsecret methods to excite her feline lover, but knowing there were no secrets was comforting in a  \nway.  \nThey finished the dishes and rejoined Jason and Pete in the living room. The cat was  \nstanding by the window, trying to appear occupied with watching the street while the black and  \nwhite rabbit was sitting nervously in the loveseat. Pete quickly hopped up and over to Flora as  \nshe and Ellie entered. Flora tucked him close with a hand on his head.  \n\"Did you and Jason get the laundry taken care of,\" Flora queried.  \nPete nodded. Jason glanced over at the couple and then to Ellie. His look told her that  \nbeing alone with the timid rabbit had been a bit awkward, if not trying. Ellie felt a spark of  \nannoyance toward the other rabbit, but when she glanced toward him again and saw him tucked  \nin her friend's gentle arms, the spark was snuffed out. They're happy together, and that's what  \nmatters.  \n\"Could you drive us to Jason's parents' house, Flora?\" Ellie asked.  \n\"Sure, I have to return the rental anyway,\" Flora chirped. \"You're welcome to stay with us  \nlonger if you want though.\"  \n\"We can if you want, Ellie,\" Jason responded.  \nEllie gave him a quizzical look. Does he really think his parents' reaction is going to be  \nthat bad? \"We spent almost a week with my parents. I'd like to meet yours,\" Ellie replied.  \nJason nodded in acceptance. \"Alright, thanks again, Flora.\"  \nFlora led them out to the black SUV. Ellie sighed resignedly as she climbed back into the  \nbooster seat behind the driver's seat. She hoped Jason's parents wouldn't see her climbing out  \nof it!  \nJason's parents' house turned out to be on the East side of Maplesburg. The first thing  \nEllie noticed was the size of the houses on their street: it wasn't that they were built for large  \nanimals--they were clearly designed for small to medium sized mammals--but they were  \nsizable nonetheless. Many were three stories or more. They were clearly expensive. It hadn't  \noccurred to Ellie before now that the relative wealth of their families might be a division in  \naddition to the predator-prey divide. Yes, Jason had financed the start of their practice, but he  \nlived in a modest house himself and had never seemed haughty to her at all. His mother's a  \ndoctor. They make a lot, but they still work for a living, Ellie reminded herself.  \n\"This is it,\" Jason declared.  \nFlora stopped the car out in front of the house Jason had indicated. Ellie peered through  \nhis window at his parents' abode: the house was three stories with white siding and four tall  \nwindows looking out over the front yard on each floor. In addition, a matching two-car garage  \nwas situated to the right at the end of a cement driveway. The front of the house was equipped  \nwith a porch under a gable overhang supported by three two-story cylindrical pillars, and out  \nfront, a pine tree with a knotted rope hanging from a sturdy branch stretched high above the  \nsurrounding houses. Ellie wondered if Jason had scrambled up that rope as a kitten. I have to  \nremember to look at his itty-bitty kitty pictures, she reminded herself. That cheerful thought  \nwashed away the anxiety that had been rising in her chest. This was Jason's home. These were  \nJason's parents. If they had raised such a sweet kitty, they had to be nice too.  \n\"See you around, Flora,\" Ellie said as she unbuckled her seatbelt. \"We'll let you know  \nwhen we're back in our house, so you can come visit.\"  \n\"I know where it is, so I just might show up uninvited if you don't,\" Flora jested.  \n\"Bye and thanks for everything. Like Ellie said, we'll see you around,\" Jason meowed.  \n\"Take care,\" Flora chirped.  \nEllie and Jason climbed out of the car and gave Flora and Pete a final wave as they  \npulled away. Ellie let Jason lead the way to the heavy oak front door. He rang the doorbell.  \nNothing happened for a minute, and then, without warning, the door swung inward to reveal a  \ncompletely black middle-aged tom.  \n\"Jason! You're here! You didn't say you were coming!\" the black cat exclaimed in  \nsurprise. His sea green eyes fell on Ellie. \"Who's this?\"  \n\"Dad, this is my partner, Ellie, you know, the rabbit I work with.\"  \nThe black tom nodded absently, \"Yes, of course. Your mother won't be home until this  \nevening. Come in and get what you need; you know where everything is.\" He turned abruptly  \nand hurried inside.  \nStepping in after Jason, Ellie saw the black cat dash up a curving stone staircase and  \nthen heard a door slam.  \nJason winced, \"Sorry, he's busy. He'll be alright when he's done with whatever he's  \nworking on.\"  \nEllie was a little disconcerted by Jason's father's cool welcome--if you could even call it  \nthat--but she smiled anyway. \"It's a nice house. You grew up here?\"  \nJason nodded.  \n\"My parents' house must have seemed small.\"  \nJason shook his head, \"It was nice. Your parents were nice too.\"  \n\"I'm sure your parents are also nice,\" Ellie replied.  \n\"They mean well,\" Jason responded. \"I'm sure they'll like you once they have time to  \nnotice you.