Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 13:35:21 -0800 (PST)
From: Jenn Duff <micinjensue@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Tag Mate: Part 4

This is a work of Fiction.  All Characters and related situations belong to
J. L. Duff.  Any character resemblance to persons alive or dead, or any
references to any existing place is mere coincidence.  M/M situations can
be found here.  Author may be contacted at Micinjensue@Yahoo.ca


			     Tag Mate: Part 4


CH 1

Kaiel awoke to the first kiss of dawn.  Pale morning light sparkling
through the gossamer bed curtain tickled his eyes.  He smiled sleepily at
thinking about that bed curtain.  It was the first time it had ever been
pulled--but then recalling yesterday he supposed that it had been a wise
precaution.  This morning his groin and thighs were a bit achy, but then he
had plenty of good reason for that, since he had exercised the muscles
therein frequently.

His smiled broadened as he tried to remember how many times he needed to
rely on those muscles during most of yesterday--then he frowned after a
moment, recalling that the first part of the day hadn't been at all
pleasant and when Jaimz wouldn't wake up that had been truly terrifying.
However now, hours later and with his Tag Mate slumbering contentedly
against him Kaiel only knew peace and contentment.

How many times had they come together?  He tried to remember but yesterday
afternoon and evening pretty much ran together into one long orgy of
sensation.  They had stopped to eat supper in their room (just as Kang had
predicted much to Jaimz' chagrin) and also to rest in panting heaps, but
Jaimz seemed particularly interested yesterday.  Kaiel doubted that he'd
get such a boon again.  Yesterday had only happened because of a
combination of the Tag demand and the accident and Kang's advice that sex
would heal.  Jaimz had taken to his medicine with enthusiasm even if
initially he had been--briefly--reluctant.

Glancing at his Tag Mate who was sprawled on his back, and using one of
Kaiel's arms as a pillow for his head, with one leg bent up and the other
stretched straight, Kaiel thought that Jaimz looked utterly splendid
slumbering in the early morning light.  Of course he wasn't surprised that
Jaimz was so out of it, since he didn't doubt that he was totally exhausted
and he had all but collapsed from sensation overload last night.  He
winced, recalling how he had hurt Jaimz, even though Jaimz had made little
of it Kaiel was still bothered by the memory of Jaimz' blood on his fingers
and rod.  Jaimz was so small and tight and it was abhorrent that he had
caused him to bleed at all, but the worst part of it was how that blood had
actually excited him, brought out the primal beast in him and made him
crave for more, even though he had successfully restrained that primitive
urge.  He didn't want to hurt Jaimz, and yet there was a side of him that
made him worry that he was more like his brother than he'd ever
suspected,. That side wanted to own and possess Jaimz so utterly that his
little Tag Mate wouldn't be able to think coherently without him.  He
sighed, he didn't like where this trail of thought was leading him.  He had
promised Jaimz that he would ever follow his lead, and he meant to keep
that promise no matter how hard he struggled against it.

 Of course, thinking about the blood on his rod and hands, reminded him of
what he had done immediately afterward and how the taste of the iron rich
blood on his tongue, mingled with Jaimz' delicious essence, made him crave
to delve into dangerous dreams and fantasies.  Just thinking about licking
his mate's sweet anus made his groin clench and his rod peek out of its
sheath.  However he sighed forlornly and eased his rod back into hiding.
First Jaimz wasn't even awake and secondly he couldn't hope that Jaimz
would want to do it today--very likely he wouldn't get such a romp out of
him again until the next 72-hour demanded it, regardless of Kang's helpful
advice.  Recalling how Kang had insinuated that Jaimz would heal quicker if
he had frequent sex with his Tag Mate Kaiel looked down along Jaimz'
graceful length but other then the closed gash and accompanying bruise on
his high smooth forehead he could detect no sign of any trauma (if he
didn't know that Jaimz had been in an accident he wouldn't have believed
it).

He lightly touched that bump on Jaimz' forehead and received a sleepy
murmur in response.  Jaimz shifted on him so that he cuddled into his side
and exposed the long slope of his smooth back to the room.  Kaiel didn't
move as Jaimz bent one leg up over his thigh and then sleepily pushed at
his legs until he parted them so that one foot could slide down in between.
Jaimz also slid one arm across him and splayed his fingers over his chest.
By the time Jaimz had resettled himself he was tilted slightly toward him
so that Kaiel could see the long line of his shoulder and back, the
seductive curve of his hip and the high lift of his pert bottom and
finally, of course, the graceful length of his long legs.  For a being so
small, Jaimz was perfectly proportioned, utterly perfect.

He tucked his arm up along Jaimz' slender back even though he knew that
with him Jaimz never felt chilled, but nonetheless his entire back was
exposed to the coolness of the room.  But this also allowed his hand to
stroke Jaimz' lovely soft skin.  Of course stroking his back Kaiel was
reminded of the four older scratches that marred the back of his shoulder.
He idly wondered how Jaimz had received them and from whom, which just
brought him back to the accident.  He was definitely curious about what had
happened there for he doubted that Kang was a reckless driver.  Still, it
was very early and it was likely no one was awake but for him.

As he thought back,to moments not clouded by amazing sex, he realized that
something significant had happened.  The way toward peace was being paved
and somehow his bond with Jaimz had made it possible.  It seemed strange to
him that the speaker had called Jaimz his queen, he understood what the
term meant but looking at that small sensual body, even though there was an
androgynous quality to it, he didn't think of Jaimz as anything other than
male.  He knew fully well what he was doing with Jaimz and as he had told
him, when he mated with him he wasn't looking to fuck a vagina.  Maybe he
didn't think of Jaimz as his queen, but he certainly thought of him as his
mate.

Still, while stroking Jaimz' back he was saddened by the simple realization
that Jaimz didn't feel the same way he did.  He liked him that was true, he
felt safe and comfortable with him and more than content to sleep with him,
but the only time he thought of Kaiel in a sense beyond friendship was when
the Tag influenced him.  He smiled slightly as he knew that the Tag did
have a lot of influence. Then his smile faded, for of course in many ways
Jaimz was coerced and trapped by the same influence.  The Tag was something
Jaimz had never asked for and being tied to Kaiel was also because of the
Tag.  When he thought about it, if he were the one at the receiving end
(the one addicted and needing him the way Jaimz needed him) he knew he
wouldn't like it either.  It was a dilemma, since he was grateful to the
Tag and all that it had given him, especially since it had given him Jaimz.

Kaiel wasn't certain what it was that alerted him, maybe a change in his
breathing for his position didn't change, but just as moments before Jaimz
had been sleeping, he now knew he was awake.  He just lay there listening
to Jaimz' breathing and continuing to lightly stroke his back, and he was
content to stay as he was, for he was certainly in no hurry to get up and
apparently Jaimz was just as content to stay the same, just resting his
head on his shoulder and sprawled halfway across him.

After a time he tilted his head down again and asked lightly, "How do you
feel?"

Jaimz remained silent for a moment then without shifting he admitted, "Like
I should be covered in bruises."

"A bit tender hmmm?" Kaiel acknowledged to which Jaimz lifted his head to
look at him with those sea-foam eyes of his, but he didn't say anything and
he simply laid back down again a moment later, snuggling his head
comfortably back onto Kaiel's shoulder.

He smiled softly, letting his hand roam where it will while Jaimz was so
quiet and peaceful. He lightly palmed Jaimz' cheek, grazing his fingers and
palm pads over that silky skin.  Jaimz didn't shift or complain so he moved
his hand a bit lower, but once he started stroking in the warm crease
between Jaimz' cheeks, Jaimz murmured a shaky, "Stop...please."

He stopped, moving his hand up to just stroke those high pert cheeks, but
he couldn't quite stifle his sigh of disappointment.

Jaimz turned his face right into his shoulder and achingly whispered,
"Sorry."

He smiled, he couldn't help it, and Jaimz had sounded rather disappointed
too, "It's okay."

Jaimz lifted his head, and groaned softly as he sat up, though he still
snuggled against his side with Kaiel's arm draped around his waist.  "I'm
not being fair to you.  But," he blushed, "how can you still want to do it?
I'm sore, and I'm not sure if I'm sore because of the--or the..." He
blushed all the brighter and ducked his head.

Kaiel grinned contentedly and admitted slyly, "My groin and thigh muscles
are a bit achy this morning." To which Jaimz blushed from his chest to the
roots of his hair.

"Well, I seem to ache...everywhere." Jaimz complained primly.

Kaiel couldn't resist teasing, "Surely not everywhere?"

Of course, Jaimz just couldn't control his blushes as he smiled and ducked
his head again, "Yes, even there...though I'm sure that can be explained."
He said boldly, and then, sighing, "But I really do ache, I feel like I
should be covered in one whole body bruise..." He lightly lifted his hand
to finger the edges of the bruise on his forehead and he hissed, "This does
hurt too...mostly when I touch it though." He glanced down at Kaiel and
then leaned over whispering, "I guess I am lucky I have you." He kissed
him, it started out as just a light kiss, almost like a kiss between
friends, but then Jaimz increased the pressure.  Kaiel of course was more
than obliging, lying there with his arms lightly around Jaimz as his mate
indulged in a nice deep kiss.  He moved his mouth against Jaimz, more than
content to return the intensity of the kiss and he was admittedly a little
breathless when Jaimz shifted away and lay against his shoulder again,
though now most of his body lay on top of him.  Jaimz hugged him with his
arms, which Kaiel noticed where trembling slightly, and suddenly he groaned
very unhappily, "It's not fair!"

Kaiel was surprised by the outburst and even more surprised when Jaimz sat
up again and glared down at him as if whatever was bothering him was his
fault.  He tried not to smile, since he had no idea what had Jaimz so
agitated.

Jaimz satisfied his curiosity though when he muttered fiercely, "Just
kissing you made me feel better!  It's--just--not--fair!"

Kaiel did grin at that and Jaimz cussed, "It isn't funny Kaiel!" but a few
moments later Jaimz smiled sheepishly and muttered, "Well, maybe it is a
little funny."  He sighed hugely then and said, "Oh, well I'm going to try
my best to feel better...the normal way."

Kaiel pouted, for which his reward was a light punch in the shoulder, then
Jaimz backed from the bed, tried to stand up, and tripped in the tangle of
gauze curtains.  Kaiel was there before he hit the floor, catching him up
against him while Jaimz protested, "I tripped over the curtain!  I'm fine,
really I am."

Kaiel just hugged him against his big body and gasped anxiously, "Don't
scare me!  You scared me once... don't scare me anymore."

Jaimz relaxed in his mate's big arms, with his head resting against his
chest and murmured wonderingly, "I can feel your heartbeat..." He wanted to
snuggle in against him but he knew that this closeness, which felt so nice,
would only lead to other forms of closeness and he just wasn't ready to go
that far--not yet, not at this moment at any rate.  "You can put me down
now, I think."

Kaiel shook his head, "No, you were probably dizzy when you tried to stand
up.  You did hit your head pretty hard." Indeed, Kang had mentioned
something about a hairline fracture.  He just cuddled Jaimz more thinking
about how close he had come to losing him.

Jaimz stroked his big pelted chest and murmured smilingly, "Kaiel, you
can't carry me all day.  Put me down."

"You weigh nothing, less than a cub." Kaiel maintained with perfect
stubbornness. "I can carry you forever if need be.  Toss you up over my
shoulder and keep you there where you'd be safe!" To demonstrate exactly
that he did toss Jaimz up onto his shoulder.

Jaimz laughed, pushing up against his back, "And wouldn't you look very
silly with me hanging over your shoulder like this Kaiel...looking like
some kind of ornament."


Kaiel caressed his bottom and grinned, "But a very pretty ornament." He
kissed his hip, and added slyly, "Besides, I can play with your bum this
way."

"Kaiel, put me down, you're being idiotic." Jaimz protested sternly, though
he couldn't quite keep the laughter out of his voice.  As he was struggling
lightly, (not trying too hard since he trusted Kaiel) he arched up and that
was when he noticed what he hadn't seen before.  He stopped struggling and
just pushed up against Kaiel's back until he could see better, "Oh... is
that the Mitraal Sea?"

Kaiel, who was facing away from the windows, turned to look, and Jaimz had
to bend around to see the gold glittering azure sea.  It was azure because
it was reflecting that rich morning sky.  Kaiel flipped him easily back
down into his arms and then lowered him to his feet, "Do you want to see?"
and he kept his hands on Jaimz' shoulders, afraid that his stumble had not
been because of a bit of curtain entanglement. "We can go out onto the
porch and look; we have a good view of the Mitraal from here."

He started to move Jaimz toward the big windows which opened out onto a
deep patio or porch, but Jaimz balked with a shy protest, "Kaiel, I'm not
wearing anything!"

Kaiel smiled and shook his head, saying, "You're too body shy, cub." And it
was such an attractive body too.  Since Zarans had no concept for nudity,
being naturally covered with a pelt, they were not body shy, still a Zaran
could be considered vulgar if making sexual displays (there is a place and
time for such activity and public spaces are never an appropriate place for
such activity) and that was what Kaiel perceived to be Jaimz' main protest,
he wasn't naturally concealed therefore his exposed sexuality must seem
somehow vulgar.  By his very nature Jaimz was understandably different; if
he wasn't dressed then he was uncovered, for he didn't have a pelt of fur
or a sheath that conveniently kept everything neat and hidden.  Yet still
he was too body shy, even the shutting of the curtain had merely been a
precaution since he doubted that anyone could have seen anything from the
nearest buildings since the distance and angle made it unlikely.  They were
far more likely to have friends peer in on them from the patio that wrapped
around the suite then they were to be spied on by strangers.  Still, he
didn't say that to Jaimz as instead he once again picked him up--and was
more than happy to do so--in his arms and provided the necessary modesty
his little mate seemed to crave, though Jaimz was still blushingly
scandalized by his solution.  With Jaimz in his arms he still had no
trouble pivoting the window open.

Unlike the windows back at home, the big central window (it was taller than
Kaiel) split neatly down the middle and pivoted at both ends of it, gliding
out effortlessly to frame Kaiel's patio porch.  Since Kaiel had arrived he
had only stepped out onto the tiled patio once, and that was so he could
prepare Jaimz' room for his arrival.  Now he stepped out into the cool of
the early morning and hugged Jaimz closer as the morning breeze caused him
to shiver.

Jaimz looked all around, he could see a building off to the left which had
a stepped design and wrap around patios at every floor.  Looking across at
it he realized that they had to be on the top floor of this building for he
was looking into the top floor of the other building without looking up or
down.  The other building was beautiful in its design and he wondered if
this one was similar.  Kaiel, nuzzling the top of his head, said that it
was identical and that the highest houses of course had the upper floors as
full suites.  The two buildings were connected by the council hall, which
was far below though the hall alone took up several floors with its many
rooms and audience chambers.  Kaiel strolled to the right, where an even
better view of the Mitraal Sea was visible with absolutely nothing to
detract from the view.

Jaimz cuddled in his mate's powerful arms, enjoying the warmth of his big
body and though he felt cool caresses of morning air touch his body,
sometimes in places that made him blush, he ignored all of that to gaze out
at the sea and admire its shining beauty.  After a time he began to notice
features and he asked breathlessly, "Is that an island?  Is that a pleasure
craft?  Do Zaran's have pleasure craft?"

Kaiel grinned, "The Mitraal has lots of islands. That is Royin Isle, which
is one of the larger islands." Then he smiled and added chidingly, "And yes
we have pleasure craft; Zaran's do enjoy fishing and sailing you know."

Jaimz smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I'm still trying to get used to your
people.  You're actually very similar to us, except of course you're cats
and your really tall."

Kaiel was a mere 7'9", which was on the low side of average for a male of
his species... when nearer to 8 feet, was the average; Jaimz at 6'1" was a
foot and a half shorter.  It still amazed Kaiel how Jaimz, who was about
the height of a twelve-year old cub could accept a full-grown Zaran's rod.
But then he grimaced, recalling full-grown Zaran's occasionally raped
twelve-year old cubs (and younger) though such crimes were thankfully rare.

Jaimz was happily admiring the view, he was comfortable, and though the air
still had its morning chill he was quite warm and content where he was
cuddled in Kaiel's big arms.  Kaiel was admiring a different view, one that
had the morning breeze teasing his hair.  He looked down, watching Jaimz'
enchanting face as his mate gazed out at the vast gold flecked sea; it
spread out in either direction and all the way to the horizon.  Even then
it went far beyond what the eye could see, for the Mitraal was very large,
more of a land locked ocean than a sea.  But he'd seen that scene many
times in his life, and the sea didn't have the temperamental breeze
stubbornly teasing a single blond streaked strand of light reddish brown
hair to hold his fascination.  He knew he was lost when Jaimz tipped his
face up and murmured dreamily, "It's so pretty."

Kaiel shifted Jaimz up against him, hugging his arms around his back and
letting his legs loose.  Jaimz might have protested that his bottom was
suddenly exposed but Kaiel had claimed his mouth in an achingly demanding
kiss and Jaimz... after a second melted into the kiss and rewarded Kaiel's
efforts by seeking him with his sweet tongue.  He sank down to his knees
and then his haunches with Jaimz straddling him and deepened the hungry
kiss as his blood pulsed and his rod unsheathed and everything got so hot
he was dizzy with sensation.

Jaimz couldn't miss that muscular rod as it slid rigidly up between their
bodies, with its slick texture kissing his skin, but all he did was tighten
his hold about Kaiel's shoulders and drag his fingers urgently through his
sleep tangled golden mane. As he surrendered completely he knew that Kang
had been right, every one of his myriad aches was fading with the pleasure
of just the kiss alone.  While he analytically detached his mind from the
sensations overwhelming his body, he knew that yesterday alone had been
proof that sex with his tag mate did heal, for otherwise he seriously
doubted he'd be up to even walking today.  No, more likely without Kaiel he
should have been in the hospital under medical care and with a strong
regiment of analgesics to control his pain.  But of all the bruises that he
should have covering his body, only the one on his forehead had developed,
and he knew without needing to look at it that it looked days rather than
hours healed.

He sighed as he reluctantly drew back from the kiss, while Kaiel looked at
him searchingly and rasped hoarsely, "I ache for you Jaimz.  Please let
me..."

He moved his fingers down from Kaiel's thick mane to the back of his strong
neck and lightly caressed him there while he leaned his head against
Kaiel's massive shoulder and listened to his heart beat, after a moment he
murmured softly, "This is what happens when we sleep together, Kaiel."
Though that wasn't entirely true, for one time they had awoken together and
not had sex with each other in the morning.  But that was only once, of how
many times now?  Jaimz sighed again as Kaiel brushed his cheek lightly over
the top of his head.

"Jaimz...?"  Kaiel asked again, waiting and hoping for Jaimz' softly
murmured yes.

As much as he wanted to cheer, Kaiel restrained his dignity.  Besides, he
felt for certain such a response would have had Jaimz changing his mind,
for he could sense his Tag Mate's confusion and uncertainty about agreeing
to his request.  He did claim his lips in another hungry kiss though, and
reveled in how Jaimz responded.

Still pursuing the kiss, Kaiel gently carried Jaimz back into the bedroom
and only released him when he let him down on the bed.  Jaimz moved toward
the center of the bed and just looked at him, and Kaiel was definitely
ready for him, even his flare had started to lift.  But he noticed that
Jaimz wasn't disinterested either, and even as he retrieved the oil from
where he had placed it for safe keeping he gently wrapped his big hand
around Jaimz' semi-aroused penis and started to lightly stroke him.  Jaimz
moaned and writhed, rolling and arching his head back against the pillow
and exposing his throat.  That made Kaiel thirst to gnaw on his tender
neck, too.  He dragged himself away from Jaimz' tender meat while
continuing to love him thoroughly with his fingers, while at the same time
he lavished attention on the rest of his smooth sleek body as he worked his
way up with mouth and tongue over shivering and sensitive skin. As he
playfully chewed on that long silky column of throat Jaimz pulled him up
and claimed his mouth for another of his breathtaking kisses, and Kaiel was
quite happy to yield to his mate's demanding lips even as he spilled a
little oil onto his playful fingers and let them wander as they would.
Jaimz gasped and arched up against him, crying out softly in breathless
delight as Kaiel's fingers gently eased him open and readied him for even
more loving.

Kaiel liked this sensual play, and though his flare was lifting to its
limit and taking Jaimz in this state would hurt if he wasn't properly
prepared, however Kaiel was at the moment utterly interested in playing
with Jaimz' responsive body.

They separated from the kiss and Kaiel dragged his tongue down over Jaimz'
gorgeous neck, down to tease each erect nipple, playing with the bud while
Jaimz cried and tugged at his ears and mane.  He growled playful and gently
bit one of the sensitive buds and licked at the iron rich tang that his
small nip delivered to his waiting tongue before continuing on his downward
journey of exploring Jaimz' sensual body with his tongue and mouth again.
He probed his navel, which had Jaimz gasping and laughing, but he wasn't
done and even though the brat pulled insistently on his mane he ducked his
head down over Jaimz' groin once more and replaced his hand to suck at his
penis like a nursing cub.  He closed his eyes in utter bliss while Jaimz
moaned and eased his legs open and writhed ecstatically to his loving
fingers and mouth.

After a time Kaiel slid deeper down and drilled Jaimz with his tongue,
tasking his essence combined with the smoky flavor of the oil.  Jaimz
entire body quivered and shuddered for he utterly loved this play and Kaiel
knew it as he leisurely licked and probed and loved that throbbing and
welcoming passage.

Jaimz could feel all the little eddies of pleasure pooling into his groin
as he moaned and sank his teeth helplessly into the side of his hand as he
tried to contain his throbbing release.  But he felt the pulsing as all
those little eddies surged together in a wave of pleasure that over swept
him and had him crying, "Oh!  Oh Kaiel... I...!" That breathy plea was all
the warning Kaiel needed to catch Jaimz in his mouth once more and swallow
his hot cream as it bathed the back of his throat.  Jaimz squirmed and
shuddered with pleasure as Kaiel sucked, squeezed and teased every last
drop of him out and then, as always he lifted away in a long deliberate
pull--half readying Jaimz for another round in the process--and leisurely
licked his lips like a cat in the cream.

Jaimz laughed softly and pulled Kaiel down beside him and leaning into him
he claimed Kaiel's mouth in another deep kiss, in doing so he tasted his
own essence on his lover's velvety lips.  He licked Kaiel's mouth and
gasped laughingly when Kaiel's oily fingers returned to renew their
stretching and preparation.  Obligingly he bent his legs open and tilted
his hips to allow full access and then, suddenly his face grew very serious
and thoughtful.

Kaiel sensed Jaimz' sudden emotional dilemma and rose up to look at him
with curiosity, though his fingers continued their play.  "What is it?
What's wrong?"

Jaimz looked at him with those sea-foam eyes of his shining like the truest
of aquamarines as he whispered soulfully, "You love my body."

Kaiel smiled and stroked his free hand along Jaimz' hip, "I do love your
body.  You are so beautiful..."

Jaimz blushed smilingly and softly clarified, "That isn't what I mean."
His blush deepened, though why he would be bothered by something he was
thinking when his anus was being lovingly attended to Kaiel couldn't
understand.  Jaimz smiled and what he did next was startling and very
erotic as he stroked his hand up the length of Kaiel's rod.  "I mean--you
make love to my body-- to my whole body Kaiel.  You do wonderful things and
all I ever do is... just take it."

Kaiel gasped softly as Jaimz' fingers stroked him, his eyes fluttered
closed even as he wondered at Jaimz' boldness and his combined melancholy.
Jaimz had touched him before--but this was different.  He opened his eyes
and gazed wonderingly upon his mate and whispered achingly, "Jaimz..."

Jaimz looked at him, though his hand remained lightly stroking his length
and fondling around his sensitive flare, finally he murmured, "You're so
big Kaiel.  I-I could never take all of you in my mouth..."

Kaiel thought someone had hit him when Jaimz uttered that astonishing
statement, and he certainly exploded as if a great charge had surged
through his body, which startled Jaimz as the warm sticky liquor splattered
over his fingers.  But Jaimz showed no disgust at his release and again,
seconds later Kaiel was in breathless shock as Jaimz tentatively licked his
fingers and tasted Kaiel's essence for the first time.  During this time
Kaiel had stopped teasing Jaimz' anus and Jaimz didn't seem to mind the
lack of attention as he wonderingly tasted and licked his fingers.  Kaiel
hadn't meant to come like that, he generally had much better control, but
Jaimz touch and his words had fired like a shot through his whole body.  He
shuddered again when Jaimz' fingers once more returned to him, stroking
along his length and then seeking to explore him between his legs.
Groaning, Kaiel obliged his mate and struggled to hold on as Jaimz' fingers
enclosed around the heavy fullness of his scrotum and gently, ever so
gently massaged him until he thought he would explode.

"Jaimz..."  He groaned in sheer sensual agony, and yet he couldn't dream of
stopping Jaimz in his exploration as his delicate mate turned halfway to
face him.

Jaimz murmured softly, "I can't lick you... your fur..." he sighed and
shook his head, and smiling ruefully he added playfully, "I'd probably get
hairballs."

Kaiel had to smile at that, though he gasped and quivered as Jaimz leaned
over and ever so experimentally kissed and tasted the peak of his rod.
Jaimz lifted his head away and licked his lips thoughtfully, tasting
Kaiel's essence once more.  Kaiel closed his in groaning amazement as Jaimz
touched him again, stroking him and kissing his rod.

"Jaimz...  you torture me..." He finally groaned as his mate tentatively
licked along the expanded frill of his flare and then he became aware that
something warm and wet was dripping onto him, he opened his eyes to watch
as Jaimz squeezed drop after drop of the oil onto his fully engaged rod.
He whispered, "It will hurt you."

Jaimz smiled, "I'm ready." He promised contentedly as he stroked his
fingers over Kaiel's rod, spreading the oil.  "I want you inside me Kaiel."

He held out his arms and whispered hoarsely, "Come here."

Jaimz came to him, sliding happily into his embrace.  He kissed his small
mate lightly upon his sweet mouth even as he slicked more oil between his
cheeks and stretched him for a bit more.  Kaiel didn't like taking Jaimz
when his flare was fully engaged as it now was because he was afraid he
would hurt him, but Jaimz had waited long enough and he was, as Jaimz had
promised, ready for him.  Still, he knew that the first bit--getting past
the flare--would be uncomfortable.

Kaiel rolled up onto his haunches, carrying Jaimz up with him in one smooth
motion.  They moved so well together that in no time Jaimz was easing
around his flare, though Kaiel slowed the descent and lifted him up and
around him several times until Jaimz stretched enough to accommodate the
width without making him flinch, though he did moan deliciously as the
length of Kaiel slid within his snug body.

Jaimz pressed upward with his legs, taking control for a moment as he
laughingly breathed, "I love how you feel inside me." Of course he blushed
at that revelation. Having moved upward, drawing Kaiel's length nearly out
of him, he sighed with pleasure as he let that rod fill him up again.

Kaiel grinned as Jaimz enjoyed his moment of control then he finished his
forward roll so that his mate rested on his back, and he was supporting him
and holding his legs to either side of his big body as he started to
oh-so-gently pummel Jaimz with his long strokes, angling his flare so that
with every pass it would bump just right against that receptive gland
within Jaimz' passage.

Jaimz gripped at him with hands and legs, moaning raggedly with each long
slow thrust.  As Kaiel bathed his innards with his release Jaimz tore as
Kaiel's shoulders with his digging nails.  Kaiel already bore fading scars
and more recent wounds from Jaimz' enthusiasm, but though he grunted he
didn't complain as Jaimz even drew blood, for he loved how he made Jaimz
lose control of himself.

Between their own gyrating bodies he felt the throbbing hotness of Jaimz'
penis as he ejaculated, and he felt that warm cream smear into his pelt as
he continued to grind away at Jaimz' undulating hips.  He smiled and
thought about how Jaimz had touched and tasted him and in recalling he
blasted multiple jets--much to Jaimz' delight.

It seemed this morning that release came with more explosive force that
left them both quivering and gasping as their bodies wound down afterward
from the high they'd reached together.  The flare still tied them together
and Jaimz was still cuddled right against him but all his responses now
were those of the indolent and sated.  Kaiel felt wonderful, though equally
lazy, but even the lingering ache in his groin and thighs had faded away,
which was remarkable because he had just used the same muscles in the same
manner that had caused the ache in the first place.

"How do you feel?" Kaiel softly asked his languid mate, while idly stroking
his back.

Jaimz sighed contentedly and murmured, "I feel good...", and he then
shivered deliciously and uttered a small moan as Kaiel's rod released and
slid free of his body.  After that sensation, all he wanted to do was lay
there, dozing in the warmth of Kaiel's big body while his body quieted and
calmed down.  He did feel good, much better than the all over body ache
that he had awoken too, as a scientist he knew that sex released endorphins
that could make the body feel relaxed and good afterwards, but he somewhat
doubted that without the sexual healing that he would not have been up to
having any sex in the first place.  Which was kind of a very round about
reasoning, he thought with a smile.  He didn't doubt Kang's assessment now,
actually he felt well enough that he was proof that sex between Tagged
Pairs did making healing quicker than normal.  Actually, as he considered
it, maybe he had subconsciously known that he healed faster now since being
Tagged (especially with Kaiel), then before he'd been tagged, and there was
all that touching to consider, not sexual touching, but simple touching
that had always made him feel better too.  Kang was right; he did know that
touching made him feel better, so now, he thought with a suddenly glum
sigh, was he also to acknowledge that sex itself was healing?

Jaimz sat up, avoiding answering his own question and looked down at Kaiel.
He smiled softly as Kaiel's stroking hand moved to his hip and said, "I'm
hungry."  His belly chose that moment to grumble rather loudly in
complaint.

Kaiel chuckled and added, "Ummm...  I guess I could use a little sustenance
to keep up my stamina."  He grinned cheekily at Jaimz' answering blush and
indignant eyes.  He flopped over onto his back, though he kept his hand
stroking up over the middle of Jaimz' back, occasionally moving upward to
his shoulders or down to palm his bottom.

Jaimz, despite his grumbling belly, was content to rest as he was for a few
minutes longer, just sitting there beside Kaiel and feeling his big hand
moving lightly over his back, but finally he turned toward the curtain, and
being more careful he slid through it and stepped away from the bed, though
Kaiel wasn't long in following him.  It was still very early...  though not
as early as it had first been when they had woken, and through the open
window he could now hear the sounds of the city starting to wake up too.
"Do you think we'll be able to get breakfast this early?"

Kaiel shrugged and mused, "If I know Kang he probably placed an early order
for us, assuming that we would need to eat fairly early."  He rubbed his
furred, washboard abdomen, "I am starting to feel a bit hungry too." He
laughed softly then and said, "I think you burned all my reserves off
Jaimz."

He had to chuckle at Jaimz' stiffened shoulders and insulted sounding,
"Hmmmf!", but seeing Jaimz' back, its graceful smoothness now marred by
those scratches high up on the shoulder he asked, "What happened, how did
you get those scratches?"

Jaimz half turned to face him, looking surprised, then he nodded
remembering and curled his hand around to touch the upper most of the
nicely healing scratches...indeed since just yesterday and other than a few
still stubbornly clinging scabs, the scratches now looked weeks rather than
just a few days healed.  He shrugged and said, "Nothing really, just a
little mishap in my lab."

Kaiel raised a brow but didn't press any deeper; if and when Jaimz was
ready to tell him more he would be waiting. Though he sensed that Jaimz'
explanation barely edged along the truth he did sense that it was the
truth, just a much skimmed down version.  Then he thought about something
else and said contritely, "I'm sorry about Ham.  I hoped for your sake that
he wouldn't come near the Pridelands."

