Welcome Home (NJ)

[Deleted]

The alarm going off, another sleepless night. Krul crawled out of bed to get ready for his shift, when his pager went off. Recognizing the number for dispatch he hurriedly showered and dressed. Once dressed he picked up the phone and dialed dispatch. There had been another murder fitting the case he was working on. Quickly jotting down the address he hung up the phone and was out the door with a speed not his own. Lok wanted to play, Lok has come to regard Krul’s work as nothing more then a game. With his heightened senses and instincts courtesy of Lok , Krul has a high arrest rate.

Arriving at the crime scene, Lok was suddenly going crazy. This has happened before but the feeling Krul got from Lok was one of recognition. This has only happened one other time at a crime scene. It is more apt to happen off duty while in restaurants or shops , public areas. Instinctively Krul knew that this murder was not tied to his investigation. And sure enough after an hour on the crime scene the forensics department confirmed his instincts. As Krul was leaving the crime scene turning it over to another homicide detective, he over heard a forensic scientist telling the coroner that it looked as if some animal had torn apart the parents. And that their child was receiving medical attention for a serious bite. At this point Lok was screaming inside Krul’s head begging him not to leave. To give him a few minutes to track. Krul asked Lok if it would be too late for him to track if they were to come back later tonight. Lok agreed that it would not be too late knowing full well that Krul intended to let him take control.

Just as Krul was getting into his car the DIC (detective in charge) came and asked him if he would mind running the child to social services. Since Krul was leaving anyway he agreed and went to collect the child.
Nathan , who was 13 years old was in a state of shock. He had witnessed his parents murder and had been attacked himself, as it was now no one had been able to get a statement from him. Once he had Nathan safely belted in to the front seat of his car , Krul got into the drivers seat and started the engine. A soft “thank you” startled him out of his thoughts, he looked over and smiled gently at the boy. Putting the car in gear Krul eased away from the curb in front of Nathan’s parents house. It was a long ride to social services , so Krul began to chat idly with Nathan hoping to bring the boy a little further out of his shock. With each passing minute Nathan became more and more involved in the conversation. Soon he began offering details about his life, school what he wanted to be when he grew up. Soon Krul asked him what he remembered about last night. Lok purring encouragement with every word. Unable to figure out why Lok was acting so odd Krul focused his attention on the silent boy waiting for him to either answer or retreat further within himself.

“it was something big , I didn’t get a look at it until it bit me “ Nathan finally said in a quiet voice. Waiting a little longer Krul knew not to interrupt now or the boy would not get anything more out. “it had big yellow looking eyes that sort of shined like a cats does at night “ he finished. Krul felt he would not be getting any more out of the boy until he was ready, he turned the conversation to sports. Finally Krul picked up his cell phone and called social services , telling them he was bringing in a boy, an injured victim of a brutal double murder. He told the woman on the phone that the boy would need to see a counselor as soon as they arrived. And advised that some officers would be by to collect a statement from him. Hanging up the phone he looked over at Nathan and said “almost there”.

[Maira]

Rose had wandered out of her office for a cup of coffee. The day had been a long one and a little caffeine could fix her weariness. She had half an hour until she would be done for the day, just long enough to finish her coffee, or so she thought until she heard the receptionist on the phone. Apparently an adolescent boy was being brought in to talk to a counselor. As Rose was the only one left on duty for the day that'd be her.

Wandering back to her office, Rose packed away all the cases she'd been working on throughout the day and took out a new file, complete with an evaluation sheet, plenty of paper for notes, and a little questionaire for the officer bringing the child in. She'd just about gotten everything straightened out and ready when there was a light tap on her door before it opened admitting the receptionist followed by a police officer and a boy that was probably between the ages of 12 and 15.

"Rose," said the receptionist merrily, "This is Nathan and Detective Krul." The introduction was short and to the point, Rose nodded her thanks and the younger woman left. Once the door was closed again, Rose gestured to two of the seats off to one side of her office. Picking up the file she had started for the boy, she walked over to join them. Handing the questionaire and a pen to the detective she sat down in the remaining chair, one that faced the boy.

As Rose was totally focussed on the boy sitting before her it took her a while to realize that the leopard that prowled inside her was quite alert and her attention kept flitting between the man and the boy. Justice Keeper was rarely this alert while Rose was working, unless she was working with other Pard members. From what she could tell, neither the boy nor the man were members of her Pard. Granted the Pard had gotten rather big of late, she may not know everybody.

Rose decided to ignore Keeper for the time being and she concentrated on the boy. After asking him all the routine questions she asked him the big one, "Do you know why you are here?" There was silence from the boy as he looked between her and the detective. She was patient though and after a few minutes of waiting the boy finally answered. He explained what he remembered from the attack on his parents, and then himself, and finished with, "I guess I'm here because I'm an orphan now." Rose didn't indicate one way or another any sort of answer to the boy's statement. She'd learned long ago that confirming or denying a child's view on their family situation rarely helped the process of evaluating the child.

