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Janice had spent the past couple hours trying to figure out how to fix the mess she had made with Jake. Everything she had said to him had been true, but it wasn't what she wanted. She didn't know how she could get him to come back without telling him she was wrong. She heard a familiar rattle and looked up as an air conditioner stopped. She knew where she was. A block ahead of her she saw the sign for her old job. She wasn't in a mood to face any of her old coworkers; she didn't want to talk to anybody about how she was right now. She turned around and started back, hoping nobody noticed her.

A few blocks later, she recognized things again and slowed to a stop. A few steps more and she would be at the spot that Ed had grabbed her. She heard a car coming up behind her and tensed. She told herself that it's not happening again, this isn't then. She made herself breathe and the car passed, then something bumped her from behind. She screamed and jumped away, turning to see a young man waving his hands and pointing to the phone in one as he apologized. She hurried away, then started running as she remembered. She tried to push Ed's face out of her mind, but his voice echoed in her ears. Where was the other voice? Where was Jake?

“Whoa!”

She dodged a fox and stumbled, then looked around. Across the street was an alley. She backed away and ran into a door. She looked and it was the door. She opened it and pushed inside. It was a bookstore. It didn't look familiar, but there was a smell that made her feel safe. She walked toward the back, trying to find something that she could remember.

“Well hello.”

She stopped and turned to see a tall man smiling at her.

“I'm glad to see you again. It has been a while. How are you doing?”

His voice was comforting, but she didn't recognize it. “You know me?”

He smiled and offered his hand, “Well, we were not properly introduced. I'm Frank.”

She looked at his hand, then offered her paw, “I'm … Janice.”

He took her paw in both hands, “Nice to meet you, Janice. Looking for anything?”

She looked around, but the only thing she could think to say, “A chair.”

He lifted her paw with a smile, “Come with me.”

She followed him around the counter to the back. He stopped and gestured beside a table with a lamp to a dark green plush chair. She stepped forward and sat in it. The soft sides enveloped her, welcoming her in like it was made for her. She didn't know why, but she felt very safe, as if nothing else in the world could bother her. When she looked up at the man standing in front of her, she realized that the memories had stopped and she started to cry.

Frank knelt in front of her and put his hand on her arm, letting her cry for a moment before he spoke, “You didn't remember, did you?”

She suddenly lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight as she sobbed. This was her safe place and she had forgotten it. These walls of books protected her from the nightmare outside.

He patted her back and she sat up. He smiled and looked into her eyes as she wiped tears from them.

“You … protected me.”

He shook his head slowly, “No, I didn't do anything. You're looking for Gunther.”

She shook her head, “You, and this chair, and these books, made me feel safe.”

Frank smiled, “That's what they should do, but Gunther is the one that saved you. If he…”

She shook her head again, “The wolf rescued me, but Jake saved me.”

“Jake?”

She nodded slowly, remembering what brought her off campus, “Jake is … my hero … and I've hurt him.”

The rabbit covered her face and started crying again and Frank hugged her comfortingly. “There, there. It's okay right now. Just breathe.” He sat her up and smiled, “Wait right here, I'll be back.”

She watched curiously as he walked to a corner, grabbed a couple bottles of water from a small fridge, picked up a chair and came back to sit in front of her and offer her a bottle.

“Now, tell the doctor what's bothering you.”

“You're a doctor?” She took the cold bottle and just held it.

“Well, not yet. Still a lonely bachelor for another year or so, but my ears work just fine.”

She wondered if she should tell him what was going on, but she did feel safe tucked away from the world and he had protected her before. Maybe this was the one place and the one man that she could relax with.

Jake kept his hand on his phone in his pocket. He didn't want to miss a call or message from Janice. This was the third place the weasel had taken him, looking for his dream girl, but still no luck. He was starting to think she was in her dorm room and they wouldn't find her when the morph suddenly grabbed him.

“Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. There she is. There she is. There she is. What is she doing in the library?”

He looked through the window that the excited weasel indicated. “Looks like she's reading a book.”

“But … Nevermind. That's her. What do you think?”