\"  \nJason led Ellie across the stone-floored entry hall to the spiral stairs. A brass chandelier  \nhung from the second floor ceiling above the entry hall, and Ellie watched it as they ascended to  \nthe second floor.  \n\"Where's the third floor?\" Ellie asked.  \n\"Through the door at the other end of the hall. Dad's office is up there. I'll take you to my  \nroom for now, so we won't disturb him.\"  \nJason's room happened to be through the first door on the right. It was fairly large. It was  \nalso mostly empty. Like the upstairs hall, the room had soft, dark blue carpet; this was only  \ncovered by a bed along the right wall, a large dresser on the far wall, and a bookshelf on the  \nwall adjacent to the door. A window looked out onto the street out front, and a white closet door  \non the left interrupted the dark gray of the surrounding walls. There were no toys, posters, or  \nappliances beyond lights and a clock, which was situated on top of the dresser. The only item of  \ninterest seemed to be the large maple bookshelf, and a quick scan of the shelves as Ellie  \nfollowed Jason in revealed mostly classic literature.  \n\"Is your stuff all in the closet or dresser?\" Ellie queried.  \nJason glanced around. \"I think Mom and Dad packed it all away in the attic,\" he  \nmeowed.  \n\"Why? Did they need the space?\"  \nJason shrugged. \"Everything I cared about I moved to my house anyway.\"  \nEllie would have liked to be able to snoop through some of Jason's old things, but it  \ndidn't seem she'd be getting the chance. Unless I can find the attic. \"As long as I get to see your  \nkitten pictures like you promised,\" she reminded.  \nJason flicked an ear embarrassedly, \"Yeah, I'm sure Mom has those around.\"  \n\"So what do we do while we wait?\"  \n\"Do you want lunch?\" He paused and frowned. \"I hope we actually have something you  \ncan eat. We might have to bug Dad after all if we need to go to the grocery.\"  \n\"I guess we'd better check,\" Ellie concluded.  \nThey made their way down to the kitchen, which was located on the back right side of  \nthe house. The kitchen floor was varnished hardwood, and the counters were gray marble.  \nJason opened the stainless-steel fridge and poked around inside. He emerged with a tiny bag of  \ngreen beans.  \n\"I think this is all there is,\" he meowed worriedly. \"I'll ask Dad where my car is, and we  \ncan go to the store.\"  \nEllie followed Jason back up the stone stairs and up the carpeted stairs to the third floor.  \nThere was a short hall with three doors--left, right, and back--at the top. Jason motioned for  \nEllie to wait, carefully opened the far door, and poked his head in. The sharp clicking of a  \ncomputer mouse emanated from the dimly lit office.  \n\"Dad, where's my car?\" he mewed softly.  \n\"What?\" came the distracted reply.  \n\"My car, you know, the one that was at my house. You do have it, right?\"  \n\"Yes, yes, it's in the garage.\" Ellie could still hear the sound of a mouse clicking as  \nJason's father replied.  \n\"Ellie and I are going to go shopping. There's nothing here for her to eat.\"  \nEllie heard the clicking stop and then a pause. \"I, uh, guess not. Your mom is going to  \nthe store after work. You can call her and tell her what you want unless she's hungry right now.\"  \n\"I can wait,\" Ellie told Jason.  \nThe clicking started again, but the cat muttered, \"Odd having a herbivore in the house.  \nYou should have told us you were coming.\"  \nJason closed the door softly and turned back to Ellie, \"Sorry.\"  \n\"I had a big breakfast,\" Ellie consoled. \"If I really get hungry, I can go out in the backyard.  \nDon't worry about it.\"  \nJason shifted uncomfortably, \"You shouldn't have to eat the lawn.\"  \n\"It might be kind of amusing if I did. It would give them something to talk about. 'The first  \ntime we met our daughter-in-law she ate our lawn!'\" She grinned.  \nJason smiled too, \"I guess that would be a little funny.\"  \nJason showed Ellie around the rest of the house, excluding the other bedrooms. The  \nthird floor door on the right opened to a tv room with a sofa and bean bag chairs while the left  \nroom held air hockey and foosball tables and a stereo with expensive-looking speakers.  \n\"Not that we could use either when Dad was working,\" Jason commented dryly.  \nOn the ground floor, the front left corner contained the entry hall while the back right  \ncontained the kitchen. The dining room was on the back left, and the living room occupied most  \nof the front of the house. There were no bathrooms on the ground floor but two on the second  \nfloor--one connected to the master bedroom--and one in the basement. The remainder of the  \nbasement was half laundry room and the other half wine cellar with a wall between. Finally, a  \nscreened-in porch stretched across the back of the house at ground floor level.  \n\"It's a big house,\" Ellie commented when they had finished the tour and returned to  \nJason's room. \"How many siblings do you have again?\"  \n\"Just two.\"  \n\"I wish I'd had this kind of space. I might have been able to get some privacy.