Jaimz shuddered at that, and both his arms went around hugging his body as
he recalled the horror of that brief meeting.  "He touched me." He
whispered huskily.  Kaiel was there, pressing against his back and offering
him the simple comfort of his presence.  He turned into his body and
shivered, "He scared me."

"Shhhh...  I know." Kaiel murmured, bending over his mate.

Jaimz clung to him, and whispered, "I feel like such a coward.  I mean I
fainted... and... and--." He pressed his forehead against Kaiel's solid
chest, heedless of the slight twinge of pain he felt and added achingly,
"He used to hurt me so much..."

Kaiel growled softly, "You should have been warned about him.  I'm sorry; I
thought that my father would have told you." He'd had harsh words with his
father the night Ham had so rudely reappeared in Jaimz' life, and it had
infuriated him that even Kang hadn't known about the possible risk of Ham
showing up to sniff after Jaimz again since he'd specifically asked for
Kang to be told.

But Jaimz surprised him, pushing away from him and looking up into his face
and smiling suddenly, "I'm glad I didn't know that he was back on Z'Rarla,
I would have been watching every shadow for him without you there... and I
had enough things to worry about without adding him to the list." Not when
the list already included being raped by Kaiel's father, which was
something he planned to never reveal to his Tag Mate.  "Besides I did enjoy
myself sometimes; I got to go to the Market in Moro and I saw the Cultural
Faire and almost enjoyed another Market at the faire..." He suddenly canted
his head, and reached up, tugging Kaiel down by his ears.  "Have you ever
thought about piercing your ears Kaiel?"

Kaiel smiled in amusement, "My father wouldn't approve." He licked the
bruise on Jaimz' forehead and added slyly, "But lately I've been doing a
lot of things my father wouldn't approve of."

Jaimz laughed softly, though if it was in response to Kaiel's quip, or his
reaction to the pleasurable stroke of Kaiel's tongue against that bruise he
really wasn't certain, maybe the laugh was a response to both.  Still
stroking Kaiel's velvety textured ears he murmured, "I found these red-gem
ear-studs at the Moro Market that would look great in your ears."

Still amused by the thought of wearing ear-studs, but rather distracted
with pleasure at having his ears stroked, Kaiel bent forward and lightly
kissed Jaimz' smiling mouth.  In reply Jaimz stood on tiptoe and happily
melted into the kiss, though even as his fingers were threading through
Kaiel's mane he was drawing back reluctantly and murmuring breathlessly,
"We can't give in again Kaiel... not so soon anyway."

Kaiel said nothing, for he could see the worry in Jaimz' eyes, the worry
that he would give in and say yes, so instead he decided that he wouldn't
pressure him, but rather wait to see if Jaimz would eventually initiate the
love play on his own.  All he did was stroke his lover's cheek, lick his
bruise again and very gently release him as he promised, "When we get home
I will have my ears pierced."

Jaimz smiled and then remembering something else he added, "Oh yes, at the
Faire Market there was a vendor from Moro and he was offering this great
spice and herb cold tea he called Miaki.  I meant to get his name so that
you could help him market the brew and maybe so we could have the recipe
for the house... but that was when Ham--." He shrugged and shook his head
stubbornly and continued, "But I'm sure Pridemother Nerell will know who he
is and help us track him down.  I think I might really like it..."


Kaiel rolled his eyes at having to deal with Pridemother Nerell, but he
only chuckled and agreed that he would look into the matter.  With that
Jaimz once again stepped free of him and looked around the room for a
moment before looking wide eyed at Kaiel and asking, "Where are my
clothes?"

Recalling the accident, which he still had no answers for, he could only
hope that Jaimz' travel case had been recovered from the scene of the
crash, "In your room hopefully?" he said.

Jaimz looked at him in pure surprise and murmured wonderingly, "I thought I
would be sleeping with you?"

Kaiel felt his pelt ripple and smiled slyly, "I certainly wouldn't say no
to that."

Jaimz blushed then looking down at himself he said, "But how do I get to my
room like this?"

Kaiel tossed him his robe; though it was much too large for his small frame
it at least answered Jaimz' need for modesty.  "I'll show you where you're
room is." He offered as Jaimz simply used the robe like a blanket and
wrapped it around his winsome body.  Not so body shy and fairly sure that
they were the first ones awake in the suite he led Jaimz into the outer
suite, which was a large sitting room from which all the available rooms
could be reached as well as the Lift exit.  As Kaiel had predicted the
sitting room was empty, it was a simple matter of reaching the next-door
room and opening the door for Jaimz and then following him in.  Jaimz saw
quickly that his travel satchel had made it, and he quickly found his own
robe and a change of clothes though he murmured absently, "I think I'd like
a shower first."

Kaiel had been thinking that a shower would be welcome, especially since
his pelt was more than a little sticky and oily and he undoubtedly smelled
strongly of sex too.  He wondered how Jaimz would feel about sharing the
shower with him, but it was Jaimz who casually suggested that they should
shower together.  He thought his ears would never stop flicking his
pleasure at that revelation, though he could assume nothing in Jaimz'
suggestion and was perfectly willing to simply enjoy the shower for what it
was.  With his own robe loosely in hand now he led Jaimz from the bedroom
to the suite's bathing room.  Like the main house it was a full bath,
complete with the big sunken tiled tub (which was like a small wading pool
to Jaimz) and the large open shower stall complete with benches within and
without the space.  Towels had already been stacked on the outer benches,
waiting to be used.  Jaimz set his clothing on an open area of the bench
and slid his robe off with one smooth shrug of his shoulders, letting it
rumple at his feet where he left it as he stepped over the sill and into
the shower.  Kaiel stood a moment just watching all that water pouring over
Jaimz, gently pelting his head as he lifted his face into the downpour and
streaming through his hair and over his body and he felt his mouth... go
dry.  Jaimz turned toward him and looked out through the streaming water
with those remarkable green eyes of his and extended his hand... though he
laughed softly when Kaiel stepped into the shower, robe and all.

"Silly, your robe is soaked now!" Jaimz laughingly admonished, pushing the
saturated robe off Kaiel's big shoulders and kicking it out onto the floor
beyond the tiled rim.

Kaiel tried to concentrate, as it seemed that Jaimz was serious about
having a shower and not playing, but though he tried to distract himself by
lathering his own pelt watching Jaimz' own lathering and happy gyrations
were too much of a distraction.  It got worse when Jaimz presented his back
and asked lightly, "Will you wash my back please?"

If Kaiel's mouth had been dry before, it felt positively parched now as he
wordlessly retrieved the soft soap and started stroking it into a lather
over Jaimz' shoulders and back.  Some of the scab still clinging to the
scratches came off then, revealing thin pink lines that he knew would never
detract from Jaimz' flawlessness, in fact as he bent and licked those pink
lines he knew that they would fade away and in time maybe even disappear
completely.  Jaimz of course responded to the lick by arching back slightly
and lilting his head back so that his streaming hair rippled nearly to his
shoulder blades.  Kaiel, seeing that long expanse of throat exposed, cupped
his sudsy hands on Jaimz' shoulders and bent forward to ever so gently
close his mouth over that curve of neck.  Jaimz moaned softly as Kaiel's
mouth moved up to claim his softly swollen lips and Jaimz arms slid up and
back to encircle him.

Like the walk in shower back at the main house, this one too had a window
on its far wall, but unlike at the main house, this window looked directly
over the Mitraal and there was nothing close to allow a view into the
stall.  Still, Jaimz murmured as he reluctantly broke contact, "Someone
might come in."

Kaiel sighed regretfully as his sudsy hands slid down from Jaimz' shoulders
and around over his smooth well shaped chest and gradually down lower, over
his belly and finally to his hips.  He didn't move lower though his fingers
were entwined by the curls found at the juncture of Jaimz' thighs.  He
leaned against Jaimz' shoulder and sighed again while Jaimz just stood
there content to have his arms around him and his hands so intimately close
to such sensitive areas.  Jaimz slid his hands down to stroke along his
arms and finally rested his smaller hands right over Kaiel's.

It was true that the bathing room door did not lock, and though Kaiel knew
of some signals that could be used to let others know that privacy was
desired he had not thought about hanging anything over the door latch upon
entering the room with Jaimz.  He silently cursed himself, for he could
sense that his wasn't the only overheated body enjoying this shower.  Jaimz
was being inhibited by his morals, but he was not unwilling to play, he
simply didn't want any unwitting witnesses.  But it was Jaimz who surprised
him again, guiding his big hand down to touch him while he murmured, "We
can't have sex..."

Kaiel understood that for Jaimz having sex meant mating.  Kaiel was okay
with that and he would keep his rod stubbornly sheathed even if it did want
to peak out and play too, but since there was no oil amongst the selection
of items on the inner bench and with the shower already washing his body
Jaimz would be ill prepared for mating anyway.  Still, as he moved his hand
down willingly to massage Jaimz' penis, mating wasn't everything and there
was plenty of love play that could be done without joining.

Jaimz' hands slid back up along his pelt and locked behind his neck as he
rose on tiptoe and pulled his head down to lock lips with him again.  He
hungrily sank into the kiss, stroking his tongue around in a dance with
Jaimz' even as his hands continued to massage Jaimz' firming penis and
tightening scrotum.  He slid his hand deeper between Jaimz' thighs, and
gently worked a finger against his small mate's wet and still greasy anus,
and that responsively swollen pucker opened and sucked up his finger,
pulsing around him as if it were breathing.  Jaimz shuddered and gasped,
breaking contact with his mouth to just look up at him as his finger
stroked him internally, reaching deep enough to caress that sensitive gland
that always--always got him so hot. "Oh God... ooh..." Jaimz groaned
softly, clinging to him as his quivering legs threatened to fold under.

Kaiel thought nothing of swinging Jaimz around to face him, and lifted him
up so that he could straddle his shoulders, which let him have full access
to his penis, which he sucked into his mouth.  Jaimz bent over his head,
shuddering and laughing softly at the dizzying height, though for a moment
he thought of another that had also lifted him over his head though that
time he had been unwilling and the position had been uncomfortable.  This
time he felt perfectly safe as he wrapped his arms about Kaiel and clung to
him as bliss sparkled through his body and melted into his groin with every
long pull of Kaiel's mouth.  Of course, he also squirmed and shuddered as
Kaiel's supportive hands, gripping his bottom, also managed to sink into
him and play with him there too.  It became even more deliriously
interesting when Kaiel shifted him, using the tile wall as support for his
back and tilted his hips up to allow access for his mouth and tongue.  He
still clung to Kaiel, crying out in sensual pleasure as Kaiel's tongue
drilled him, and he squirmed all the fiercer even as he clawed at Kaiel's
back and arched up against the wall too.  There was no warning this time,
Kaiel was drilling his anus and he suddenly just came, while black stars
and bright lights spangled his vision and he knew that he was falling, but
Kaiel caught him in his big arms which was where Jaimz seemed to come awake
a few seconds later though he was still seeing stars.

Dazedly Jaimz whispered as he pushed a straggle of wet hair back from his
face, "What happened?"

Kaiel stroked his face gently and whispered smilingly, "I think you
fainted."

Jaimz blinked up at him in surprise and blushingly denied, "I did not."

Kaiel's grin expanded, though all he said was, "If you say so..."

Jaimz grinned sheepishly after a moment and admonished, "Well if I
did... it's your fault.  You just... just..."

Kaiel leaned down and lightly kissed him, grinning he withdrew and teased,
"I just make you swoon with pleasure?"

Jaimz smiled at that and wriggled free of Kaiel's protective grasp while
saying, "Let's finish our shower before someone does come in and see if
we've drowned in here."

Which was exactly what they did, though there were still moments of
breathless laughter and deep sighing, which would have been very
tantalizing to anyone who might have been listening from beyond the bathing
room door?



CH 2

Upon exiting the bathing room Jaimz felt his cheeks warm slightly when he
found not only Kang and Heron's eyes upon him but also the eyes of a
complete unknown.  He had yet to properly meet Heron, who was Kaiel's aide
in the diplomatic corps but though he was more than willing to formally
greet the male it was the third individual in the room that caught and held
his attention.  Jaimz of course knew of the Chai situation, how could he
not when the FSJS had blundered right into the middle of the conflict
between Chai and Z'Rarla?  Still he had never actually seen a Chai except
in pictures and pictures hardly did them justice.  The Chai visitor was
insectoid, it was man sized, meaning that it was slightly smaller than a
Zaran and seemed somewhat of a cross between an ant and a preying mantis.
Her (he thought that was the proper term to describe her) carapace of solid
black shown so brilliantly that it gave off an adamantine luster.  Because
she was in truth a drone she had no need for garments to disguise or
otherwise hide her sex (for she appeared sexless). Therefore all she was
wearing, and quite comfortably too, were jewels in chains and belts and
collars and anklets and bracelets that pretty much draped her every joint.
She fairly sparkled and to be perfectly honest Jaimz thought that she was
actually quite lovely.

Before he could say anything her heart-shaped head turned toward him, and
even as he noted the diadem she wore he felt her multifaceted eyes lock
upon him.  She dipped her head slightly and her small mandibles clacked
creating a burring sound, which was followed by a computerized voice, and
for all that the words were emotionless she still managed to convey gentle
amusement, "I thank you K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan, long has it been
that any other than Chai found us beautiful."

Nonplussed Jaimz stepped back and he just stared for an uncertain moment,
for he certainly hadn't spoken even though that was what he'd been
thinking.  Then after a moment he relaxed and stepping forward he bowed
slightly as he said, "Speaker...I understand that you helped us." He was
thinking that the Chai must have some sort of telepathy for her to have
read his surface thoughts so easily.


The Speaker nodded her heart shaped head and again her mandibles clacked
before the translator clicked in, "A disorder I sensed between you and he,"
she nodded again and Jaimz glanced back to see that Kaiel had joined him,
"this disorder caused you not to heal.  Better now you are."  She tilted
her head slightly and added, "I knew that comfortable would you be with us,
for like ours your mind is.  To offer Chai hospitality to you we did want
but is agreed that such could not be.  Though more like your mind his now
is, for Kaiel Ni Chai not be comfortable.  Too dense it is, humidity high,
oxygen high, uncomfortable would he be."

Again Jaimz glanced at Kaiel; he wasn't clear on what the Chai speaker was
talking about.  Kaiel flicked his ears back and gave him a worried look in
return before saying, "The Chai had proposed to offer you permanent
residency on Chai.  They said that if you came to live with them that they
would agree to peace with us... it was part of their compromise deal."

Jaimz could see that Kaiel was a bit worried about his reaction to this
news. Kaiel had learned, thanks to Vreda that he didn't like surprises but
he didn't see when Kaiel would have told him about this, though he supposed
at some point yesterday it might have come up.  He felt himself blushing at
just recalling yesterday, but he couldn't fault Kaiel for not bringing it
up, nor could he censure him today either, since it was still early and
Kaiel probably hadn't expected the Chai to be here.  It was more the other
stuff that had Jaimz baffled, what was it about his mind that was more like
a Chai's?  Surely the speaker wasn't suggesting that he could in any way be
telepathic?  The very idea was nonsense...even though he had to admit that
she herself probably was, as he'd already speculated, telepathic or
something similar to it anyway.  Moreover she had also suggested that
Kaiel's mind was now more like his, meaning that it hadn't been
before... before what?  When had Kaiel's mind changed and how did she know?

"Confused you are?  Explain I can." The Speaker offered, somehow managing
to convey concern with that computerized voice.

Almost Jaimz took her up on that offer, but after a moment he shook his
head and said, "No.  I'm fine.  I think I understand.  And I thank
you... for what you did."  He didn't want to doubt her, but he put little
faith in anything that wasn't pure science.  He reached back and lightly
squeezed Kaiel's arm to let him know that everything was fine and then
smiled toward Kang while asking, "How are you Doc?"

V'Ran Kang was a semi-retired medic who at Kaiel's request had attached
himself to K'Lan pride and now lived at the pride manner house.  Jaimz was
quite happy for that since he was very fond of the old cat and having lost,
probably for the rest of his life, his own family Jaimz had pretty much
adopted Kang as a surrogate grandfather.  Recalling the accident, though he
felt pretty good right now, he had to wonder how Kang was feeling, Kang was
a lot older and he didn't have the kind of help dealing with pain as Jaimz
did.  Again Jaimz felt his cheeks warming and he silently cursed his blush
response.  Thankfully Kang saved him any further blushes by replying.

"I'm well cub, a little stiff and sore but nothing an analgesic can't fix."

Reminded of the accident Kaiel stepped over to the old cat and demanded,
"Yes, what happened anyway Kang?"

Kang shrugged and reached for a flaky breakfast roll popping it into his
mouth and chewing blissfully, even sighing and rubbing his proud paunch
before replying, "As to that Kaiel Ni I'm afraid L'Teran Vreda
tried... rather she succeeded in running us off the road.  That was rather
unexpected."

Kaiel just stared at him in stunned silence, it took a moment before he
could think to say anything at all, and that came when he looked at Jaimz,
"I'm sorry.  I expected her to be irritated with the betrothal being
cancelled... but I never expected her to retaliate like that."  He'd been
certain that she would have come after him, and not with violence but
rather with her sharp tongue and cruel humor.  He had expected her to do
everything in her power to stain his name and embarrass him, and he'd even
been prepared to face a legal challenge from her...but for her to try to
kill Jaimz (he didn't doubt that had been her aim) was astonishing.

Jaimz sighed, "Nothing about her surprises me."

"She is a disturbed young female." Kang added almost as an afterthought,
and then reaching for another pastry he said, "She's at Central Medicenter
of course; her attempt to hurt us caused her a good deal of grief as well.
Hopefully this will be a lesson well learned for her... though I fear she
will have to be watched."  Then before he popped the buttery pastry into
his mouth he gave Jaimz a thoughtful look and added, "You really should
hear the Speaker out cub; she has information regarding the Tag."

Jaimz returned his look with one of puzzlement, mouthing the word, "Tag."
Before recalling that there was another in the room and he looked in horror
at Heron while exclaiming in a straggled voice, "Kang!"

Kang negligently waved his hand and said, "Heron knows Jaimz, I told him
when you arrived."

Jaimz stared at his mentor and bitterly muttered, "Then exactly five people
know the truth about Kaiel and I?  Why Doc?  Why does he need to know?" He
could understand Rica, Kang's nurse, needing the knowledge since she worked
closely with the doctor, but why did Kaiel's assistant need the
information?

"Because Heron was privy to some strange sights when I brought you to
Kaiel.  With you being injured and Kaiel being so effected by the TWS and
your injury Heron was the unfortunate witness to some of the needs of a TWS
sufferer.  Specifically the need for physical contact during the 72-hour."
Kang explained

Jaimz felt his face flame with livid embarrassment as he imagined what Tag
physical contact usually entailed.  His scalp practically crawled at the
horrifying thought of what Heron might have witnessed, namely something
sexual and graphic in nature.

Jaimz was never so grateful to be disabused of a notion as he was when
Kang, seeing his distress, hastened to assure, "No no cubling, not that."
He smiled and shook his leonine gray head adding, "What he witnessed was my
putting you in Kaiel's bed, and Kaiel licking the bruise on your forehead.
Surely cub you would have wanted me to explain the logic behind all of that
rather than let Heron come up with his own ideas...knowing how rumors start
and everything."

Now it was Kang's turn to sooth Heron's injured sensibilities as he left
Jaimz feeling relieved but still puzzled at Kang's decision to reveal his
and Kaiel's secret.  Surely he could have made up some plausible excuse
couldn't he?  Surely Doc hadn't needed to reveal the actual truth of the
Tag to Kaiel's assistant.  He sighed and thought gloomily on the truism,
the more people who know a secret the harder it is to keep it a secret.

Recalling though what Kang had said about the Chai Speaker having
information regarding the Tag for him he turned to look at the Chai again,
wondering what she could possibly tell him that would have any baring on
helping him deal with the syndrome.  Knowing that he might have seemed
impolite for having disregarded her offer to help him understand earlier he
felt his cheeks flushing once again as he took a seat opposite her and
respectfully murmured, "I'm sorry..."

Before he could add any thing more she nodded and as her mandibles clacked
she said (and the translator translated monotonously), "Understand I do.
Scientist is you.  Need tangible evidence you do.  What this Tag condition
is I not be knowing, exist the Tag does not on Chai, but similarities
nonetheless there be."

Jaimz nodded, grateful that she hadn't been insulted by his earlier
dismissive attitude.  Carefully she outlined the living conditions of Chai,
how they lived in hive-like communities (indeed she said they lived in
hives) and that each community was ruled or managed by a Queen.  She went
on to describe how she herself was a drone and that almost all Chai were
drones with the exception being the hive queens, including the Chai Ruler
and their consorts or harem, which were all fertile.  "There be a
connection between the Queen and her consorts.  A psychic bond that allows
them to always know how the other is feeling or thinking and whether the
other is well or unwell."  Her black eyes sparked like a many facetted
diamond, reflecting his own image back at him as she leaned closer to him.
"Similar bond with Kaiel Ni you share." Jaimz pushed back and shook his
head in denial, "That's not possible."

"Possible or not cub, it's in all probability true." Kang interjected.
Jaimz stared at him helplessly, unable to face the possibility that there
might be a psychic component to the Tag.  Gently Kang continued, "Remember
how I told you that you and Kaiel resonate?  You're like two finely tuned
instruments sharing one string between you." To the side the Chai nodded in
agreement and Kang dipped his head acknowledging her.

Jaimz still didn't want to consider the possibility and stammered weakly,
"But...there's no such thing as physic ability.  My people have studied it
for generations without finding any hard evidence."  Once more he looked at
the Chai speaker; how she had known what he'd been thinking of her
appearance was first and foremost on his mind.  It made him humbly aware of
the fact that simply because something wasn't proven in fact, that it
didn't mean it didn't in fact exist for he was quite certain that she most
likely was telepathic and had read his appreciation for her aesthetically
attractive form right out of his mind.

"On Chai studied we have of this bond between the Queens and their
consorts, how it forms and why, we have documented.  This information I can
get for you Jaimz Ni."  Yet again she managed to convey sympathy for his
plight, and he was forced to wonder bitterly if she was able to emote the
emotion to match the situation since the computerized translator could not
communicate emotion.

Jaimz stubbornly shook his head, still unwilling to accept the possibility,
"I don't need--I can't do what--it's not possible..."

Kang sighed, having expected this reaction, his young human was very much
fixated on what he could see and touch; so anything esoteric or intangible
was unreal to him and therefore not scientifically plausible.  "Cub I am
willing to bet that you are so hyperaware of Kaiel that you can find him in
this room without even looking for him."

Kaiel gaped at Kang for a moment; he was still behind Jaimz where he'd been
standing all along listening to this incredible conversation.  However at
seeing his slightest wink Kaiel understood what Kang wanted him to do and
the young male moved back and to Jaimz' other side.  While Jaimz stared at
him incredulously, wondering what he was getting at Kang prompted, "Well,
go ahead.  Where is Kaiel?  No don't look for him, just point him out."

It was a stupid test; Kaiel was behind him where he'd been all along.  Then
he felt himself paling when he realized that he knew exactly where Kaiel
was and that he'd known instantly when Kaiel had moved to his other side.
He hunched down in the chair and whispered, "It's not possible."  When
Kaiel lightly squeezed his shoulder he instantly felt better which only
made him feel more defensive and a deeper resolve to argue the point.
Recharged, perhaps by Kaiel's touch Jaimz retorted; "Wait--wait a minute!
I never felt this with Lorz!"

Kang frowned and demurred, "Cub, you know he corrupted the whole meaning of
the Tag..."

Jaimz scoffed, "That wouldn't have mattered though would it?  If I could
have felt him before--before he came to me all those times I would have had
warning and not--not been--argh!  Whatever!  But I mean I never felt Lorz
in the way you're suggesting.  Never!  And surely whatever he did, however
he perverted the Tag, it wouldn't have mattered, right?  So this is all
just... happenstance, coincidence and there's nothing more going on between
Kaiel and I than the Tag as we know it."

Jaimz glanced up when Kaiel squeezed his shoulder again, and his sure smile
faltered when Kaiel shook his head and said, "I just thought of something
Jaimz.  If there is nothing to this--this connection business... how then
did I see your accident?"

Jaimz felt his mouth drop open, and around him the others in the room
shifted into high alert.  Heron helpfully added, "That's right, I was there
when Kaiel suddenly said you needed him.  That was right before he
collapsed in the Council chamber."

Jaimz wanted to just shake his head again, he knew he was being stubborn,
even stupid about this whole thing, but if Kaiel and he were aware of each
other in some psychic sense then maybe even a simple dream wasn't so simple
a dream?  He blushed recalling Kaiel's vivid recollection of the dream he'd
had, the one that had occurred on the night Kaiel's father had raped him.
Kaiel had indicated he'd dreamed of Jaimz lying on his bed, uncomfortable
from the heat and how he'd even stripped off his clothing all thanks to the
drug Terrill had given him which had effected his entire system and made
him so horny that as Kang had later explained he would have happily humped
a gar (a plains cat) and not minded in the least.  God what if Kaiel had
been made aware of the actual rape?  Could he even now take the memory from
Jaimz' surface thoughts?  Jaimz shuddered uncomfortably, for he never
wanted Kaiel to know what Terrill had done to him, those two didn't get on
all that well as it was, and he didn't need to add to the tension between
father and son.

Seeing Jaimz' growing distress and sensing what the youngling had to be
worrying about Kang enlightened, "I don't think your connection works that
way.  I mean I don't think it works like an open COM between you two.  It's
more a subconscious link, continuously communicating but not actively
keeping you updated except perhaps if your under great stress or maybe...if
you are thinking of each other at the same time."  There that should
absolve Jaimz growing sense of unease and guilt over the whole episode and
hopefully resolve in his mind that Kaiel couldn't find out inadvertently by
scanning his surface thoughts.

"Indeed," the Speaker added, "Such an open link uncomfortable would be and
also hindering it might be."

Jaimz felt immense relief at that and Kaiel looked at him in growing
puzzlement which only made him hunker deeper down into the chair and curse
his stupid blush response, for even if he didn't say something his
reactions surely could give him away if he wasn't careful.  After a moment
though Kaiel decided that it was this situation that was bothering him and
didn't think to look deeper into the problem, which made Jaimz feel
grateful and glad that Kaiel didn't have a suspicious nature.  Feeling
Kaiel's hand resting comfortably on his shoulder and comforted by his
presence he faced Kang and the Speaker and said, "So then there's nothing
to be done about it anyway.  That is if I believe it even exists."  He
smiled gently at Kang's exasperated expression, "Ok, okay I'll allow for
the possibility of some kind of... link between Kaiel and I... but I won't
believe that it affects the Tag until I have evidence to the fact."

Of course he had to wonder, if the link isn't a direct result of the Tag,
then what caused it?  Looking at Kang he was pretty sure the doctor was
pretty much thinking the same thing.  What fun, another mystery to solve.

"Uh, Jaimz Ni?" Heron murmured, encroaching into the moment and drawing
everyone's eye to him.  He dipped his head formally, though he looked
terribly nervous and Jaimz had to remind himself that Var Heron was
actually a little older than Kaiel since he looked so young and eager at
the moment.  He was all brown; brown maned, brown eyed and even had a light
brown pelt.  He was taller than Kaiel but also very slender and somehow
managed to look extremely bookish.  He managed to project the very image of
an efficient and effective assistant though.  Right now he practically
quivered as he said enthusiastically, "I look forward to working with you
Jaimz Ni... and--and you can trust me to keep your secret!"

Jaimz tried not to smile; it seemed to him that Heron was as young and as
excitable as Drey, the cub who was his assistant.  He didn't want to hurt
Heron's feelings and besides he knew that the male was being honest in his
offer, "I will gladly accept any help you can give me... and I believe
you."

Heron smiled and enthused, "I was so taken with your drawings Jaimz Ni, it
will be a great thing to help with such advances."

"Familiar with Jaimz' Ni work you are?" the Speaker carefully enquired.

Heron turned toward the Chai Speaker and said, "Only in that I helped sort
his papers before he left the Kattaf.  I couldn't understand his writings,
but the drawings were extraordinary and very innovative."

Something in the Chai's posture (she was sitting in a chair and sipping tea
from a wide mouthed delicate cup – and doing so quite proficiently
despite her mandibles) drew Jaimz' eyes back to her.  Earlier she had
mentioned the Chai had intended to offer him residency on their planet, and
he remembered that the Chai had stolen onto the SFJS and taken Data from it
and how both Kaiel and he had realized that the Chai were after his
technology.  "Your people have had time to review my Data haven't they
Speaker?"

She looked at him, and though as always it was hard to read her near
featureless face (with only eyes and a mouth) still he could sense the
tension in her, which made him wonder glumly if she was projecting or if he
was reading her.  She lowered her head after a moment and with her
mandibles clacking and chirring she said, "Determined we have that very
dangerous your knowledge could be."

"It is not intended to be." He replied, noticing the others watching them,
"It is just technology, intended for harmless purposes."

"And yet put you into the middle of battle it did.  Fly you didn't into
that battle simply appeared you did and from somewhere far outside our
space we have determined.  Dangerous this technology is.  Dangerous what
inside your head is.  Dangerous is who gets it and to what purpose it is
put." She said succinctly.

"That could be said of any technology Speaker." Tersely interjected Kaiel,
"The Zaran are willing to take responsibility for the gradual release of
this technology to the allies..." he looked at Jaimz who seemed about to
protest, saying; "It is necessary Jaimz.  Once you start to manufacture the
gates the technology will get out, better to release it in controlled
amounts rather than suffer sabotage that might damage the gates or worse
theft of those gates so that they can be studied and broken down." He gave
Jaimz a darkly worried look, "Not to mention there is the very real risk to
you Jaimz.  Zaran's are already starting to squabble over who should
benefit from your knowledge.  Houses have offered up their resources to
guard you and one House has already cited a class action protection suit
against K'Lan because of you."

Jaimz knew that House K'Ilo had served notice against K'Lan to move him
under the protection of K'Ilo, but he knew that the real reason behind the
action was to give K'Ilo Ham unrestricted access to him once more... he
growled bitterly, "K'Ilo doesn't want me, that's just Ham's way of getting
into my...to possess me."

Kaiel squeezed his Tag-Mate's shoulder and thought how it was the Tag
itself that would ultimately protect Jaimz from being taken by any House,
and whether Jaimz wished to keep the Tag a secret or not, use it he would
if it meant keeping Jaimz safe.

"Nonetheless, control release you say, however still threat exists.  Appear
Jaimz did, how this accomplished determined we have not, but if replicated
this manner of flight is, safe no one would be." The Speaker alleged.

Jaimz laughed derisively though he tried not too, as she looked askance at
him he said, "You're worrying about an accident.  My ship appeared in the
middle of that battle by mistake, I don't know how it happened and I doubt
even I can duplicate the events that brought me here.  Trust me; I don't
think they can be accidentally replicated."

She tilted her head, "And yet some idea you have of what happened do you
not?"

His harsh humor faded and after a moment he nodded, "I have some idea of
what happened."

Her multifaceted eyes remained fixed upon him.  "Believe Chai do that you,
Jaimz Gingko can replicate means that brought you here.  Dangerous are you
Jaimz Gingko."

"What would you have me do?" he retorted angrily, "Give up ever finding my
people again?" He glanced briefly at Kaiel and added bitterly, "Even if I
can never go home again I still want to see my people again.  Is that too
much to ask?  Should I stop trying because what I find might be too
dangerous?  Should I just walk away from the knowledge I carry because
someone might misuse it?  Would you ask me to give up what I know?  Stop
being what I am all for concern that someone might abuse the technology?
Am I already at fault if someone takes what I create and turns it into a
weapon?"

The Speaker looked away first, "Understand... Chai do of this desire to
find ones home.  Long we have sought the first home of our ancestors.
Understand hard it is to give up such a craving, permeates it does into the
shell until all one thinks, all one breaths, all one dreams is of
home...Try to find ones home you K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan must,
prepared to help Chai is."