She was a large girl with big hips, big breasts, dark olive skin, and long dark hair. She was very well dressed and looked very interested in the big book she was reading. “I think we should leave her alone today.”

“No, come on. You've got to help me. She's right there and I can't even talk to her. Just, just go find out if she might be interested in me.”

Jake sighed and looked at the girl that probably wanted to be left alone, “Alright. I'll go talk to her, but I won't promise anything.”

“Great, great. I know you can do it. You're my hero.”

He gripped his phone in his pocket as he walked to the doors. He was someone else's hero and right now she didn't want to see him. He made his way around and found the girl again. He could see the weasel morph grinning excitedly outside the window. He needed some way to approach her that didn't seem like an obvious ploy. He walked by her and noticed she was reading Sapient Psychology. He looked through the shelves around and found a large one titled Zoosophy, then quietly sat down beside her.

“I'm not interested.”

“Excuse me?”

She kept her eyes on her book. “I came here to read, not find a date.”

Jake opened his book, “Good, so did I.”

She finally looked up at him, then at the book he had. “The Wisdom of Animals?”

“I could use a little insight right now.”

She scoffed and returned to her own book, “Well, it won't help you get into my pants.”

“Good. You're not a rabbit.”

“What?” She looked back up at him as if he had just insulted her.”

“I'm trying to figure out why she pushed me away when she seemed to be happy.” He flipped through the book and stopped at a chapter on happiness.

She looked at him, then at the other empty tables, “So, why did you sit by me?”

Jake casually turned the page, “Oh, because my roommate likes you and wouldn't leave me alone until I talked with you.”

She scoffed again, “There it is. And what makes you think I'd be interested in your roommate?”

“I don't care, but maybe he'll leave me alone now, so I can work on my own problems.” He tapped the book.

“You're serious about this rabbit?”

“Everything seemed great, she was really happy and we had a great day yesterday with some great news, but today, she says she needs to focus on her classes and doesn't want my help anymore.”

The woman looked at him for a moment, then put her arm on her book, “What kind of news?”

“Well, she had been helping me with some research and it led to me getting a really great job. We had dinner with the Harstleins and they found out they're having a baby and we even celebrated with her roommate after.”

“You had dinner with the Harstleins?”

“Yeah, it was kind of an informal interview for the job.”

“What job?”

“I shouldn't say yet. Not until it's official.”

“That's okay. So, what is she studying?”

“Oh, she's going to be a lawyer, and a good one.”

“So, you don't think it's jealousy about your job?”

“My job won't pay very well, but I think it's what I really want to do.”

“Maybe your sudden success made her self-conscious about her own. Would your job interfere with hers in any way?”

“Oh no. In fact, we could probably help each other. She likes helping people and even stood up for me when I had an encounter with Phi Omicron Xi.”

She thought a moment, “Janice?”

“You know her?”

“Not really. I helped her with some research on the original morph project, but mostly there are rumors about you two. You must be Jake.”

“Yes.”

“I'm Elsie.” She offered her hand.

Jake shook her hand with a smile, “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you. Yeah, Janice kind of made a name for herself by sticking up for strangers, but not making friends. There was even rumor that she was sleeping with her roommate, but you hear those all the time when guys get turned down. It was sort of big news in the scuttlebutt for a bit when she started being so publicly affectionate with you. It was like she had been waiting for you, but word was you never met before, and she's a rabbit and you're not and with the rules and all.”

“I didn't know I was famous.”

“Well, not really. These stories pass quickly and I only pay attention to them because it pertains to what I'm studying.” She tapped her book.

“Rumors?”

“Inter-species relationships, particularly human/morph dating rituals. By the way, how did you get her so infatuated with you?”

“Uh …” he wasn't sure he could answer that without revealing things that Janice might not want shared,

“Is this guy bothering you?”

Jake sighed in relief for the interruption and frustration from his roommate's ineptitude, “Maks, this is Elsie, a very nice woman that knows Janice. Elsie, this is Maks, my roommate and the morph I was telling you so much about earlier.”

Elsie looked at the weasel with a smirk, “Oh really?”