When she was sure the boy wouldn't be saying anything else, Rose got to her feet and excused herself for a moment. Making her way to her office door Justice Keeper demanded not to be ignored and finally Rose let the leopard's thoughts penetrate her own. Her eyes widened with surprise a little bit when Keeper's conclusions about the two males in the room became clear; they were both Pard. Rose didn't let any of that change her course however and she let herself out of her office.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Rose then headed over to the receptionist's desk and said quietly, "The boy needs a place to stay tonight, call my Aunt I think she has room. If she grumbles at all, just tell her she can take it out of my hide next time she sees me." That last comment was accompanied with a mirthful smile.

Rose's Aunt was Pard as well and also one of their 'special needs' foster mothers. As most of the children that went to Rose's aunt seemed rather normal to everybody else, nobody could quite figure out what special needs the children had.

She was just heading back into her office when two more policemen arrived and she gathered they were there for the boy's statement. She waved politely at them and said, "I'm just about finished with him. He's still quite shaken up so be gentle." With that, she headed back into her office.

Not even shutting the door, Rose said to Nathan, "There are other policemen here to ask you questions Nathan, go ahead and go on out." She knew that by the time the police were finished with him, her Aunt would be there to pick him up and he would finally be able to settle down for the night.

Once Nathan passed her, Rose shut the door behind him and turned questioning eyes onto the detective who had also gotten up to leave. "You're not from around here are you?" she asked carefully. Keeper was practically clawing at her, trying to get out to greet the newcomer but Rose shoved her to the background. Being overly obvious to a strange Pard was not the wisest thing in the world. It had only taken Rose one time to learn that, the strange Pard had in fact been damn near Feral and had attacked her.

[Deleted]

Krul had pulled his car into an empty parking space reserved for city officials at the front of the building. Reaching over to Nathan he quickly unbuckled the boy’s lap belt and opened the door for the boy before exiting the car himself.

Nathan walked around to the front of the car and stared up at the building, they began to walk to the entrance when Lok started to get really restless. When asked what was bothering him , Lok cryptically answered “you’ll see”. once at the elevator Krul looked up at the floor guide found the floor social services was on and entered the elevator , Nathan a step behind. “it’s almost over Nathan, “ said Krul to try to help the boy relax. He felt the boy getting more rigid the closer they got to social services.

At the reception desk Krul stated his name and business, the receptionist smiled warmly first at Krul and then to Nathan. “Ah yes detective Krul , Rose Has been waiting for the both of you.” she said as she rose and begged them to follow her. Knocking on a door she waited for only the briefest of moments before opening the door and announcing "Rose, This is Nathan and Detective Krul."

Once through the door Krul could not keep his eyes off the pretty little red head now smiling up at the two who just entered her office. Picking up a pile of paper on her desk, rose handed Krul a pen and questionnaire . As soon as Krul touched the forms she handed him ,Lok went ballistic and tried to take control. Krul too pre occupied with the feeling this woman projected, almost relinquished control till he remembered where he was. Clamping down on Lok as he had never done before he tried to thank the woman but all that came out was a soft barely audible purr. Sitting down he set to the task of filling out the required paper work, trying with all of his might to keep Lok pushed deep with in his mind and concentrate on the paper work, and not Rose.

Filling out the paper work with the woman sitting talking with the boy her soothing tones reassuring him. Krul was fighting a war with Lok’s persistence and the desire that those tones be directed at him. He could not figure this out no one has ever effected himself or Lok in this manner and he was almost glad when the woman excused herself and left the office. Finishing his paper work, he heard the conversation between rose and the receptionist, and then the two officers that had just arrived. Assuming the interview was coming to a close Krul stood and was about to leave the office when Rose re-entered. Again Lok surged up demanding to be let free. As the woman addressed Nathan informing him that the officers had some questions for him, Krul again clamped down on Lok. Knowing he would pay for this later when he let Lok free to hunt and track, he just shrugged to himself and exhorted enough force to push Lok down again. Wanting more then anything to get out into the fresh air lest Lok Break free of his “bonds” Krul started to follow Nathan out of the office, when the woman shut the door behind the boy turned and asked “you’re not from around here are you?”

Lok Erupted into the foreground trying to answer. Seemingly desperate to talk to this woman. So laughing to himself Krul let Lok answer, “No We’ve Just transferred here from Nevada.” At this slip of the tongue Krul seized control again, reprimanding Lok. Trying to figure out what had gotten into his friend, Krul waited for the woman to speak again.

[Maira]

Rose smiled when she felt the beast surge in the man standing before her. He wasn't newly Changed, he was too controlled, but the leopard deffinately wanted out. Curious at the level of excitement in the man's other half, Rose asked, "Did Nevada not have what you were looking for in life?" She was walking a thin line now, her question just barely keeping her true thoughts concealed.

Keeper was purring contently inside Rose, glad to be proven right in her findings my the other leopards own eagerness to be known. Rose nearly laughed at how self satisfied Keeper felt but restrained herself as she didn't want to have the man think she was laughing at him.