Jaimz gaped at her and then laughed acerbically, "A moment ago you were
worrying about how dangerous I am, and now you're willing to help me in my
dangerous endeavors?"

"Still are you dangerous.  Always you will dangerous be." She tilted her
elegant heart-shaped head, "Decide advance with you Chai must or behind
Chai falls.  Chai believes more dangerous to fall behind is."

On Earth in the past when the world had many governments there was a time
when the military powers constantly built up their powers to stay in sync
with other powers so that neither front could risk attacking, since to do
so was to risk equal annihilation.  This was the same concern the Chai had
here; they understood that so long as they kept up with the technology that
they could protect themselves from any aggressor because they should have
the same level of technology.  Jaimz wasn't so sure of that, it was a known
fact that just because the same Technology was to be had by all that it
didn't mean the technology couldn't lead to other ideas or uses, what might
be benign to some could be a weapon to others; for instance a wondrous new
energy source could be turned into a terrible weapon and dropped onto a
city of thousands.

Just such a thing had happened back on Earth before the mid 1900's and
Jaimz could only hope it would never again happen, but change also brought
about new ideas and new ways of thinking which could invariably lead to new
and terrible discoveries.  That was the risk every inventor took, that his
invention or discovery could be turned into something horrendous.  It was a
risk that Jaimz at 15 had struggled with and now 7 years later he still
wondered if someone could take his ideas and turn them into uses he'd never
intended them for.

Finally all laughter aside he faced the Chai Speaker and said, "Then if you
are willing to face the risks inherent with my ideas than I am willing to
work with you."  He knew that he was speaking to more than just one
individual even though only she was present, for he knew that she had the
well-being of her entire people in mind when she spoke.

She nodded acknowledging his unspoken assessment, "You will our help have."
She tilted her head again and said, "Resources we have, scientists we have,
mean to work with you we do." She tipped her head up; so that she was
looking fully at Kaiel, "Offer we do in conjunction with release of
technology of scientists and resources.  Work in--partnership to build
Gates with Jaimz, to be on Z'Rarla first Gates acknowledged; request we do
for Chai next Gates.  Space Gates to bring together Z'Rarla and Chai first
to be built?  This be what Chai ask for in council...pre-ask now?"

Jaimz murmured cautiously, "Once the prototype Land Gate has been
thoroughly tested they can be built on both Chai and Z'Rarla at about the
same time, and I see no reason not to build the first Space Gates to link
Chai and Z'Rarla.  However before that I-I want to study the area of space
where my ship emerged, because I am sure that the answer is there."

Again she nodded, though she said nothing for a long moment and simply
looked from him to Kaiel and then back again.  At last she said, "This too
issue be resolved in council..."

He leaned forward with a sudden insight, "You know something? Tell me!"
after a moment he added plaintively, "Please it's important to me."

She looked away, "Understand you must, concerned we were in how you arrived
Jaimz Ni.  Unexpected was that.  Studied anomaly we did, found occurrence
suspect source we do."

"What?  What did you find?" he asked excitedly, pressing his hand over
Kaiel's when the big male clasped his shoulder again.

"Found we did of singularity, undetected in region before."

It was as he had speculated, a wormhole could have been the only logical
answer for the distance traveled even though wormholes up to this point
were only speculative science and there was no hard evidence on what if
anything they could do or even if they truly existed, he had wrote a
theoretical paper on the subject back in his university days (around age
12) and hazarded that they did exist due to an number of anomalies he'd
noticed, but he'd certainly never expected to study one nor for that matter
be pulled into one.  "Where is it?  Did the Chai chart its address?"

If she could have looked uncomfortable she would have, for certainly he
picked up discomfort from her as the Speaker relayed, "Unfortunately not
able to chart it were we.  Tried but could not lock on location accurately.
Is out there we know, but unstable it is."

"Drifting..." he murmured thoughtfully, "It has no anchor on this side.  I
bet that it's anchored on the Gate back home...but at this end it has
nothing to anchor to so it's just drifting." He had some ideas about how to
anchor it, just as he had other ideas of how to use it once it was anchored
but first he had to find it and that wasn't now.

"Ah..." Kang interrupted while looking puzzled, "I don't know much of what
you're talking about but could this Singularity thing happen again?  Isn't
that dangerous?  I mean what if some ship were going through that Gate back
where you came from and the singularity brought them too?"

"It is unlikely.  My guess is the wormhole is keyed to a specific
frequency, which my ship might have emitted prior to entering the wormhole;
it might be a frequency specific to entering Jump Space for all I
know...that--I really don't know the answer for yet.  But it should be safe
at that end." He felt a happy glow settle over him, to be able to make
sense of how he had ended up here was incredibly important to him, and to
think that maybe finding the answer wasn't as complicated as first assumed
was a relief.

"There still the matter is of how to keep you and Kaiel Ni safe." The
Speaker interjected.

"What?"

"Almost die you did, at risk both of you still are." She tipped her head
down, "This Tag be unknown to us.  Understand it we do not.  When consort
sick or die, Queen not die, this is true also if Queen die, consorts not.
This Tag make very dependant on health of other and is dangerous unhealthy
burden to carry."

Not to mention the need to come together sexually every 72-hours, Jaimz
silently added.  The Tag was a weakness and it was a burden to those living
with it yet it had to have a logical purpose for existing because otherwise
evolution would have never found a need for it in the first place.  "Kaiel
and I do okay.  We'll figure it out."  Besides circumstances had been
extraordinary this time, it couldn't be expected that every time they
reached the cusp of a 72-hour that something would interfere with their
need to be together.  There wouldn't always be council meetings to get in
the way, and there wouldn't be unexpected accidents to injure him either,
this time the events had been unusual, next time they should be normal
again.

"But already Zarans do contest who is best to safeguard Jaimz. This is
truth no?"  The Speaker reiterated.

Kaiel growled heatedly, "K'Lan has things well in hand."

"I won't live under some stupid military state.  Jesus I'm just one person,
besides I'll simply refuse to let anyone decide what is best for me."
Jaimz stated just as heatedly.

"Point that not is... others do contest point is.  From legal court actions
how protect you?"

"Well..." Kaiel murmured, glancing down at Jaimz as the smaller human
looked up at him, "there are resources available...  the usage of the Tag
itself if necessary... other things as well." He wasn't ready yet to
mention the life-bonding contract, which irrevocably tied Jaimz and him
together for he was fairly certain Jaimz would react adversely to such
information.

"This you must not do." The Speaker interjected, "To reveal the Tag
dependency is to reveal a weakness which used against you could be.  Safer
will you both be the fewer who know of this Tag."  She tipped her head
again and added succinctly, "If you can break it you must, only way to
protect you both."

Both Kaiel and Jaimz stared at her, it was Kang who saw the obvious, "Yes,
indeed she is right.  Kaiel you're in the Diplomatic corps, you are on the
front line for alien contact, and you work on the councils and within the
corps to deal with situations and trade and other factors of Alien
Relations.  Jaimz with your knowledge and skills and unfamiliar sciences
you're an unknown and desirable factor.  Jaimz you could be taken for your
own knowledge or be held to force Kaiel's hand, and the same for Kaiel.
Either way you are both vulnerable if the Tag is revealed, and I dare say
it's a risk that you should not take if there is any other option."

"But that's true no matter what," Kaiel observed, pressing hard enough on
Jaimz' shoulder to make the smaller male scowl at him.  "We'll just have to
be careful, that's all."

Regardless of the discomfort to his shoulder Jaimz had to agree with Kaiel
for he was certain they were worrying over nothing anyway and even where
House K'Ilo was concerned he trusted Kaiel to have everything well in hand.

Kang, having grown to understand the youngling quite well in the short time
that he'd know him, saw that Jaimz was going to be stubborn about this too.
He also noted that Kaiel had an equally determined stubbornness to his
demeanor and realized that these two cubs would decide for themselves how
best to deal with this latest concern.

Still observing the pair who were now sharing a breakfast pastry between
them--or rather Jaimz had snatched one of the buttery treats right from
Kaiel's fingers and was laughing cheekily at his affronted expression--Kang
mused on the potential psychic link between the pair.  Nothing like it had
come up in the database, though he had to admit Tag information was scant,
however there was also nothing mentioned of it (or similar) in the Tag
lore--that is there was nothing in the historical notes and writings on the
Tag that seemed to indicate such a link--still as the information was so
spotty and the Tag really hadn't been studied in generations he couldn't
say definitively that the link hadn't existed prior to Kaiel and Jaimz'
situation.  As he reached for a bowl of thin sliced pale meat and thin
sliced vegetables all in a clear rich broth he wondered at one other
possibility that simply hadn't occurred to him before.  Jaimz was Alien, so
it was likely that the Tag was enacting upon his system differently, or at
least differently enough to cause this mental link to form between him and
Kaiel.  Satisfied for now that he may have found a possible answer for this
link to form between the cubs Kang settled in to enjoy the rest of his
breakfast.

Though he smiled softly as a very puzzled looking Var Heron turned toward
Jaimz, his own flaky breakfast roll all but forgotten and scattering bits
of itself on the carpeted floor as he asked diffidently, "Uh... Jaimz Ni,
what is a wormhole?" and Kang settled in to enjoy a very enlightening
breakfast indeed.

CH 3

Kaiel adjusted the collar of his formal dress robe again and glanced
anxiously toward Jaimz who was standing with Kang just inside the doorway,
and out of sight of those in the council hall.  The council hall was
raucous with commotion, and even though the session hadn't even opened yet
all the assembled parties were in appearance and every seat was occupied--
in fact today's council session was unusually full with individuals
actually standing behind the last bank of seats on the upper ring of the
semi-circular chamber.

It appeared that all the allies were represented this time, which seemed
unusual to him since only the Ghan, Harben and Delran had been involved in
the session when it had originally opened.  That most of the other allies
were now present was odd to him, since by not attending the opening day of
the session it appeared as if they were uninterested in the proceedings,
however something had changed their opinions if they were in attendance
now.  Well, they were permitted to attend but since they hadn't been
involved from the beginning they should have no voice in the proceedings,
which was the general rule in a situation like this.

As he glanced again at Jaimz and was rewarded with a faint smile he tried
not to look worried, for Jaimz was sensitive to his expressions and he
would wonder what was bothering him, so he glanced toward the Chai
contingent instead.  The Speaker had her sisters gathered around her and
they must have had their translators turned off for though they were
conversing in their own language in a series of clicks, burrs and clacks,
nothing they were saying to each other was being interpreted.  Still,
looking at them he felt with certainty that today the Chai situation would
be resolved, and he also had some idea that many of the Allies would ask to
be allowed in on the same lucrative deal that the Chai were asking for.
That, he speculated, was the reason for the rest of the Allies to have
shown up today on this most likely last day of deliberations.  He sighed,
looking from the Chai to the representatives of several of the strongest or
oldest Houses on Z'Rarla, and he had an additional sense of dread that
though the Chai situation might be resolved today, that the Houses would
soon be bickering over other matters; not the least the disposition of
Jaimz within Z'Rarla proper.  He was amazed that his own father was not in
attendance, for as the Head of K'Lan he too had some say in Jaimz' future
situation, and if the Houses were going to debate on such a situation than
he should really be here.  However as K'Lan Terrill, Head of K'Lan Pride,
oldest Pride on Z'Rarla was not in attendance, Kaiel had to believe that
today at least the Houses would hold their peace and most likely if Jaimz'
situation was broached it would only be to set a date for the predicted
debate.  He hoped he was wrong about the reasoning for so many Houses to be
represented, but as they returned his gaze with hard stares of their own he
did not think he was wrong.

There were a lot of concerns; what the Houses wanted, what the Allies
wanted and probably other concerns that he hadn't even considered yet, but
as he glanced yet again toward Jaimz he had to admit glumly that none of
those concerns worried him half so much as Jaimz himself did.  It was
Jaimz' desire to find his home that worried him the most, and it was made
all the worse by the fact that he could understand that drive which
impelled Jaimz.  He felt Jaimz' longing to find his people as if it was his
own longing and he understood that need which so consumed Jaimz, but it
also worried him-- no, if he were honest it terrified him.  He knew that
Jaimz was still uneasy with the Tag, and he also knew that what the Tag
required of Jaimz was still a struggle for him despite how good he might
feel when answering that requirement.  Jaimz wouldn't give up on finding a
cure for the Tag-- at least not until he had exhausted every possibility.
Kaiel worried not so much about Jaimz breaking the Tag-- in some ways if
Jaimz would pick him without the Tag there to make his choice for him then
he knew he'd be the most fortunate Zaran on Z'Rarla-- but rather at Jaimz
finding his people and choosing them over him even with the Tag still
forcing them together every 72 hours.  He could see Jaimz make that kind of
choice, for Jaimz was very practical that way.  It was that practicality of
Jaimz, which had him so concerned, and yet at the same time, despite his
own concerns he knew that he'd do whatever he could to help Jaimz and not
stand in the way of his desires or dreams.  Again he sighed as he wondered
miserably why he couldn't be as dispassionate about Jaimz as Jaimz could be
about him, for outside of the Tag's demand Jaimz was able to treat him
simply like a friend.  Jaimz liked him, but that wouldn't be enough to make
Jaimz stay with him if he had a choice.  Looking achingly down at the heavy
council table before him he thought morosely of one simple truth, that he
would be happy to take Jaimz however he could, even if it was only once
every 72 hours, and that realization only made him feel more sick at heart.

It took a light touch from Heron to remind him of his duty as Speaker for
the council.  The Speaker's Stone had been replaced and was sitting in its
cradle waiting for him to claim it.  Dismissing his current worries from
his mind and murmuring his thanks to Heron he curled his fingers around the
heavy round stone.  He swept his gaze over the filled tiers of council
chamber and he noted that while the hall was still clamorous with noise
that the Chai Speaker and her party, at least, were waiting patiently for
the proceedings to commence.  He noted that his taking the stone had been
observed by others and he waited in hopes that the ruckus would settle but
as the babble continued and did not seem likely to abate this side of the
session he finally rapped the stone against the marble plate set into the
table.  Though he had refrained from using it before it was customary to
rap the stone three times to signal the session, it took all three for the
rabble to settle down and take their positions.

He let the silence settle around the echo of the final rap of the stone
before announcing, "This session is now in order.  We resume where we left
off last day."  He carefully kept his ears still, since yesterday the
session had been ostensibly held up to allow him time to recuperate from
whatever had caused him to collapse the day before.  Kang had dealt with
all inquiries even to taking a call from his father and not passing it
along to him or even telling him about the call until just before he'd
entered the chamber.  He could well imagine his father's take on his
collapse and then his all day need to be cloistered in his suite, oh yes,
he could easily image what his father would have thought about that, seeing
how his father seemed to think all he did with Jaimz was bang him... and
though it took some effort to keep his ears steady, yesterday at least his
father would not have been wrong in his estimation.  Glad that he could not
blush... he pushed on, "In keeping with the discussion interrupted
prematurely last session this council calls the Speaker for the Chai to
formally enter the Chai proposal."

With great dignity the Chai Speaker approached the raised podium and
stepping up she faced him as she spoke (and her translator clicked in),
"Formally Chai withdraws its previous proposal and enters new compromise
that Chai believes beneficial will be both to Z'Rarla and Chai.  Pursuant
to this agrees Chai to work with Z'Rarla in tandem over sector in dispute.
Chai does ask for Planet with Chai remains to be respected as Chai
Territory and one third all resources within disputed territory to belong
to or be split with Chai...as agreed upon in earlier session."  She paused
there to allow for agreement.

Kaiel swept a look around the council hall and approved, "The Chai proposal
is so entered and agreed upon."

She nodded, and serenely continued, "Further to this submits Chai in
resources and scientists to share in aid of and pursuant to the gain of new
knowledge and technology.  Further it is Chai's determination to work with
one Jaimz Ryordan Gingko otherwise known as K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan
in aid of his designs and goal to find his Home, understand Chai does of
such a need." That was clearly her own insight added there, she continued
after a pause, "Acknowledge Chai does of rights and freedoms of one K'Lan
no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan and pursuant to said proposals Chai requests
inclusion of said individual in all further talks."

This of course was the signal that he had been waiting for, as Jaimz was
not a member of the council, not a recognized ally and for that matter not
yet even a recognized citizen of Z'Rarla his presence in the council would
have to be requested, just as the Speaker had done, for him to be allowed
into the proceedings, and as he expected there were shouts of denial and
recriminations from all around the chamber.  Again he rapped the stone
until the shouting settled to a dull roar.  "The Speaker for the Chai has
requested the presence of K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan in these further
proceedings.  Understood that peace between Chai and Z'Rarla has already
been decided and agreements will be drawn up accordingly.  These further
talks though related to the matter between Z'Rarla and the Chai does not
affect the peace treaty now agreed upon."

Several old cats got up from their seats and shouted how improper this was,
the blustering shark-like Delran Ambassador denounced the proceedings, the
tall serene Ghan Ambassador asked in a most dignified manner about
precedent.  Kaiel had to clap the speaker's stone again to bring order once
more to the crowd and just as the last echo of the stone faded and the
final shouts began to diminish a shout from the crowd resounded, "Jaimz
Ryordan Gingko is an honorary member of K'Lan pride!  Doesn't this stink of
partiality?"

Kaiel looked hard at the assemblage of Zaran councilors, and while most
were nodding in emphatic agreement, only one gave him a hard look in
return.  The Head of K'Ilo Pride.

It was Heron who rose to the challenge.  "As Speaker K'Lan Kaiel of K'Lan
Pride has no vote in the proceedings... As you know K'Ilo Dunai." Then
appearing to shift some papers, Heron continued in the same vein, "It could
be construed that your involvement in these further talks is
suspect...seeing as how House K'Ilo has lodged a class action suit against
House K'Lan regarding disposition of said K'Lan Jaimz."

The esteemed head of House K'Ilo briefly flipped his ears back in
acknowledgement then conceded reluctantly, "I have no complaint against
Jaimz Ryordan Gingko attending these proceedings."

Of course not, Kaiel thought bitterly, for whatever is discussed here can
only serve to further your ambition to take him away from K'Lan Pride and
me.  He had not failed to miss how K'Ilo Dunai referred to Jaimz, not with
his pride status as was Jaimz' right and belonged to him due to his status
as Lorz' legal mate--and his own he thought after a moment--but rather by
his purely human name, thereby attempting to strip away Jaimz' protection.
He reminded, "K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan has the right-- no the
requirement of being addressed to properly within this assemblage.  It is
acceptable to name him K'Lan Jaimz but more accurately his name is K'Lan no
Gingko Jaimz Ryordan... I would request that all members of this audience
remember that and respect it as such."

"House K'Ilo does not recognize such a position." K'Ilo Dunai blustered.

Again Var Heron stepped forth, in matters regarding K'Lan; Kaiel could not
refute them, so Heron was acting as the mediary here.  It occurred to Kaiel
that his father should be here to represent House K'Lan.  "It is however a
fact that K'Lan Jaimz is a legal member of K'Lan Pride."

K'Ilo Dunai looked flustered as he protested, "There has been no petition
as such set before the courts, no documentation to this fact."

Kaiel tried not to smile, for it was difficult to contain his amusement as
Heron continued, "There is verification of K'Lan Jaimz' status.  He is a
registered member of K'Lan Pride."

"How... how is this so?" Dunai queried mulishly.

"K'Lan Jaimz' status is not at issue here, your question is disregarded
Councilor K'Ilo." Kaiel interjected, reminding, "The issue here is the Chai
Speaker asking for K'Lan Jaimz' presence at these further procedures.
Council K'Ilo has expressed his agreement.  How does the rest of the house
find?"









"What's going on out there?" Jaimz queried while rubbing his forehead, he
was careful to avoid the bruised area.

Kang glanced away from the chamber to take in the guard that would keep
them out until they were expressly called upon.  It was by tacit agreement
that he was here and would attend, as Jaimz' medic it was his place to
ensure that his young human charge didn't suffer any additional relapses
due to stress or mental exhaustion.  He already noted that Jaimz looked
pale and tired, and he had out of the corner of his eye caught sight of
Jaimz rubbing his forehead so he knew that a headache was developing.
"They are voting now about whether to let you into the proceedings."

Jaimz sighed, "I still don't understand why the Chai Speaker wants me here?
What do I have to do with the situation between Chai and Z'Rarla?"

Kang wasn't certain, he had wondered at the Speaker's requesting of only
one third of the disputed sector. Why not demand one half?  Of course he
had been present during this morning's conversation and it was obvious that
the Chai Speaker wanted the new knowledge and technology that Jaimz
specifically represented, but he had also thought she wasn't saying
everything she was after.  The Chai were a cunning people and they rarely
played all their cards at once.  "She has her reasons, and all you can do
youngling is remember what you spoke of with her this morning and try not
to be surprised by any... red herring questions."  He smiled lightly at the
young human who grinned at his use of the Terran metaphor.

After a moment of thought Jaimz frowned and mused, "Do you think she'd try
to mislead me?  She seemed nice this morning."  He had liked the Chai
speaker, though he was still uncertain why she considered him a threat or
for that matter why she considered him to be under threat at the same time.
He was still just one person, and as much as he wanted to find his people
and rebuild his technology he knew that he was hostage to Z'Rarla's
goodwill.  The Zaran's could simply decide not to help him, though that did
seem unlikely since Terrill had already indicated how the government was
ready to back his projects and how other Houses wanted in on the action.
Maybe that was simply what she wanted too, to have the Chai people be fully
involved in the development of his projects.  He sighed again thinking how
nice it would be if he was just a simple person with out this burden of
excessive intelligence that made him so desirable to powers greater than he
was.  On Earth he had just graduated from university, a feat accomplished
at age 12, when the local government had pretty much conscripted him into
their service.  He didn't remember accepting employment with the Science
Advancement and Exploration department of the North American Coalition;
he'd simply found himself working for them.  He had definitely been the odd
man in the crew, so much younger than any one else on the staff, and yet
all to quickly he'd proven he belonged there and then he was all but
running the lab and most ideas and discoveries coming out of it were his.

Looking out toward Kaiel at the same moment that Kaiel glanced his way,
Jaimz thought of how he was sought after for his intelligence, how it
seemed that everyone wanted something from him, though these Zaran's seemed
divided in what they wanted from him.  Yes they wanted his intelligence but
they also seemed fascinated with his body, his small, delicate and fuckable
body.  It made him want to shout in frustration for he was tall, he was
better than average height for his own kind, sure he was handsome--okay
even amongst humans he was better than merely handsome--but he did the
fucking... it had never been the other way around.  Since he'd been
unwillingly tossed into the middle of this dispute, which by the way he had
no part of, everything had been turned on its head and here instead of
being the dominate species in the galaxy he was the weaker, all alone and
unrecognized even as a species, he was unique and so far from his home and
people that no Zaran ally had ever seen anything like him, and no wonder
since in his galaxy there were only humans and no human had seen an alien
and many now doubted that aliens actually existed.  He noticed Kaiel's
slight frown and he moaned softly while hunching in on himself.  Well,
Kaiel was proof that Aliens existed at least.

He jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder, bringing him out of his
troubled thoughts, and twisted around to see Kang withdrawing though the
big old cat gave him a worried look and cautioned, "You're working yourself
into a fine snarl, cub."

Jaimz felt the tension in his shoulders loosen as he leaned against Kang
and denied, "I-- I'm fine."

Kang snorted, "You are not fine.  I can see that you're developing a
headache and that what the Chai is after worries you.  You shouldn't try to
take so much upon your shoulders, cub."

Jaimz smiled against his tunic and sighed, "It's so hard
sometimes... everyone seems to want something from me."

"Kaiel..."

Jaimz looked out toward Kaiel again, who had his attention once more upon
the council members and he sighed, "Him too... though he seems to only want
my body."

Kang smiled, "Is that so bad?  A better release of tension I have yet to
discover."  While Jaimz stood blushing at his forthrightness Kang was
silent, then while lightly rubbing Jaimz' slender shoulders he added,
"Kaiel does truly care about you and he worries after you, too."

He knew that, he knew that Kaiel cared for him.  He knew because he
wouldn't hurt Kaiel's feelings as he often did if Kaiel didn't care for
him.  He closed his eyes. This power that he had over the big male was
somewhat frightening, he could never have imagined being in such a
relationship, it wasn't natural, it wasn't normal.  In Human society he
would do the chasing and catching, it was only normal.  There was nothing
normal about this, for here he was the caught, Tagged and bedded, and here
he was the damsel in distress, but in a strange way he still had power over
that big male.

Kang sighed, it wasn't as if he'd expected Jaimz to acknowledge his
statement, but it was discouraging since he knew the truth in how both cubs
cared deeply for each other.  With Kaiel he wore his heart pretty much
right out there to be seen, if one knew what to look for; it was a little
deeper with Jaimz, he was still so conflicted and tied up by his morals and
rigid society that he didn't easily surrender his feelings, at least not
where Kaiel was concerned.  And yet, two souls more perfectly matched Kang
had never seen in his lifetime.  He'd heard of course of great
life-bondings where the mates had been fated to join by the Gods, they
permeated some of Z'Rarla's most ancient and time honored stories and he
didn't doubt that Kaiel and Jaimz were such a bonding.  It was perhaps a
sad twist of fate that had made them two different species while at the
same time the same sex, and yet lore had it the soul had no boundaries, it
recognized no species and knew no gender.

Kang was brought out of his reverie by the guard clearing his throat to
gain his attention.  He stepped wordlessly back from Jaimz while the guard,
a big ruddy maned lion in his middle years struggled to keep his ears erect
and portray no emotion as Jaimz waited expectantly for him to speak.

Finally, while carefully not looking at Jaimz who despite seeming pale and
a bit strained still managed to be both winsome and delicate, the guard
intoned, "You have been summoned K'Lan Ni."

This was the signal they had been waiting for, with a decisive nod and the
firming of his slender shoulders Jaimz strode past the council guard and
into the hall with Kang following sedately at his heels.

Immediately, and as could be expected, a murmur of sound swept through the
tiers of the chamber at Jaimz' appearance.  His image had been made known
through the COM CAST news and the daily periodicals so it wasn't as if he
was completely unknown, but it was still something else to see him in
person, with his fair skin glowing faintly luminescent, his sun-streaked
fawn locks streaming softly and his sea-foam green-eyes glinting with
challenge at the assembly.  His appearance was undeniably alien, and yet
his cubling stature and delicate build was at once vulnerable and
fascinating... at least to the Zaran's.

His breather hissing vapor, Ambassador Huirlic of the Delran rose up in
challenge, directing his brusque question not to Jaimz but rather to Kang,
"Who be you?  Dis council has allowed da-- irregular -- presenz of da
`uman... but no referenz be made to you."

Calmly Kang stated, "V'Ran Kang, personal Medic to K'Lan Jaimz and for
K'Lan Pride.  I am here on behalf of Jaimz to supervise him and ensure that
he doesn't overstress himself..."

This caused another murmur to ripple through the chamber, but the Delran
Ambassador didn't challenge Kang's presence again.  News of the mishap had
hit the news broadcast and the periodicals both on the night of the
accident.  Since neither Jaimz nor Kaiel had been interviewed, it had been
K'Lan Terrill who had told the News cast that Jaimz and Kaiel were stable
and in fair condition after he'd solicited (actually demanded) information
from Kang.  Kang sighed softly; in reality Kaiel's collapse had also caused
quite a stir and it was very likely that reporters from the Local media
station, as well as perhaps from global COM CAST stations, were waiting for
their chance to interview one if not both of the K'Lan Pride members.
After all, Kaiel was heir to Z'Rarla's oldest House, and Jaimz was a new
and engaging alien, and any story involving them was newsworthy.  To hear
Terrill tell it, thanks to Kaiel the Pride was more in the news lately than
ever; what with his Betrothal to L'Teran Vreda falling through and L'Teran
challenging it, and House K'Ilo challenging House K'Lan over the status of
Jaimz, and L'Teran Vreda ending up being injured after running Jaimz'
transport off the road and L'Teran Zhion up in arms about that too... when
it was his own daughter's fault that she was injured in the first place.
Oh yes, things were very interesting for K'Lan Pride, Kang mused smilingly
as he followed Jaimz deeper into the chamber.

Kaiel kept his face very still as he faced Jaimz and said coolly, "State
your name for the record."

"Jaimz Ryordan Gingko." Jaimz answered at once, than at noticing the
flicking of Kaiel's ear he added, "Also K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz
Ryordan... that's my Zaran name."

Kaiel faintly smiled then continued, "You understand that these proceedings
do not in any way determine your status, that these proceedings are merely
a continuation of the Zaran and Chai situation, of which the issue has been
resolved, but the Chai Speaker wishes to direct a few questions toward you.
The choice to answer any or all of her questions is entirely up to you."

"I understand." Jaimz answered softly and turned to face the Chai Speaker
who was waiting.  She was resplendent as usual and again he felt her gentle
amusement and appreciation before something about her appearance hardened
and he sensed that she was about to get down to business.

"Jaimz Ryordan Gingko determine this council must if your appearance in the
disputed Sector construed can be as forerunner to larger invasion or if in
reality was nothing more than, as implied you have, a bizarre accident." If
Jaimz seemed a bit taken aback it was because he had not expected such a
statement, yet as he wondered what she was getting at he also sensed that
she felt it necessary that his ship's appearance on that day had to be
clarified before she proceeded to other matters.  Of course her statement
had the same effect on the rest of the council, as clearly they had not
considered the possibility that he was not here by chance, despite his
claims.

Her chains chiming softly she continued, "Jaimz Ryordan Gingko your stance
it is that prototype your Space Fold Jump Ship is and that appeared you did
by chance in the disputed sector?"

"Yes."

"No chance there is that animosity toward us--the Zaran and the Chai--your
people hold?  No chance that added claim on disputed sector your people
make by sending you as forerunner to stake said claim?" she asked
succinctly, her translator of course conveying no hint of her emotions.

Yet Jaimz had the sense that she was trying to sooth him even as he
replied, "No, there is no chance in either case.  My people do not even
know of the existence of Z'Rarla or Chai, so then how could they harbor any
animosity towards either?" he smiled faintly, "And no one sent me here, I
arrived completely by accident."  Of which he was still trying to
determine.

"Perhaps no knowledge have you, perhaps reprogrammed your ship was and sent
you were without consent?"

"Not possible, there is no way to program in an unknown trajectory!  The
distances involved--the unknown variables-- at any time the ship could have
and should have been ripped apart.  And no one would have reprogrammed that
ship."  His voice was hard as he concluded.

"So certain are you?"

"Yes."  He replied curtly.

"Then it is your position that by accident... by unknown event did you
arrive within disputed sector?"

"Yes."

"Retrace you can how occurred this event?"  She tipped her head
inquiringly.

Here he hesitated, then after a moment he said, "Yes... I believe I can."

"How accomplish this, if as you claim appearance in disputed sector was
unintentional?"

He just stared at the Chai Speaker for a long moment and then took in the
rest of the watchful council chamber before leveling a calm look upon her
once more, "I believe that data contained within the SFJS will reveal how
my ship was drawn to that sector."

"So important it is that regain your ship you must?  Say anything to
accomplish this would you not?" She asked bluntly.

"It was an accident." He bristled, "People died on that ship, had I planned
an invasion I would have sent an Unmanned Gunship through first and not
risked any human lives."

"Perhaps acceptable losses they were?  Perhaps errors occur and rest of
advance warships left behind?  Perhaps lucky for you that you alone
survived--could garner sympathy--gain time to discover error--attack from
within?  Weaken from within?"

"It wasn't like that!"  He growled, "It was an accident, we weren't meant
to come here!  My crew's deaths were NOT an acceptable l-loss!  I-I-It was
not acceptable for me to--to..." He shook his head fiercely, shaking with
memory at the horror of waking up while being raped by a leonine alien--
how terrifying it had been, how excruciatingly painful it had been; those
were memories he could never forget.  Hugging himself he repeated achingly,
"It wasn't like that."