\"  \nJason shifted embarrassedly. \"I, uh, I'm sorry I didn't tell you.\"  \nEllie smirked, \"That your family is rich? I'm not exactly upset about it.\"  \n\"I should call Mom and tell her what you need at the grocery,\" Jason changed the  \nsubject. \"What do you need?\"  \n\"Grass of course,\" Ellie answered. \"Root vegetables and whatever other produce looks  \ngood. As long as she doesn't get too much. Make sure she knows it's only for one rabbit.\"  \nJason lifted his cell phone out of its holster and dialed. He waited, and then he waited  \nlonger. Finally, he spoke, \"Hey, Mom, this is Jason. I'm at your house right now. Sorry I didn't  \ntell you I was coming. Um, my partner Ellie is here too. Dad said you are going to the grocery,  \nso could you buy some stuff for her? Grass and roots and stuff. She's a rabbit if you didn't  \nremember. Thanks. See you when you get home. Bye.\" He hung up and turned to Ellie, \"I got  \nher voicemail, but I can call again later if she doesn't reply.\"  \nEllie bobbed her head once in acknowledgement.  \n\"Now what do you want to do?\" he asked. \"We can play cards or read. We could watch a  \nmovie upstairs if we keep it quiet.\"  \n\"Do you have wifi? I want to check on what's been going on since that witch took power.\"  \nJason gave her the wifi password, and they plopped down together on the blue  \ncomforter of his double size bed. Ellie leaned against the dark gray reading pillow with her  \ntablet-sized phone, and Jason sat perpendicular to her with his back against the wall. He lifted  \nher feet into his lap and gently massaged them whilst she perused online news articles.  \nEverything Ellie found oozed glowing praise for the vixen. Apparently, she hadn't wasted  \nany time declaring herself 'Interim Governor' and making the remaining City Council moot. The  \nfact that no one seemed to see the problem with that was highly disturbing. The press seemed  \ntoo enthralled by the vixen's supposed heroics to question whether it was really appropriate for  \nher to usurp the elected government. One article did call the move \"unusual\" but went on to note  \nthat nobility had seen fit to step in during times of crisis many times in past centuries.  \nPerhaps if Ellie hadn't known the vixen, she might have been as easily pacified. After all,  \nthe Vulpinevan constitution ensured that elected government would be restored once elections  \ncould be held. Assuming she allows them to be. Ellie also knew the lack of regard the vixen held  \nfor the constitution, and even if she'd believed for a second the fox would hold to her duty in that  \nregard, nothing could erase the fact that they were dealing with a murderer. An insane  \npsychopath. Ellie had to correct herself that the vixen clearly wasn't insane since someone  \ndisconnected from reality wouldn't have been able to bamboozle so many people into  \nsupporting their rule. The vixen was simply evil. And she knows how to hide it. Ellie felt a stone  \nsink into her stomach as she tried to imagine how they would convince enough people of the  \nvixen's monstrous nature.  \n\"We'll figure something out,\" Jason soothed.  \nEllie looked up at the cat who returned her gaze with his calming sea green eyes. Ellie  \nstared back into his limpid, almost luminescent orbs and let her worries sink into those tranquil  \npools of inky black and soft green. Jason smiled softly then looked away to return to massaging  \nher feet. Ellie put down her phone and lay back, allowing the pleasant sensation to relax her  \ntense muscles and anxious nerves. The truth was on their side. They still had friends in the  \npolice department and at the coroner's office. They would find the evidence they needed, and  \nthe vixen would be removed from power. Not only in Maplesburg, but completely. There would  \nbe justice for Danny and Bartholomew and everyone else the vixen had murdered. Ellie picked  \nher phone back up and texted Katya to let her know they were alive. It was time to get started.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nBy midafternoon, Jason received a reply text from his mother. It read, \"Glad you made it  \nhome safe! I'll pick up vegetables on the way. It'll be fun to cook for a herbivore! Love, Mom.\"  \nEllie also exchanged several texts with Katya. She informed Jason they were going to  \nmeet the ginger officer early tomorrow morning at her own home. It was safer not to be seen  \nanywhere too public in case the Duchess was looking for them.  \nAround four, his father popped in to ask him to put the lasagna in the oven at five so that  \nit would be ready when his mother got home. He glanced at Ellie briefly, but didn't offer any  \nfurther salutations. Jason couldn't help but feel worried. If his father was uncomfortable now,  \nwhat would he think when Jason told him about their romantic relationship? Jason told himself  \nhe was just busy and had been unprepared to welcome guests. At least his mother had  \nsounded happy to welcome his partner.  \nJason nodded off reclining with Ellie against the reading pillow, and she poked him when  \nit was time to head down to the kitchen. Jason preheated the oven then inserted the foil-topped  \nbaking dish from the refrigerator. He wished that there were something for Ellie to make and  \nconsidered that perhaps they should have made a trip to the grocery anyway. Ellie hadn't seen  \nanything about a warrant for their arrest, so perhaps no one was looking for them. The Duchess  \nmight even think they were dead.  \nThey moved to the living room while the lasagna baked. Jason kept an eye on the  \ndriveway while they read. Jason had selected a Dickens novel, and Ellie had gotten her ebook  \non her new phone and was reading Lovecraft. At about a quarter till six, an orange compact  \nSUV pulled in, and his mother hopped out. She was a lovely silver tabby with bright blue eyes  \nand a particularly long tail that flicked to and fro as she sauntered toward the door with her  \nreusable bags full of groceries. She wore only a pair of lavender shirt cuffs and a pair of blue-  \nrimmed, cat's-eye glasses. The alarm for the lasagna screeched, and Jason leapt up in  \nsurprise.  \n\"My mom's at the door! Wait here, and I'll be right back!\"  \nJason raced to the kitchen and frantically dug around for oven mitts while the timer  \ncontinued to squeal. At last, he found a pair and transferred the dish to a hot-pad before  \ndashing back out to the living room. Ellie was already gone. Jason sprinted to the door but  \nhalted as he reached the entry hall: between a pair of stuffed grocery bags that had been set on  \nthe stone floor, his mother had her arms wrapped around Ellie. Ellie's face was pressed into her  \nsoft silver fur, as the queen hugged the diminutive rabbit to her chest.  \n\"Jason! I was just saying hi to your friend,\" his mother chirped happily. \"I'm so glad you  \nfinally brought her to meet us!\"  \n\"It's nice to meet you too,\" Ellie responded. She sounded a bit embarrassed, which was  \nunsurprising considering his mother was still hugging her tightly.  \nHis mother turned her head to beam down at the rabbit a moment longer before finally  \nreleasing her. Ellie hopped back, looking relieved.  \n\"Help me get these inside, Honey. There's another in the car,\" his mother instructed. She  \nhefted one bag in her right hand but then caught Ellie's hand in her left. \"Come on, Dear. You  \nshow me what you like, and I'll whip something up for you!\"  \nShe led Ellie to the kitchen, and Jason quickly retrieved the bag from the car and the  \nsecond from the entryway and followed them. His mother was setting vegetables out on the  \ncounter and querying Ellie about them.  \n\"I also got you a few kinds of grass; I wasn't sure which you liked best. Would any of  \nthese be suitable for dinner? There's not a lot of time, but I'll fix them how you want them.\"  \n\"I can saute some turnip, and then I'll also make a salad,\" Ellie replied.  \n\"I'll do that for you. Are there any spices you'd like, or do you eat turnips plain.\"  \n\"You don't have to. I think it's easier if I cook for myself. If you show me where the spices  \nare, that will be fine.\"  \n\"At least let me help!\" his mother implored. \"Tell me what to do, and I'll do it.\"  \n\"Er, alright, you can scrub and chop the turnip. I'll have four slices about this thick.\" Ellie  \nindicated the thickness with her thumb and index finger.  \nHis mother nodded excitedly and then turned to regard him, \"Let Ellie see what else I got  \nthen put away what she doesn't want.\" She turned back to Ellie with a toothy grin, \"I should have  \nhad you over for dinner a long time ago! You both only work across town; I don't know why we  \ndidn't!\"  \nEllie selected a radish, a carrot, and one of the bags of grass for her salad, and Jason  \nput the rest of the produce in the refrigerator. He was certain his mother had bought too much,  \nbut he supposed that, like he had when he'd shopped for Ellie, she'd wanted to make sure she  \ngot something to the rabbit's liking. Jason stood out of the way whilst his mother helped Ellie  \ncook. Ellie braised the turnip with sage and savory, and his mother cut up the carrot and radish  \nfor her salad. Jason's father appeared while they were working and stood next to Jason, silently  \nwatching the pair with mild interest.  \nWhen she had finished her part of the task, his mother turned around and spotted his  \nfather, \"Blake! Have you met Jason's friend yet? Isn't it exciting to have a herbivore here for  \ndinner?\"  \nHis father nodded. \"Is dinner about ready?\"  \n\"Almost! I'm just helping Ellie make hers, and then we'll be ready!\"  \nEllie glanced back, \"Almost done. You can go ahead if you like,\" she said awkwardly.  \nHis mother turned back to her, \"No, no, we'll all eat together. Take your time, Dear.\"  \nFortunately for Jason's father, who seemed to be getting anxious as the clock ticked  \npast six, Ellie's food was soon finished. They transported it and their lasagna to the dining room,  \nwhich held a long pine table with eight chairs. Jason's parents sat across from each other at one  \nend.  \nHis mother patted the seat next to her, \"Come sit next to me, Ellie. I'll make sure you  \nhave anything you need.