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Chapter 11

It was the morning after and Zenia left early to clean up before opening Stitches. Spec switched out his usual coffee for a half sports drink, half water mix. Cindy sat behind the check out counter having a cup coffee. She was in much better shape then he was.

"Did we wear the big bad wolf out last night?"

"Despite what most women think, guys burn a lot of stamina with just one woman. Two is a like running a marathon. Or maybe that's just me."

She smiled at him as he took another gulp of his drink.

"Besides, you two didn't seem to complain about last night."

"Nope, we had fun. Hope we can do something like that again."

"I need to find time to work out and build my endurance."

"That's a good idea for when we start having our parties."

He looked at her as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Lets start with the one party before we talk about multiple ones, okay?"

She grinned as he walked to the back of the store. It wasn't long before the front door opened and two foxes walked in. The gray fox dressed in a denim jacket, white shirt and black pants was trying to drag her red fox friend in by the sleeve of her pink zip up hoodie.

"Welcome to Twilight books. Can I help you with something?"

"Hello, just give us a second please."

The gray fox turned to her friend whispering something. The red fox started to cry in protest as Spec returned to investigate the commotion. Upon seeing him the red fox nearly fell to her knees shaking. He realized what was happening when he saw who it was.

"Hi Angie, I take it that is your friend you mentioned from before?"

The gray fox looked back nodding her head. Spec nodded in acknowledgment before walking to Cindy who was confused at what was happening.

"What is going on Spec? Who are they?"

"That is Angie, one of my regular customers. Remember when I said I saw a red fox jet out of the store that one time when you were in the back. I assume that is her friend Kit."

"Why is she acting that way? She looks like some one is about to kill her."

"From what Angie has told me Kit was almost raped by a wolf once when she was younger. As a result she is terrified of them. From the looks of things it is really bad."

"Should we do something? We can't just have her going nuts inside the store."

"No we can't, but if I go over there now I might make things worse. We just need to wait it out and see what happens."

The two foxes continued whispering to each other before Angie led Kit over to Spec. She was still shaking with her head down as Angie moved her in front of him.

"Spec, this is my friend Kit. Kit, say hello."

She raised her hand giving a nervous wave and a weak "hello" barely lifting her head to look at the wolf. He waved back with a nervous grin not sure what to do. The situation was tense as it was and he didn't want to make it any worse.

"Hello Kit, it's nice to meet you. Angie, may I have a word with you in the back? Cindy do you mind keeping Kit company while me and Angie talk?"

She nods as he went to the back with Angie. Kit just stood there holding her sleeve looking around slowly, half expecting something to jump out at her. Cindy didn't know what to do with her as time seemed to come to a stand still.

"How are you doing Kit?"

"I'll be fine so long as that wolf doesn't jump out at me."

"You don't have to worry. Spec is not like that. He is the nicest guy. I wouldn't be dating him otherwise."

"You are dating a wolf? Aren't you scared?"

"No. Like I said, he is really nice. Besides if he ever did get out of line I have ways of dealing with him."

She smiled as she stroked her fluffy tail. A thought crossed Kit's mind that made her smile. It lightened the mood a bit as Cindy rested her elbows on the counter.

"So according to your friend you had a bad run in with a wolf in the past."

"She told you about that?"

"No, but that's what Spec told me."

"I see..."

She looked away embarrassed that others knew about her fear. She wanted to pull up her hoodie to hide her face.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure if something like that happened to me I'd be afraid too. But you should give other wolves a chance. Just because you met one bad one doesn't mean they are all like that."

"I suppose. I mean it would be a good idea seeing as I will most likely have to deal with them at work. Well when I start working that is."

"Do you need a job?"

Kit nods as she rubs her arm. She felt a little guilty living with her best friend and not having a job yet to help with food and rent.

"Well if you are looking for a job I think we might be able to help you out."

**********

"Wait just a sec; you want me to help you do what now?"

"I know it's a weird request but please, help Kit get over her fear of wolves."

He held his hand to his eye as a throbbing sensation started to build behind them.

"Angie, she is so scared of me she can barely walk. What am I suppose to do for her?

"I don't know Spec, she just needs help and you are the only wolf I know that wont just try to jump her bones."

"Now I know I'm going to regret this but what makes you say that?"

"Well how many times have I offered myself to you and you've yet to make a move on me."

He placed his face into both of his palms knowing he let himself walk into that one. He composed himself before speaking again.

"Fair enough Angie, but I digress. What can I do for a person that will barely say "hello" to me? I mean it took you dragging her in here to get one word out of her. A conversation would be a nothing short of a miracle."