The Chai Speaker looked at the distressed young human for a long moment, it
was easy to read him, easy to sense the trauma he'd suffered not only at
the deaths of his crew but also in the personal pain he'd suffered when
he'd been exposed to aliens for the first time and been so savagely abused
at that same time.  And yet, looking toward Kaiel, another young being who
was every bit as agitated as the human even if he was able to hide his
feelings from everyone else, she knew that Jaimz seemed to hold no
animosity toward the Zaran people nor especially toward Kaiel, she did not
think that she could have ever been so forgiving.  She softened her stance,
"K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan, it is your position that accident it was
but retrace you can unintentional appearance in disputed sector?"

Jaimz raised his head; he'd noted her change in manner.  "Yes, I can."  At
least he believed he could and he knew that she knew he believed.

She nodded, "Then it is Chai's determination to help you with endeavor.  In
exchange for Gate technology, Space Fold and Jump technology and other
technologies as is discovered or created, Chai will commit scientists and
resources.  Toward relocating your home Chai determined to offer
assistance, ships if necessary, scientists and resources as proposed
already.  For Chai to gain new Allies, with maybe other ideas and
technologies to offer, such as Unmanned Gunships?"

"Ships and Resources he already has access too!" Shouted the Zaran Military
Advisor, A'Kani Mar as he pounded his fist against the railing; "The Zaran
government will support K'Lan Jaimz in this, his technologies and all
further discoveries belong to Z'Rarla."

"No, Delran must have stake in dis too.  Prepared we be to extend resoursez
and scientists in exchange alzo for Gate technology and other technologiez
az become available!" the Delran Ambassador heatedly interjected, breathing
so harshly that his breather was casting a misting of vapor onto any nearby
councilor.

As Kaiel had expected and worried this opened the entire chamber to a
shouting debate of who had what resources to offer, who had better claim
due to status or power, and even who had a better situation to offer to
Jaimz, only the Chai stayed out of the debate for they already had stated
what they wanted.  Not everyone descended into the shouting match, the
diplomatic and wise Ghan tried instead to sooth and mediate the situation,
a few of the Zaran councilors also tried to keep their fellows from
entering the fray, but on the whole the entire chamber was in disarray and
Kaiel felt that everything was going to fall to pieces if he didn't restore
order to this hall.

No one considered Jaimz though, the subject of this debate, as he stood
incredulously watching the debate and growing more distressed and more
angry with every shouted utterance from the councilors' and ambassadors'
mouths (or whatever means they used to communicate their points).  Kang was
there, offering what comfort he could but Jaimz' ire was only growing
stronger as the chamber exploded all around him, because of him.  Finally
to the clap of the Speakers Stone Jaimz' own voice rang out startlingly raw
and resoundingly viscous as it echoed the stone.

"Shut the fuck up!  Goddammit, do you think you own me?  Do you think I
haven't a mind to think for myself, or the wits to make my own decisions?
You don't own me!  My technologies belong to me!  My ship is mine!  My
Gates are mine!  If I share my technologies with anyone it will be because
I want to not because I am forced to!"

Both Kaiel and Kang winced, for Jaimz had used very improper language but
it was unlikely that anyone other than they had any idea what those
metaphors meant, since Jaimz hadn't bothered to translate them into the
Zaran equivalents, especially since one of those colorful metaphors didn't
have a Zaran equivalent anyway.  Still Jaimz looked spectacular all fired
up and enraged; with his gem-like eyes flashing and his sun streaked hair
flying and his clenched fists shaking.  Kaiel just wanted to take him into
his arms and sooth him down until the angry heat suffusing his cheeks
warmed to a flush of passion and his tense lips softened with desire.  Of
course, Kaiel could allow only a moment's distraction, since as Speaker for
the assembly he had a job to do.  But before he could do anything Councilor
K'Ilo rose up and glaring at Jaimz he growled, "What say have you in
anything?  You should be simply grateful we took you in and cared for you.
Whatever you create you will do on our say so, with our full participation
and we Zaran's will control every aspect of it."

Jaimz stared at the big cat, he was roughly around Terrill's age though
somewhat larger in height, he had the look of a northern Zaran with a more
pronounced muzzle and he was also ruddy in appearance, though his mane and
ruff were darker than his pelt.  Even his deep-set brown-eyes had a reddish
cast to them, which Jaimz found instantly unsettling.  Though the big
male's appearance was disturbing in its familiarity Jaimz was too enraged
to allow any distractions, "I should be grateful?  You... you people fired
upon my ship!  Killed my crew!  And-and I was--was r-ra--trapped here!"  He
pointed toward the Chai Speaker, "If I was given a choice I would have
chosen to live with her people, but I can't even choose that!  I'm trapped
here, I'll never be able to go home again and it's your fault and you tell
me I should be GRATEFUL?  Fuck you!"

The councilor had no idea what the last words spoken with such heat were,
but he recognized the tone enough to know that they were meant for pure
insult.  He flared back, "Yes you ungrateful little Skarll, clearly K'Lan
has been pussy footing around too much with you, treating you like a
delicate little cub when they should be teaching you manners!  When my
pride has you the first thing I'll do is teach you to respect your--"

Kaiel slammed the Speakers stone down, growling, "You're out of line K'Ilo
Ni!"

The councilor swung to face him, "I'm out of line?  This piece of
Skarll-dung insults me and I'm out of line?  Clearly you have been coddling
him too much K'Lan Ni!"

Unnoticed by all but Kang and the Chai Speaker Jaimz had swayed and paled
when councilor K'Ilo's name was revealed, Kang moved instantly, wrapping
his arms around Jaimz when the youngling lunged toward the balconied tiers
with his beautiful face contorted by pure hate and loathing, still though
Kang was able to hold the young human, nothing could stop him from
shouting, "You're K'Ilo?  Are you Ham's father or something?" when the big
male, barely deigning to look upon him, gave a disdainful nod, Jaimz swore,
"You bastard!" in the background he could hear Kaiel shouting at him, but
he didn't care.  He laughed derisively, "Would you teach me my manners the
same way your fuckin son did?" He struggled in Kang's powerful grip, while
the councilor glared at him with his ears tipped all the way back into his
ruddy mane and his reddish eyes burning with rage, "I'd rather die before
letting you're fuckin son lay his God dammed hands on me again!
Understand?  I'd die first before I let K'Ilo Pride or your fuckin son near
me!"

Then before either Jaimz or K'Ilo Dunai could escalate the tirade into
something worse, Kaiel excused himself, whether anyone heard him or not he
didn't know nor did he care as he pulled Jaimz into his arms and dashed
through to the side chamber where Kang and Jaimz had been waiting earlier.
He heard Kang soothing down the disruptive crowd, and especially Councilor
K'Ilo who had to be feeling very irate at the moment, perhaps
understandably, but as he lowered Jaimz to his feet he heard Kang
explaining about the mishap and how Jaimz had suffered a head injury and
that he was still recovering, as if that could excuse his outburst, which
perhaps it might.

Jaimz wavered, and then he sagged so that Kaiel had to catch him to steady
him, not that Jaimz seemed to notice as he covered his eyes with trembling
hands and cried desolately, "He hurt me!  God he hurt me!"

Kaiel had been prepared to scold Jaimz for his uncivilized behavior, but as
Jaimz leaned crying against him it was all he could do to lightly drape his
arms around him and murmur soft assurances that Ham wouldn't hurt him
again.  He fumed at Ham for being such a source of recurrent nightmares and
terror for Jaimz and he fumed at Lorz for letting Ham near him.  Jaimz at
least only seemed to hate Lorz, but Ham-- Ham he feared.

It took a bit; nevertheless Jaimz finally calmed down and simply stood
quietly within Kaiel's encircling arms.  It took a short while more before
Jaimz said anything and that was a quavering apology.

"What?"  Kaiel murmured in return, having barely listened to what he'd
said.

Jaimz lifted his face and with his eyes dark in distress he stated, "I
didn't mean...  what I said... about being trapped... I didn't mean it."

Kaiel leaned down and pressed his chin against the top of Jaimz' head, "Yes
you did cub... but I understand.  You are trapped; even with me you are
still trapped."

Jaimz released a shuddering sigh and laid his cheek against Kaiel's
tunic-clad chest.  "I chose you remember?"

Kaiel was silent for a moment before sighing in return as he reminded,
"Over death."  Some choice that had been, choose him or die.  Damn Lorz for
doing this to Jaimz... to both of them, and damn Lorz for somehow knowing
that he would have offered himself up in Lorz' place.  Gods how he wished
he'd have met Jaimz first, then surely none of this would have happened and
as much as he loved Jaimz, if Jaimz had only been able to be his friend he
could have lived with that... though it pained his heart to think of Jaimz
in that light.

Jaimz didn't make any reply to that, what could he say when Kaiel was right
even if he didn't hate him for it.  The reality of it was that both of them
were locked together neither of them able to ever escape the other and each
would follow the other to the grave.  Oh yes, if he was trapped then so
indeed was Kaiel.

Kaiel finally loosened his hold and asked carefully, "Do you feel like
going back in there?"  The Chai Speaker's proposal still needed to be
answered and he had a feeling that it needed to be before he could release
Jaimz to return to the quiet of the suite.

Shuddering, Jaimz wrapped his arms around himself again.  Yet after a
moment he nodded, "I think I can, if--if I don't see--"

"Try not to look at him Jaimz, just ignore Councilor K'Ilo if you can."
Kaiel advised, even though he knew that it might be difficult to follow
through.

Still shuddering Jaimz nodded and stepped back from him, though Kaiel
noticed he was rubbing his forehead as he turned back to the council
chamber again.  Kaiel stepped up to the council guard who by the fact he
couldn't quite meet his gaze related how intrigued the older male was by
what he had seen or heard while he'd been comforting Jaimz.  At least no
Tag reference had come up in the conversation, though references to choices
that included death had to be tantalizing, so hopefully the guard was
bonded not to speak about things he overheard while on duty.  "I'll go
first, then allow a minute and let Jaimz Ni follow." He instructed, the
guard nodded and finally met his eye.  He turned back to Jaimz, "When you
come in address yourself to the Chai Speaker, do your best to ignore
everyone else, and then I will excuse you from the session."

Glancing at him Jaimz gave a short nod to acknowledge Kaiel's instruction
and then watched as he strode back into the chamber to resume his position
as the Council Speaker.  Jaimz chewed on his lip and shook his head as he
replayed his reaction to K'Ilo and his overall uncivilized behavior within
the chamber.  He felt his cheeks heat as he considered the real possibility
that the senior K'Ilo had no idea what Ham had done to him.  But it was so
hard to get past the fact that Ham who he'd thought never have to see again
had come back into his life just a few days ago and now here he was
confronting the big male's father, and no matter what the senior K'Ilo knew
regarding the matter between him and Ham, he had still insinuated using
force when it came to teaching Jaimz his manners.  That had been enough to
infuriate him, add any relation to Ham on top of that and he admittedly had
seen red.  Still he hadn't displayed any manners when he'd exploded like
that and had maybe revealed more than he ought with what he'd said.  He
sighed morosely while thinking if he were so damn intelligent, how was it
that every so often he was so damn stupid.

He waited as Kaiel called order once again and the assembly settled
themselves in watchful silence while waiting upon him to resume the
session.  He noticed that Councilor K'Ilo still looked incensed with his
ears flicking in irritation and his deep-set eyes still glinting with
burnished fire.  He realized now why the older male had bothered him so
much from the onset; he looked like an older, slightly darker version of
Ham.  He looked at Kaiel, Kaiel didn't remind him of Lorz, in fact Kaiel
looked like no one except himself, or perhaps his mother, though Jaimz
hadn't seen any pictures of her just the memorial statue in the garden.  In
addition, though Terrill shared his coloring with Lorz he didn't so
strongly remind him of the male, so that he seemed an older version of him.
That was not the case with the senior K'Ilo and Ham; as father and son they
shared a real likeness.  Still that didn't automatically mean that they
shared a similarity in disposition for all that the older male had
threatened him.

Zaran's were fascinated by his appearance, his smaller stature and his
smooth skin, so it wasn't much of a stretch to imagine the type of lessons
he might have received to teach him his manners from even K'Ilo senior.
Though he didn't want to assume that all Zaran's wanted to get him in their
beds, so far he'd met enough to confirm his fears.  Would it be that way
when the Zarans and Humans finally met for real?  Of course they would meet
under different circumstances, and though Humans were of smaller stature
that didn't mean they would be helpless to defend themselves, even if when
it came to sheer size and strength the Zaran's were naturally unmatched.
And of course not all humans--especially males--were like him, smooth
skinned and admittedly too pretty, still that did leave the entire female
Human population in a vulnerable position, since naturally most were smooth
skinned with delicate features that probably would appeal to the Zaran
population, of course if he was as cubling small as a 12-year-old then any
Human female would be worse than cubling small, rather they would be
prepubescent and a true child in height so that a Zaran male might
naturally shy away from them in fear of hurting them, which once again
returned any pretty Human male into the unenviable position of being
pursued.

CH 4

"If you would K'Lan Ni?" the guard asked diffidently while sweeping his
hand out toward the waiting council chamber.

Jaimz took in a deep breath to settle his nerves, squared his shoulders
again and nodded as he strode forth to face the crowd once more.

The assembled councilors and ambassadors bore a bit of indignation toward
him this time, which he supposed was understandable considering how he'd
left the hall in disruption not to long ago.  Still, avoiding the senior
K'Ilo, he bowed toward the assembly and said, "My apologies, my manners
were not at their best.  I pray you can forgive me."  With that said he
straightened and walked toward Kang, well, actually he sauntered rather
than hurry and give away that he was under any stress.

Kang was watching him worriedly and he bent toward him as Jaimz reached his
side saying, "I told them about your head injury and how you might possibly
be a bit mentally confused still."

Jaimz rolled his eyes and smilingly hissed, "Oh gee, thanks Doc." Now they
would think he was unstable and rude to boot, just great.  Oh well, he had
to deal with the blows as they came.

The Chai speaker was also watching, and from her he felt an emoting of
sympathy and understanding, so that he wondered as he looked back at her,
exactly how much of his memories she had access to.  Still as if she
understood what he was thinking she gave a slight shake of her heart-shaped
head as if to assure him that he wasn't exactly an open book to her.  It
didn't really make him feel a great deal better though, for he had still
revealed too much as it was, like for instant his very real and nearly
insane hatred of Ham.

Still she was a diplomat and she knew what she was meant to do, "How see
you K'Lan Jaimz?"

He bowed toward her, and stated clearly, "It would be my pleasure to accept
your aid in exchange for knowledge and technologies..." Kaiel stopped the
protest before it could really begin, he continued, facing the rest of the
audience, "I am willing to share my knowledge and technologies with
everyone in aid of my own purpose of finding my home and people.  The Zaran
of course as my benefactors are at the fore of helping me and thereby
gaining in return all that I have to offer now and in the future.  The Chai
as they offered first naturally stand to gain all that I offer and I trust
they will share their resources as offered with Z'Rarla.  All other Ally
worlds will also benefit from my knowledge with Z'Rarla's collaboration, of
course.  However, first and foremost before I start to work formally on any
of my current projects it is my wish to investigate the manner in which I
arrived in this galaxy."

To his side the Chai Speaker acknowledged, "As pledged, our support Chai is
prepared to provide this endeavor."

Another Zaran rose, fortunately he was not K'Ilo Dunai.  He was perhaps ten
or so years older than Kaiel with a brown pelt, brown mane and ruff but
light yellow eyes, he was also a bit out of shape as if he was used to
manning a desk though his uniform indicated that he was in Z'Rarla's
military forces, "V'Dra Manawa, adjutant to General D'Vray Hern of Zaran
Forces, I am authorized to extend military support for K'Lan no Gingko Ni."
He nodded toward Jaimz and then with a slight dip of his chin acknowledged
Councilor A'Kani Mar (the Military Advisor) as he resumed his seat.

The shark-like Delran Ambassador rose, his flat-black eyes glaring down the
Ghan who was calmly unfolding her forelimbs, "Ahrmm, Delran be prepared to
offer--"

Of course, it escalated from there, with Ambassadors and Councilors yelling
at each other as each tried to gain a firmer foot on the matter, if this
was even about the Chai and Zaran situation any longer Jaimz couldn't tell,
since it seemed to revolve completely around his technology and his
knowledge.  He knew that his Gates seemed intriguing and that his Space
Fold Jump Ship had was high-tech but really, it was all unproven here, and
as it was since he'd arrived by mistake one would think his technologies
should at least be suspect... nevertheless it appeared that everyone wanted
to get in on some piece of the action.

Kaiel rolled his eyes at the argument continued to roar out of all control,
finally he shared a grin and shrug with Jaimz and with a precise nod
excused him from the rest of the session.  As Jaimz turned away with Kang
in hovering attendance several of the councilors called out, trying to gain
his attention.  However Kang draped a big arm around Jaimz' shoulders and
guided him out of the chamber thereby forestalling any further efforts to
illicit Jaimz' support, and Kaiel noticed a few of the Councilors and
Ambassadors give Kang a very perceptive look as they wondered what the old
Medics true position within the pride was.

However as Kaiel was about to sound the Speakers Stone in hopes of
restoring order Heron leaned close to him and reminded through the clamor,
"Perhaps you should announce a midday break Kaiel Ni?"

Kaiel glanced in surprise at the ornate timepiece mounted on the wall at
his back and noted that the time was actually past midday, the morning
session had rushed by with no one noticing.  He felt his stomach growl a
reminder that breakfast had been a long time ago and nodded in agreement,
flashing Heron a grateful smile.  He clapped the Speakers Stone into the
marble plaque until the noisy chamber silenced.  While the members of the
assemblage shot meaningful looks of enmity at him and each other he
announced the cessation of the meeting with directives to return for the
continuance (and hopeful closing) of the session in two hours.

He knew that Heron would want to tidy up before he excused himself, so he
quickly bent to assisting his assistant, thinking the sooner they got out
of here the sooner he could be with Jaimz again, but Heron forestalled him.
Looking at him the slightly older male smiled and said, "Go on, I can
finish up on my own, I won't be but a moment behind you."

"You... sure?" he asked hesitantly.

Heron grinned, "Go on, I'm faster on my own."

Kaiel smiled wryly and teased, "Ungrateful..." Before nodding and turning
away.  He headed for the side chamber again, though a glance toward the
tiers told him the council chamber was rapidly emptying.  Upon arrival to
the chamber though, he found to his pleasant surprise that Kang and Jaimz
hadn't left yet.  In fact as he approached Kang lightly pushed Jaimz toward
him and said, "I'll wait for Heron."

Jaimz fell in beside him and together they left the council chamber, the
outer corridor was crowded, a few councilors even tried to detain Jaimz.
However with a hard look from Kaiel they acquiesced to his suggestion that
they take what ever they wanted to talk about up with a government
representative as it would be through the government that Jaimz'
technologies would be formally released as they came available.  Of course
if it was a matter of scientific exchange or offer of assistance the Zaran
Government would have to confer with Jaimz, since it should be up to Jaimz
who he worked with, just as it would be up to Jaimz to ensure the right
materials were used when it came to any construction.  Still, that was down
the road.

Of course Jaimz incited notice wherever he went.  He simply couldn't help
it, but he pretended not to notice the turned head or gaped jaw or
appraising eye as he strode past and Kaiel opted to follow suit.  Though as
they reached the lift Kaiel did notice the faint pinkening of Jaimz' cheeks
and knew that even though Jaimz chose to ignore how his winsome appearance
affected others nonetheless he was still uncomfortable with his notoriety.
Still, Kaiel had to believe even on his own world Jaimz had been a head
turner and had a steady flock of admirers, too.

As the lift doors opened a Com Cast reporter tried to corner them.  Kaiel
let Jaimz enter the lift while he stood at the doorway, blocking access as
the reporter thrust his mike toward him, "K'Lan Kaiel Ni, what have you to
say about the incident involving K'Lan Jaimz and L'Teran Vreda?"

"I have nothing to say, speak to my father about it." He stated, as he
moved back to let the doors close.  Still, as he keyed in the access code
for the top floor he wondered how Vreda had learned what route Kang would
be taking and in which vehicle so that she could lay in wait for them?  How
had she even known that Jaimz was coming to him?

As the lift began its ascent Jaimz let out a relieved sigh and slumped back
against the far wall as he asked, "Is it always like that?"

Assuming he was referring to the reporter cornering them at the lift Kaiel
shrugged, "If a reporter scents a good story they won't give up the chase
until they've stalked it for all its worth."

Jaimz gave him a quizzical look and then laughing softly he explained, "No,
I meant the council session...  Though I have to agree with you on
reporters... they can be pretty tenacious."

Kaiel felt his ears flick as he was reminded of how the council session had
pretty much disintegrated, maybe he was too young to handle such a
complicated matter?  "Well, everyone had an interest in you-- I mean in
what you have to offer and no one wants to be left out."

"But... the session wasn't about me.  I mean it was a matter between
Z'Rarla and Chai wasn't it?  I still don't understand why she even wanted
me there.  We could have discussed my technology and other things, making
formal arrangements and whatnot after the session had concluded.  I didn't
need to be there." Jaimz said, rubbing his forehead again and grimacing as
he bumped his hand against the bruise on it.

Kaiel, watching his Tag Mate, sighed softly as he said, "Actually I think
you had to be there.  I think that The Speaker was being very clever in
what she was doing."

Jaimz gave him a bemused look and Kaiel explained, "I didn't think of it,
no one except the Chai did apparently, but by showing up the way you did,
in the middle of the disputed space you sort of unintentionally established
yourself as a third party interested in that sector.  I think that was what
she was trying to establish.  My guess is we will deal with that matter in
the closing session."

Jaimz blinked and shook his head, "That wasn't my intention at all... It
was an accident that the SFJS showed up there at all."

Kaiel moved to his side, lightly stroking his hair as once again Jaimz
rubbed his forehead.  "Yeah, I know that, but I think that the Chai is
going to suggest that 1/3 of the disputed sector go toward supporting your
work, your bid to search for your world, and also to establish a Human,
Chai and Zaran outpost in that area.  At least that is what I think the
Speaker will ask for."  Again he sighed, for he had his doubts now that the
session would come to an easy conclusion.  Even if it did conclude, as he
foresaw, he was pretty sure that it would merely lead to another council
session to deal with any unfinished issues raised by this session.
Fortunately he wouldn't have any reason to be called in as Speaker for it,
and most likely his father could represent K'Lan interests in the session.

Still Jaimz was faintly scandalized and wryly amused at the notion of an
outpost in the disputed sector, "I am but one lowly Terran.  Build a
station for three distinctly different peoples when I'm the only one
representing my people?"

"At the moment." Kaiel reminded, lightly twisting a tendril of sun-streaked
light reddish-brown hair around his finger.

His green eyes sparkling, Jaimz smirked, "Ok, at the moment.  But it could
be a very long moment."

Kaiel leaned smilingly closer, "Yes, perhaps... but I don't doubt for a
moment that you will find your people."

Jaimz leaned back, openly amused.  It was easy to sense Kaiel's interest
even with the headache and the echoing body ache that was growing more
pronounced with every passing moment.  He didn't even need to ask, and yet
the impudent words came anyway, "What are you doing?"

Again the bold smile as Kaiel rested his hands against the wall to either
side of Jaimz' face and bent down murmuring audaciously, "You're head pains
you."

Jaimz felt his smile broadening in mischievous reply though his response
was a simple; "Mmmm."

Kaiel knew well enough that response meant yes...in many ways.  He knew it,
he could see the answering affirmation in Jaimz' shining green eyes as he
bent to press his lips softly against Jaimz' shapely mouth, feeling a
thrill of desire sparkle down his spine as Jaimz stretched up into the kiss
and melted eagerly beneath him.  The strain of the morning, the rudeness of
the councilors, the demands of the ambassadors, all was forgotten as he
felt Jaimz' soft lips parting beneath his.  He moved his hands down,
sliding them over Jaimz' shoulders and then along and around his slender
body as he pressed closer.  Part of him remembered that Jaimz was so much
smaller than he, more fragile and more delicate and thus part of him
recalled he had to be careful even when the rest of him dragged Jaimz up
and bent him back as he ravaged his sweet mouth and cupped his firm round
cheeks in his demanding hands.  Jaimz groaned against him, eagerly
returning his kiss with wanton finesse and wrapping his arms around his
neck while raking his slender fingers through Kaiel's thick mane with
enough enthusiasm to make him grunt.

He drowned in the sheer pleasure of feeling his hands moving over that
silken clad body. Stroking soft and yielding flesh made only more luxuriant
by how the fabric moved beneath the pads of his fingers.  To stroll his
fingers over that silken covered back;, feeling the shuddering length of
Jaimz' spine as his thumb moved along it was to be lost in desire.  His
fingers eased around the back of Jaimz' neck, supporting him-- feeling the
divine texture of his skin which put even silk to shame-- as he pulled away
from Jaimz' panting mouth to drag his lips down along his long lovely
throat and bury it in the scant opening of his collar.  Jaimz clung to him,
shaking and gasping as he was pressed up against the wall, while with his
teeth Kaiel nipped off the buttons of his tunic until the fabric parted and
Jaimz' smooth, sculptured chest was laid bare before his lascivious gaze.

Beautiful, that was his thought as Kaiel paused a moment to simply admire
all that luminous skin before he bent to lick one pert cinnamon-shaded
nipple while Jaimz quivered and clung all the fiercer to him.  He could
feel the heaving of Jaimz' chest, hear the throbbing of his heart, smell
the fragrance of his desire, and taste the essence of his passion.  He felt
Jaimz tugging at his mane and the tightening of his long legs against his
hips.  Gods the taste of him, so sweet yet salty against his tongue, never
before had he experienced anything to compare to Jaimz, none of his other
lovers had even come close.  Could it be the sheer alienness of him?  For
with certainty he had never imagined anything quite like Jaimz, with all
that silky skin, the scent of his skin, the satiny wave of his sun streaked
hair and the warm regard of his enthralling sea-foam green-eyes.  However
Kaiel was used to other aliens, he had been exposed to them since cubhood,
he'd grown up around them and knew that it was their very alienness that
made them unique and yet he had never been drawn to another alien.
Certainly the rubbery textured skin of the shark-like Delran held no
interest, nor did the long sticklike limbs of the furry Ghan hold any
temptation, and though Jaimz found the Chai strangely attractive he had no
carnal interest in them at all, indeed no alien species so far met held any
allure at all... accept for Jaimz who was alluring indeed and then some.

Jaimz never noticed when his feet touched the floor again; all he was aware
of was the heat of Kaiel's tongue and the velvety texture of his mouth
moving against his skin.  He clutched at Kaiel's shoulders as he tipped his
head back willingly, groaning softly when Kaiel's lips parted around the
joint between neck and shoulder and his sharp teeth gently... oh so
tenderly... pressed into the taut flesh there.  He felt intense passion
suffuse his body as Kaiel's lips moved upward caressingly over his throat
and along his jaw line, and shuddered as Kaiel's teeth gently seized his
earlobe.  He felt so good, with every painful ache in his body forgotten as
instead the new ache of desire warmed him through.

He felt a moment of lucidity come over him when Kaiel's fingers loosed the
ties to his silken breeches, but that lucidity went when those velvety
fingers closed around him.  He moaned, feeling incredibly hot as Kaiel
reclaimed his mouth while his fingers engulfed and stroked him. Then he was
gasping softly, "Ah...ahh Kaiel," as the big male went to his knees before
him.  He sagged back against the wall, grateful for its support as Kaiel's
mouth enclosed him, sucking him into that soft wet heat.  He moaned,
quivering all over as Kaiel's tongue pressed against him and then while
Kaiel's fingers slid around his hips to squeeze at his bared cheeks and
Kaiel's mouth tugged along his length he leaned forward, pressing his hands
against Kaiel's shoulders to keep upright when what he wanted to do most
was collapse and let Kaiel have his way... most deliciously with his body.

Another moment of lucidity briefly struggled to the surface as his body
pulsed with sensation.  A moment of clarity that came stubbornly forth when
Jaimz realized two things... one that he'd never had an encounter like this
in an elevator... and two, that he was in an elevator and anyone could
enter!  "K-Kaiel... wha-- what if some-- uhn! --so-someone comes in?" he
rasped breathily jumping slightly when one of Kaiel's fingers slid between
his cheeks and pressed against his anus.

Kaiel massaged that enchanting little bud as it throbbed against the pad of
his finger, and detached himself long enough to utter, "I keyed the lift to
open only on K'Lan's floor," before slurping Jaimz quivering penis back
into his mouth.

"Ahh..." Jaimz knew he could have said something appropriately witty to
that explanation, something alluding to Kaiel finally using his family's
power and position as was his birthright, but it was really true that sex
stole all reason, for his brain had long since stopped thinking logically
and had melted into a puddle of seething desire instead.

Kaiel felt the tugging distraction of the lift doors sliding apart
announcing their arrival, indeed the empty (of individuals) sitting room
greeted his damning eyes as he reluctantly pulled back from Jaimz and
flowed effortlessly to his feet.  He looked at Jaimz, noting the warmth of
his cheeks and the aquamarine sheen of his eyes even as his shaking fingers
tried to reorganize his disorderly attire.  A staggering step toward the
room, and a soft shuddering sigh which echoed throughout Kaiel's entire
body had him grasping Jaimz' hand and pulling him unerringly toward the
bedroom, either bedroom would have done, though Kaiel doubted there was any
accommodating oil to be found in Jaimz' room.  He could feel his rod
twitching to be free, aching under his tight control and it was true only
one thought commanded his senses at that time, but he was certain that
Jaimz was consumed with the same consideration.  So the tugging he felt
against his hold surprised him.

"Stop.  What are-- what do you think you're doing?" Jaimz demanded, pulling
against his hold.

It would have been nothing to keep going, Jaimz couldn't hope to stop him,
he knew exactly how much stronger than his diminutive mate he was... but it
was not his way to force Jaimz even though his body ached to finish what
they had both began.  It was easy to see that having been given a moment to
think...  logic had risen up and once again Jaimz was thinking about the
consequences of his actions, and that didn't bode well for Kaiel.

He tried to recapture the mood by teasing Jaimz' fingers and asking
lightly, "What do you think we're doing?"

Jaimz slid his fingers free and dragged in a steadying breath before saying
bluntly, "I think you were all over me."

Kaiel felt a shiver of anger tickle up his spine at that.  Of course it had
been all him, oh no Jaimz hadn't had his fingers in his mane, of course
there wouldn't be any fresh scratches on his aching shoulders.  Of course
Jaimz hadn't opened for him, burned for him and of course he hadn't
responded with wanton abandon... damn him to all the Gods and especially
the Morality God that had Jaimz so twisted and fucked up over something
that should be so simple and uncomplicated.  "Yeah... that wasn't your
mouth kissing me nor your fingers clawing at my shoulders?  Should I check
to see if my hide is still intact?" he sharply griped.

Jaimz' cheeks flamed with heat and since he was still pinkened all over
with lingering sensation that extra color was a mean feat, "I-I just
meant..." He slumped his shoulders and glanced away from Kaiel's hotly
angry eyes while trying to think of something plausible to say, since he
was fully aware of how he'd been every bit as involved as Kaiel had been.
"I just meant... we didn't need to go any... further."  He knew at the
incredulous expression on Kaiel's handsome leonine face that his lame
response hadn't fooled him either.

"Why not?  Gods Jaimz it's just sex." Kaiel snapped, "And in your case it
makes you feel better."

Jaimz blush deepened still, yet he had the wits to retort, "And that isn't
any excuse to have--have more sex, dammit!"