“Wait, what did you tell her about me?”

“Relax, Maks. Have a seat. I want to talk to you.”

“You do?” The weasel pulled out a chair and eagerly sat beside her.

“But first, I need to finish this conversation.” She turned back to Jake and put her hand on his. “Don't worry about Janice. She probably has some fear of intimacy or something. Just give her some time and she'll come back around, but don't ignore her; she'll need assurances that you actually love her, but won't try to change her. It's a fortune cookie diagnosis, but patience is the important part.”

Jake smiled, “Thanks. And good luck.”

“Right,” She watched him get up and walk around the table, then turned to Maks. “Now, Mr tall, dark, and furry. Jake tells me you're interested in human women.”

The weasel's tail wrapped around the leg of the chair nervously, “Jake!”

She shooed the man away and leaned closer to the morph with her breasts resting on the table, “So, what do you like best about us?”

Janice finally took a sip of the water she had been holding. It was weird just talking all the way through her troubles at once and Frank just listened. Now she was out of things to say and he was still patiently watching her.

“It sounds to me like you never really resolved the trauma of your attack. Even though you felt you had escaped it, finding Jake reopened those unhealed wounds. You know he isn't the one in your fears, but that doesn't stop them. As much as you want to reward him for saving you, that subconscious connection makes it feel like you are rewarding your attackers and punishing yourself.” He sat back in his chair and sighed, “I wish Gunther was here today. Seeing him would probably be good for you.”

“I'd like that. I like seeing you again.”

“Well, you're welcome back anytime. We're open every day and I live upstairs. Gunther is out on a book run for me and should be back tomorrow. Can you come back tomorrow?”

Janice hesitated and her ears drooped, “I have classes all week.”

Frank leaned forward and took her paw, “He'll be here next weekend, too.”

She smiled softly.

“So, you didn't know any of the boys and it wasn't a good way to meet, but it does sound like you have been really thinking about how you feel about Jake. That you like who he is and not just because he saved you from them.”

Janice sat back in the plush chair and thought about her hero and the man he really was.

“You may already have the answer, but you should think about exactly why you don't think you can let yourself be happy with him. Keep asking why until you know or run out of reasons.”

“I have to finish school before I can start a family.”

“Why?”

“Because when I start making babies, I won't have time.”

“Why?”

“Because I have to make a lot of bunnies.”

“Why?”

“Because the Rules … I have to find a rabbit.”

“Why?”

“Because the Rules say so.”

“Why?”

She struggled a moment, “Because rabbits are the greatest species?”

“Why?”

“Because …” Everything she had been taught to say, she had learned wasn't specific to rabbits. She knew the Rules weren't perfect, but she didn't realize how much they still controlled her choices. She suddenly felt like she didn't know who she was. She started to question every decision she had ever made and everything she had ever thought. She looked up when she felt his hand on her knee.

“Don't get too lost in that one. It's okay to feel good about yourself and your species, but when it gets in the way of your own happiness, it's time to let it go.”

She looked up at him and tears started to fill her eyes. “I love Jake.”

He smiled, “And that's good, but can you love him?”

She wanted to say yes. She really wanted to say yes. She desperately wanted to say, “YES!”

Frank chuckled, “Now, can you let yourself be happy with him?”

Her eyes went wide and her ears drooped. Why didn't that answer come easily? “I don't know!”

He caught her paws and held them. “That's okay. It's okay. Nobody knows the future. But at least you're considering the possibility. You're not letting some meaningless rules keep you from being happy.”

Her ears slowly raised as pieces of herself started to fall back into place. “You're right. I don't have to be their definition of a rabbit. I am a rabbit, but I am me.”

“And you can be happy loving Jake.”

“YES!” She jumped out of the chair and hugged him tight.

Frank laughed and hugged her back, “Now that's a happy rabbit.”

She sat back embarrassedly in her chair and straightened her clothes.

“Well, that's enough of my armchair psychology. I hope it helps.”

“Oh it has! You are going to make a great psychologist.”