Hoping to gain the man's trust, Rose said calmly, "I know how it can be, moving to a new place. For college I lived on the east coast, all the way across the country from where I grew up. At least Nevada isn't too far away." Oh how she wanted to ask him more to the point questions but for now, until she knew for sure why he was here, she would stick with the small talk. And she certainly wouldn't bring up his identity, or her own, if he didn't.

[Deleted]

When Rose spoke again she smiled , perhaps to put him at ease or perhaps she could sense the war raging within him. But her words were kind and inquisitive. "Did Nevada not have what you were looking for in life?" she asked.

“Oh Nevada had almost everything a guy could want, but I tend to prefer open space to cramped city life.” Krul answered, firmly in control of Lok just incase. Krul finally put his finger on what bothered him about her. She seemed so familiar to him yet he was sure they have never met before.

"I know how it can be, moving to a new place. For college I lived on the east coast, all the way across the country from where I grew up. At least Nevada isn't too far away." She had calmly said.

“Moving to new places doesn’t bother me, I tend to keep my own council on most things. Making friends is not a high priority in my line of work.” Krul said . “The more friends I make, the more I have to say goodbye to.” Krul knew what she was doing, she was trying to get him to relax, and offer information freely. Well he wont make it that easy on her. Besides Lok so enjoyed a game of cat and mouse.

“So how long have you been a shrink?” he asked with a slight grin on his face.

[Maira]

Listening to Krul speak, Rose could sense that her normal easy-going manner wasn't going to put him at ease nearly as well as she had hoped. Oh well, she thought, its likely the leopard keeping him on edge. Only after that thought crossed her mind did she remember he was a cop, he was likely naturally like that with no help from the leopard.

When he asked her how long she had been a shrink, Rose laughed softly before answering him. "I've been a counsellor for roughly two years. I didn't go for the PhD so I wasn't in school nearly as long as I could have been. I wanted to get home and get working. I figure if somewhere down the road I want to actually go through the torture of that sort I can always go back." While Rose may love the field she worked in, she hated school with a passion.

Looking at the man to see what his reaction to her own openness would be, Rose urged Keeper a little closer to the surface. Using the cat's senses, Rose got a better sense of the other leopard and the man he dwelled in. From everything she felt coming from them, malice nowhere to be found.

Deciding that her previous decision to leave him to revealing himself wasn't going to happen, Rose asked non-chalantly, "So how long has it been since you let your leopard run? He seems eager to come out and play." She was taking a risk that he'd lash out or walk out but Rose hoped that he'd see the leopard that was prowling inside her, just below the surface.

[Deleted]

Krul’s mind was working a mile a minute. Listening to her recount her work and college history. Noticing that she spoke of school a bit gruffly. He began to relax a little, assuming that Lok had lost interest in the female he hoped that this interview would soon be over. Not that he didn’t enjoy Rose’s company, because he enjoyed it very much there was something soothing about her. He just attributed that aspect to her job, she must have had to adopt that aspect of herself for her Work. He could tell she was very good at her job.

As soon as she finished recounting her feelings of school, Krul noticed a subtle change in Rose that happened rather quickly. Assuming she was just bristling from her distaste of school he let himself completely relax. Ready to continue the game of cat and mouse. He listened politely as she began to speak again.

"So how long has it been since you let your leopard run? He seems eager to come out and play." Asked Rose. “Oh I let him out every night, and he is very usef… What did you, how did, huh?” Stammered Krul
Lok was roaring in triumph, Finally he has been able to bring to Krul’s attention that there are more like them out in the world.

Completely caught unaware Krul asked, “Is there somewhere quiet we could go for a drink?, I think I am going to need one.” “and I think that there is a lot to talk about.” Not even waiting for her answer he reached around her and opened the door suddenly needing to be outside.

[Maira]

Rose and Justice Keeper both wanted to jump for joy at Krul's slip. The look on his face was priceless when he realized just what he'd said to a woman who was essentially a perfect stranger. When he asked if there was somewhere quiet they could go for a drink, Rose nodded and then watched as the detective bolted out of her office.

With a small shake of her head, Rose put away her file on Nathan, gathered up her coat and purse, and followed Krul out. Shutting and locking her office, Rose made her way over to the receptionist's desk and asked the woman, "Did my aunt get here yet to pick up Nathan?" As soon as she recieved an answering nod Rose smiled and said her goodbyes. She had to go find the detective before he ran away too far. Not that Keeper wouldn't be able to follow him.

Forgoing the elevator, Rose took advantage of Keeper's sudden spurt of energy and bounded down the four flights of stairs and finally emerged into the lobby on the ground floor. Making her way across the lobby, it didn't take long for the pair to catch the scent of their evening's companions.