Feeling particularly brutal, probably because his rod was still twitchy for
release, Kaiel sneered, "You had no such compunction yesterday... you
enjoyed sex all day long... and then some!"

Taken aback Jaimz stammered a poor defense, "Th-that was... different."

Kaiel's brow arched as he leaned dangerously close so that Jaimz backed
away slightly, roguishly he asked, "How so? Because you ached all over and
you had an excuse to do what you shouldn't need an excuse for?"  He
softened and lightly squeezed his big hands around Jaimz' slender
shoulders, "Jaimz, I know that you're still in pain, I know that your head
still hurts you.  If I can help you feel better let me!"

But again Jaimz didn't react as he expected (no, as he wanted) him to.
Instead he slapped his hand away and flared, "I don't want to use you that
way dammit.  You're not a fuckin analgesic Kaiel; you shouldn't let
yourself be used for one so damn easily."

Smiling Kaiel recaptured Jaimz' hand and leaning close he purred, "But I
like being used by you Jaimz.  Use me, I'm not complaining."

"You just want to fuck me." Jaimz groused.

Stroking his finger pads along Jaimz' silky cheek Kaiel mused, "Is that so
wrong?"

Jaimz swayed into the caress of his hand, until his body lay peacefully
against Kaiel's, but his words were troubled and expressed the battle he
was under, "It is wrong Kaiel.  It isn't natural."

Kaiel heaved an exasperated sigh and pushed Jaimz from him, saying
bitterly, "See that's your problem Jaimz.  The moment you start to think
you start by thinking about how bad what we do is.  You have a million
excuses to let you do what you must do.  The 72-hour is one excuse.  The
Tag is another.  The Tag addiction makes a fine excuse, which allows you to
blame any slipped moments between the 72-hours on the addiction.  You're so
full of excuses of how to make this palatable to you.  Can't you see that
you shouldn't need an excuse?  I want you and you want me, why isn't that
enough?"

"Because it's not normal--why can't you get that through your thick head?
Where I come from two men... well, two males don't do what we do... at
least they don't if they are normal.  I was thrust into this situation
Kaiel, I had no choice, your brother saw to that and I still have no
choice, so why do you expect me to just accept it and rollover like a happy
puppy for you?" Jaimz heatedly retorted.

Grinding his teeth in growing frustration Kaiel growled, "But you're not
where you come from anymore.  You can leave that all behind and embrace
Zaran ways Jaimz.  We have no such restrictions; males and females share
pleasures with whomever they like regardless of sex because that is exactly
what it means, to share pleasure.  That is the way of the Zaran.  You
could... embrace the Zaran way Jaimz; let it be your guide."  He hopefully
offered that last.

However Jaimz scoffed, "Well I am what I am and I can't just dump the
morals I was raised with by the wayside.  It just isn't done!  Besides it
isn't my morals at issue here, you just want to have sex with me again
because that is all you think about with me.  That's all I am too you, a
sexual novelty toy for you to play with.  Well you get to fuck me every
72-hrs because I need it to function so be happy with that!"

Jaimz' heart ached to see the hurt expression on his friend's proud
handsome face, the way his ears tipped back to hide in his mane and how his
golden eyes shimmered with grief told him exactly how much he had wounded
Kaiel this time, he instantly regretted his cruel words and would have
taken them back if he could but Kaiel straightened up instead, his
beautiful face hardened and his broad mouth twisted into a cruel smirk as
he growled, "I see, well then since I have no other purpose than to service
you every 72-hours this walking rod will now depart... my Queen."

He actually bowed, so precisely and so formally, with his hands behind his
back and his head at just the precise angle, while all along the lump of
anguish that had rose up in Jaimz' throat now threatened to strangle him
with grief.  He had hurt Kaiel terribly.

That was the tense scene that Kang and Heron arrived at just moments later
and both tread very carefully into the room when neither of the other
occupants spared them so much as a glance.  Kaiel straightened and turned
sharply away from Jaimz to just as quickly pull open his door and enter the
bedroom.  The silence of that door closing behind Kaiel was enough to make
Kang wince.  Jaimz he noticed stood half poised as if he'd meant to touch
or stop Kaiel, but now he watched as Jaimz' hand lowered and that was
followed by the slumping of his shoulders and the downcast turn of his
eyes.  It was easy also to see that Jaimz' attire was hardly in the
condition it had been in when they had left the council session and he had
gathered the evidence from the lift which would explain the condition of
the heavy silk tunic of swirls of subdued blues and greens and cream meant
to match his sea-foam green-eyes.  The tunic was missing most of its
buttons.  It was clear that some action had begun, as he had hoped for
since nothing was better for Jaimz' headache and growing body pain than
sex...  but it would appear the cub had found a way to snarl things up once
again if what he'd walked into was any indication.

"Well... isn't this a fine mess." Kang muttered, striding deeper into the
room.  Var Heron was too shy probably and too overwhelmed by the situation
to try to sooth it, but Kang was more than a little used to meddling where
these two cubs were concerned, and this mood he'd walked into concerned him
very much.

Still as Kang approached Jaimz the youngling's shoulders tensed and he got
a crystalline glare for his mildly curious expression and a snapped, "I
don't need any help!" before Jaimz too fled for his own bedroom, though not
nearly so quietly as Kaiel had done.

The entire chamber shuddered with the resounding echo of the slamming
door... and wonder of wonders Kaiel tore back into the main room to only
shout, "Don't slam the door!" while in the end slamming his own door when
he returned to his room.

Kang snorted, "They're both a pair of cubs," as he decided which cub to
talk to first.  After a moment's deliberation it was Kaiel's door that he
opened.

Of course Kaiel knew he was there instantly, for he deigned to give him a
single cold look before returning his gaze to the ceiling again.  He was
lying on his bed with his arms folded behind his head, and though he should
have looked relaxed he was anything but.  However before Kang could say a
word Kaiel lunged up and stabbing an irate finger clearly towards Jaimz'
room he snarled, "He's being impossible!"

Well that certainly explained nothing.  Kang could easily see the heartache
on Kaiel's angry young face.  The despair and worry that said he'd made
another mistake and the outraged anger that warred with that assertion.  He
sighed at the angry confusion on Kaiel's handsome face as he eased down to
the edge of the bed.

Hardly appearing to pay attention to Kang, and yet needing to vent anyway
Kaiel growled, "Once again it's all my fault.  He as much as said I jumped
him!"  Kaiel's mouth tightened and the golden fringe of lashes lowered to
shadow his expressive golden eyes as regret swept over him, "Maybe... maybe
I did jump him--but all the signals were there, Kang!  He wanted it as much
as I did!  I know he did!"

Kang patted the young male's tense shoulder, "You have to remember he's
still very young and today held a few unwelcome surprises for him.  Plus,
he is still trying to come to terms with things in the only way he knows
how."

"He's the same age as me!"  Kaiel snapped belligerently, "Besides he didn't
have any more shocks than I did.  I shared them remember?"

Kang sighed, really Kaiel was being unreasonable; for Jaimz had suffered
quite a shock when K'Ilo senior had confronted him and Kaiel knew it.  Add
to that the Chai allegations and all the disorder and yelling within the
council chamber and Jaimz had indeed suffered pretty badly, bearing in mind
the last few days he'd actually held together pretty good.  Still trying to
ease Kaiel's mood he smiled slightly and explained, "I think though that
for all Jaimz' intelligence and maturity that he is still younger than you.
I think in some ways he was never allowed to just be a cub."  From the
clues he'd been able to glean from Jaimz since he'd met the young human
he'd had the impression that Jaimz, for all he loved and missed his
parents, had spent most of his life in one kind of institution or another,
first through advanced schooling and then being conscripted into his
government's science division.

Still Kaiel scoffed, "I was running the pride as a cub, and I joined the
diplomatic core while young too.  He hasn't had it any rougher than I've
had."

Kang snapped just as belligerently, "Except you never lost your own home or
people, been brutally raped, been tagged or mated against your will and he
has.  Kaiel he is still trying to adapt to and accept all that he has to.
All the signals were there because he loves and cares for you, but he is
still uncomfortable with his lot and you know this.  You need to give him
more time, be patient with him."

Kaiel scowled and looked away from him, it was a long moment before he
murmured, "You don't understand, he doesn't love me, he just likes me and
he doesn't need me at all.  Not like I need him, if it wasn't for the
Tag--"

"You still would have found each other."  Kang interrupted.

Kaiel gaped at him, and shook his head, "No... he--"

Kang just looked at him for a long moment, until Kaiel had to fight to keep
his ears erect.  Finally the old cat said soothingly, "Remember how you
felt about him even before you tagged him Kaiel?  Do you remember what you
felt?  Fear, desperate..."

"I thought he was going to die!  I couldn't let Lorz do that to him." Kaiel
defended belligerently.

Kang raised a quizzical brow and asked simply, "Why did you care?  Why
couldn't you just let Jaimz die?  You didn't know him and you certainly
didn't need to Tie your life to his, now did you?  And yet... that is
exactly what you did, and for what?  Just because you couldn't let him die?
That isn't the reason and you know it!"

Kaiel looked away from the old medic cursing his insight and almost hating
him for it, for sometimes Kang saw too clearly.  He being on the outside
was able to deduce things that Kaiel knew he was still struggling to
understand.  He remembered how desperate and concerned he had felt when
he'd thought that Jaimz was going to die, for he'd felt as if a part of him
was dying too.  That was exactly how he had felt.  Still that was then,
this was now and once again Jaimz had succeeded in making him feel like
shit.  His mouth tightened and he turned to glare at Kang, "I still won't
apologize to him.  I wasn't in the wrong."

Kang scowled and shook his head, "One of you has to be the grown-up here.
He's every bit as stubborn as you and--"

"No... I'm not apologizing!  I did nothing wrong.  He can come to me this
time!"

"You know that he won't." Kang growled, exasperated.

Kaiel laughed bitterly, "Well, I won't either."

Kang shot to his feet, he could still move pretty fast for all his age and
considerable girth.  "Be a fool then, and when the 72-hour hits you come
see me and I'll remind you of this conversation."  He stomped out of the
room, growling under his breath about the stubbornness of cubs, he didn't
slam the door, though that would have been satisfying even if juvenile.  He
sighed as he looked at Jaimz' closed door, he could only hope the youngling
wouldn't be as stubborn as Kaiel was being, but he wouldn't hold his
breath.  Kaiel thought he could be stubborn (and in truth the young male
was) but he hadn't stubborned his way through the TWS to its near natural
conclusion as Jaimz had already done once.  He wouldn't put it past the
young human to play that game again just to stick it to Kaiel.









 At that moment, pacing away in his bedroom Jaimz wasn't thinking about
playing any games at all instead he was thinking about something else
altogether.  This time he knew that there had been no ambiguity on his
part, he had invited Kaiel's interest and responded fully to that, and it
was only when he'd had time to think about what he was doing that he balked
and then to defend himself he'd hurt Kaiel... once again.  He was good at
that, he thought glumly, he seemed to have a real talent for hurting Kaiel,
and he didn't have to kick him in the nuts either, rather he seemed to go
straight for Kaiel's heart and his pride.

He had led Kaiel on, he knew it for he recalled well his come hither smile
when Kaiel had started to get a little frisky, he'd known then what Kaiel
was after and he could have made it clear to Kaiel that he wasn't
interested, but that absolutely hadn't been the case.  He had been
interested.  He had completely welcomed Kaiel's attention and only balked
when he'd had a moment to think about what he was doing!  Aside from
feeling guilty about hurting Kaiel's feelings again, he noticed that he
felt pretty good.  His headache, which had been growing during the meeting
had faded to a mild, easily ignored ache and most of his body aches were
completely gone so even without consummated sex just touching and doing
some serious fooling around had been enough to ease his discomfort for now.
It just wasn't fair; he had completely taken advantage of Kaiel's ability
to ease his pain and done nothing for Kaiel except accuse him of
practically jumping him.  Damn, what was wrong with him?

Of course, to be perfectly fair he knew what was wrong with him, he
wouldn't be involved with Kaiel at all if the Tag wasn't influencing his
needs and making him helplessly addicted to the big male.  In less than 72
hours from now that addiction would become so unshakable that if he didn't
get his fix of Kaiel he'd eventually become sick enough that his addiction
could kill him.  He scowled, if he wasn't being fair to Kaiel well it
wasn't fair for him to be this way either.  He certainly hadn't asked to be
tagged, and he hadn't deserved what Lorz had done to him either.  Kaiel
should have simply understood and backed off when he'd said no.  But
instead Kaiel had gotten all defensive and angry and that had only made his
reaction to Kaiel's childishness even worse.  Clearly he'd given way to
Kaiel's demands too easily in the last couple of days and set a precedent
where Kaiel seemed to assume he would come at his beckoning; well Kaiel
would learn that wasn't how it would be.

Then again, he thought guiltily, Kaiel had saved his life again for he
didn't doubt the stupid Tag would have killed him if Kaiel hadn't taken
upon himself to answer its demands when he had been incapable of
participating.  He had Kaiel to thank for his life again and here he
was... hurting the male's feelings again instead.  Damn, he really was
stupid.

"Still," he muttered to himself, "that doesn't change the fact that Kaiel
should have been more understanding."

"What was that cub?"

Jaimz jumped and even yelped before he realized that it was only Kang
entering the room.  Somehow, for all his ponderous size and massive height
the big old cat managed to be very light on his feet, and Jaimz was certain
that in a fight Kang could still handle things if he had too.

Now, as he watched the big graying lion pace toward him he was pretty sure
he was in for a lecture.  He sighed and snapped before Kang could say
anything.  "I don't want to hear it."

Kang drew up and gave him a thoughtful look before shaking his head and
complaining dismally, "I'm surrounded by foolish cubs."

Jaimz bristled and retorted heatedly, "I'm not a cub!"

Kang drew himself to his full height, which was rather impressive, and
responded bitingly, "No?  Sometimes you act like one!"

Jaimz spun away from him and stomped toward the massive windows while
growling, "I suppose you're going to tell me that I should embrace Zaran
ways and forget all about my culture and morals, too?"

"I'm not going to tell you anything Jaimz, but do I have to remind you that
the best medicine for you right now is Kaiel?"  Kang rejoined.

Jaimz glared out the window and refused to say anything at all.  Just like
Kaiel, Kang simply didn't understand how hard it was for him to turn his
back on everything he knew as right and proper.  Maybe he would never find
his home or people again, but he had to hope and he had to hold on to that
at least.  Despite everything that had happened to him and not the least of
it being forced to have sex with Kaiel once every 72 hours, he couldn't
give up on what he was could he?  It was exactly how he'd been raised that
made him who he was, his morals were a part of him and...who was he
kidding?  He'd turned tail and ran because he'd realized that he was
enjoying himself and he didn't have the 72-hour as an excuse, not really,
he'd had aches and pains but he could have handled that with an
analgesic. What he'd been doing with Kaiel had had nothing to do with
healing and everything to do with simply enjoying pleasure for pleasure's
sake, and that was why he'd reacted like that.  He leaned against the cool
glass and stared out at the city vista spread before him; his window didn't
show even a hint of the sea that was visible from Kaiel's room.  He
regretted not seeing that view now for looking at all that sparkling water
probably would have soothed his conflicted mind.

Finally he glanced back at Kang and whispered forlornly, "Doc, what am I
supposed to do?  If I give in to Kaiel do I give up what I was raised to
be?"

Feeling that this might take a few moments Kang settled his ponderous girth
upon the edge of the bed and looked thoughtfully at Jaimz.  He didn't
answer the cub's question immediately, rather he considered it for a
moment, taking into account all the myriad experiences of the last few days
that Jaimz had dealt with and concluded that Jaimz had been tossed into a
storm of sensation and events that had left him physically and emotionally
bruised.  Fully aware of how sensitive Jaimz was he decided that the best
way to help him was to make him answer his own question.  "And what do you
give up by giving in to Kaiel?"

Jaimz sighed glumly, glancing away to once more stare at the city vista,
but though he was looking at it he wasn't really admiring the alien beauty
of it as he worried over the question.  Finally he answered, "I feel like
I'm going to give up myself--lose myself I mean.  He--he expects me to just
toss everything aside--everything that I am aside--and embrace Zaran ways.
But I'm not Zaran."

Physically no, but the tag was causing some kind of genetic shift in both
Kaiel and Jaimz so who could possibly know what the final result might be.
Certainly as the Chai speaker had indicated their minds were beginning to
synchronize and if he were to scan Kaiel's brain now Kang suspected that he
might find it patterning after the human configuration.  The clues for
Jaimz were in his eyes, humans did not have good night vision, but Jaimz'
eyes were changing, modifying to see better in the dark and the nightglow
he'd occasionally witnessed shining out of them was evidence that something
wondrous strange was going on within them.  Jaimz probably didn't even
recognize the change since it was happening gradually enough, but one night
he'd realize that evenings were a lot brighter than they had originally
been and he too would start to realize that the tag was doing more than
make him sexually compatible and ready for Kaiel.  "He doesn't want you to
give up everything you believe in, he only asks that you consider giving
Zaran ideals a chance.  You live here now Jaimz and you may indeed be with
us for a very long time.  You need to allow for the reality that for all
your desires you may never find a way to completely eliminate the Tag, if
that case you would have to live here wouldn't you?"

Jaimz faced him, looking annoyed, "Really?  That's a given?  Kaiel couldn't
live on my world with me?"

Actually Kang hadn't thought of that, and yet after a moment he shrugged,
"He's a diplomat; I imagine Kaiel could manage to find a comfortable
situation wherever he was stationed."

Jaimz laughed weakly, "Yeah, maybe, but I don't imagine he'd be all that
comfortable having to duck through every doorway.  His height would
definitely be a problem on Earth."

Kang had to smile back, "And here he's barely average height for a male.
Mind his beauty makes up for that minor defect."

A faint blush colored Jaimz' fair cheeks and the look in his eyes
acknowledged the truth of Kang's statement.  Kaiel was indeed beautiful to
look at.

Kang offered helpfully, "Nonetheless cub do you realize that you are
talking about living together? That has to mean something.  You see
yourself with Kaiel, whether your stubborn brain or your morals get in the
way or not."

Jaimz shook his head, "No, it was--I was only..." he sighed, and turned
back to stare out the window again, but Kang was pretty sure that Jaimz
wasn't admiring the view.  Finally the young human turned and walked toward
the bed, slumping down and leaning over against Kang's side.  "Doc, what am
I going to do?"

Kang slid his arm around the smaller being's slender shoulders, having
Jaimz tucked against him was like comforting a young cub.  Seeing an
opportunity to broach a new (but old) subject he gently queried, "Are you
certain you wouldn't like to talk about what happened this afternoon?"

Jaimz sighed, "So we are back to what I--what happened earlier."

Kang withdrew a handful of iridescent shell buttons from one of his pockets
and he let the shimmering objects fall into Jaimz' lap while watching the
blush stain those satiny cheeks.

"Oh." Was all Jaimz was able to utter as he caught up the buttons and in
holding them he recalled each button being nipped off and his tunic opening
beneath the onslaught of Kaiel's playful mouth.

Jaimz' cheeks mottled with shame as he admitted, "I hurt him."

Kang wondered, "What really happened cub?  Did he... try to force you?"  Of
course he knew the answer to that question already.

Jaimz gasped and glared at him, "Of course not!  I initiated--er--I-I--that
is I knew what he wanted and I-I l-let him do it."  He ducked his head,
clutching the buttons in his hand so hard that they dug into his palm.  "I
changed my tunic." He admitted glumly.

Kang nodded taking a quick glance at the solid aqua tunic Jaimz now wore,
it was without the softer swirls that seemed to reflect the color of his
eyes, now it was a simple crepe silk with no sleeves, open sides and stiff
high color though the throat was open, and all of it was edged with rich
gold piping, "I noticed.  You look very nice."  He tipped Jaimz head up and
stroked his hot cheek as he murmured, "You did nothing wrong cub."

His cheeks flared even hotter, "But I did, I-I accused him of jumping me.
But...Kang he didn't."  He absently rubbed his fingers over his forehead,
not even hissing as his fingers came in contact with the bruise.  "My head
was hurting and I was feeling...I used him."

"You simply took your medicine cub." Kang chided.

Jaimz flinched and growled, "Kaiel isn't that!  I can't just use him
like--like an analgesic, that's not right!"

Kang sighed, and lamented, "Cub... cub... cub, when you going to stop
beating yourself up over what your body needs.  Kaiel is good for you and I
daresay that Kaiel didn't mind being USED in such a manner." He added that
last with a slyly playful smile.

Jaimz bit his lower lip, his blush making his cheeks a lovely hot pink
color.  Jaimz hated how easily he blushed, but it certainly was
entertaining to watch that color mantling and to know why it occurred.
After a moment Jaimz smiled bleakly, "No...Kaiel didn't mind."

"Then what was the problem cub?"

Jaimz lifted his lovely eyes to meet Kang's and said glumly, "It bothered
me--I'm n-not supposed to like it."

Kang rolled his eyes, "Here we go again.  Your morals rise up and start to
shout that nonsense at you every time you have a little time to think about
it."

"But I've met the 72-hour!  The tag is quiet right now.  I don't have
a-an-any r-reason to do that with Kaiel.  There wasn't a good reason to do
that!"  Jaimz defended.

Kang shook his head, "Cub you could try the patience of a Stoic.  You had
and still have every reason to do that; your body needs Kaiel, even if you
refuse to believe it.  You are still healing.  In case you forgot you very
nearly died just a few hours ago.  Or do you feel so good now you've
decided you that were never injured to begin with?"

Jaimz looked stubborn, "Well, look at me.  I hardly have a bruise on me.
And look at you, you are more hurt than I and you don't have to have sex
with someone to make you feel better!"

Kang couldn't resist, he gave Jaimz a little shake; "You fool.  I would
welcome having sex with someone right now if I would gain as much benefit
as you do when you couple with Kaiel.  I am not and never was as hurt as
you.  You came so close to dying that it makes me sick to remember it and
there was nothing I could do to help you!  If the Speaker hadn't spoke up
when she did you and Kaiel would both be dead now!"  Frustrated he put
Jaimz off his lap and stomped over to the window, grousing further as he
glared out at the city vista.  "I never hit my head!  I wasn't bleeding
into my brain!  Sex with Kaiel saved your sanctimonious ass and every time
you deign to have sex with him you further heal yourself.  Everyone should
be so lucky as to have what you have Jaimz."

Jaimz was lying on his side on the oversized bed, thinking about how
fortunate his life was.  If not for Lorz he would never have been in this
fix and neither would Kaiel.  It was all Lorz' fault and he was supposed to
feel fortunate for that?  Still, he sighed and rolled over onto his back,
that doesn't make it Kaiel's fault and I treated him like shit.  He closed
his eyes, recalling how nice it had been before he'd let his brain
interrupt what his body was feeling.  He had definitely known what he was
doing and he really didn't have an excuse for his behavior.  And that, he
thought, is the whole problem.

"I liked it." He admitted softly, knowing that with a Zaran's keen hearing
that Kang would have heard his declaration.

For once Kang didn't chasten him again, he turned, leaning his massive
girth against the window and while looking perfectly relaxed he still
looked thoughtful.  He really was a giant, Jaimz mused; watching the big
old cat who he knew was slightly on the tall side for a Zaran, 8-foot being
the average.  Kang crossed his trunk-like arms and stated lightly, "And you
don't want to like it."

Jaimz turned his face away, sighing glumly, "I--no...I don't want to like
it, Doc."

"And that lies at the cusp of your problem Jaimz." Kang acknowledged,
moving back to the bed side and pulling Jaimz up into his arms again.
Jaimz settled like a cub against his shoulder, tucking his face into his
neck while clinging to him.  "It isn't that you're afraid you'll disappoint
your family, it isn't that it's morally wrong, it isn't even the Tag.  It's
that you're afraid that you like--no that you are starting to love--loving
Kaiel."

"God," Jaimz half sobbed, "What am I going to do?"

"What is so bad about loving Kaiel Jaimz?  He's a terrific young male, and
if you say that its wrong because you're the same sex I'll--well I don't
know what I'll do but think of something."

"You could probably dose me with something unpleasant." Jaimz helpfully
offered, smiling lightly against his neck.

Kang nodded perfunctorily, "Exactly.  So now that we have admitted that we
are in love Jaimz, what is the problem?"

Jaimz sent him a perfectly sour look and retorted, "I haven't admitted
anything!"

Kang snorted, "Of course not." He smiled then and mused gently, "Possibly
you protest too much?"

Feeling a bit affronted at first Jaimz pulled away from Kang and sat beside
the old cat, grimly convinced of his declaration.  But as he thought about
the Kang's assertion, a classic idiom, which seemed tailor made for his
situation, came to mind.  He was quick to deny the pleasure he found with
Kaiel, he was quick to blame the Tag addiction for any of his slips, and he
was quick to let his morals act as a barrier when facing truths that made
him uncomfortable.  Certainly he liked Kaiel so much that when separated
from him he literally ached for him to return and somehow that separation
left him feeling sensitive and vulnerable.  He ached to blame his weakness
upon the Tag addiction since it was easier than accepting his feelings as
real and not forced.  Yes, the Tag did force him to share himself sexually
with Kaiel and it was inexorable that a certain amount of his feelings
would be tied up in sensation, it was simply natural.  But he couldn't
blame the Tag for the full extents of his feelings, which ranged from being
jealous of Zuzu to wanting to protect Kaiel.  He had feelings that just
couldn't be excused away and he couldn't just keep pretending that the Tag
was at the heart of everything.  Indeed the Lady doth protest too much, he
realized with a scalp tightening shiver of shock.

Kang watched as Jaimz went through a myriad of emotions revolving, he knew,
around his feelings for Kaiel.  Utter denial battled with total acceptance
until finally reluctant accord was reached, at least that was what the
answer seemed to be as the shocked paler of Jaimz' cheeks restored to near
normal and his eyes shifted from the troubled crystalline aqua they had
been to the softly calm sea-foam they normally were.  It was obvious that
Jaimz had reached some kind of resolution and realization and that he was
content within himself now, whether he was ready to take a definitive step
though was still to be seen.

Still Jaimz turned back to look at him, his pretty lips curled up in a
slightly sheepish smile.  "Thanks Doc."

Kang tried not to smile, he sat back and let a feeling of contentment
settle upon him as he watched Jaimz slide off the bed and head toward the
door.  He couldn't help asking though, "What are you up too?"

Jaimz sent him a sly smirk and laughingly said, "Well, at least I can
apologize."

Kang felt like cheering, the one he'd least expected to come around had in
entirely surprised him, he flopped back onto the bed and he laid looking up
at the faint patterning on the domed ceiling he allowed himself a faint
chuckle of success.

CH 5

For an instance the peaceful sitting room was a quiet haven.  The design of
the space was central to the suites floor plan with the lift anchoring the
layout.  The entire suite had a faintly golden shimmer on the walls, floor
and ceiling which added to the overall warmth and comfort of the room.  All
rooms including the bathing room and the adjoined lavatory facilities were
entered through the room.  Jaimz approved of the natural contours and
shapes the Zaran's incorporated into their designs, from the arched
doorways to the smooth but slightly concaved walls, which sloped into the
floors and ceilings.  The ceiling was domed here, with a huge spiral
turning ever inward toward the lift.  And finally along the opposite wall
(from where he was standing) there was a single long oval window; as that
was the only area of the suite that wasn't an inside wall.

A quick glance out the window would have showed the wrap-around deck and a
view of the city beyond that at some other time Jaimz might have stopped to
admire for a few minutes.  Now however he had a goal and a purpose and
though he felt better for having decided he would make the first move
toward repairing the damage he'd caused he knew if he hesitated at all that
he'd find a reason to wait a little longer and the longer he held off the
harder it would be to take this step.  Yet even as he crossed the short
distance to Kaiel's room Heron exited from his own chamber just as the
chimes from the lift started to ring, announcing a visitor.

Surprised by the sudden appearance, and a little shy to make his apology
public Jaimz hesitated, watching as Heron went to wait at the lift doors,
stepping forward to offer the visitor his helpful hand.  Jaimz frowned as
Zuzu stepped into the room, though he wasn't upset to see her since he did
like her quite a lot...even if he did admit to feeling a bit of jealousy
where she was concerned in relation to Kaiel, though as far as he knew
their relationship was still little more than friendship.

Zuzu looked glorious, her ivory pelt contrasted beautifully with her rich
burgundy mane, which she had gathered in what was at once a business-like
and yet somehow feminine up-do that framed her pretty face while still
cascading softly about her shoulders.  The amber of her sparkling eyes was
reflected by her sleeveless amber tunic in, and all of it was offset by the
deep blackish burgundy color of her silk pantaloons.  Dark and heavy
embroidery encrusted the open neck of the collarless tunic too.  She wore a
stylized black torque around her neck and matching bracelets at each wrist.
He knew that she'd been at the council hall assisting High Councilor P'Var
but he had hardly noticed her in the crowd and admittedly he had been
quickly distracted by the barrage of questions thrown at him and of course
by his own loss of temper at meeting Councilor K'Ilo Dunai.  He felt his
cheeks flushing at the memory of that encounter.  Before he could dwell
overlong on the memory Zuzu was gliding toward him.

"Jaimz." She exclaimed, catching his hands up in hers, "How are you?  I saw
you earlier in Council and you looked tired.  You look much better now."

All this came at once, in a gush and he noticed that she looked a bit
panicked and a touch contrite.  He wondered why.  "I'm fine.  Thank you."

Zuzu continued holding his hands, and he couldn't help but notice that her
hands while delicate in comparison to a male Zaran's were of a size with
his own.  She nodded and taking in a deep breath stated, "I saw Vreda
earlier today; she's going to go home tomorrow.  Her arm is broken.  Of
course she blames the accident all on you."  She shrugged, and then giving
him a searching look continued in the same vein, "Of course that's absurd
since she forced you off the road.  You do look very well Jaimz."  That
last bit almost had a hint of a question to it, since he really didn't look
as if he'd been involved in any accident just a few days ago.  He didn't
flinch as Zuzu moved her hand to stroke her fingers lightly over the bruise
on his forehead.

As her fingers lingered he looked up and they made eye contact and Jaimz
felt an instant sparkle of interest shiver down his spine, and he
recognized the same look of suppressed longing in her amber eyes.  He felt
his whole body warm with pleasure since he liked Zuzu a lot and it made him
feel very like a man to find that he was attracted to her and that she
seemed to reciprocate his interest.  Still after a second she seemed to
realize that her fingers were still stroking his forehead and her reaction
was one of shy embarrassment as her ears tipped back and she quickly
dropped her hand, stammering, "Y-you really do look very nice Jaimz Ni."

"Thank you." He replied softly, still secretly pleased that her interest in
him was that of a female for a male and that he had responded naturally to
her.  Still he wasn't sure why she had arrived, was it to see him or for
some other reason?  Before he could ask though Heron returned, he had left
them nearly as soon as he'd let Zuzu into the suite, now he was back,
looking a bit harried as usual, with stains of ink on his furred fingers,
his nondescript brown mane had the look of someone dragging frantic fingers
through it and his eyes looked a bit wild.  What had upset him, Jaimz
wondered, trying to catch his eyes.  When the young male (though he was
older than both he and Kaiel) avoided meeting his eyes Jaimz realized that
Heron was still upset from walking into the earlier argument.  Trying not
to smile he couldn't help thinking that Heron was very young, though
brilliant in many ways and an extremely efficient assistant, however he was
also excitable and insatiably curious and at the same time very shy and
diffident.  Witnessing the argument disturbed his sensibilities because
though he was loyal to Kaiel he had also expressed his interest in working
with Jaimz and now he was torn because Kaiel and he had yet to make peace
with each other and thus restore the balance Heron sought so that he could
happily continue his job while offering assistance to Jaimz with Kaiel's
blessing.