\"  \nEllie gave Jason a meaningful glance but then sat next to his mother. Jason sat across  \nfrom her next to his father. Jason's father cut the lasagna, and as he served it, Jason couldn't  \nhelp but think about how different it was from the one Ellie's family had made. The cats' lasagna  \nwas loaded with ground meat and cheese. There were no vegetables, and even the tomato  \nsauce seemed to be an afterthought. Jason hoped the smell didn't put Ellie off of her meal, but  \nshe didn't seem too bothered.  \nHis mother turned to smile sweetly at Ellie, \"Is everything alright for you, Dear?\"  \nEllie nodded, \"Mmhm.\"  \n\"Well then, I think we're owed an explanation,\" his mother declared decisively. \"We were  \nworried sick! Where were the two of you?!\"  \nEllie looked up at Jason, her expression puzzled. \"Hasn't Jason told you yet?\"  \n\"Not a word! He said you were safe with your parents, but before that, we had no idea  \nwhere you went to! The police said you were dead!\"  \nEllie gave him a stare that said, This is your job. Jason took a deep breath to calm his  \nrising anxiety.  \nHis mother looked at him expectantly, \"Well?\"  \nJason shifted uncomfortably, \"We, uh, we were with the Duchess.\"  \nHis mother blinked, \"What? The Duchess? The one who's in charge right now? What  \nwere you doing there? Why didn't-\"  \n\"We were captured!\" Jason cut her off.  \nHis mother exchanged a confused glance with his father.  \n\"By the Duchess, I mean. She, she's the murderer we were trying to find.\"  \n\"The Duchess? You're not making sense, Honey,\" his mother meowed worriedly.  \nEllie groaned. \"Alright, I'll explain. Jason and I were investigating a serial killer. We  \ntracked them to the Duchess' estate, but then it turned out she was the serial killer. And she  \ntook us captive. We only escaped when the terrorists attacked to take her hostage. That's when  \nI took Jason to my parents' house. There's a lot more than that, but that's the gist of it.\"  \n\"Thank you, Ellie,\" his mother replied hesitantly. \"I can't say I'm not shocked by what you  \nsaid, but I think I understood it. Maybe it will make more sense when we hear the whole story.\"  \nEllie nodded, \"It will.\"  \n\"I'm just glad you're both safe now,\" his mother meowed. \"Let's not discuss such terrible  \nthings at dinner though. We'll listen to your whole story afterward.\"  \n\"There is something much more pleasant Jason would like to tell you,\" Ellie stated  \nmischievously. \"But maybe that can wait till after dinner too.\"  \n\"If it's good news, you can tell us now,\" his mother replied. She looked back at him  \nexpectantly.  \nJason squirmed in his seat, even more uncomfortable than before. He would have liked  \nto wait until after dinner! Or maybe until after they weren't here at all! Ellie watched him  \nexpectantly as well. She told her parents right away.  \n\"W-we, uh, Ellie and I, we're, we're dating,\" Jason hastily mumbled the last word.  \nHis mother's bright blue eyes popped wide behind her blue-rimmed glasses, and she  \nquickly looked from Ellie to him and back. \"Oh! Oh, she's so adorable, Jason!\" She leapt out of  \nher seat and snatched Ellie out of hers, causing Ellie to give a little yelp of surprise. His mother  \nhugged the doe, petting her head with one hand. \"Isn't she adorable, Blake?\"  \nJason's father nodded slowly, \"It's a bit odd.\" He turned to regard Jason thoughtfully,  \n\"But if she makes you happy, son, rabbit or not, I'm glad you found someone.\"  \n\"Yes!\" his mother exclaimed. \"You were alone for so long after you broke up with Miss  \nSchulz, we were worried you'd given up entirely!\" She looked down at Ellie, who she was still  \nhugging. \"Welcome to the family, Ellie!\"  \nJason felt a weight lift off of his chest, and he smirked at Ellie, still trapped in his  \nmother's arms, \"I'm glad you're happy. I was worried you'd be upset.\"  \nHis mother blinked at him questioningly, \"Because she's a rabbit? That's not what's  \nimportant, Honey. As long as she makes you happy, she could be a dog, and I wouldn't mind.\"  \nHis father shuddered, \"Thank Zeus she's not a dog!\"  \nEllie let out a snort of laughter, which was only a little muffled by the side of her face  \nbeing pressed against his mother's chest. \"Jason did date a dog, but I rescued him from that  \nmisfortune,\" she joked.  \nHis mother chuckled, and her hand caressed one of Ellie's long ears. \"Hahaha, how  \ncould he resist such a cute little thing?\" She held Ellie a moment longer then looked down at her  \nwith a soft smile, \"You know, I could hold you all day, but I think I'd better let you have your  \ndinner before it gets cold.\" She let Ellie go, and they both sat down.  \nThe remainder of dinner was uneventful. Jason's parents--primarily his mother--queried  \nEllie about her own family. His mother seemed anxious to meet the other rabbits. Jason  \nwondered if he should remind her that he and Ellie weren't exactly married yet, but as he  \nwatched Ellie entertaining his parents, his chest filled with radiating love. It was only a matter of  \ntime and filling in a form, nothing could make him love Ellie more.  \nWhen they had finished dinner, they moved to the living room and sat together on one of  \nthe two matching burgundy microfiber couches. Jason began their story with the first murder  \ncase. It wasn't an easy story to tell; there had been so much heartbreak and tragedy that Jason  \ndidn't like to revisit. He had to take a break more than once while his mother cried. She was  \nparticularly affected by his recounting of the murders of the Planter boy and the family of  \nsquirrels. However, that was before he told her about how the Duchess had starved him, how  \nshe'd tried to make him eat Ellie. Ellie was sitting on Jason's other side, but she quickly ended  \nup in his mother's lap when he reached that grim section. Wide eyed, his mother hugged Ellie  \ntightly as she listened in horror to their terrible ordeal.  \nWhen he finally finished the lengthy story, his mother looked down at the rabbit she was  \nholding and softly murmured, \"Thank you for being there for him, Ellie. You're an awfully brave  \nrabbit, and Jason couldn't have a better companion. I said it before, but let me say it again:  \nwelcome to our family.\"  \n\"I'm lucky to have him too, and I'm glad to be a part of your family,\" Ellie replied. \"Thank  \nyou for raising such a kind and compassionate kitty.\"  \nHis mother stroked her head affectionately.  \n\"What are you going to do now?\" his father broke in. \"You escaped the Duchess, but as  \nyou said, she might be looking for you. Maybe you should have stayed with Miss Bennett's  \nparents longer.\"  \n\"We thought about that,\" Ellie answered. \"But we couldn't sit by while she continued to  \nmurder prey. We're getting in contact with people who can help us, and we're going to make  \nsure everyone knows what a monster she is!\"  \n\"It's such a terrible risk!\" his mother protested. \"I can't bear the thought of you being  \ncaptured again!\"  \n\"We'll be as careful as we can,\" Ellie returned. 'But we have to do this.\"  \n\"At the very least you need to stay somewhere safe,\" his mother argued. \"I won't let you  \nrun off who-knows-where. Until this is over, you need to stay here! I won't sleep right not  \nknowing whether you're safe.\"  \n\"We don't want to put you in danger,\" Jason returned.  \n\"Don't worry about us, or if you do, worry about how we'll feel if you get captured again.  \nShe's less likely to find you here than at your house.\"  \n\"She would have been even less likely to find us at Pete and Flora's,\" Jason noted. \"But I  \nwouldn't want to put them in danger either.\"  \n\"Who?\" his mother asked, confused.  \n\"Er, sorry, Flora is Ellie's friend. She drove us back to Maplesburg. Pete is her husband;  \nhe's also a rabbit.\"  \n\"From what you've told us, she likes to kill prey. You're better off here than with a pair of  \nrabbits.\"  \n\"Flora is a fox,\" Ellie clarified. \"But I agree we shouldn't stay with them. That monster  \nmight try the same thing she did with us!\"  \n\"So you think we should stay here?\" Jason asked.  \nEllie shrugged, \"It probably is safer than your house right now. Fortunately, you never  \ngave her this address, and 'Brown' must be a common enough last name that it'll make it  \ndifficult.\"  \n\"You're forgetting she has every resource at her fingertips,\" Jason reminded. \"We might  \nbe safer with Fitzie or Katya, but my parents' house is no better than mine.\"  \n\"Hmph, we can ask Katya about it tomorrow,\" Ellie decided.  \n\"Or Fitzie, I've known him a lot longer.\"  \n\"I haven't been in contact with 'Fitzie',\" Ellie rejoined irritably. \"Besides, I'd rather not put  \nmy life in the hands of the person who let us down the last time!\"  \n\"I know he did, but-\"  \n\"No Fitzie! I'd prefer we didn't involve him at all, but we'll probably need him to access  \nthe evidence. We'll see what Katya can get us then contact him if we need to.\"  \nJason looked away moodily, \"Okay.\"  \nEllie put a hand on his shoulder, \"I'm sorry, Jason. I know he's your friend, but it's going  \nto take time for him to regain my trust, and we don't have that luxury right now.\"  \nJason sighed resignedly and turned back to her, \"No, you're right. He let us down before.  \nKatya is a better choice.\"  \nHis mother, who was still holding Ellie, blinked at him worriedly, \"I just want the two of  \nyou to be safe. If it's not safe here, then you should stay where it is, but I won't sleep well not  \nknowing.\"  \n\"I'll let you know everyday,\" Jason consoled.  \n\"Speaking of which, I need to call my mom,\" Ellie noted.  \n\"Oh! Can I talk to her too?\" his mother asked, suddenly more cheerful.  \n\"Uh, yeah, that's fine,\" Ellie answered.  \nJason handed Ellie her phone, which she'd left on the couch earlier, and she dialed her  \nparents' number.  \n\"Hi Mom, it's me.\"  \n...  \n\"Sorry, I meant to. We stayed with Flora. We're with Jason's parents now.\"  \n...  \n\"Yeah.\"  \n...  \n\"He did.\"  \n...  \n\"They were happy. They've been very welcoming.\"  \n...  \n\"Mmhm, Whitney wants to talk to you actually.\"  \n...  \n\"Alright, here you go.\" Ellie handed the phone to his mother.  \n\"Hi! This is Whitney Brown, Jason's mom.\"  \n...  \n\"I'm doing well. Blake's doing well too. Is everything alright there?\"  \n...  \n\"That's good. We're just tickled to finally meet your daughter. She and Jason make quite  \nthe cute couple, don't you agree?\"  \n...  \n\"Hahaha, well, we'll be happy to have you here anytime too. Ellie's showing me the kinds  \nof things you like to eat. It's all quite interesting. I didn't think we'd ever have a herbivore in the  \nfamily, but it's kind of exciting! So many new things to learn!\"  \n...  \n\"Oh, it's no trouble. We're delighted to have her, and she's so cute I could just gobble  \nher up! Erm, metaphorically of course.\"  \n...  \n\"Alright, it was nice talking to you. I'll give you back to Ellie.\" She handed the phone  \nback.  \n\"Alright, Mom, I think that's all I had to say. We're safe, and I'll call you tomorrow.\"  \n...  \n\"I will. Love you. Bye.\"  \n...  \nEllie hung up and handed the phone back to Jason. He set it on the burgundy cushion.  \n\"Thank you for letting me talk to her,\" his mother meowed. \"It'll be nice to get to meet  \nyour family. I hope we won't have to wait until the wedding.\"  \n\"Willowdale's a bit far,\" Ellie noted. \"But we'll see. Maybe if we go to visit, you could  \ncome along.\"  \n\"Whatever works. We'd be happy to have them, but if it's too far a drive, we might make  \nthe trip there. I've never been to Willowdale. Have you, Blake?\"  \nHis father shook his head.  \n\"There's nothing there,\" Ellie stated dryly.  \nHis mother petted Ellie's head fondly. \"I suppose it's time we groomed ourselves and got  \nto bed. That was quite a long story you told. If you decide tomorrow that you need to stay here,  \nwe'll be happy to have you.\"  \n\"Uh, do you have shampoo?\" Ellie asked. \"I'd like to take a shower if I could.\"  \nHis mother frowned, \"I'm not sure we do. You can rinse off if you want, but I wouldn't  \nthink you'd want to go to bed damp.\"  \n\"Don't you have a blow dryer?\"  \nHis mother shook her head. \"Is that something you need?\" she asked worriedly. \"I could  \nrun back to the store and get one.\"  \n\"Uh, no, that's fine. Jason can take care of it,\" Ellie responded.  \nJason blushed as his mother and father exchanged a meaningful glance.  \nHis mother responded, \"Jason gives you a bath then. The two of you must really be  \nserious. Do you exchange the favor or-\"  \n\"Ellie thinks it's a bit gross,\" Jason cut in. \"She relents and lets me do her ears.\"  \nHis mother smiled, \"I'm glad you're able to compromise. Blake and I will be headed to  \nour room unless you need something.\"  \n\"We're fine,\" Jason quickly replied.  \nHis mother gave Ellie another hug then set her in Jason's lap. She and his father left to  \nhead upstairs.  \nWhen they had disappeared and Jason had heard the door to their room close, Ellie  \nspoke, \"You lick a lot more than my ears, Jason,\" she teased.  \n\"They don't need to know that,\" Jason murmured under his breath.  \n\"I thought you said it was normal for cats.\"  \n\"It is! But only, you know, when you're about to get married, and the fact that you don't  \never groom me is a little awkward. It'd make them think the relationship is one-sided.\"  \nEllie shook her head in mock severity, \"You naughty kitty. You made it seem like  \nsomething you'd do on the first date!\" she scolded humorously.  \n\"I-if you don't want me to, I'll-\"  \n\"I want my bath! You'll just have to perform as I've come to expect!\" Ellie demanded  \namusedly.  \nJason nuzzled her head. \"Of course, Cutie Pie.\"  \nEllie grunted in displeasure at the pet name.  \n\"Mom thought you were cute,\" he teased. \"I thought she might try to take you to bed with  \nher as her plush bunny toy.\"  \n\"If she wasn't your mom, I'd let her have it,\" Ellie replied dryly. \"Pete might like that kind  \nof thing, but I'm not a doll.\"  \n\"I can ask her to stop if it bothers you,\" Jason replied apologetically.  \n\"No, I'm glad that she likes me. The novelty will probably wear off. If not, at least she's a  \npretty kitty.\" She looked up at him mischievously, \"Even prettier than you. How'd you end up a  \nbrown tabby when your parents are black and silver, by the way?\"  \n\"My grandfather is a brown tabby, and Mom is a beautiful cat. Everyone thinks so.\"  \n\"She doesn't lick my butt, so I guess I'll stick with you,\" Ellie replied. \"Are you ready to  \nget started?\"  \nJason scooped her up across his arms and stood, \"More than ready. Let's go.\"  \nHe carried Ellie up to his room and laid her on the bed before sitting down beside her.  \nJason wrapped his left arm around her shoulders and leaned over to begin washing her ears.