Following the scent outside, Rose spotted the detective rather quickly. He was pacing a short ways away from the front door, obviously lost in thought. Rose made her way slowly over to him and when she was sure he'd see her she waved and said above the din of the traffic, "I didn't mean to get you flustered, sorry." She hoped he would forgive her for being so forward but considering he likely wouldn't have opened up himself, and then likely never would have seen her again, Rose figured he might be forgiving.

[Deleted]

Krul Moved quickly out of Rose’s office and with the barest of nods to the receptionist he swept passed her. Reaching the elevator he tapped the call button several times. Growing too impatient to wait as the elevator rose or dropped any number of floors he opened the door to the stairs. And letting Lok take partial control leapt gracefully over the hand rail and dropped the four floors effortlessly. Slamming into the fire door it shot open and Krul took several deep breaths while persuading Lok to relinquish control. Walking straight to his car he finally remembered the woman and squashed the urge to get in the car and bolt. Instead he took to pacing back and forth. His mind racing with questions, he would finally have some answers.

So absorbed in his thought he didn’t notice the woman until she spoke. Lok gave a mix between a laugh and a satisfied growl, amused at the consternation to Krul’s thoughts. "I didn't mean to get you flustered, sorry." She said. Krul looked up into her Sky blue eyes, wondering how this woman could have known about Lok. Lok laughed again but urged Krul to respond to Rose. “There is no reason for you to be sorry , you just happened to catch me off guard.” Lok snickered, “ you should know that up until now, I had believed myself to be alone.” Krul continued despite his beasts subtle jibes. “ I really need to get a grasp on this before we really get too much into this, where could we go that is quiet?”

Waiting for Rose to answer, Krul ran the sequence of events through his mind again replaying over and over again how she had totally surprised him, she was clever this one. The game of cat and mouse back fired on him and he suspected that Lok had had a hand in this as well. “I am not alone , am I?” he added as an after thought.

[Maira]

Rose wasn't terribly surprised that if the man grew up in Nevada that he'd thought he was all alone, not many Pards were located in that state. Still though, she thought he should have run across at least one other of their kind by this point in his life. When he asked, still sounding quite surprised, if he really wasn't alone, Rose shook her head and smiled. "Nope, there are actually quite a few of us."

That said, she slipped her hand to his elbow and started walking him down the street. As they walked she explained, "My brother runs a bar just down on the corner, its got a couple of rooms for private parties and such, we can use one of those to talk." Then with a playful laugh she added, "Plus we can get that drink you mentioned. I may not have had as huge a surprise as you have, but my day has deffinately been a long one."

The rest of the walk down to the corner bar was spent in silence and when they reached the door, Rose shoved it open and ushered him in. As it was just getting to the busy time of night Rose waved at her brother and pointed, with a questioning look on her face, at one of the back rooms. He nodded and smiled to let her know it was open. Grabbing Krul by the arm again, Rose leaned in closer to him to say, "One of those rooms is open, come on." And then she led him to the back corner of the bar and through a door.

[Deleted]

In answer to Krul’s desperate plea of “I am not alone, am I?” Rose shook her head and smiled. "Nope, there are actually quite a few of us." Relieved by her answer he didn’t pull back when she placed her hand on his elbow and gentle directed him down the street. "My brother runs a bar just down on the corner, its got a couple of rooms for private parties and such, we can use one of those to talk." laughing she added, "Plus we can get that drink you mentioned. I may not have had as huge a surprise as you have, but my day has definitely been a long one." Krul didn’t pay too much attention to what she was saying at the moment he was still profoundly relieved to learn there were others like him. So he was content to let her guide him to a corner bar and in through the door.

Being back inside again kind of snapped him back to reality and noticed a quick exchange between her and the bar man before she again grabbed his arm, leaned in close and said, "One of those rooms is open, come on." Then began to lead him to the rear of the bar, and through a door. Once she entered behind him and the door closed, he took a quick look around before he excused himself for a moment and dialed his cell phone. When the woman from dispatch picked up Krul gave them his name and said shortly he was signing out for the night. Closing his cell phone he looked at Rose and again noticed her beauty and how comfortable she was to be around. He took a deep breath , and asked “ you said there were quite a few others, how could I not have known?” continuing quickly he added “By the way My Name is Krul, and my sometimes annoying friend is named Lok.”

Sitting down Krul sighed in relief, desperately needing something strong to calm him down, his nerves at the breaking point the had to get Lok relaxed quickly before he lost all control and shifted right there in the bar.

[Maira]

Rose watched as the detective pulled out his cell phone and made a call. When she heard who he was talking to, that he was going off duty for the night she nodded to herself. If he planned on getting a drink that was probably the best.

Her reassuring smile once again made an appearance as she introduced herself too, and answered his question. "Well, you already know I'm Rose. Justice Keeper would flay me alive if i called her annoying so lets just say she has her moments too. As for how could you have missed others of our kind, I'm not sure really. It really all depends on where you have lived since you were Changed." This last bit she said without even asking his history. She just assumed that since he didn't know other pard, he must've been Changed by a traveller not born to it. It wasn't unheard of, just rather uncommon.