Recalling his purpose Jaimz turned back to the matter at hand only to find
Kaiel already in the main suite, looking at him.  He felt a greet thrill of
recognition surge along his spine at the sight of his Tag Mate, seeing him
in all his golden beauty excited his blood and warmed his entire body, the
small attraction he'd felt for Zuzu was nothing compared to the flood of
sensation he felt just looking at his mate.  He resisted the urge to leap
to his side and fling his arms around him, and though it was a struggle to
suppress his surging feelings the coolness in Kaiel's eyes did make it a
bit easier.  Still he did step toward him, stretching a hand out only to
have Kaiel flick a cold glance at it and than brush past him to join Zuzu
at the lift.

Jaimz froze for a moment, startled and adrift, and admittedly a bit hurt by
Kaiel's cold reception, well actually there had been no reception at all;
rather he'd been given the brush off.  Still he wasn't quite ready to give
up; he turned back and felt an uncomfortable rush of jealousy at seeing
Kaiel standing so close to Zuzu with his hand lightly cupped under her arm.
Heron was talking to him and he was nodding in agreement but Jaimz couldn't
hear the words over the buzzing in his ears.  He had to give his head a
slight shake to clear the noise and then all he managed was, "Kaiel, where
are you going?"  as Kaiel and Zuzu moved toward the lift.

Kaiel was facing the lift doors, waiting for them to slide apart when Jaimz
addressed him, he turned back stiffly, and tipping his head upward he cooly
explained, "I'm taking Zuzu out to luncheon."

"Oh..." Jaimz felt small standing before the tall male, especially with
Kaiel looking down on him with an expression that made it seem as if he
smelled bad or something.  He knew Kaiel was still smarting from what he'd
said earlier, but he was trying to fix that; so why was he being so
difficult?  Still he wasn't ready to quit yet.  He squared his shoulders
and offered a slight smile while saying, "Well...she could eat with us
Kaiel.  I would enjoy her company."

Kaiel sensed how troubled Jaimz was and was even able to detect the slight
hint of jealousy in his delectable scent, but his hurt feelings still ran
too deep to forgive easily.  He still wanted to hurt Jaimz and felt a
thrill of his own as his next words cut with knifelike precision.  "Unless
you require my services my time is precious and I will spend it how I
choose."

Jaimz' cheeks flushed white then mottled red and his eyes took on a gimlet
gleam as Kaiel tried his temper. But Jaimz was determined even if Kaiel
refused to cooperate.  Squaring his shoulders again and reaffirming his
purpose Jaimz stepped forward and caught Kaiel's arm saying, "Please don't
be this way Kaiel, I want--no! I need to speak with you."

Uncharacteristically Kaiel shook Jaimz' hand off and turned away, gently
pushing a bewildered Zuzu toward the now open lift.  Over his shoulder he
scoffed, "I'm taking Zuzu to luncheon now; if you need to talk to me you
can do so later."

Jaimz felt his eyes sting with sudden tears, he stomped toward the closing
lift, slamming his hands against the sliding doors and snarled, "Don't be
such an ass Kaiel!"

Kaiel just stared at him, maintaining his coldness even though the tears
flooding Jaimz' lovely eyes made him want to listen.  Being called an ass
though firmed his own resolve to hold to his pride and his conviction that
Jaimz needed to learn that he wasn't just a toy to use and easily cast
aside.  He would talk to Jaimz, but on his terms.  "Make an appointment,
Heron will be able to find time for you after the Council closes."

Jaimz' tearing eyes snapped to outright rage.  He stepped back, letting the
doors close while exclaiming, "What do you want me to do?  Beg!"  He
laughed sharply, "In your dreams shit head!"

Standing at the doorway, watching it all unfold and seeing poor Heron
looking ready to flee the scene Kang could only shake his head and sigh.
All his hard work, for not, now Jaimz was furious and maybe rightly so.









Zuzu stared uncomfortably at Kaiel, watching him as he stared at the closed
lift doors, she could see how his eyes darkened with pain at hearing Jaimz'
angry shout.  She felt uncomfortable for unintentionally coming between the
two knowing that they were lovers.  She remembered well the one time she'd
witnessed Kaiel kissing Jaimz and how stirringly erotic the scene had been
and she knew that the pair was very good together.  Yet it was clear that
something had upset there harmony and that somehow she had become involved
in it.  She didn't like that one bit.  She liked it even less that she felt
as if Kaiel had used her to hurt Jaimz.

"Was that a bit of posturing Kaiel Ni?"  She asked candidly.

Kaiel glanced at her, and then he sighed, "No, I'm sorry you witnessed
that.  Jaimz and I...we had an argument."

She furrowed a brow and canted her head, looking very adorable as she did;
she wasn't the same type of pretty as her cousin.  Vreda was like an ice
sculpture, all perfect and untouchable, Zuzu in contrast was definitely
warm and approachable.  Her attractiveness was softer and more endearing
too.  He wondered why he'd never noticed her before.  "Than maybe you
should talk to him now?"

Kaiel shook his head, "No, Jaimz needs to learn that I'm not his pet."

The image of Jaimz keeping Kaiel in such a manner brought a smile to her
pretty face, "I know he likes you Kaiel.  I've never heard him refer to you
as a--pet."

Kaiel snorted, "Yeah?  Well you haven't seen how he plays with me."  or how
he hurts me, he added silently, not able to share his pain with her.

"I don't know that I like being caught in the middle of this though." Zuzu
continued, still feeling uncertain about what if anything she had to do
with the argument.  Maybe it had nothing to do with her and she'd simply
been unlucky enough to enter into the middle of it, yet still it felt as if
Kaiel had used her which only made her feel more uncomfortable.

"Please Zuzu, don't feel like that.  The argument is between Jaimz and me;
I merely couldn't face him over luncheon so I asked you to share the meal
with me instead.  I promise there is nothing else going on here...except
that I would like to get to know you better."  He added the last in a
hopeful tone coupled with begging eyes and a sheepish smile.


Zuzu couldn't help herself, she let herself be swayed.  She liked Kaiel,
she also liked Jaimz, she liked them together but she also dreamed she
might have a place with them even if it was only with Kaiel, still Jaimz
she knew would always be her friend no matter what else happened.  Looking
at Kaiel she knew that she hoped for more than mere friendship with him.
"Ok, lets Luncheon.  But afterwards you really must go and talk to Jaimz.
Don't let an argument destroy what you have Kaiel.  You are so good
together."

Kaiel cupped her arm again as the lift doors opened on the public level
where the restaurants were located.  He smiled as he considered her astute
assessment and nodded, knowing that he'd talk with Jaimz before the final
session commenced again this afternoon.










"I want to go home!" Jaimz stormed, turning away from the lift.  He was
furious and rightly so, he'd tried and Kaiel had treated him like crap.  He
could remember the coldness of Kaiel's attitude and though admittedly he'd
angered Kaiel, he had been trying to apologize damn it and Kaiel had acted
like a shit.  "Did you see that?  I'm not going to stick around here and
let him treat me like that!  I-Want-To-Go-Home!"  He actually stomped his
feet and realized that he was acting just like a child, but it was all he
could do not to burst into tears and fling himself into Kang's arms.

Kang reached the distraught youngling quickly enough, for despite his mass
he was light and quick on his feet, he tried to soothe Jaimz, saying, "Now
calm down cub, Kaiel is just trying to show that he's proud too."

"I don't want to calm down!  I know exactly what he's trying to do!  He
wants me to beg his forgiveness!  Well I won't!  I'm not in this situation
because I want to be God damn it!  This isn't my fault!"  Jaimz yelled,
evading Kang while ignoring the very alarmed Heron who was standing
helplessly by without a clue what to do or how to help or even if he should
get involved.  Kang would just as well Heron stay back and let Jaimz vent
freely until he felt better.

"It's not Kaiel's fault either," Kang rejoined quietly, hoping to defuse
some of Jaimz' anger.

Jaimz rounded on him, "No body forced him!  He could have walked away!"

Unwittingly included in this argument was Heron, trying to disappear and
yet paying certain attention to every word he heard with his ears cupped
fully forward.

"And let you die?" Kang queried with a furrowed brow, "He could no sooner
have done that than he could stop breathing."

Jaimz just gaped at him, he started to say something else, but then his
shoulders sagged and he repeated achingly, "I want to go home."

Kang wrapped his arms about the smaller male and he lifted him up so that
Jaimz' head could rest against his shoulder.  "Later, we'll all go home
after the session closes tonight."

"No, I want to go now." Jaimz mulishly insisted, "I don't want to see Kaiel
again today."

"Of course you do," Kang argued mildly, "You just want this whole argument
to go away."

"Yes...but he better apologize first." Jaimz grumbled tiredly, turning away
from the comfort of Kang's embrace only to stop and stare at Heron as if
seeing him for the first time.  The youngling's cheeks reddened with
embarrassment and Kang heard him groan under his breath, "Oh god." And then
with a forced smile he said, "I'm sorry you had to witness that Heron Ni."

His ears flicking back helplessly Heron gulped and anxiously scrubbed at
his mane before stammering, "Oh...oh that's all right Jaimz Ni, I-I didn't
see--hear anything...r-really," he lamely trailed off and cast his gaze
down as his ears flattened right against his skull.

Jaimz sighed, he could understand Heron's discomfort, it was no fun being
caught in a lovers' quarrel even if you weren't one of the lovers, and
maybe it was even harder since he was caught in it for no other reason than
that he was there when it happened.  It embarrassed Jaimz to be one of the
lovers quarrelling; never in his wildest dreams would he have ever thought
he'd end up in a situation like this.  It was ridiculous.  It was sad, he
realized, as a mood of deep unhappiness settled over him.  Maybe he should
have tried harder in the face of Kaiel's obstinacy, but he was proud too
and he wasn't about to beg.

About to return to his room to nurse his newest wounds Jaimz was delayed by
the trilling of the COM system, he turned his head toward the noise though
he didn't anticipate that the call was meant for him still as he made for
his room to sulk in private Heron beckoned him.

"Of course K'Lan Ni," Heron exclaimed, after touching the small earpiece he
wore against his ear, he waved his hand toward to COM unit sitting on a low
table in a small seating arrangement and queried uncertainly, "Jaimz Ni,
would you accept a call from Terrill Ni?"

The young male looked worried, and probably rightly so, considering the
tumult of the last few minutes.  He was uncertain how Jaimz would react
since he didn't really know his employer's companion that well yet, though
he suspected that he had a stormy personality (HAH!).  He could see the
bafflement in Jaimz' remarkable eyes and wondered if he would take the
call, and as he continued to wait he worried that he'd have to deal with
Terrill's difficult nature too if Jaimz refused, but soon enough he felt a
wave of relief as Jaimz gave a slight nod of consent.

Kang watched with avid curiosity as Jaimz made for the COM unit and
selected the option to receive the call.  He said nothing as Terrill's
robust voice filled the room, though he quickly grew dismayed by the
subject of the call.  At first Terrill made light conversation, he mostly
enquired after Jaimz' health and whether he found Rydani pleasant but as
Terrill requested his presence at Lorz' funeral it was obvious by the
whitening of Jaimz' cheeks and the shock in his eyes that the subject was
painful. Watching the youngling's expression shift from denial to
acceptance Kang knew that Jaimz was having a hard time dealing with the
call.

It was amazing to witness Jaimz struggle with the whole idea, to see the
conflict in him as he strove to balance his need for personal vengeance
against Terrill's need to deal with his personal loss, since Lorz was still
a source of pain for Jaimz yet finally good manners won out and acceptance
smoothed his face and released his tensed shoulders even though when he
replied his voice sounded utterly lifeless, "Yes Terrill Ni, I understand."
Jaimz' eyes locked pleadingly with Kang's though whether the youngling
sought to escape his obligation or not, Kang couldn't guess, since Jaimz
continued on tonelessly, "I will be there, of course."

"I grateful Jaimz, truly," was Terrill's response, and from the hesitation
in his own voice it was clear that he hadn't been certain of Jaimz'
response either, "I know how you feel about Lorz, but as his mate it is
proper for you to attend.  If you would, please pass this information on to
Kaiel."

With that Terrill severed the connection and Jaimz stood there for a long
moment just staring at the COM unit as if it were some kind of torture
device.  Finally he looked back at Kang and stammered, "W-when is Azoree
rising on the 68th of Savin?"

"That would be this coming eighth-day."  Kang explained, knowing that Jaimz
was still uncertain how the Zaran calendar worked.  Z'Rarla did not have
months and weeks as Jaimz was used to, the Zaran year was divided into 4
cycles (or seasons) Savin was the equal of Earth's Spring season.  The 68th
day of Savin was well into the 88 day cycle.  The Zaran year could also be
divided into 42 Eighth-Days, which was comparable to an Earth week.  Of
course Kang hadn't really discussed funeral practices for humans, though
Jaimz had fretted a few times about the rites or if any had been given for
his dead teammates.  By Zaran custom it was proper to send the deceased to
meet their ancestors on Azoree's (the little moon) rising.

"Oh," Jaimz replied in a small voice, looking at once lost and over
stressed, he touched his hand to his forehead and grimaced before nodding
gravely and adding, "I see."  He moved away then to look out the windows at
the overview of the city in the early afternoon light.  The sky was as ever
the rich azure blue of a late spring day, not a single cloud marred the
perfect hue or offered any shade as the heat of the day began to shimmer
along the visible rooftops.  Of course the suite was comfortable, almost
cave-like in how it always retained a near perfect temperature no matter
the season, even in the heat of summer or the muggy days of rainy season
this room, like most buildings, was designed to allow for little
fluctuation in the ambient temperature and humidity.

Of course Jaimz wasn't thinking about Zaran architecture or Z'Rarla's deep
blue sky or how the heat of the day was increasing with the height of the
sun.  Rather he was lost in thought, bemused by the idea that soon he'd
attend the funeral of one male he'd been unwillingly mated with while
possibly still immersed in an lovers quarrel with who was the brother of
that first mate.  It boggled his mind to dwell on his current situation for
it seemed almost as a dream in many ways.  In the short time frame from the
start of his experiment to this day only a matter of weeks had passed and
yet so many things had happened that sometimes it seemed that an entire
lifetime had already gone by.  He had done some much, made so many choices
and had so many decisions taken out of his hands too and all of it in such
a short number of weeks.  He'd started to think of his time not in terms of
weeks or even the Zaran 8-day cycle, but rather by the more limited 72-hour
cycle that had such control over his life.  What would the next 72-hour
cycle bring he wondered, almost with a sense of dread.

He felt tears suddenly sting his eyes and didn't even realize when they
started to trickle down his cheeks.  Kang was there as he swayed back into
his embrace, he hadn't heard him come up behind him, but he was grateful
that he was there as his knees gave out and next he was lifted up and
cuddled against the old cat's massive chest.  "I'm tired," he sighed while
letting his head rest against Kang's shoulder.

"You need to rest." Kang advised; his voice a soothing rumble.  Too much
too soon had happened recently and Jaimz though much improved was still not
tracking an even course.  He suspected that the headache was on the return
and without Kaiel to help subdue it rest and analgesics was the best
medicine for Jaimz now.  He noted Heron looking on, his earnest face a
picture of worry and uncertainty.  He nodded to the young male, hoping to
alleviate his tension and assure him that he could return to his own duties
since he had the situation well in hand, but before he could take Jaimz to
his room the lift chimed again.

Jaimz straightened up hopefully, wondering if Kaiel was returning already,
but Kang was doubtful since he felt that the male was going to continue on
the stubborn course he'd set in motion.  Within a few moments, if Heron's
shocked expression was anything to go by, Kang knew that it wasn't Kaiel
returning.  Ultimately the answer was provided as Heron nervously
explained, "Some of the Council are requesting a moment with Jaimz Ni,
V'Ran Ni."

Kang was shocked, this was totally unprecedented and somehow seemed
improper though he didn't know enough of politics to say exactly why this
seemed wrong.  He only knew that Jaimz was in no condition to deal with
visitors and that Kaiel wasn't available to buffer him.  "Have them return
at another time, tell them that Jaimz is currently indisposed."

Jaimz groaned and laughed weakly, "That sounds appalling."

"Whatever, it is the truth however."  Kang rejoined candidly as he headed
for Jaimz room.

"Uh, Kang Ni?" Heron's anxious tone brought him back around.  As he bent a
frown on the young male which made his narrow ears flick fretfully Heron
exclaimed, "One of them must have an Access Key for they are on their way
up now."

"Ah," well that changed matters certainly, Kang stared a moment at the
still closed lift doors before turning to set Jaimz down in one of the
nearby chairs.  Even as the youngling moved to get up, he waggled his
finger under his nose and admonished briskly, "You will stay put."

Jaimz flushed and protested, "I can't greet them like this."

Kang snorted, "Of course you can.  They are the ones arriving unannounced
and thus they may expect no fine reception.  You need food and rest which
they are denying you and you need to just sit quiet and try to let me
handle this for you."

At the mention of food Jaimz remarked idly "I am hungry."

To which Kang merely snorted again before turning to the lift as it chimed
arrival, "Let's get this nonsense over." He grumbled.

Heron took those words as his cue and welcomed the worthies into the suite.
At once Kang knew there would be trouble in this and as he put himself
between Jaimz and the arrivals he motioned to Heron, instructing lightly,
"Get Kaiel back here now."

There were six visitors now in a room that though grand in scale suddenly
seemed crowded by their unwanted presence.  Besides Councils P'Var Oran and
K'Ilo Dunai, military Adjutant V'Dra Manawa and Military Advisor A'Kani
Mar, the Delran ambassador Huirlic was also part of the group, but most
surprising of all was the cloaked male bringing up the rear of the party.
Kang did not recognize the stranger but he knew the dark red cloak
signified a follower of Z'Ullan.  Instinctively Kang knew that the Z'Ullan
Aki (priest) boded ill for Jaimz' wellbeing, and from the look of him K'Ilo
Dunai seemed likely to simply add more grief to a potentially bad
situation.

"Councillors, Ambassador, Aki." Kang acknowledged each with a slight nod;
and he noticed that though they all returned the greeting it was only the
Aki who showed true respect in the gesture.  Also of the group the Z'Ullan
priest seemed slightly out of place, as his order was concerned with
spiritual and theological needs of the people rather than political needs
of the bureaucracy.  Still as the Aki was with the group Kang assumed that
they had included him rather than he'd included himself.

The four Zaran officials fanned out with the Delran Ambassador pushing his
way between them, causing yet another shifting as the officials
repositioned themselves; the Aki remained unperturbedly in the background,
making no move to forward his cause.

Seeing a Delran up close for the first time Jaimz found himself gawking
with something akin to shocked dismay.  He flushed and glanced away when
those flat black eyes fixed on him and was grateful he hadn't met the
Delran in his natural watery habitat, since he was more like a shark with
stubby arms and legs than a man with shark-like features.  If evolution had
taken a Mako shark, and made it humanoid with bipedal walking and wide
splayed hands while altering the facial structure enough for the eyes to
face forward on a head that was still mostly all snout the Delran would
have been the result.  His body even had the classic color delineation,
with the back being nearly black, from the tip of the snout and all the way
down to the flare of the shrunken tail, while the underside (including
beneath the snout) was a pale whitish grey in.  Of necessity the Delran
wore a respirator which converted the dry air to something it could
breathe.  Two ornate red bands crossed his upper torso with a large
jewelled signet attached where the bands met.  He wore a long sleeveless
crimson vest over that.  A broad gold sash, belting a loose pair of
sapphire blue trousers, bound his lower torso.  He also had a pair of red
leather shoes covering his wide paddle like feet.  His body was long while
his legs were short and his arms were just long enough for his fingers to
touch without any extra allowed for freedom of movement.  Jaimz had to
believe that in the water the Delran's body shape would still make him a
predator to contend with.

The Zaran councillors were less brightly garbed, though Jaimz had noticed
the role of robes in formal situations and was able to discern the quality
and elegance of a Zaran House or position according to the cut and
intricacy of the garment.  Fine embroidery was also a good indicator of
status.  Of the five Zarans their robes said much about their status,
though the one in the hooded cloak did puzzle him a bit, since his robe,
though of fine quality bore little decoration even if the Zarans here wore
purposely understated robes which were more like uniforms than anything to
Jaimz who was more used to the more casual tunics and straight-legged pants
most Zarans preferred.  Except for K'Ilo Jaimz didn't know these Zarans,
and his one encounter with K'Ilo had left him feeling resentful, and he
truly hoped that this encounter would be less problematic.

One of the Zarans stepped forth; his dark blue robe had wide gold panels
down the front, triple striped gold cuffs and three gold braids at both
shoulders as well as a chain of medals hanging across his chest.  He tried
to go around Kang, who blocked his access to Jaimz and after finding his
path challenged he frowned warningly at the big old cat while asking, "Why
do you interfere V'Ran Kang Ni?"


"This meeting is extremely ill planned A'Kani Ni.  For Jaimz' Ni sake I
must request you revisit at a more appropriate time." Kang stated, while
thinking that a time of their choosing that included Kaiel would be much
better.

K'Ilo scoffed, "The time is fine now."

"Yes, this is the best opportunity we have to go over some matters with
Jaimz Ni." P'Var Oran insisted.

"Indeed, we be wanting a chanz to make deal with dis one too.  Da Chai and
Zaran cannot be da only onez to benefit from hiz technology."  The Delran
rasped shifting from side to side in aggravation.

Kang shook his graying head, and rebutted; "Surely these matters can be
dealt with at a more appropriate time P'Var Ni, Ambassador Huirlic?  It has
been a trying day and Jaimz Ni needs rest."  He nodded meaningfully toward
K'Ilo.

Jaimz who remained sitting as ordered, flushed as the group peered around
Kang and looked him over with varying degrees of deliberation and interest,
his embarrassment cooled though as K'Ilo grunted belligerently, "He looks
fine to me." The ruddy maned older male gave him a sour look and continuing
in the same tone, added; "He was certainly energetic enough during the
meeting."

Jaimz felt a flush of anger wash over him as he glared at the older version
of his personal demon; however he managed to hold his tongue, if just
barely.  He really didn't like this older version of Ham though he was
willing to admit his own personal experience did color his view of senior
K'Ilo.  Still from the onset K'Ilo Dunai had done nothing but bate him and
since he'd only see him twice, counting earlier in the council chamber as
the first time, any future encounters didn't bode well for him.

"Yes, I promise V'Ran Kang we won't keep him for very long.  It's simply
now seemed a good opportunity to actually meet him and discuss certain
matters," Stated V'Dra Manawa, the second male in blue robes, stepping
forward, "My office is prepared to provide him with the resources and
personal he requires--."

"Here to!" Huirlic interrupted, shifting his whole body to peer at Jaimz,
"Delran be prepared to offer whatever tings you needz so az to be part of
da gaining."

"Now see here," V'Dra countered turning toward the Delran, "As K'Lan Jaimz
is in our c-care we will see to his requirements, any help that Delran can
offer in supplies and personal will be appreciated but Zaran interests must
be dealt with first."

Jaimz frowned at hearing the slight shift in the male's voice and wondered
grimly what instead of CARE he'd really meant to say.  He stubbornly held
onto his sense of calm but it was getting more and more difficult to remain
indifferent.

The Delran drew himself up belligerently, and turned his flat black eyes
grimly upon Councillor P'Var; "By dat you mean Zaran control of his
technology?  You want to keep all knowledge for Z'Rarla and upset the
stability here achieved?  Delran and Z'Rarla be at peace; do you then crave
conflict Councillor?"

"Don't be ridiculous Huirlic," V'Dra scoffed, "All I mean is that Z'Rarla
will determine how to release the technology, it must be tested and it has
been agreed that Chai would be first in order after Z'Rarla to study and
adapt his technology for their use--."

"Sa sa sa," gratingly hissed the Delran while waving his flipper-esk hand
dismissively; "Means da same ting."

Before the males could devolve into a full out argument Jaimz bluntly
interrupted them all, "Why does Z'Rarla think it has any say?  For my sake
I decided the share my technology.  Who I work with is also my decision, I
foresee no reason why Delran can't help right alongside Z'Rarla and Chai,
but whoever does work with me will be of my choosing...not Z'Rarla's."

They all turned to face him, each with different looks on their faces, from
faint amusement through to shock on most of the Zaran faces, to mild
curiosity (if he read him right) on the Delran's faces to outrage on
K'Ilo's. Kang sighed deeply, worried of where this impromptu meeting was
heading and turning to face Jaimz cautioned him with a waggle of his finger
to mind his manners.  Jaimz smiled tightly in understanding but the
crystalline brightness in his aqua eyes didn't promise real cooperation.

K'Ilo Dunai braved the wall that was Kang to face the little human, who
still remained impolitely seated through the meeting.  "You have some nerve
Jaimz of Earth.  Instead of being grateful for your life and providing
Z'Rarla with the technology it deserves for rescuing you, you act as is
Z'Rarla owes you something.  I say K'Lan Pride has been far too lenient and
easy with you, managing you with a soft paw when a firm hand would serve
better in your case.  This arrogance of yours will be dealt with when you
reside under K'Ilo's roof."

Kang knew that preventing an argument now was impossible, he signalled
Heron and made sure the young aide understood exactly what he wanted, such
as getting Kaiel back to the suite immediately, before turning back to try
and act as a buffer between Jaimz and the overtly dogmatic K'Ilo Dunai.

Jaimz smiled bitterly and uttered a diamond sharp laugh of contempt as he
growled, "What ever makes you think that?  I am a member of K'Lan Pride,
though your own arrogance refuses to admit it."

Hoping to head off an argument V'Dra Manawa explained; "Well, you see Jaimz
Ni, we have to decide where you will be most safe.  K'Ilo is a Pride of
warriors.  They have the training and expertise to protect you."  P'Var and
A'Kani nodded smartly in agreement, they seemed to be united today, which
was understandable since P'Var and A'Kani worked for the Governor of
Z'Rarla while V'Dra worked for the head General of Zaran's military forces,
and though there was occasion conflict between the Governor's and the
General's offices in matter such as this they would be more in accord than
not.  Only K'Ilo was the odd man out, as head of his House and a council
member he had a lot to say about the running of Z'Rarla and even had a lot
of influence especially with the Military head of Z'Rarla but still he had
no power to implement change beyond the rather weighty power of his house.
And today he was pushing his weight in regards to Jaimz.

But Jaimz couldn't be headed off though, "I'm perfectly safe at K'Lan." He
sent a fierce glare at K'Ilo and snarled, "K'Ilo has no say in any of
this."  He clutched his hands together to hide their shaking as the thought
of being under Ham's complete power filled him with horror.

"Well you see Jaimz Ni, there is no record of your being a member of K'Lan
and though Lan Pride has done an admirable job protecting you thus far, you
must be realistic and realize that they haven't the expertise to continue
protecting you in a manner of which you deserve."  P'Var Oran stated
mildly, of the Zarans in the room, his was the most peaceful personality.
Besides he worked with Zuzu and through her he'd learned of Jaimz and he
knew that the young human had a temper that needed to be soothed just as he
knew Jaimz was old beyond his years in many ways and could be made to see
the truth in wisdom if he was led to it properly.  How he wished he'd come
alone to Jaimz and talked with him before the council session wrapped up
this afternoon.  He wanted to gain a better understanding of the young
stranger to Z'Rarla before helping to decide his situation.  He certainly
wanted Jaimz to be involved in his own settlement too, but his companions,
especially K'Ilo were making this difficult.

Jaimz canted his silky head, his sun-kissed cinnamon locks framing an
exquisite face and making his eyes all the more incredible, truly he was
quite a becoming creature with features that definitely appealed to the
Zaran psyche.  Still with a slight tightening of his mouth Jaimz
reiterated, "I am a member of K'Lan Pride.  There is documented fact."

K'Ilo scoffed, "If you mean Lorz registering you to his House when he had
no right, we are contesting the validity of the document since you properly
belong to Ham as a war prise and Ham never gave his consent for Lorz to
claim you in such a manner."

"Except I was never a war prise!" Jaimz snarled, thrusting to his feet
though he retained a fierce grip on the seat arms, "My people were never at
war with yours.  Ham had no right firing upon my ship or murdering my crew!
And it was Lorz who found me in the wreckage of my ship so don't you go
spouting your shit K'Ilo.  I am a legal member of K'Lan and there is
nothing you can do to change that fact."

"Ham did everything right!" K'Ilo Dunai roared, "Your vessel appeared in
the middle of a warzone!  He was defending Zaran territory!  You are a war
prise and you rightly belong to House K'Ilo!  House K'Lan has no grounds to
hold you and when the council decides in K'Ilo's favour the first thing I
will do is ensure you know your master!"

Jaimz flinched but wasn't about to back down, "According to all reports the
JSFS appeared during a routine sweep, not during a battle!  Without
provocation he opened fire on an UNARMED SHIP and he murdered my entire
crew!  Besides you behave as if I'm property, I thought slavery was
outlawed on Z'Rarla, yet from the sounds of it you would have me shackled
and beaten into submission!  Just like--." At a high cost to his lips he
barely managed to bite back the rest of what he meant to say.

He saw it, K'Ilo's instant reaction to the sudden tang of blood scenting
the air.  The older male's nostrils flared and his pupils widened with
rabid lust.  The hungry look lasted only for an second before K'Ilo Dunai
suppressed it but to see that reaction appalled Jaimz, and suddenly the
headache which had been threatening was upon him with eye-throbbing agony.
He keened, "Doc!" and all but fell back into the chair as the sudden
overwhelming pain left him dazzled and sick.

Kang moved swiftly, shielding Jaimz as best he could while growling harshly
at the uninvited guests, "Go!  You must all go now!"  Without even waiting
to see if they obeyed him he snarled at Heron, "Where is Kaiel?  I told you
to get him here now!"

"He's coming." Heron assured anxiously.

Kang turned back to Jaimz, saying softly, "Try to relax Jaimz, I'll have
you feeling better soon."

Blinking back tears of pain and barely able to speak from the nauseating
side affect of a dazzle headache, which normally only struck during TWS he
managed to gasp, "Hurry."

"What is going on?" Councillor P'Var demanded, stepping up to Kang's side.

Kang sent him a withering look but otherwise ignored him as he sent Heron
to retrieve his medicine bag.  This reaction was exactly what he'd feared
would happen, Jaimz had suffered a serious blow to his head and despite how
well he'd healed the internal contusion would still take time to completely
mend.  The cub had been over excited today what with the earlier council
meeting, then the argument with Kaiel and now this, and it was all too much
too soon.  He needed rest and more healing and even if Kaiel was proving to
be obtuse on the healing side of his recovery at the very least Jaimz could
lie down and get some real rest which his body needed, but no, these fool
councillors and especially K'Ilo had to push and prod until this was the
result.

"What nonsense is this?" K'Ilo Dunai asked scathingly.

Heron's timely arrival saved Kang from retorting.  He nodded graciously at
the harried young aide and took the case (the lovely satchel Jaimz had
given him) and also a glass of water that Heron had thoughtfully provided.
He quickly located the medicine to alleviate the headache and pressed them
to Jaimz' pinched lips and followed quickly the tablets with the water.
"There," he murmured soothingly, stroking his hand gently through Jaimz'
hair, "That should start helping."

Jaimz let his head fall back against the padded seat and just concentrated
on breathing.  Kang's light touch didn't bother him and so long as he
didn't move he thought he'd be okay.  It surprised him though how quickly
the headache had come on and it warned him that what he saw in the mirror
didn't exactly tell the whole story.  He hadn't actually realized until now
that though he looked okay and felt fairly well (considering what he'd gone
through) he wasn't yet one hundred percent recovered and if he pushed to
hard this could be the consequence.

After a few moments, where he floated alone barely aware of vague voices in
the background, Kang very gently asked him, "Are you starting to feel
better?  Would you like to lie down?"