Frank laughed, “No I'm not. My doctorate isn't going to be in psychology; it's literature.” He indicated all the books around the room.”

“Oh,” For a moment, she doubted his advice, but no, it made sense and made her feel better. She smiled at him, but still wondered how she would make things better with Jake.

A soft bell chimed and Frank stood up. “You're welcome to stay here as long as you need. I'll just be up front for a little while.” He smiled and headed out to take care of his customer.

She stared at his empty chair, just letting everything sink in for a moment. As comfortable as the chair was, she didn't feel as safe anymore with someone else in the store, besides, she needed to find Jake. She pushed herself up and with a glance to get her bearings, she hurried for the door.

“Have a good day, Janice. You're welcome back anytime.”

She didn't want to respond, because she would have to look up and she didn't want to recognize where she was walking until she was far from that alley. She pulled out her phone and took a deep breath.

Jake jumped up from the bench and pulled his phone out. It was a message, from Janice.

[I'm sorry I was so coarse with you earlier. We should discuss our schedules and decide on some appropriate times to meet.]

He quickly typed his response:

[Mrs O explained. It's okay. When would you like to discuss our schedules?]

He realized he had been walking circles around the bench and sat down again, staring at his phone as he waited for a response, then sprung back up and started walking because he couldn't sit still with the anticipation.

[Explained what?]

[Nevermind. We can talk tomorrow after class.]

He was eager to agree and barely acknowledged the cat he bumped into.

[Absolutely. I'll meet you at your dorm.]

He was very glad she had calmed down and wanted to see him again. He looked up and saw her building and stopped in his tracks. His feet had taken him where he wanted to go, but he didn't need to be there, yet. Then he saw his rabbit coming up the other path and looked for someplace to hide. It wouldn't be good for her to see him, she might think he was stalking her and change her mind about meeting. Fortunately, she was paying attention to her phone and he turned to hurry away.

[No. I'll meet you in the caf after your last class.]

He was glad she didn't see him, but the neutral location made him wonder if he would ever get close to her again.

“Hello, Miss Myer.”

“Hello M…” her phone interrupted her and she checked it first.

[Great. See you then.]

“Sorry, Mrs Oplenski.”

“It's okay. I was just as attached to mine at your age. These days I have lot less callers.”

“I'm surprised. You're so nice, you should have lots of friends.”

“Some wouldn't agree, but no, I mean they have their own lives or have passed on.”

“Oh. You're not that old, are you?”

“Old enough. The longer you live, the more chance your friends don't. Different species live different live spans, like your friend, Miss Bjørn.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are more human. She is more animal. She will not live as long as you.”

She gasped at the thought of the bear dying young, “I – I didn't think about that.”

“Most people don't. It is not pleasant to think about death.”

“No, I guess not…” She was lost in the thought of Eletta dying as she started for the stairs. “See you tomorrow, Mrs Oplenski.”

“No. My daughter will return. I will get her soon.”

“Oh.” Janice stopped, then took a big step and hugged the big wolf.

“Oh!” She tensed in surprise, then relaxed and hugged the rabbit back. “Thank you Miss Myer. I hope you are feeling better.”

Janice sighed and stood up to smile at the old wolf, as she decided whether to ask what she explained to Jake. “Yes, thank you.”

“Good. You should make up with that Cohen boy. He is good for you.”

Janice chuckled, “I already am.”

“Good. Good night Miss Myer.”

“Janice. Good night, Mrs O.”

“Good night, Janice.”

She headed upstairs, a jumble of feelings and thoughts shuffling around in her head. She never thought about how fragile the world is. Mrs O is leaving; she almost lost Jake; and Eletta will die before her. She needed some comfort and she knew it would be waiting for her.

“There you are! I can't believe you just did that and left. You owe me: answers and a cuddle.”

Janice dropped her things and just wrapped herself around the still naked bear, hugging tight.

“Well, I didn't expect it to be that easy. Wait. Don't forget the answers.” She pushed her roommate back and glared at her.

The rabbit smiled, “I'll tell you anything you want to know. I just don't want to lose you.”

“Lose me? You'll have a hard time getting rid of me with a tongue like that.”