Without missing a beat she continued, "If you were in Nevada then I'm not really surprised, there isn't a high population of pard down there. That's what we call ourselves by the way, pard. And the larger social groups are also called Pard." She wasn't sure just how much Krul wanted to know so she stopped before she started rambling.

Almost as if he'd been listening outside the door, waiting for a pause in conversation, Rose's twin brother walked in a huge friendly grin on his face. "What can I do you for? Looks like my sister here has put you through the wringer." The man had Rose's same coloring but that was where the similarities in the siblings' appearance ended. He was much taller than Rose and almost as brawny as she was delicate.

Ignoring her brother's teasing, Rose said sweetly to Krul, "Meet my twin brother Brian, Detective Krul. He is like us, and you are not the first person he's seen me drag through the so called wringer." Here she turned and stuck out her tongue at her brother before continuing, "Somehow quite a few wanderers find their way to me and I bring them into our Pard."

Brian nodded his head in agreement with his sister's claims. When she was done talking he asked Krul , "As Rosie here didn't let you answer me last time, what do you want to drink Detective? First one is on the house."

[Deleted]

Krul sat and listened to her quietly, looking at her rather then listening to her. He shook himself slightly remembering why he was here with rose to begin with and caught the word Pard. Making a mental note of this to go over later at his leisure. When she stopped talking he was a bit disappointed, her voice affected him as much as her looks. Just at that moment. Someone entered their room and the introductions began.
Smiling to himself at their sibling banter. He was amazed at his luck to hear that rose had welcomed other lost Pard, he could picture her now, a one woman ticker tape parade. She seems the sort to go to any length to make someone feel welcome. But something else crept into his mind. He began to worry that this sweet delicate woman, was someone else’s. and Lok agreed that this was not something he would like.

Amazed at his sudden possessive feelings toward Rose, Krul tried to focus on what the barman was saying,
He placed his order with the barman, “a double shot of Rum and an Ice cold beer.” Krul said to Brian. Then turning his attentions back to Rose he said “don’t hold anything back, please tell me anything you thinks is important.” “but first I think it pertinent to tell you that I am pretty sure I was born this way, one night while my father was working I changed, unable to get out of the house I had ended up killing my mother and wounding myself.” Krul thought it best to be perfectly honest with Rose, and her Brother when he was included in the conversation. How else was he to get them to trust him enough to tell him everything he needed to know. “but they were not my birth parents, you see, I was adopted.” Krul finished. Lok rose up inside Krul’s mind urging him to remember it was starting to get late and he had after all been promised the chance to track. Though he did concede that the knowledge this woman could give them would be exceedingly valuable to them. He had been patient, and was getting hungry.

[Maira]

Brian nodded at Krul's order and then excused himself from the room, not wanting to interfere with Rose's work. She may have technically been a counsellor for social services but her real work was in helping those of the non-human persuasion. Particulary wandering Pard and other were-creatures. The children most of all.

At Krul's insistence, Rose was about to carry on with her explinations of Pard life. Before she could though his next words stopped her cold. She listened carefully and tried not to flinch at the pain she saw in the man's eyes. Killing one's own parents or family was unfortunately not an unheard of event with younger people who Changed without knowing what they were, without having somebody else around who knew what they were.

Rose was a bit suprised to hear that Krul was adopted. Most children that are Changed without having parents that were also Weres were infected either by a raging Feral, as was likely the case of the boy Nathan that Krul had brought to her, or through a blood transfusion. Some Weres thought it was a funny joke to see how many people they could infect without ever coming in contact those people.

When Krul was done speaking Rose looked him in the eyes and said softly, "I'm sorry for your loss Krul. Loosing a parent to the Change isn't as rare as you may think unfortunately. We have some members of our Pard who had similar tradgedies with their first Change that you might like talking to." As a shrink, as Krul called her, Rose had a whole list of comforting things she could say about his loss but she didn't see him as the type that wanted to dwell on such things.

Bringing a hint of her smile back into her eyes, Rose reached across the table they were sitting at and placed her hand on his giving it a little squeeze before continuing. "So, you've never lived in a Pard or even been around your own kind so I've got a lot of explaining to do dont I?" Her smile grew and she laughed a little. "Okay, first off, as you have been Changed for quite some time I don't need to explain to you what you are or who your furry other half is. I'm sure you two have come to an understanding about who is in charge and when. As that is the most basic lesson any Were needs to learn you've already mastered it so we're on to the next one."

She paused for a moment as Brian came back in with the drinks. He handed Krul his and then placed his sister's favorite in front of her. "Well sis, already your boy is looking better." Then reaching out his hand he ruffled his sister's hair and dodged her attempts at swatting him. His big belly laugh followed him out.

Trying to smooth her hair a bit, Rose's cheeks flushed with slight embarrassment. Brian had a horrible habit of trying to get her out of 'mommy mode' as he called it. He knew that seeing such a professional woman all flustered helped the nervous though so he continually did it.