Jaimz chanced opening his eyes, only to close them instantly as the room
tilted rather alarmingly and his stomach lurched in protest, he gasped,
"No... Please don't move me; I'll be sick for sure."

Understanding, Kang returned to just stroking his hair, knowing that a
little patience was needed before the medicine take full affect, still he
wondered what was taking Kaiel so long and found he had to force himself to
stay calm as his own anger mounted against the absent young male, that of
course was coupled with his anger at the visitors who had overstayed their
at best dubious welcome.  Their ignorance only added to his irritation.

"What nonsense are you trying to pull here V'Ran Kang?" K'Ilo Dunai
demanded rudely, stomping up so that Kang thought the councillor intended
to pull Jaimz out of the chair.

Kang shifted his girth to discourage the male and growled, "I told you to
leave."

K'Ilo gave him a startled stare, than he disagreeably objected, "Who are
you to order me--!"

"Who I am is Medic V'Ran Kang and Jaimz Ni is my concern!  Are you blind?
You can see that he isn't well and your continued presence is just causing
him unnecessary pain.  I want you to leave."  He swept his hand out to
include all the visitors in the gesture, and repeated as politely as
possible; "All of you, please leave."

Insulted K'Ilo Dunai drew himself up to his full height, which put him at
just about Kang's height, and the big old cat being above average himself
was unimpressed with the councillor's show of indignation.  Unfazed K'Ilo
pressed his argument, "He's fine, he had ample energy earlier and now he's
trying to lay false paths to deceive us."

"Really," A'Kani Mar interjected somewhat more tentatively, he at least
seemed uncertain of Jaimz' condition, "We haven't solved anything at all,
and--."

"Nor will you." Kang interrupted gratingly, "These aren't matters to be
discussed now, but in full council, what do you really plan to accomplish
here?  Do you wish to try to gain some advantage over the Chai or the Ghan
or any other Allies not represented here?" He sent an arch look at the
Delran, "Jaimz has already agreed to work with you, and I'm sure he will be
willing to work out a schedule and discuss such formalities as staffing and
materials, but now is clearly not the time." He gestured demonstratively
toward his charge in trying to make his point and Jaimz did look as
strained as he indicated.

Most of the visitors winced and withdrew slightly, though the cloaked Aki
had neither added to nor backed away from the problem.  The Delran looked
properly chastened and Councillor P'Var Oran finally nodded and gestured to
the others saying, "Perhaps you are right Medic V'Ran, we will schedule a
proper meeting, perhaps tomorrow?" he aimed the question toward Jaimz
though he seemed content to await an answer.  Only K'Ilo was unsatisfied
and he refused to back down, after all he was head of the Warrior Pride.

"No, nothing has been resolved yet!  What about his status?  He belongs to
K'Ilo; I demand proof of K'Lan's claim." The male blustered irately,
glaring at the small but aggravating alien who had so embarrassed him
earlier and now disturbed his senses in deeper far more upsetting ways.  He
still thrummed with reaction to the blood scent in the air that had caused
a surge of arousal to jolt through him and though he refused to admit to
more primal urges he was willing to assume the blood smell had triggered
his chase reflex.  Just being in the same room with it and forced to
breathe in the rank taint of its furless skin made his lip curl in disdain.

Kang snarled at him, "You--Leave--Now!"

Jaimz looked up at hearing the raw anger in Kang's voice, he'd never heard
the old cat sound so fierce before and he realized that despite the extra
girth and added years Kang was still a male to contend with when his ire
was raised.  Feeling a flood of affection for the protective medic he
looked past the wall of his broad back to see the stubborn ugliness of
K'Ilo Dunai's fierce face.  Truly the more he saw Dunai the more he was
reminded of Ham, they both had the same pronounced muzzle, ruddy coloring
and red-tinged eyes, couple that with similar height and body type and it
was easy to see the awful family resemblance.  The cruelty of Dunai's face
was utterly reminiscent of Ham's, so much so that just the expression alone
recalled a memory which stabbed at him and almost made him cry out again.
He closed his eyes against the memory and rubbed his fingers over his
temple and reinforced Kang's order with his own, "Please leave."

"No I will not." K'Ilo Dunai challenged, brushing past Kang to confront
Jaimz directly.  "V'Ran Kang hasn't status enough to defy me and you, ugly
hairless little runt, certainly have none."

Even P'Var Oran was outraged by K'Ilo's crude tirade, he yelled, "Enough
with the slurs K'Ilo, not everyone is born to a House!"

"Being born to a House doesn't automatically confer honour," Kang sneered,
"I earned mine..." what he didn't say was far more eloquent than words.
Some titles were conferred to those who truly deserved it; as Kang had
earned his title and bore it proudly and woe the unfortunate fool who
scorned his hard earned honour.

Of course Jaimz felt his headache retreat as a wave of anger washed through
him, chasing the dregs of pain away even as he flushed all over with heat
and felt a wry smile twist his lips.  He didn't even hear Kang speak as he
tsked and said; "Liar."

Everyone looked at him with shock clear in their eyes.  If K'Ilo Dunai
could be likened to a rabid dog at that moment the resemblance would have
fit as his ruff flexed, his mane lifted, his ears tucked back and his
muzzle snarled like a dog with its hackles raised.  Jaimz was smiling at
him, but it was not a friendly smile, Kang knew by the crystalline gleam in
his eyes that Jaimz was furious.  "What?" K'Ilo rasped.

Again the smile, now twisting into a sneer though, "You are a liar." Every
word was perfectly enunciated, drawing the eyes of course to the exotic
shapeliness of his pretty but oh so cruelly smiling mouth.

If not for the robe covering his back, it would have been possible to see
the ripple of fur rising along K'Ilo's spine as he reacted to Jaimz'
quietly voiced accusation.  "How dare you?"

Canting his head back against the seat Jaimz peered coldly at the irate
cat, the faint twist of his mouth made his disdain all the more clear, "I
dare..." he gestured vaguely seeming to take in all the visitors though the
glacial glitter of his eyes remained upon K'Ilo.  "I'm tired of...  people
hounding me.  I'm tired of running.  I'm not some animal to chase down,
entrap...  ravage.  Ham wishes to consume me; did he confess all his ugly
secrets to you?  Did he excite you with tales of his conquests?  Is that
why you prate so much about my status and deny my right to stay with K'Lan?
Do you hunger after me too?"

If K'Ilo could have flushed undoubtedly he would have, nonetheless he
bristled belligerently; "What rubbish are you bleating?  Of course you
belong to K'Ilo, Ham claimed you first--!"

Jaimz laughed bitterly, the grim twist of his lips echoing his black mood,
"Murdering my crew does not make him my master!"  He lunged to his feet,
slapping his chest while growling as convincingly as any Zaran, "No one
owns me.  I belong to myself!  No one in this room has to right to dictate
my fate!  No one!"  He glared at the visitors, making certain each fully
comprehended his declaration before finally confronting K'Ilo again.

Incensed and insulted, K'Ilo Dunai blustered, "My son, K'Ilo Ham is a War
Hero and how dare you speak of him in such an offensive manner!
You--you're just a mewling ugly worm barely worthy of his notice.  He won
you in fair battle and I refuse to listen to your scat anymore!"  Even as
he raged his awareness was focused upon the sensual storm assailing him in
the form of the very being he professed to loathe.  He was overwhelmed by
the scent of him flooding his senses and mad with the heated urge to throw
him down and rut until sated.  By the disdain in those incredible eyes it
was obvious that Jaimz was aware of his need; just as he knew he had to
re-establish his authority while diminishing his humiliation or else he'd
lose face with his peers, something a male of his status could not bear.  A
show of force was one way he knew with certainty to re-establish his
authority, and surely that was something even this impudent creature would
understood.

He did foresee the consequences and yet his rage and desire forced his
hand, he did not expect to be anticipated and certainly he would never have
expected anyone to challenge him but even as Jaimz recoiled in alarm a
larger body interposed between him and his small victim and suddenly it was
he who had to retreat, as the bristling old male snarled at him so
viciously Dunai wondered if his ears might tear for the low roar.

"You will not touch him!" Kang roared, forcing Dunai back even more while
he made sure Jaimz was out of his reach.

Others in the room also reacted, with A'Kani, V'Dra and P'Var and even
Ambassador Huirlic and the Aki moving to stand between them.  P'Var looked
as incensed as Kang as he hissed, "Are you insane?"

"Had your fist landed you might have killed him!" V'Dra admonished, his own
gray eyes flashing with ire.

A'Kani Manawa shook his head, and scolded, "Threatening him is no way to
act!  You're an adult!"

"He insulted me!" K'Ilo Dunai snarled, waving his hand frantically toward
Jaimz, who was still safely out of his reach, "He insulted my House!"

The Delran rolled his eyes and rasped, "Sa sa sa, dis be no way to do
businez!"

"Shut up!" Dunai seethed, "you all heard the way he spoke to me, that scat
talk of his.  He deserves more than a smack.  He needs to learn a civil
tongue he does and when he comes under my jurisdiction I'll see that he
learns it well!"

"God!"  Jaimz laughed bitterly, his headache was on its way back and it was
bringing along friends or so it seemed if the thunderous pounding against
his temples was any clue.  All he wanted to do was curl up in a quiet spot
and whimper, but that fool K'Ilo just wouldn't let him be, "I can just
imagine the kind of lessons I'd learn from you!  You're just as bad as
Ham!"

Kang turned slightly toward Jaimz and chastened, "Don't you know well
enough to stop poking at the wound cub?"

Jaimz flashed him a startled look, bit his lip and even flushed contritely,
but he couldn't give in, "Make him to stop poking at me then."

"I'll stop when you learn to respect your betters!" K'Ilo retorted, shaking
his fist.

Kang sighed and rolled his eyes in exasperation while muttering, "They're
both cubs."

Jaimz didn't respond, accept to bite his lip again, but K'Ilo just didn't
seem to know how to concede the point, "I want his status determined now!
Right now!  He comes to K'Ilo Pride now!"

The whole group seemed to start at his demand, Jaimz flinching back before
he recovered, though his fingers were starting to press against his
throbbing temples again showing a watchful Kang that all this excitement
really wasn't doing him any good.  Kang bent a fierce look upon K'Ilo and
snarled, "Well he won't be going to K'Ilo.  Lan is his Pride."

"Skarll scat!" K'Ilo spat, "There's no corroboration of his status with
K'Lan; the whole notion is utter rot.  Show me proof!"

Kang glanced anxiously at Jaimz, he knew fully well there was undisputable
proof of Jaimz' status as a member of K'Lan, but he also know that Jaimz
had no idea beyond the death wishes of his former mate.  He had promised
Kaiel he'd keep the secret but K'Ilo was making it impossible.  "There is
proof." He hedged, watching Jaimz, while knowing that the youngling didn't
even suspect Lorz could have been consigned him to another soul.  In his
world such contracts were not only criminal but they were also unimaginable
to him.  Jaimz thinking he meant Lorz' final testament, nodded sharply,
though he groaned instantly as the movement only aggravated his headache.

"Prove it." K'Ilo dared mulishly, for all appearances looking more akin to
a pugnacious bulldog than a lion at that moment.

Glancing impatiently at the lift, Kang fervently prayed for Kaiel's eminent
arrival, preferring to dodge the matter entirely and let Kaiel handle it.
But Kaiel still had not showed and though he frowned at his stubborn
tardiness he was thinking that he'd be the unfortunate one having to bear
the brunt of Jaimz' anger when he learned the whole truth of the Akibu
contract, but a unexpected stir amongst the visitors made his heart hammer
as the Aki finally entered into the fray.  In a compelling tone he
announced; "I am all the proof required.  K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan is
a true bond of Lan Pride."

It seemed as if the very walls held their breath for an instance.  That
pause ended with the overlooked chime of the lift and Kaiel entering into a
pregnant silence.  The timing couldn't have been more perfect but his
expression held no guile as it was clear he was completely unprepared for
the silent chaos found within his suite.  Completely uncertain of what was
going on and having only been told to return at once for Jaimz' sake,
interrupted his luncheon with Zuzu and returned as quickly as he could,
only to find his quarters overrun with unexpected visitors and by the
tangible tension in the room it was clear to him that they were unwelcome.
His gaze flitted from P'Var Oran, to A'Kani Mar and V'Dra Manawa.  >From
those councils his gaze swept past Delran Ambassador Huirlic, and the
unknown Aki Priest in his hooded cloak to stop upon Councillor K'Ilo Dunai.
Recalling how this male had upset Jaimz so much he could guess why his meal
had been interrupted.

"What is going on here?" he asked, very cautiously.

"Ah, K'Lan Kaiel Ni," P'Var Oran began affably, turning to greet him with a
slight bow and a brief rubbing of cheeks before continuing, "I--we simply
sought to meet this young male.  I'm afraid however our presence has
distressed him."

He could smell Jaimz' anger and unease, so he knew they'd done more than
simply distress Jaimz.  He was also aware of the seething emotions
emanating from the group, with the focus spiralling around Jaimz, which was
no surprise but what was surprising was that if Jaimz was the nexus of the
emotions the Aki was the cause.  Since he didn't know any Akibu Priests and
he was certain Jaimz didn't either he didn't understand what was going on
between them, and indeed the others had little bearing on the tension
scintillating from Jaimz to the Aki and back again.  Then he thought of
something which made his ears flatten in dismay, though he hoped his
suspicion was wrong!

No, this can't be happening!  He thought with sudden alarm, he needed to be
the one to tell Jaimz about the Akibu Life Mating contract and how his bond
had been passed to him as Lorz successor.  He had been waiting for the
right time, believing that there was no need to hurry, especially with
Jaimz being so unpredictable.  He prayed to all the Gods and even the Moons
above that the Aki wasn't here to confirm the bond, but what other reason
could there be for his visit?

It was K'Ilo Dunai who broke the tension with a growled, "How do you mean,
you are the proof Aki?"

Kaiel felt his heart hammering with dread as he pushed through the
unexpected visitors to reach Jaimz' side, he arched a significant look at
Kang who managed a quick shake and a helpless shrug in reply and Kaiel
turned back to see if his world was about to come crashing down upon his
head.  With utter, nearly maddening calm the Aki lowered his hood,
revealing a silvery gray pelt and cropped mane of nearly the same color,
the refined features and unusual cool blue eyes related a southern
heritage.  He turned his bland gaze upon K'Ilo and formally stated, "I am
the proof, for I performed the bond.  K'Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan is who
he says he is."

Jaimz stared at the unknown male, puzzled by both his words and his
presence.  He had learned to gauge age well enough to know that this male
was at least ten years Kaiel's senior, handsome in a severe way, though if
he hadn't shorn his mane so close he might have looked less severe.  He
also had small darker grey spots dappling his neck and the edge of his jaw
under his cheek ruffs though the rest of his face and his mane didn't show
any of that dappling affect.  Still he guessed that the distinctive
markings continued below the edge of his collar, but he still didn't
recognize the male and yet he'd claimed to have proof of his status.

"Now R'Fram Aki Ni, I asked you to come with so that you could assist with
the problem of his status and situation, we don't need you to add more
confusion to this matter." A'Kani Mar chided, the edges of his thin mouth
turned down in disapproval.

Turning toward the military advisor the Akibu priest sent him a look of
mild rebuke and said with staid politeness, "And I have provided decisive
evidence of his status and situation, how can that be confusing A'Kani Ni?"

"Where is this proof?  I haven't seen any tangible evidence." K'Ilo
grunted, unwilling still to give in.

Those mildly disapproving eyes shifted now to K'Ilo.  "Do you doubt my word
K'Ilo Ni?" So very carefully stated, and yet there was an implied threat in
those simple words.  K'Ilo might be a warrior Pride, but a Z'Ullan priest
was a brother of a much bigger army, an army of Warrior Priests who trained
and breathed war while others only played at it.

K'Ilo Dunai heard the implicit threat and though his ears twitched
violently he still bent his ruddy maned head and acquiesced with some
slight gravity.  "Of course not Aki.  I was only concerned that--Jaimz Ni
would not receive proper--protection."  His ears flattened and his mouth
tightened in a black snarl when Jaimz tsked in disbelief, but for once
K'Ilo didn't make any verbal retort.

With a hands-to-heart gesture, the Aki said, "His bond belongs to Z'Ullan.
Z'Ullan will provide."

That really got Jaimz' interest, at his guarded; "What?" Kaiel groaned in
complete and utter dismay.

The Aki arched an urbane brow at Jaimz' query, but fortunately for Kaiel
all he said was, "What I must convey is confidential and not for the
uninitiated."

Clearly it was a dismissal, whether the councillors' and ambassador liked
it or not they actually obeyed and allowed themselves to be meekly herded
to the lift.  K'Ilo still looked annoyed with whole event and the look he
gave Jaimz was rife with promise.

Huirlic, the Delran Ambassador, looking puzzled and disgruntled turned to
P'Var Oran while asking, "Does dis mean we have no'ting resolved?"

P'Var Oran shook his head and peered thoughtfully back at the small group
remaining in the suite, he called, "We will talk soon yes, K'Lan Jaimz."

It wasn't really a question Jaimz noted as he watched the five individuals
enter the lift.  As the doors slid closed he heard Kang let out a deep pent
up sigh and managed to catch Kaiel ask Heron, "Who let them up?" even as he
turned his inquisitive gaze back upon the stranger.

The Aki smiled enigmatically, showing a hint of sharp fang.  He did
something many Zaran seemed loath to do, he went crouched down so that he
was more at a level with Jaimz who was sitting now that some peace had been
restored to the room.  He looked at the smooth cheeked young alien, noting
the glow of his pearly skin and the bright curiosity in his exquisitely
rare green-eyes and just barely suppressed a frown as he realized that the
this healthy and clear eyed being was not what he'd seen the first time
he'd laid eyes on him.  His only consolation was that he hadn't known what
he was looking at then, he'd had no reason to suspect the wild madness then
evident in his eyes and pale dullness of his skin at the time was not
normal for him, his species unknown.  Even with a faint bruise on his
forehead and a lingering hint of pain in his eyes, he could see that was
what he should have seen back then when he'd performed the mating ceremony.
The only conciliation he had for what he'd done then was that the deed had
cemented Jaimz to his true mate.  He shifted his eyes briefly to the golden
young male who completed the soul's bond and felt his heart warm with
satisfaction in knowing even if the young one had suffered at first he'd
found his way properly to his destined partner.

"They had a key, Kaiel Ni." Jaimz heard Heron explain anxiously, thinking
idly that Heron needed to calm down a bit even as his own attention riveted
upon the Aki in the very next instant.

"You don't remember me." It was again a statement of fact, but it was
enough to remind Jaimz of the only possible time he could have met this
male, and he recalled that meeting with a shuddering gasp even as his head
pounded with renewed pain, probably brought on by the punishing staccato of
his pulse.

"You!"  A torrent of memories flooded him; memories of his arm being
brutally twisted to the task of signing that strange document, memories of
this male coldly watching as Lorz raped him, memories of his crying out in
pain and shame.  "You!  You let--!" he bit his lip in an attempt to stifle
his sobs but they broke through his defences anyway, "You let him--aw
aw--R-rape me!"

"Jaimz!"


Kaiel was suddenly kneeling there beside him, his arms wrapped around him,
his big body warm against his, his golden scent enveloping and soothing his
senses, but he was so upset that he struggled, wailing into his mane; "Let
me go Kaiel!"  even as he clung to him in conflict of his own words.

"I am sorry." R'Fram Merrim; Akibu of Z'Ullan, stated while bowing his
head; "I did not understand."

Sobbing Jaimz yelled, "You're sorry!  H-how could you l-let him--aw aw--let
him d-do that--!" he bit his lip and pressed his face into Kaiel's mane in
an attempt to silence his embarrassing crying.  It took a few moments since
it felt nice and Kaiel smelled so good and he almost forgot that he was
angry at him for earlier, but suddenly suspicion clicked and Jaimz pulled
back, scrubbing at his face and glared at the Aki as he demanded, "Why are
you here?"

He felt Kaiel tense, and his head started to pound again, even though
touching Kaiel had helped initially.  His suspicions only deepened when the
Aki plainly stated, "I am here to verify the true bond for my Order."

Pushing slightly away from Kaiel, he frowned at the Aki and cautiously
asked, "W-what do you mean? Lorz is dead."

The Aki gave a quick negative shake in response to his question and then
nodded significantly at Kaiel before saying, "K'Lan Lorz was only the
proxy.  Kaiel Ni is your true bond."

Jaimz clutched frantically at Kaiel's shoulder as the whole room tilted
again, he pressed his other hand against his throbbing head and exclaimed
dazedly, "No...Lorz was...he mated me.  I didn't want too, but he forced
me." His lips twisted into a grim semblance of a smile, "You were there.
He made me sign in blood.  My blood dammit."

"He was only the proxy." R'Fram Aki repeated patiently, "I would not have
allowed it otherwise since I knew your soul belonged to another.  I only
preformed the rite because he was the bridge to bring you two together."

"Jaimz."  Kaiel murmured worriedly, but Jaimz only shook his head and even
avoided Kaiel's attempt to meet his eyes.

"But I saw the document.  Kaiel said it saved him from having to
marry--mate Vreda; since the contract was written before the betrothal
was."  He was confused and more than a little alarmed; his heart and his
head were both pounding so hard he was amazed nothing had exploded yet.

The Aki nodded, indicated that he agreed with Jaimz' statement.  Jaimz
swallowed tightly, "But the contract died with Lorz..."

In this the Aki shook his head and explained solemnly, "No, Lorz' was a
special exemption contract.  It had to be so that the bond could be
properly passed."  Seeing the growing confusion in Jaimz' eyes, he tried to
clarify.  "You see Lorz had always known that he was going to die, he
simply didn't know when.  That is until you came."

Suddenly feeling overwhelmingly tired Jaimz rubbed his temples and mused,
"That sounds like I was prophesied.  I thought you Zaran's didn't have any
psi abilities."

There was a moment of silence, which stretched as not only Jaimz' but every
pair of eyes turned to stare at the Aki.  His ears remained remarkably
steady as he said, "That is not entirely true.  There are some Zaran
with...psi abilities, if you would like.  Lorz had gifts that would have
made him a worthy Brother, but he could not reconcile himself to his fate.
It is never an easy burden to bear, knowing how one is to die.  In Lorz'
case his foreknowledge made him intractable and wild.  His gifts were
limited mostly to his own blood ties; I tried to council him several times
during his younger years but he refused any help."

"That sounds like Lorz." Kaiel murmured, feeling a stirring of pity for his
elder brother now that he had some vague understanding of why he'd changed
so much, though he certainly couldn't profess to comprehend much of what
the Aki was saying with his talk of foreknowledge and gifts.  Such ideas
belonged in grand sagas and stories and had no place in a society built
upon the principles of culture and science.  Though he felt his ears flick
as he recalled seeing Jaimz' accident but that had merely been a
side-effect of the TWS, hadn't it?

Jaimz didn't feel the least bit of pity for Lorz, in the short time he'd
known the male he'd only known him to be a brutal beast, and having no
memory of Lorz ever being anything but brutal he didn't know that he could
have been different.  Certainly he didn't remember Lorz being a loving big
brother or wonder why he'd changed like he had.  Jaimz fisted a handful of
Kaiel's mane and tugged hard enough to make the male grunt as he snapped,
"Like I'm going to forgive--hey!" suddenly he yanked even harder at Kaiel's
mane and yelled, "You lied to me!"

Kaiel winced in response to Jaimz' angry accusation and the painful tug on
his mane; but still hoping to avoid a major incident he averred, "I never
did."

"Don't lie to me Kaiel!  To many of you lie too easily!  I don't like it!"
He was of course referring to his encounter with K'Ilo and how his physical
responses had made false his verbal ones.  The male had definitely
displayed a sexual interest in him, even though he pretended otherwise.  He
wondered frantically if Ham had shared all the sordid details of their
times together and if having that on his mind had somehow fixed senior
K'Ilo's attention.  He was frankly sick of the unwanted notice he received
from so many males since he couldn't understand what was so fascinating
about him.  He was a male for God's sake, what was wrong with these people?
With Kaiel he knew that the attraction was encouraged by the Tag, but what
had caused Lorz and Ham abuse of him, the physical mauling by that strange
male he'd encountered while helping Kang's move; even Terrill had assaulted
him and now it looked like he had to be on his guard with K'Ilo Dunai too.
He was alarmed by the unwelcome attention he kept receiving and finding out
that Kaiel had withheld the full facts about the life mating contract only
added to his feelings of helpless.

Sitting in the chair, with Kaiel partially wrapped around him, and his
headache having receded thanks in part to his tag-mate's presence Jaimz
just didn't want anything to do with him.  He pushed at the bigger male,
punching at his chest and yelled, "Get away from me!  I'm tired of you
always touching me!  I don't want or need your help!"  Of course Kaiel
outweighed him a good deal, plus his extra height and the strength of his
big body made Jaimz' attack seem like the tantrum of a small cub in
comparison.  When Kaiel wouldn't be shoved or bullied away Jaimz gave in to
the tears that were threatening and even as he despondently struck at his
mate he caved to the comfort he offered and sagged against him while
sobbing, "How could you lie to me?"

Kaiel curled around Jaimz and just held him for a moment as he cried; it
was obvious that Jaimz was simply exhausted and fighting a relapse caused
by an abundance of stress, which he had to admit that he'd added to.  He
still felt a stirring of the resentment as he recalled some of the things
Jaimz had said earlier, but this time his mate's heated words had only made
him want to comfort him even more.  Determining what Jaimz needed most and
deciding that the closing of the session could wait upon him he stood up
and smoothly shifted Jaimz so that he was cuddled against him.  Though he
was interested in what the Aki had to say, since it was clear he had some
insight into Lorz' psyche which he'd never even suspected, he decided that
could wait for later too.

He didn't really care what Kang, Heron or the Aki thought as he rumbled;
"If you will excuse us?"

Jaimz cared, since he wasn't feeling all that accommodating; even crying as
he was he instantly started to struggle against his embrace and alternately
punched and yanked at Kaiel as he yelled, "Put me down Kaiel!  I don't want
to be with you!  Dammit you lied to me!"

Kaiel ignored him completely.

The audience of three watched it all with varying degrees of interest, each
of course thinking their own thoughts.  Kang was satisfied with the
outcome, Heron was anxious and bit intrigued, and neither of them could
read the Aki's silence, as Kaiel, with an agile flick of his foot, softly
shut Jaimz' bedroom door behind them.

CH 6

Kang turned away from the closed door, satisfied with Kaiel's decision.  He
hoped that Jaimz would emerge from this feeling contented and secure and
that Kaiel would have his own worries settled.  Those two would have enough
challenges to overcome without having strife between them.  He hoped that
they would have a good talk (besides other things) and finally come to an
understanding.  He glanced at Heron, whose ears were still flicking in
agitation and cast a discrete look over him to see if he was otherwise
agitated, but he readily saw that Heron's agitation was more due to
confusion than any feelings of unrequited lust, though a hint of that
emotion was there, but he had a feeling that Heron's needs focused upon
Kaiel and not Jaimz, which undoubtedly would be a relief to the youngling,
though perhaps embarrassing for this worshipful young male to admit anytime
soon.  Feeling that Heron would be fine he bent his thoughtful gaze upon
the Aki and saw that the stillness of his expression had clearly given way
to bafflement.

Seeing the interest in the old cats soothing gaze R'Fram Aki said, "I don't
understand what is happening, why is Jaimz Ni resisting the bond?"

Instead of answering the question directly, Kang folded his big arms and
asked, "If I may be so bold, what did you see when you presided over the
mating?"

Such a formal way of asking what he'd witnessed during the consummation of
the mating contract.  Now though he understood what he hadn't suspected
then and he felt his ears tip back in shame as he admitted, "I thought it
was a dominance play.  When I saw him... Jaimz seemed like a feral for all
his small size.  I assumed that he sought to be dominated.  I did not
understand how badly I misjudged the situation."

"It seems to be a common problem for him." Kang murmured, doing nothing to
absolve the Aki of his grievous mistake, but also choosing to not add to
his burden of remorse.  Mistakes with Jaimz happened, hopefully with his
and Kaiel's help (and possibly others too) Jaimz' life would become more
secure and stable and such "mistakes" would end.  Still he didn't expect
the road to be easy for Jaimz, as the youngling had a lot of baggage in the
way of personal demons and suppressed trauma yet to deal with.


The Aki nodded, accepting Kang's analysis without comment, though he was
still puzzled by what he'd witnessed and he hoped the elder Zaran could
help.  "Their auras should be harmonious and yet I saw...it is not so.
Jaimz Ni resists."

Kang sighed, "Jaimz is not Zaran, and he doesn't have the same beliefs and
values as we.  He has trouble accepting his connection with Kaiel and of
course the stronger the bond the harder he struggles against it.  Jaimz can
only see the truth when it's real and wrapped up in science, anything else
is just a folktale fantasy to him and impossible to believe."

"That is...a great tragedy." R'Fram Aki murmured, "Miracles occur when the
souls of Z'Ulgars harmonize."

Kang smiled lightly, glancing toward the bedroom as he said, "Oh, Jaimz and
Kaiel harmonize just fine in bed; it is just the rest of the time Jaimz
resists." He didn't bother to ask what Z'Ulgar meant even though the term
was unfamiliar, Z'Ul was a derivative of Z'Ullan and gar was the masculine
title for the Gar (which was Z'Ullan's animal representative) just as
garine was the feminine for the species, and so it was simple enough to
guess that Z'Ulgar referred to a God sanctioned male pairing.  He knew that
the War God claimed Soul Mates as well as Life Mates as his own, and that
for a God of Chaos, destruction and blood, the unity achieved by Life
Mating or the harmony attained in Soul Bonding seemed at odds, but as in
all things it was the struggle to gain balance that the God of Chaos
identified with.  All could not be chaos; even Z'Ullan had his balancing
factor in the mother goddess M'Rtroro, she who governed life, fertility and
order.

"Well, then there is hope for them." The Aki proclaimed, meeting the
elder's wise old eyes.  He understood that they at least were in agreement
regarding helping the young pair reach full harmony even though he didn't
understand Jaimz' reticence, but then he had to admit he didn't know what
to expect of the young alien since he was the first of his species that any
Zaran had ever met and whether he was typical or not for his species would
only be revealed when his people were found.

Kang, knowing that for now matters were proceeding without his assistance,
queried, "Will you be staying Aki?"

"I should like to speak more with them.  I have information that may
benefit each of them..." he glanced toward the closed door and wondered,
"How long do you think they might be?"

Kang laughed softly, "Well if Kaiel decides to attend the Closing of the
Session which as Speaker he really should, then I expect less than an
hour..." he gave an eloquent shrug however and continued, "however as I
said, they harmonize very well in bed and it could take literally all
night."

The Aki's light blue eyes widened at that statement and his ears even
threatened to tip over into his cropped gray mane, still he managed to
still the reaction and say lightly, "Well, I do have a room.  Perhaps I
could come back later, or arrange to visit them at Lan Pride?"

"Perhaps," Kang demurred, he was a good host though and said, "but for now,
why don't you stay and have some tea?"









"Kaiel!  No!" Jaimz yelped as he bounced slightly upon the bed surface
after Kaiel dropped him.  He immediately tried to roll off the bed but
Kaiel moved quickly to straddle him, trapping his smaller body easily.  He
pushed at him, yelling, "No Kaiel, I don't want to!"

Kaiel positioned one hand so that even as he trapped Jaimz he was able to
stroke his fingers over the silken locks that fanned out over the coverlet.
He didn't do anything to actually hold Jaimz, except for the fact that his
limbs caged him in.  Jaimz could slip free if he really wanted to but other
than push at him and yell, his mate didn't put any real physical effort
into escaping.  Had Jaimz been truly determined to fight Kaiel would not
have tried to hold him.

Jerking his hair free of Kaiel's fingers Jaimz snapped, "You lied to me!"