“I mean dying, silly bear.” She sat on the bed beside her friend

“What are you talking about? I'm not going to die.”

“We all die and you're an animal based morph, so you won't live as long as I do.”

“Who told you that?”

“Mrs O was talking about all the friends she has lost.”

“Oh.” A smile grew on her face, “Well, let's not waste any of the time I've got left.” She grabbed the rabbit and kissed her lips passionately.

Janice resisted in her surprise, then relaxed and started to cry.

The bear huffed as she broke the kiss, “I'm not that bad a kisser.”

“Ellie, I almost lost Jake today.”

Eletta scoffed, “You could never lose him; he's addicted to you.”

“I almost pushed him away, just to spend more time studying.” Her tears fell freely.

She hugged her roommate comfortingly and sighed, “You're too addicted to him to do that.”

Janice sighed and laid her head on the bear's small chest. It was true, she couldn't think of anything without Jake, but that was what scared her in the first place. “Am I hopeless?”

Eletta lifted the rabbit's head to look in her eyes, “You're a hopelessly sexy rabbit that's going to make a fantastic lawyer, marry Jake, and fuck his brains out. But in the meantime, you can blow this bear's mind every night with that amazing tongue.”

Janice smirked, “How about you settle for a cuddle and maybe I'll give you my tongue sometime, if you can behave yourself.”

“I didn't behave myself to get it that time.” She noticed the rabbit's smirking glare, “Alright I'll take what I can get.” She crawled up on her bed and spread her legs hopefully.

Janice pushed the bear's knee out of the way as she crawled up beside her friend and snuggled close with a sigh.

Jake opened the door to his dorm and found Elsie naked, clutching Maks' tail between her cleavage as she stroked it and rode his lap with his body wrapped around hers to kiss her lips and hold her large, dark breasts. They continued their undulations, oblivious as Jake overcame his shock.

“Oh yes, Maks, that's perfect! Don't stop!”

The weasel quickened his pace and Jake stepped back out, closing the door quietly. He heard her moan loudly, followed by Maks groaning his release and knew they were done, but decided to give them some time to get themselves settled before he opened the door again. He walked to the other end of the hall and looked out the window. The sky was dreary, but soon the sun would dip below the clouds and cast brilliance underneath them for a few moments. A door opened and he turned to see an orange cat look at him before she made her way down the hall to the stairs with her tail held around her waist. He decided it was enough time and walked back.

He opened the door and Elsie looked up at him in surprise. She was laying on top of the weasel with their heads at the foot of the bed and her breasts over his face, “Oh! Jake!” She dropped down, smothering Maks in her cleavage and grabbed her blouse from the floor. She sat up, unsuccessfully covering her chest with her arm as she straightened out her blouse.

“Bring those back here.” The weasel pulled at her sides, but she pushed his arms away and smiled nervously at Jake as she put her blouse on.

Maks leaned his head back with a grin and rubbed her thighs, “Oh hey, Jake. Thanks for introducing us. Elsie is fantastic!”

She snatched her pants from the floor and slid back on the bed, lifting her legs in the air to put them on.

Maks moaned as his erection popped out from between her thighs, “Oh, come on. There's lots more to show you I can do.”

She stood up and hopped to straighten her pants, then closed them and grabbed Maks' shorts to slap them on his lap, “Jake doesn't want to see them.” She grabbed her bag and smiled at Jake, then turned back and grabbed her bra and panties from his bed, “Sorry.”

“It's okay, it's had worse. Hey, I heard from Janice. We're going to meet after class tomorrow to talk.”

“See, I told you she would come around.”

“Thanks. Looks like you did a little more than talking with Maks.”

She looked at the weasel with a smirk. “Yeah, I'm not done with him, yet.” She leaned in and kissed Jake's cheek and caressed the other, “Thank you.” She left with a sideways glance to the naked morph.

“See, I told you she was great. Once she heard how flexible I am, she couldn't wait to get back here and I'm not even very flexible for a weasel.”

“Maks.”

“Yeah?”

“Put your pants on.”