Once she had some semblance of dignity back, Rose smiled sheepishly at Krul, sipped her fuzzy navel, and continued. "Okay, next thing you need to know as a pard is that you have wandered into the local Pard's territory. A Pard is like a big extended family of pard. Not all of us are related, in fact many of us aren't, but there are deffinately family groups. My brother and I come from one such group. Both of our parents are pard, as are all of our siblings. While most pard are friendly once you get to know them, wandering into a strange Pard's territory can be a bit uncomfortable for you at first, unless you happen to run into somebody like me." Here she squeezed Krul's hand again and took another few sips of her drink, giving him a chance to ask any questions he may have gotten so far.

[Deleted]

Krul sat back waiting to see the impact of his confession, he had never told another living soul about his past. She sounded genuinely sad for his situation and offered to put him in contact with others who had been through the same thing. When rose reached across the table and placed her hand on Krul’s, he couldn’t figure out who’s elation was more pronounced his or Lok’s. a slight shiver passed through his body as he was hit with the force of his desire for this woman. He could have pulled away from her but he didn’t want to be rude, and of course he very much enjoyed the way she affected him.

She continued talking about changing and Pard, mentioning wandering into this Pard’s territory, Lok bristled. He had become quite used to considering everywhere his territory. Now that he knew there were others in the world he would have to accept that. Brian returned with his order and Krul downed his rum and half his beer. While Brian mentioned that her boy looked better already. At this Krul smiled. “If only,” he muttered to himself “if only.”

She paused for a moment obviously giving him the chance to ask anymore questions but all that he had found out already was enough to go on for now. He needed time to digest it all, standing up he explained all of this to Rose trying not to be rude. Telling her he would love to continue this once he had come to terms with what she shared with him, but Lok was being impatient and they did need to go if they were to help the boy Nathan. Krul had decided that though Nathan’s case was not the one assigned to him, he couldn’t not do anything, he knew that the boy is likely a Pard now too. pulling his card out that had his cell number and the number for dispatch, turning it over he quickly wrote down his home number. Handing her the card he apologized again about cutting their meeting short. And daringly he grabbed her hand in his and brought it to his lips placing a gentle kiss on the back on her hand, looking up into her eyes he said softly, “thank you, you have been most helpful.” releasing her hand he made his way to the door when Lok Pounced into the foreground and cheerily said . Thank you, Keeper !

Laughing openly, at Lok’s kitten like behavior. Krul left the bar and headed down the street to where his car was parked. Feeling genuinely bad about leaving Rose’s presence, he got in and started up his car. Thinking again about Rose, knowing that his thoughts would be on her all the while Lok was free, he put the car into gear and left the social services building. Pushing his car to the legal limit he reached the crime scene of that morning, Krul circled the block till he found a nice hidden area to park. Stripping off his clothes he actually started changing before he got his shirt off. Re-exerting all of his control on Lok the change stopped. Krul continued stripping his clothes, since he had lost one of his Armani suits to a swift change Krul has always made sure to strip fully before allowing Lok freedom. Turning away from his car Krul noticed his reflection and Jumped back at what he saw. He was stuck somewhere between himself and Lok. Before he could look again Lok took him through the rest of the change. And Krul was in the background,thinking about what he had just seen.

Lok finally being free, roared briefly before swiftly closing the distance between the car and the crime scene. Krul loved the feel of power that Lok possessed, reveled in the excitement of the hunt, Lok hunted every couple of days but only animals. Lok was content with that though he always wondered what it would be like to hunt something larger, more sentient. But since Krul was an officer he never let Lok satisfy his curiosity.

After several minutes Lok had the beast’s scent that had killed Nathan’s parents. And began to follow. He was not worried about running into the beast. He was after all bigger then any other beast he had seen through Krul’s eyes. If he ran into the murdering beast Krul was sure a fight would ensue. Lok tracked the beast’s scent to an empty warehouse. Sticking to the shadows, sure that the beast knew that they were there by now. They crept around following the scent. Until coming upon the beast. Krul and Lok both received the shock of their lives. The beast looked exactly like Krul had when he stopped the shift to continue to disrobe. With one main difference the beast was female, and very much familiar. Everything about this beast screamed recognition. The scent, the look and the feel of this beast stirred something deep within Krul’s memory.

Forcing Lok to retreat for the time being, Krul urged him back to the car. They could do nothing till they learned more and that rested entirely on Rose’s shoulders. Swiftly shifting once back at the car. Krul quickly dressed and drove back to his apartment. Entering the kitchen he attacked the fridge finding something to eat. And then falling down onto his bed Krul began to go over all the things he had heard and seen today. Closing his eyes an image of Rose burst into his mind’s eye. He smiled softly and fell asleep to her beautiful features.