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nJason had hardly reached her neck before Ellie began to feel the warm tingle between  \nher legs. It had been ages; they'd expected to be in their own home by now. But now we might  \nbe with Katya, sleeping who knows where! Jason eased her down onto her back, crouching  \nover her right side as he moved to her chest. Ellie's heart pounded as she stared up at the cat  \nlooming over her, his warm, muscular form nearly on top of her. She wanted to feel his weight,  \nto feel his body pressed close to hers. She wanted to feel him inside her. But they couldn't do  \nthat now! Jason's parents were directly across the hall, and there was no way they wouldn't  \nhear! Ellie squirmed her legs as the tingle progressed to hot arousal. Jason was sure to notice  \nthe dampness. She wondered if he could already smell it. If he could, he didn't give any  \nindication, washing diligently, his rough tongue rhythmically rasping over her fur. Finally, Ellie  \ncould take it no longer; her arms shot up and grabbed Jason by the ears.  \n\"Get your tongue down where I need it, Jason!\" she hissed.  \nJason embarrassedly glanced toward the damp fur between her thighs. \"Mom and Dad  \nare-\"  \n\"Screw it! I can be quiet!\" She yanked him toward her loins, and he winced.  \n\"Easy! Just try not to be too loud, okay?\"  \nEllie nodded. Jason repositioned himself behind her rear and grasped her ankles in each  \nhand. With one more confirmatory glance, he bent down and pushed his muzzle into her hot  \nvulva. Ellie sighed in relief as his rough tongue pushed inside her, stimulating her eager vaginal  \nwalls. She grabbed his ears again and held him close as he satisfied her aching desire. His hot,  \nrough tongue lapped her folds and occasionally flicked out to bathe her clitoris, which his moist  \nnose rubbed. Ellie forced herself not to moan too loudly though she couldn't hold back gasps of  \npleasure as waves of orgasmic ecstasy flooded through her. She didn't let go until she'd had  \nenough, his rough tongue eventually overstimulating her such that further licking would avail no  \npleasure. She released his ears and flopped back with a final sigh. Jason let go of her legs and  \nsat up.  \n\"Do you want me to finish your bath?\"  \nEllie nodded through her lingering euphoric daze, and Jason got back to work as if  \nnothing had occurred. Ellie smiled at him affectionately, Silly kitty. Ellie let Jason turn her as  \nneeded as he finished her wash. When he was done, he lapped his palm a few times then  \nbegan on himself, starting at his shoulder.  \nEllie considered the tabby as he washed, contemplating what he'd said about how his  \nparents would interpret their grooming routine. It's what he wanted. However, that didn't mean  \nhe wouldn't appreciate someone grooming him. Not his whole body, just the parts he can't  \nreach. It might not be too gross, and it would make her feel good to reciprocate what he did for  \nher.  \nEllie pushed herself up onto her knees next to the seated cat, and gently wrapping her  \narms around his neck, she leaned her nose in against his ear, breathing his faintly tangy scent.  \nJason stopped his washing and regarded her curiously. Ellie extended her tongue and  \ntentatively licked his cool, velvety ear: it tasted like fur and not a whole lot else. Maybe grooming  \nhim wouldn't be so bad.  \n\"I'd like to try washing you, Jason,\" Ellie murmured. \"Just where you can't reach.\" She  \npulled back and looked at him sternly, \"And I'm not licking your earwax.\"  \nJason purred amusedly, \"Whatever you want, but try not to get carried away and bite  \nme, okay?\"  \nEllie rolled her eyes, \"Unless I bite you for making dumb comments, you don't have  \nanything to worry about.\"  \n\"I promise I won't, and you can stop if it's too gross for you.\"  \nEllie nuzzled his ear, \"You're my sweet kitty; you're only too gross some of the time.\"  \nEllie extended her tongue again and gently licked his fuzzy ear in short little laps. She  \nstarted out hesitantly but began to get into a rhythm; it even began to feel natural to her. Rabbits  \nused to groom themselves after all. Ellie reached the base of his ear and took two long laps  \nover the top of his head.  \n\"Eck!\" Ellie sat up and quickly wiped her tongue, which was now furry with long cat hairs.  \nShe wiped her hand on the sheet and, tongue still hanging out, picked at the remaining tabby  \nfur.  \n\"Is something wrong?\" Jason queried amusedly.  \n\"My tongue is covered with cat hair!\" Ellie complained.  \nJason chuckled lightly, \"Haha, that will happen.\"  \nEllie sat back on her rear, \"Sorry, Jason, it's too gross. I don't want to eat your fur.\"  \n\"That's alright. I can handle it myself.\"  \nEllie watched whilst the tabby finished his bath, and then he pulled back the blue and  \nwhite blankets and flopped down on his side, inviting her in. Ellie crawled up next to him and  \nscooted close, pressing her nose against his neck. Jason pulled the blankets over them,  \ncovering up to Ellie's head. Ellie took the end and pulled it the rest of the way over her, sealing  \nher in with Jason's warm body and familiar scent. Jason wrapped one arm over her and stroked  \nher back. Ellie soon fell into contented slumber, pressed close to her sweet kitty.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2018922-chapter-9-interim-governor.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2019673-chapter-11-resistance.json"}}