"Well guess what, you better start praying for one because you are going to help me one way or the other."

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you are a nice guy and wouldn't turn down someone asking for help if it's a reasonable request."

He holds up his hand about to say something but suddenly stops. His ears go flat as he lowers his hand, his face tightening. She knew he wouldn't turn down at least trying to help kit out.

"Come on. Let's go "talk" to your friend."

They returned to the front where Kit and Cindy seemed to be getting along fine. Kit didn't notice them as he cleared his throat to get her attention. Upon turning she tensed up seeing Spec who was waving slowly.

"Hello Kit, I'm Spec. Angie would like me to talk to you, maybe help you out with your phobia."

She lets out a weak whine as she looked down again. Angie walked behind her friend, giving her a small nudge forward. It startled her as she found herself closer to the wolf then before.

"H... Hello Spec."

She extended her shaking hand towards him. He took it giving her a gentle hand shake.

"Why don't we go to the back and talk there. Don't worry, Angie will be with us."

Kit turned to Angie who nodded, reassuring her friend that it would be okay.

"Alright, we can talk."

"Okay, Cindy do you mind watching the front for a bit."

"No problem. Don't worry Kit. Like I said; if he steps out of line I'll take care of him."

Kit grins as she watched the skunk whip her tail playfully. Spec was confused by this as he walked back with the two vixens. He closed the door to the break room behind them as he offered them seats at the table. They were silent for a bit as they sat, taking in the situation. Spec didn't know what to say as he looked at Kit, followed by Angie. She motioned with her eyes towards Kit. He responded with a look suggesting he didn't know what to say. Looking at Kit again he takes a deep breath.

"So Angie told me about your experience. Do you want to talk about it or ask me any questions?"

She lets out a soft whine, ashamed that people knew what happened to her. Angie puts a hand on her should to comfort her friend.

"Kit, Spec is not going to do anything to you. He really wants to help you but you have to talk to him.

Kit was still looking down when she finally spoke.

"Why do you do it?"

He tilted his head confused as he glanced at Angie hoping she could explain. She shrugged before Kit continued speaking

"Why do wolves want to rape others?"

"What? No, no, no, wolves do not have the urge to rape others. Wolves are pack animals. We may have multiple partners but it's consensual between everyone involved."

He started scratching behind his head wondering what else to say. He saw that he had Kit's attention as she was looking at him now.

"Kit, I don't know the wolf that tired to rape you but I can promise you most wolves are not like that. We can be aggressive and dominate but we like partners that want to be with us. I'm not trying to make excuses for the prick that tried to rape you but he might have been a lone wolf with no family or something. It's hard to say with out knowing him."

Angie started to rub her friend's back, helping to put her at ease. Kit straightened her body a bit as Spec sat back in his chair. He bit his lower lip as he thought about his next words.

"Kit, I might not be able to speak for all wolves but I can promise you this. So long as you don't do anything to me or the people I care about I will be your friend and never intentionally hurt you or anyone you care about."

It was hard to see but Kit cracked a small smile hearing those words. Angie hugged her best friend as she looked at Spec, mouthing the words "thank you" in silence. He nodded in acknowledgement before standing up.

"Well let's head back up to the front. I don't want to leave Cindy upfront by herself."

The two nod as they all head out of the break room. There were no customers as Cindy was still behind the counter.

"So did the three of you have a productive talk?"

"I think we made some progress today."

He looked back at Kit who looked away a bit bashful but giving a small smile. Angie placed her arm around her friend's shoulder.

"Thanks for the help Spec but if you excuse us we have to go job hunting. Don't want to fall behind on rent you know?"

"Actually now that you mentioned that Angie..."

Every one turns to Cindy as she clears her throat.

"We are looking for another person to work here. Especially for the weekends so we can open an extra day maybe. What if Kit worked here?"

Kit and Spec both looked at her with a pronounced "What?!" directed at Cindy. Angie claps her hands together, excited at the idea.

"That would be perfect! Kit would have a job and she can get used to being around wolves with Spec."

"Now wait a second! What does Kit have to say about this? I mean, she is the one that is afraid of me. Plus, what if she doesn't want to work in a book store?"

"Come on Spec. We live close to here so it would be safe to work and you are a nice guy remember. You wouldn't want to turn away someone in need right?"

He is about to say something but stops and lets out a low growl causing Kit to jump back a bit.

"If Kit would like to fill out an application I will look it over and let you know. Cindy, please give her one while I go get a drink and scream into a pillow while I try and figure out why so many women know how to push the right buttons with me."