Waking up in a cold sweat several hours after falling asleep, Krul had the urge to speak with Nathan again, the boy knows more then he told the officers when they interviewed him. More then he had told Krul in their brief time together. He had no doubt that it was not his fault, Nathan was not hiding it on purpose. He was sure that Nathan told them everything he remembered. But perhaps Lok could help find the truth. It was his day off tomorrow, but he would spend it trying to get in touch with Nathan, perhaps now the boy has had a chance to get settled he could get more out of him. It would not take long. But the only way he could find the boy would be through Rose. Laying back down Krul resolved to be at social services when it opened in the morning.

[Maira]

Rose was a little surprised that Krul wanted to leave with as little as she had told him. When he explained his situation with Lok though she understood. Keeper too sometimes demanded to run and she couldn't really deny her.

When he got up and handed her his card Rose nodded her understanding and her thanks. "I'm glad you're the one who brought Nathan in today, I'm glad we met," she said just as he reached for her hand and raised it to his lips. Well that was certainly a first. No man she had every brought to the bar for one of these talks had ever kissed her hand before. A suddenly shy smile turned up the corners of her mouth as she watched him walk out.

Brian came in almost immediately after Krul had left, just in time to see the last evidence of a happily bewildered Rose. He raised an eyebrow but before he could say anything Rose turned on him, "Oh no you don't, you just be quiet." She loved her brother and didn't mind his teasing overly much but the last thing she needed was him jumping to conclusions about her newest finding.

"I'm going to go home and do a bit of research on him Brian, what time do you think you'll be home?" Rose asked her twin as she gathered up her purse and put her jacket on. Living with her brother had its financial advantages but mostly they did so because they were both more comfortable that way, the twin bond was very strong in them. Brian shrugged, began to whistle and left the room in answer to his sister's question. "Typical," she muttered to his back.

*****

"Damn alarm clock," grumbled Rose as the sound, vaguely like that of a garbage truck backing up, screamed from the little black plastic clock sitting next to her bed. Reaching over to turn the thing off she told it off, "I'm up, I'm up!"

*****

Her travel mug of coffee in hand, and two mugs from home already in her system, Rose pushed the 'up' button for elevator. Almost immediately there was a ding and the doors opened. Stepping inside she pushed the button for the fourth floor and took another sip of coffee.

When the doors opened to her department's office, Rose stepped out and rummaged in her coat pocket for her office keys. "Morning Lisa," Rose said to the receptionist as she past the woman's desk on the way to her office. Grabbing the files in the little plastic box by her door, Rose unlocked her office and made her way inside, flipping the light switch as she passed it.

She sat the files on her desk, put her coffee mug down as well and then let her head fall onto the desk with a thump. "I hate mornings," she said to nobody in particular. Her night had not been restful, her dreams had not been pleasant. She had just gotten into a restful sleep when her alarm had gone off. She thought yesterday was long, today looked like it would be longer.

[Deleted]

The alarm was blaring, Krul didn’t even open his eyes. Reaching over he slammed his hand down on the snooze button. He was having a good dream and didn’t care to let go of it too soon. After the snooze alarm went off five times Krul jumped out of bed cursing himself for not getting up the first time. He had been planning on being at social services when they opened now he was almost an hour late. Hopping into the shower he quickly washed up and was out the door 15 minutes later.

The drive social services should have taken less than 30 minutes. But for some ungodly reason traffic was bad. “CHRIST !” he shouted to no one in particular, “I could have walked and got there sooner.” Lok saw right through his frustration, though he wanted to talk to Nathan again he wanted to see Rose even more.
Finally pulling into the parking lot Krul switched off the engine and glanced at his watch. Social services had now been open for more then 2 hours. Slamming the door to his car Krul raced up the stairs again not wanting to wait for the elevator. Coming out on the fourth floor landing, Krul straightened his clothes and marched right for the receptionists desk. Asking if Rose was in, he received a curt nod and made his way to her office. Not before noticing the receptionist’s Bland smile. Knocking on the door and receiving permission to enter, Krul opened the door and breathe an exaggerated sigh of relief. He was not worried that she would not be there or in any kind of harm. Just the sight of her instantly made his day better.

He began to tell her that he needed to speak with the boy again, “is that possible?” he asked. While waiting for her to respond, he sat down and picked up a pencil and pad of paper, “and I need you to explain something to me once I am done.” Focusing his attention on the pad in his lap he began to draw the beast from the night before.

[Maira]

Rose had finally woken up and the day actually hadn't been too bad so far. Mostly she had been calling all the recent placements checking to see how the children were settling in to their new foster homes. So far, there had only been one potential issue but that should be easily taken care of.

She had just finished with a phone call when there was a knock on her door, without looking up from the file she was working on she answered, "Come in." As soon as the door opened, Justice Keeper surged to the front of her mind. Catching the scent of her visitor, Rose looked up with a smile at Detective Krul. "Well good morning," she said cheerfully.

When he asked if he could be able to see Nathan again, Rose nodded her head 'yes'. "I've got to run by there in about an hour anyway but since you're here I suppose I could leave early." With one final look at the file she was working on she closed it and stuck it in a drawer of her filing cabinet. "Okay, if you're ready so am I"

Smiling at Krul, she grabbed her purse and asked him, "Is it still cold outside?" She didn't want to bother with her jacket if it wasn't.

[Deleted]

When Rose agreed to take Krul over to where Nathan had been placed he looked up and smiled. Just as he finished up his drawing, she announced she was ready. Asking if it was still cold out, he answered “ there is still a slight chill in the air.” ripping off the page with the drawing on it he folded up the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. Waiting Politely for her to grab her jacket, Krul headed out of the office. Turning around to wait for her, they collided. She was a petite woman, and afraid that she was going to stumble and fall from the collision he wrapped his arms about her to steady her, then remembered that she was just as agile as he was probably more so since she was so petite. Apologizing profusely, he reluctantly let her go. Reveling in the way she felt in his arms. He wanted nothing more at that moment then to curl up with this woman and just forget everything. Clearing his throat he stepped back and motioned for her to precede him, following her to the elevator he didn’t know how he was going to survive the elevator , trip to Nathan with her in such close proximity.

Leading her to his car Krul was careful not to touch her, he had already severely overstepped his bounds. First kissing her hand last night and then wrapping his arms around her in what surely was considered an embrace by anyone who noticed. Opening her door for her and waiting till she was settled in before closing the door. Getting in the car himself he started the engine, apologized again for grabbing her the way he had.
Pulling out of the parking lot, he fished the picture he had made and handed it to Rose. Watching her unfold the paper he asked, “can you tell me what that is?” “that is what Lok had tracked last night, and further Lok took control last night before I had finished disrobing, I stopped the change and when I saw my reflection, something very similar to that was staring back at me.” Krul went on quickly, Before I could look again Lok had finished the shift.”

[Maira]

Rose made a face at the news that it was still chilly outside. Grabbing up her jacket and slipping it on, she followed the detective out of her office. After she shut and locked the door, she turned around and bumped into Krul. Keeper purred at the contact with the other leopard and Rose blushed when his arms circled around her to steady her. Silently she chided herself for being so clutzy.

When Krul released her and gestured her to the elevator, Rose walked past him. She stopped only a moment at the desk to let the receptionist know she was going to visit Nathan a little early. That bit of business taken care of, Rose made her way to the elevator.

Once inside the elevator, Rose fussed at her blouse and her skirt. The only times she really ever used the elevator were early in the morning when she was in a fog and didn't have any energy. Taking it in the middle of the day just seemed wrong, not to mention boring. The doors opened onto the lobby just before Rose started pacing.

The whole trip from the office to the detective's car was made in silence and Rose wasn't sure why. The night before, though he had been shaken up at meeting her, he had been rather friendly. Only once she was settled in the car, after he opened the door for her and closed it, did Rose relax a little bit. Why, she wasn't sure. Maybe it was the scent of the other leopard that permeated the small space. Whatever the reason, her worries were soothed.

When Krul got in the car and then drove out of the parking lot, Rose's worries started edging back in. There was something about him this morning that was just a little too tense, he was very focussed on something. She wasn't left wondering for long though because he presented her with a piece of paper with a drawing on it. The picture on the paper made Rose's hands clench with worry. She honestly wasn't too surprised that Krul had found whatever he was tracking in Hybrid form, a good portion of Ferals chose that form after all. Just the fact that he didn't know what that form was worried her a little bit. How much else didn't he know?

Releasing her death grip on the paper, Rose refolded it and just left it sitting in her lap for now, one hand resting on it. She didn't say anything to Krul for a few moments while she gathered her thoughts. Finally she explained, "What you saw, both the creature you tracked and yourself, would be what is considered a Were's Hybrid form. It is a more deadly form than a full shift as it combines both the human thinking capacity and the instincts of the beast. Most people young in their Change don't know about this form. It typically isn't taught until a person has been changed for a year or more depending on their control of the shift and the circumstances surrounding them."

Rose looked quickly to Krul to see if he was getting what she was saying. When she saw him look at her and nod, Rose turned her head back to looking out the window and she continued. "If you tracked a Hybrid last night from the scene of Nathan's parents' murder I'm afraid to say that that creature is likely Feral and will need to be killed. Ferals are Weres that have either suppressed their beast too long and the beast finally snaps and takes control, OR they have given in to the beast too much and they snap. Either way, the poor creature is normally quite insane after this happens. Think of it as something similar to rabies in regular animals; its a disease that makes them viscious and unpredictable and eventually kills themor gets them killed. When a Feral starts preying on humans it is most deffinately time for the creature to be put out of its misery."

When she quit talking, Rose let out a shakey breath trying to calm herself. It hadn't been that long since one of the older members of the Pard had gone Feral. Nobody knew why he had, nobody could see any stress that would cause that in such a seemingly stable, well respected man. Apparently though, something had just been the last straw for him and he was never the same. The day a Pard has to kill one of their own is a horrible, devastating day.