He heads up stairs as Cindy gets a job application for Kit. Angie is hugging Kit waving to Spec as he leaves.

"Thanks again Spec I promise you wont regret this."

**********

He looked over the application after the two vixens had left. He sighed, wondering how all this happened so fast.

"Come on Spec; I think it's a great idea for her to work for us. Besides, you keep saying if we want to pull off these parties we are going to need more help."

"We are having one party Cindy. I don't know why you keep referring to it in plural."

"Well, we'll see about that in the future."

He signed as he put the application down.

"You do realize if we hire her you are going to have to do most, if not all of the training. I'm surprised she was even able to ask me a question today with out having a break down."

"You worry too much. She is a sweet girl when you get past her defenses. I'm sure she will get comfortable with you and she can work her way up from there."

He shook his head, doubtful the outcome would match that of what everyone's expectations were. Both of them looked out the window as the sound of a pick up truck parking in front of the store drew their attention. From it stepped out a tall brown bear smoking while talking on the phone. His hat was fairly beaten and his shirt and pants weren't much better. He looked into the store window, waving to Spec after making eye contact.

"Who is that?"

"That is going to be your new best friend. He is the contractor friend I mentioned before that is going to help us with the basement. His name is Doc. He's pretty easy to get along with but there is one thing to remember. Never ask him "What's up?" For some reason it annoys the crap out of him. Ask how he is doing any other way and you should be fine."

"Wait, why is he going to be my best friend?"

"Because he is going to remodel the basement how ever you want. Just tell him what you would like done and if he can do it he will try."

She looked out the window again as Doc finished smoking and hung up the phone. He walked through the door and spoke with a voice that reminded someone of their father's best friend greeting him.

"What's up Bubba?"

"How you doing Doc?"

"I'm fine, wife has been good. So what's this I hear that you need some work done in your basement?"

"Well it's not for me actually. It's for her."

He points to Cindy who lifts up her hand, waving just below her face.

"Hello, I'm Cindy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Cindy, I'm Peter. You can call me Doc if you like, everyone else does."

"Thank you."

"So, what is it you had in mind?"

She was at a lost for words as she looked up at the bear. He was taller then Spec and she was already a little shorter then him. Spec laughed as he stepped in to help her out.

"We are thinking of throwing a party in the basement in the near future but we need to make it a bit more comfortable for our guest. She has some ideas of what she wants done but we want some estimates and a time frame of how long it might take to get it done."

"Well that's not a problem. Come on little lady, lets see what you want done."

"Okay..."

She cracks a smile as she leads him down to the basement. Spec laughs blowing air through his nose wishing he could watch as she worked with his friend. They were gone for almost twenty minutes before returning. Doc was looking over his note pad as Cindy continued to talk to him.

"Well Spec, your lady friend has quite some ideas. She said you would be taking care of the bill?"

"Yeah, guess I am."

"Okay, other then that there are a few things I want to talk to you about. You mind if we talk outside?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Cindy do you mind watching the shop?"

"Sure thing Spec."

The two males walked outside as Doc got out his pack of cigarettes. He took one for himself and offered Spec one.

"No thanks, trying to cut back on cigars too now."

"That's a good habit to break. So let me ask you something, do I want to know what you two are planning down there?"

"In all honesty Doc... No you don't want to know."

"Then I will not ask. I assume your dad will be covering the bill."

The wolf sighed rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, I guess he will be again. I have to talk to him to make sure but one way or the other I'll be sure to pay you."

"Oh I'm not worried about that."

The bear pulls out a lighter as he lit up his cigarette. After a long drag and exhale he continues.

"Now what I really want to know is are you hit that fine skunk ass?"

He gave him a face as his ears went flat again.

"First off I'm never telling any of you pricks about my personal interest ever again."

He looked back at Cindy through the store window before looking around to make sure no one was watching them.

"Second, hell yeah I am."

He grinned ear to ear as Doc held out his hand for a high five and a hug.

"Well it's good to see you are staying active after the service. And I don't mean the reserves."

"What ever Doc. I stayed in longer then you even if you did out rank me. But yeah, we are a thing. There is something special about her."

"Well I'm happy for you. You were single for so long we were worried about you for a second."

"Who is "we" exactly?"

"Pardon me?"

They turn to see a male skunk wearing a black vest over a white tee.

"Hi, I was wondering if this is Twilight books?"

"Yes it is, can I help you with something?"

"Yeah, does a woman skunk named Cindy work here by chance?"

"May I ask why you would need to know that information?"

"Oh I'm sorry. My name is Scotty, I'm her cousin. I'm dropping by to visit her."