Unperturbed Kaiel brushed a fringe of hair out of heated Jaimz' eyes and
said mildly, "No."

Laughing crossly Jaimz slapped at his hand and retorted coldly, "Yes you
did.  You lied."  He squirmed to avoid the fingers trailing over his face
and gasped angrily when Kaiel dared to rub his thumb along his lips.
Feeling a spiteful urge he bit down on the fleshy pad even as his lips
tingled responsively.

Kaiel winced, but couldn't suppress a faint smile at his mate's frustrated
attack and his smile only grew when Jaimz growled, "This isn't funny Kaiel.
I can't trust you if you're going to lie to me!"

He bent down to lick the rainbow hued bruise on his forehead, purring
contentedly as he felt Jaimz shudder deliciously and the subsequent shove
was weaker, with Jaimz' hand lingering on his shoulder for a moment and his
voice breathy as he protested, "No Kaiel.  I don't want to!  This isn't the
answer for everything!"

"You need this."  His murmured as he stroked his fingers through his
lover's silky mane again, "You're in pain."

"No!" Jaimz protested hotly, snatching at his playful fingers before
continuing, "I don't need this.  I don't want it.  Why aren't you listening
to me?"

He slipped his fingers free and pressed Jaimz' hand gently down to the
coverlet, "Yes, you do.  I am listening." At least he was listening to his
body, which he had no trouble "hearing".

Jaimz shot up, only to be pressed fully against him, he struggled,
squirming to get free which only made his heart beat faster and his
breathing even more raspy.  "Stop it Kaiel.  You lied to me!"

Stroking a hand up under Jaimz' tunic to span his supple back Kaiel
responded, "No, I simply avoided telling the truth." He bent to nuzzle the
soft skin under his jaw, rumbling with pleasure at Jaimz gasping response.

"H-how is that any different?" Jaimz rasped, frantically pushing away from
Kaiel even as his body flushed with radiating heat.

Stroking his lips along the edge of Jaimz' jaw he paused and hung over his
parted and waiting lips to say, "Because I knew how you'd react, I knew
that you'd be angry."

Jaimz turned his face away, avoiding the kiss as he retorted, "That still
isn't any reason to keep something like this from me!"

"You always talk about having your choices taken away," he murmured while
cupping Jaimz' cheek and tipping his face back toward him.  He kissed him
lightly, and smiled softly as he drew back, "I didn't want you to know
another choice had been made for you." He bent and kissed him again, noting
the tremulous response of Jaimz' lips moving against his.  He slid his
tongue between those succulent lips, shivering with pleasure as Jaimz'
tongue danced with his.  Feeling a bit breathless he moved back again and
whispered, "I want you to be able to make your own choices too Jaimz."

Jaimz was definitely feeling his choices slip away under Kaiel's gentle
onslaught.  He tried to focus on why he was so angry, which was difficult
as the warmth of pleasure spread throughout his body.  Thinking about how
Kaiel's sensual assault was softening his resistance he knew that if he
gave in he'd quickly forget why he'd been so outraged in the first place.
Kaiel's duplicity still hurt and he used that righteous indignation to
focus his resolve.  Clinging to Kaiel's words he cleared his senses and
retorted, "But your chose for me by assuming I'd be angry, you didn't even
give me a chance, you didn't even tell me!"

Kaiel smiled instead and merely leaned forward to gently drop a kiss on
Jaimz' bruised forehead.  Jaimz sighed faintly at his touch, though he
still tried to hold onto his anger, even becoming a bit desperate as the
onslaught continued to overwhelm and arouse his senses.

"Noooo...Kaiel Please, you're not listening to me!" he wailed, pulling at
Kaiel's hands while he tried to lift his tunic.  He squirmed and panted,
rasping!  "You promised you'd always follow my lead!  I-is this how you
keep your promises?"

Kaiel paused a moment, with the fabric bunched up in his hands and much of
Jaimz' skin lying bare beneath his fingers.  He couldn't resist touching
all that lovely warm silky skin and he started moving his thumbs in lightly
caressing circles that just grazed over that sensitive surface, nor could
he resist the smile that curved his lips as he felt Jaimz' corresponding
shudders and gasps, he lifted his gaze to meet Jaimz', easily reading the
conflicted emotions swirling around in those green gems.  He leaned forward
again, hovering over Jaimz' trembling lips as he whispered, "I am listening
to you, I was hoping to never have to tell you about the Mating Contract, I
was hoping I never needed to."  He bent and kissed the tip of his nose,
adding, "It is just a piece of paper Jaimz, you don't have to honor it, you
can choose to run away from it."

Jaimz, flushing a charming shade of crimson while pushing his splayed hands
against Kaiel's shoulders, gasped, "But I can't choose to run away from
you!  So it doesn't matter what I think about the contract."

Kaiel merely smiled, and though allowing Jaimz' to push him away, bent
nimbly around his resistance and captured his quivering lips in a long
plundering assault.  He felt and heard Jaimz' moan against him as he glided
his tongue between Jaimz' lips and was met in a sweet dance.  He knew when
Jaimz stopped fighting and began to clutch at him instead.  Only when Jaimz
gave in did he purr, "Exactly."

The tone of his voice was just self assured enough to irk and feeling a new
flush of anger surge through him, Jaimz pounded Kaiel's shoulders and
yelled, "Which is exactly why you should have told me about it and not left
it for some stranger to bring up in some awful meeting!  A meeting that by
the way, I had no damn say in!"

Wincing mildly at the pounding his shoulders took, Kaiel captured both of
Jaimz' hands in one of his and pressed them back to the bed.  He looked at
his lover, lying all flushed and angry yet excited beneath him and he
sighed, "I had nothing to do with that Jaimz.  They came uninvited."

Jaimz relaxed with a shuddering sigh, "I know that...it's just...being told
by a stranger instead of by the one I--." To silence his confession he bit
his lip, which was of course completely captivating.

What remained unsaid was intriguing, but it was the action of teeth sinking
into supple flesh that was utterly enthralling.  Enslaved by a succulent
entrapment Kaiel swiped his tongue over those wounded lips, washing away
any hint of blood and soothing them of any lingering ache.  Knowing as he
did that even his kiss was healing, he felt a rumble of laughter shudder
through him as he rasped, "I'm sorry for that, but I'm very happy to serve
you."  However at feeling his lover suddenly tense Kaiel quickly regretted
his poor choice of words as he sensed they reminded Jaimz of words spoken
earlier in anger.

He glanced up to see Jaimz looking at him searchingly and heard him ask,
"Are you still mad at me?"

With a sigh Kaiel stroked a stray strand of hair back from Jaimz' winsome
face and once again bent to lick that bruise.  Rather than say words that
might hurt even if he didn't intent it he let his actions speak for him as
he slipped the side fasteners of Jaimz' tunic open and released the closure
at the shoulder and pretty much had to tunic off though Jaimz was still in
truth partially wearing the garment, since the other side was still
fastened, it could however be slid out of this way, as was the usual method
of removing these open sided tunics.  He stroked the sensitive pads of his
fingers across Jaimz' nipples, and smiled as he felt each tighten
delightfully in response.  He trapped one nipple gently between his thumb
and index finger.  He bent and teased the tip of his tongue against that
bit of tender trapped flesh while Jaimz gasped and frantically tugged at
him.  Enjoying the reaction he slid across to the as yet unloved nipple and
circled his tongue around the whorl of crinkled flesh before catching the
delicate cinnamon toned nub between his teeth.

"Ahhm...  Kaiel...please d-don't tease me..." Jaimz whispered, with his
suspicion filled voice suggesting that this was all a cruel trick being
played on him.

Surprised Kaiel pulled back, he looked at Jaimz, taking in the uncertainty
and sudden doubt that played across his features.  He knew what Jaimz was
thinking, but even though he still had some lingering resentment from
earlier, just as Jaimz harbored his own anger too, he also knew that Jaimz
needed him now and he could not let him continue in such pain (oh yes--he
was aware of Jaimz' headache) when he was the cure for it.  Still he
recalled Jaimz' anger at his suggestion to use him like medicine and so was
careful to avoid upsetting his lover again, all he said was; "Never."

"But...but what about--!" Jaimz tried to protest, though Kaiel's lips put
an abrupt end to any remaining thoughts of sanity.  Of course what Jaimz
was trying to bring up was their shared anger, which though muted for now
was hardly quiet for either of them, but Kaiel's clever mouth and his
pleasing fingers made it impossible to hold onto negative thoughts, at
least for the moment.  But even as Jaimz melted into the kiss and slid his
arms around Kaiel's neck so that he could spread his fingers through his
mane and stroke the velvety rim of his ears he still clung to the thought
that this was a choice being made for him too.

He felt that notion stir up the resentment in him, every choice that had
been taken away from him filled him with such anger that he wanted to hit
something, but even as the outrage again built up and he tried to wriggle
free of Kaiel he was chased down, his struggles were overwhelmed with
quivering pleasure and his protests were swallowed up by delirious kisses.
It wasn't that he didn't want to keep fighting; it wasn't that he was any
less irked about his lost choices; it was just that being with Kaiel swept
all his cohesive thoughts away and left him thinking of only one thing, his
aching need for Kaiel.  The more his mate touched him and claimed him for
wit stealing kisses the greater his need grew, until with tears swimming in
his eyes he finally surrendered and gave in to pure sensation.

Kaiel felt the change in his mate, and swelled with wonder as Jaimz cupped
his face and held him firm as he kissed him.  He sighed with delight as
Jaimz pulled a reversal on him, letting his smaller mate push him back and
follow through to straddle him instead.  With a graceful roll of his
shoulders Jaimz shrugged off of his tunic as Kaiel's hands slid up over his
bare back.  His hands roamed freely over that silky skin before coming to
rest at his hips, he slipped his fingers under the waist band and splayed
them around the exquisite mounds of Jaimz' cheeks.


Jaimz sat up, easing Kaiel's tunic open as he slid his fingers along his
chest.  Once the big male's chest was exposed he just sat there (settling
his hips a little more firmly into Kaiel's groin) and admired him from the
strong column of his neck to the washboard ripples of his flat abdomen
which was covered by a pettable pelt of velvety gold fur.  "Ummm..." Jaimz
purred as he traced his fingers through the thick fur that covered Kaiel'
chest to meet in a tight whorl around each nipple.  He caressed the dense
tuft of velvety fur, parting it so that he could find each little nub with
the playful tip of his questing fingers.

With a throaty groan Kaiel rolled his hips beneath Jaimz' tantalizing
bottom and grinned as Jaimz gave an equally throaty laugh as his body
danced in response.  He caught his breath as Jaimz wriggled back until he
was straddling his hips again and he even sent him a cheeky look that
seemed to ask, "What are you going to do about it?"  His answer was to
grasp Jaimz' supple hips firmly between his big hands and massage his
straining groin up against his silk clad bottom in such a way that Jaimz
couldn't mistake his growing excitement.  The expression on Jaimz' winsome
face was a priceless marriage of wide eyed innocence and open mouthed
sensuality.  He laughed unabashedly, so relieved to see Jaimz being both
relaxed and playful, of course it was also breathtaking to be the object of
that playful attention, and it was all he could do bear that delicious play
as stroking fingers brushed over his pelt, followed the fur softened lines
of his muscles, traced the ridges of his hard belly, played along the edge
of his waistband before roaming over to his navel before starting back up
at his chest again.  He inhaled shakily as Jaimz slipped a finger between
his own sensual lips, moistening it with his tongue and gasped as the tip
of that wetted finger teased one of his nipples, he heaved panting as Jaimz
repeated the treatment to his other nipple, only this time his lover bent
over him and licked his sensitive nipple through the tuff of fur sheltering
it.  "Ahhhh... Ummm...that feels s-so good." He groaned brokenly as he
cupped one hand around the back of Jaimz' silky head.

Jaimz smiled, he was content to lie there with his cheek resting against
Kaiel's chest while he thought how his fur made his hard bodied friend such
a pleasure to touch.  He almost wished that he could lick more than Kaiel's
nipples, but since his friend was pretty much completely covered with fur
it was pretty impossible to find an area large enough where he wouldn't end
up with hairballs...he closed his eyes as Kaiel reminded him about one area
large enough that he could lick to his hearts content if only he were brave
enough to indulge.  He pictured again the moment he'd touched and kissed
with his lover's rod for the first time, and though his cheeks heated at
the memory he own groin tightened at the imagery.  The taste and feel of
Kaiel still filling his memories Jaimz suddenly became aware of something
hard against the edge of his cheek and rose up a bit to see what was the
culprit.  He saw it then, nestled into the fur around his neck and the
hollow at his throat, a fine gold cable chain and a small pendant.  Puzzled
for he hadn't seen any sign of the necklace earlier today he cradled the
pendant in his hand and wondered how he could have missed it just moments
ago.  The pendant seemed to be made out of crystal with a golden bail head
which the chain ran through and a golden tail.  The shape seemed serpentine
but it had small wings and some of the carving on the head and the crystal
body suggested claws and horns bringing to mind a dragon, though Jaimz
didn't know that the Zaran's had dragon like creatures in their lore or for
that matter they could exist in there fauna, since he was still unfamiliar
with most of Z'Rarla's wildlife.  The entire pendant was barely as long as
his little finger and not even as thick though the wings did provide a bit
of width.  The crystal dragon body seemed to shimmer with a golden warmth
that Jaimz couldn't determine the source of.  Still holding the small
pendant he bent a curious look at Kaiel, "Where did this come from?" he
felt a sudden unreasonable stir of resentment as he wondered if Zuzu had
bought Kaiel a present and though he tried to suppress his reaction he had
to admit glumly that he was jealous after all.

Kaiel smiled, cupping his hand around Jaimz' as he cradled the pendant.  "I
bought it on the way to lunch, for you."

His eyes widening Jaimz canted his head and repeated, "For me?"

Kaiel eased the pendant out of Jaimz' hand and let it nestle back into his
fur, he stroked his fingers over Jaimz' parted lips and smiled, "So I would
never be unprepared for you."

Jaimz looked at the nestled pendant, its color blending well with the
shimmery pale gold of Kaiel's fur that it almost seemed to fade into his
pelt.  Now he looked at the golden core in the crystal body and felt his
cheeks warm as he understood what that warm shimmer was.  His eyes sparkled
with tears as he whispered, "Oh Kaiel...you thought about me...even when
you were mad at me?"

Kaiel bent and kissed away the tears that gathered along Jaimz' trembling
eyelashes while he stretched down to hug him.  In the first moment the
embrace was pure innocence, just the pair of them laying together and
holding each other, the very next instance the innocence was swept aside
for a seeking kiss that refocused their attentions.

Kaiel slid his hand along Jaimz' back; hooked his fingers in his pants
waistband and pushed them down to expose the creamy mounds of his bottom.
For a heartbeat he cupped both mounds in his hands allowing the heat and
softness to fill him and then, with Jaimz' cooperation, he removed the
silky bottoms completely and felt his heart swell at the sight of Jaimz
sitting astride him gloriously clothed in nothing more than his lovely
silky hair which flowed about his shoulders and his equally lovely silken
skin that he knew no fabric could ever improve upon as he stroked his hands
along his lovers sleek thighs.

"Your turn." Jaimz reminded with a soft smile as he unfastened the ties to
Kaiel's pants.  As Jaimz worked on that Kaiel reluctantly left of his
devotion with his lover's thighs so that he could finish removing his
tunic; that piece of formal wear joined Jaimz' aqua tunic and near matching
pants on the floor beside the bed.  They were both laughing and joking as
they worked companionably to remove the last of Kaiel's clothes and only
when he was a bare as he'd ever get did a comfortable silence settle over
them as Jaimz found himself lying alongside Kaiel's hips with his head
resting on his leg and one hand lazily brushing the fur of his thigh.
Kaiel was equally content to rest with Jaimz lying relaxed beside him, he
lazily met Jaimz' eyes across the distance of their bodies as his own hand
stroked up along the back of his silky thighs and caressed between them.

Jaimz closed his eyes as a shudder of pleasure rippled through his body; it
began at his core with the most subtle of touches and spread swiftly from
curling toes to shivering scalp.  "Ooooh..." He groaned anxiously while
tilting his hips into the caress and parting his legs willingly to give
Kaiel better access.  And Kaiel took the offering graciously, easing Jaimz'
thighs more open and bending between them to drill his tongue deep into
Jaimz rose-bud anus until Jaimz was writhing and gasping in delirious
delight and then had Kaiel tensing in shocked fascination as he felt a hand
enclose his sheathed rod and release it.  He reluctantly pulled away,
though his fingers found the throbbing wetness his tongue had just left and
continued with the loving that had Jaimz squirming and lifting his hips
eagerly for more.  He had to grit his teeth to contain a yell as fingers
pulled along his hot flesh, and he couldn't help but watch Jaimz' slender
hand encircle his ruddy head, squeeze, (which made his toes curl too) rub
back and around the thickness of him before sliding back along his length.
Stroke, stroke, stroke went Jaimz' hand, over and over, down and along him
until he was shaken and panting with the effort of keeping his frill from
lifting.  His gut clenched with the tightening of his balls and his desire
to release was all he could bear as Jaimz unwitting brought him to the
brink again and again.  To interrupt the waves of pleasure consuming him
and keep his frill restive before he even got to use it (he didn't want to
hurt Jaimz with a fully engorged crown) he reasserted his mastery of Jaimz'
body by reinserting his tongue deep inside with enough force and vigor to
cause Jaimz to falter at his efforts.

"Ahhh. Kaiel..."  Jaimz cried, still clinging to his mate, but now he was
holding onto him like one would a life preserver in the middle of a vast
ocean!  His entire body lifted off the bed, so that only his heels and his
shoulders were still on the surface, the rest of him was stretched in a
taut arc as he yelled in helpless delight.  His remained fast to his anchor
with Kaiel though, and his shuddering squeeze was answered by the delirious
laving of Kaiel's tongue deep inside him.  Each reflective pull had an
impossibly deep probing reply that had him dancing and Kaiel groaning until
exhausted Jaimz relaxed in an open legged sprawl and breathed, "Oh God...I
think you broke me."

Kaiel felt the pressure ease around his rod, but remained aware that Jaimz
still held him.  He enjoyed the taste of Jaimz on his tongue, but while his
little mate had such a hold on him such encounters could prove delightfully
torturous.  He left Jaimz' bud with a final lick, knowing that in another
position he'd have unlimited access without Jaimz being able to do much
except cling to the bedding and wail his delight, he looked forward to that
as he stopped to show a little interest to Jaimz' excited penis but as soon
as he touched him the reflective gripping returned.  He groaned, breaking
away and sat up, pulling Jaimz up onto his lap as he did, hoping this
movement would disable that grip on him.  It worked as he hoped it would
and the very next thing he did, seeing as Jaimz was still backed toward
him, was lift his hips and start at him again which had Jaimz crying and
clutching even as he pressed back anxiously to receive the deepest delving
of tongue.

"Ahhhh! Ahhhh Kaiel, ummm that feels..." He couldn't find the words to
describe just how incredible that felt or to express how much he loved
having his anus treated in this manner.  He arched his back and lifted his
hips, crying at the torturous pleasure of it as he wondered if this was
anything like what it might be like to have sex with a normal, human sized
male.  That fullness, so hot and moist strumming inside him like that,
driving him practically insane with the need for it and so much more, and
making his cheeks heat as he realized that as much as he liked this, and he
really, really liked it, this fullness was only a hint of what he received
when he took Kaiel's massive rod inside him and he already ached to be
filled up with his mate's sex.

In this position it was more difficult for him to do anything gratifying to
Kaiel, but finally he let himself sprawl down his front, and while his hips
were firmly held and his legs were wrapped around Kaiel his hands and mouth
were free to play if he could find a comfortable angle for himself.  Kaiel
was too distracted by his full attention on Jaimz' sweet treats to do more
than feel Jaimz shifting against him, thus his reaction as he froze with
his tongue still probing Jaimz' throbbing pink bud was all the more
gratifying.

Kaiel sucked in a shaky breath and hung his head back for a brief moment as
the heat of Jaimz' mouth enveloped the crown of his rod.  He knew that
Jaimz' lips were unable to stretch enough to encircle the full thickness of
him, but still to feel his crown sink into his warm wet mouth and the rest
of his rod being stroked by those warm playful fingers was something he'd
only dreamed about.  Oh Jaimz had started to touch him there, and he
remembered that tentative kiss to the rods tip, but he had never hoped for
more.  Now he was getting more, and he groaned, shivering as Jaimz suckled
and licked at his crown.  He cupped the back of Jaimz' silky head, holding
him with burgeoning love and affection as he raptly purred, "You torture me
cub."

He settled back to the pleasure he enjoyed giving, while receiving pleasure
he'd only dreamed of.  They set a playful rhythm, giving each in turn what
they received.  He could not say which received more pleasure from the act,
but as he felt his frill threaten again he gently pulled Jaimz off and
rolled him, momentarily protesting, onto his belly.  The protest died
though as Kaiel parted his legs, spread his sweet cheeks to expose his
swollen and throbbing anus, and settled in to eat him a bit more as Jaimz
wriggled and writhed against the bedding crying as his penis lurched now
with every thrust of Kaiel's tongue.

"Oh God...Oh God, Kaiel, I'm going to...ummm...I'm going to
come...Please..."  He wanted to be fucked, he needed the fullness of Kaiel
filling him up; he hated begging for what outside of the bedroom he would
have denied.  But everything was always crystal clear during sex, he
understood exactly what he wanted and needed, it was only after that he got
confused and let himself pretend.  He tried to push up, but every drill of
Kaiel's tongue and now accompanying pull at his penis sent him sliding on
his face.  "Ahhhh...Please Kaiel.  F-fuck me." He demanded boldly, reaching
behind him in search of Kaiel's rod, which he knew had to be near ready.
Kaiel would be resisting the frills urge to rise, the fullness of that
crown in its engorged state could be so torturous to take, but his seeking
fingers found what they sough, fully extended but masterfully un-engorged,
at his grip Kaiel paused and Jaimz let himself fall forward hoping that
Kaiel understood what he wanted now.

Kaiel did understand perfectly, he continued to hold onto Jaimz' slender
hips, maintaining his position face down.  He straightened away from him
only long enough to push the tail of the pendant to the side so that
several drops of precious oil could fall onto his waiting fingers.  The
tail closed on its own without wasting any more of the vital liquid.  The
smell of it was slightly floral, with a hint of spice which he knew would
add a bit of heat to the mix.  He rubbed the oil between his fingers,
coating them well in preparation and then turned his attention upon Jaimz.

Jaimz gasped and once again tried to straighten up, he wanted to turn
around and face Kaiel the normal way, he wanted to take Kaiel as he usually
did, but unlike those other times Kaiel kept him in place, holding him
lovingly but firmly as first one long finger stretched him, then
another...and another well oiled digit joined the first two.  Stretching
him to bursting as he shuddered and strained, gasping not with pain but
overwhelming pleasure, though he was still unhappy with his position and
still trying to correct it as the forth finger joined the other three and
he all but collapsed, even letting his head hang over the edge of the bed
as wave after wave of pleasure gathered and pooled in his balls and
lurching penis.  "Aaah..." was all he could even cry as those fingers moved
deep inside him, stretching and preparing his yielding flesh for a rod that
was still wider and far longer.  He wanted more and pushed his hips
greedily back; trying to take it all, Kaiel had to push his bottom away
before Jaimz could hurt himself.

"Give it to me!"  Jaimz demanded, thrusting his hips back again, "Give it
to me Kaiel; you know I can take it.  I can take your engorged frill!"

Kaiel looked at his fingers enveloped inside Jaimz body, looked at how that
delicate pink skin was stretched surely beyond capacity, looked at Jaimz
heaving cheeks straining for more penetration and he surrendered.  He
dribbled a bit more oil onto his thumb, spreading it over the fur and then
tucked it up and presented it to Jaimz' gapping, throbbing anus.

Jaimz groaned as the pressure increased, but the addition of Kaiel's thumb
didn't really add much to the overall width he'd already accepted.  He
rocked his hips to ease the fullness, the oil helped, slipping the digits
in and out as his body adjusted to accommodate the new.  He still wanted to
roll over so that he could face Kaiel when they came together properly, but
Kaiel was still resisting his efforts, telling him to wait and be patient.
He argued, "I don't want to do it this way Kaiel. Let me around."

Being as how Jaimz craved as much depth as he could receive, Kaiel knew
that this position would serve to provide that bit of extra depth Jaimz
desired.  The problem was the memories attached to this which hung over
them both like a shadow, he couldn't escape them and Jaimz was still
plagued with nightmares because of them, but Kaiel knew if he could just
get Jaimz to try it that this would be one more position to explore.  It's
just that he had to get past his reluctance first.  Just doing it and
taking the consequences afterwards seemed the best way to give Jaimz what
he needed even if he said he didn't.  Thinking about taking Jaimz in such a
manner, which was almost like forcing him, made his frill twitch with
warning.  Kaiel had to admit that forcing Kaiel could be a fantasy of his,
though playful force that ended in pleasure for both was the only kind
permitted, in time Jaimz might be game for a bit of dominance play, but
now, this was enough.  He slid his fingers free and coated his rod with the
oil off them, as Jaimz' pink bud had closed up tight but still swollen and
glistening, and even as Jaimz yelled that he wanted to change position,
Kaiel spread him open once more which forced Jaimz to clutch at the bed
again, he shifted his own position as he angled himself best to pin those
trapped hips and with the crown kissing the sweet spot he thrust for home.

"Ah!  Ah Kaiel, uhm, n-not this way!  Let me up!" Jaimz wailed, scrambling
madly to shift himself into a more acceptable position.

Kaiel grit his teeth to force himself to ignore Jaimz sobs as memories
overwhelmed him and he started to cry.  He knew that if he could give Jaimz
what he needed before he was completely overcome with emotion that Jaimz
would surrender and enjoy himself, they had tried this before and he'd
capitulated quickly when he'd seen how it had upset Jaimz, who had
initiated it in the first place.  Well now, with his arms wrapped around
him and his lips nuzzling the back of his neck and his own thighs rubbing
against the back of Jaimz' legs Kaiel took charge as with each long stroke
of his thick rod he seated himself deeper and deeper inside Jaimz'
welcoming warmth until Jaimz began to relax and his sobs started to become
drawn out gasps instead.  Kaiel leaned around and kissed Jaimz' ear, he
cupped Jaimz face and turned him to meet him so that with the next thrust
as Jaimz moaned his delight Kaiel was ready to take his mouth.  They
remained kissing, with tongues dancing around each other and Jaimz arching
around with his arms wrapped around Kaiel's neck as Kaiel continued to
plumb his mates depths.  When they broke apart Jaimz was the first to
settle back onto his hand and knees and lean into the next thrust with a
deep soul searing groan.

Kaiel leaned lightly against his lover's slender back kissing him eagerly
when Jaimz turned to meet him, as they parted he asked softly, "Forgive
me?"

Silence met his question, but the way Jaimz eagerly pressed back to take
his thrust spoke louder than any words could.  Knowing that Jaimz was slick
and ready to take him in one thrust he withdrew to the crown, even watched
as his anus snugged back to a tiny whorl of glistening pink flesh.  As
Jaimz let out a shuddering breath and tilted his hips to accommodate him he
rocketed home.  He thrust hard, stabbing his slick rod through that
muscular ring which stretched marvelously around his thickness, he filled
him fast, grinding his groin against Jaimz' pinkening pert bottom as Jaimz
howled in delight, with his entire body arched and his head thrown back.
Then Jaimz' body relaxed and his head drooped with a sigh as Kaiel withdrew
again, and as before Jaimz was howling with the very next thrust which
filled him to the hilt.

"Aah...aah God Kaiel.  Oh that feels...so good." Jaimz sighed, tightening
his anus muscles deliberately to hold on to Kaiel for a moment, and making
him work all the harder to pull free.  Jaimz nursed his mate's rod for all
it was worth, if he was a cow he would have given up milk right then; as it
was he was still controlling his frill since once it rose he'd been locked
for a long time to Jaimz and he wasn't done loving him yet.

During the next separation Jaimz reached behind and grasped him as he
prepared to ride him again.  He gasped at the pleasure of being simply held
by Jaimz, and placing his hand over Jaimz' he helped guide his rod back
into Jaimz' waiting passage.  Jaimz groaned for the entire length of the
thrust, then pulled Kaiel's hand down around and between his legs as his
penis reached its first release.  Kaiel was happy to share Jaimz' first
orgasm, he knew by the re-firming of his mate's silky member that it was
but the beginning for him.  He licked his sticky fingers and realized that
this would be his last full thrust as his frill asserted its own dominance
and lifted quite effectively locking them together until he was through
pumping his fluid, until he was certain he'd bred his mate.

Now that the immediate urgency of mating had passed and the long task of
impregnation had begun (regardless of the fact the Jaimz wasn't breeding
receptive) Kaiel settled back onto his heels and brought Jaimz with him
(locked together the way they were, he didn't have any choice).  Jaimz
cooed and relaxed against him as they got comfortable, his slight weight
helping to seat Kaiel's rod a bit deeper inside.  Kaiel groaned as Jaimz
wiggled his hips, and gnashed his teeth at his mates stimulating gyrations,
to get his own back he dropped his hand between Jaimz' parted legs and
started to stroke his member, which had been restive a moment ago but
sprang to attention pretty much as soon as Kaiel touched it.

Jaimz groaned, covering Kaiel's big hands with his own, though he did
nothing to stop the male from strumming him or cupping and massaging his
tight balls either.  He rocked his hips and moaned as pulsing jet after
pulsing jet bathed his innards.  He was so firmly plugged into Kaiel that
every burst of his rod felt like it fed the spurts of his own penis.  He
shouldn't have such capacity, as a human it just wasn't natural for his
sack to be so full of semen, but with every thrusting jet he took
internally he followed with an answering spasm of sticky fluid that in his
curiosity didn't even feel right any more.  Looking at his sticky fingers
and with the amazing ability to divide his attention he asked wonderingly,
"Am I changing?"

It only made sense but Kaiel didn't know what to say or even if he should,
instead he caught Jaimz' hand and sucked each finger clean, then he
shifted, murmuring, "I want to fuck you still."

Locked together this way it took more effort to thrust and certainly
pulling the engorged crown free would hurt (it also took real effort to
do), but Kaiel had the powerful thighs and abs to make it work and since
Jaimz was willing, deliriously so they positioned themselves again and
Jaimz didn't argue being on his hands and knees though he quickly found he
needed to hold onto something so that a rhythm could build otherwise he
just rocked with Kaiel's thrusts.  He clung to a bedpost and Kaiel held to
both him and the post and with that they got a rhythm started that had
Jaimz gasping and crying in delight as Kaiel power thrust and pulled the
engorged crown back and forth, to tug deliciously on his throbbing anus to
stroke past his sweet spot and to finally plug him deep inside, over and
over again.  "Ah! Ah!  Oh God...God Kaiel." He wailed, thrusting his hips
back into Kaiel's powerful groin.  "Feels so good."

Kaiel was growling softly, desperate to breed his mate and knowing by his
scent that Jaimz was ready to be bred.  He leaned over, sliding one hand
down around to catch Jaimz' pretty penis and jack it from one endless spurt
to another while as instinct took over he gently grasped the back of his
neck in his teeth, and just like a Gar in the wild would he impregnated his
willing mate.

They remained like that, with Jaimz hips tilted into Kaiel's groin, Kaiel's
hand nursing him and his teeth actually lightly clamped around the joint of
muscle between his neck and his shoulder while Jaimz' arched back against
Kaiel's shoulder.  They were so completely wrapped up in each other that
time seemed to lose all meaning, what mattered now was only them and the
purpose of the tag being satisfied even if Jaimz wasn't really pregnable.
Jaimz came aware first as Kaiel's rod slipped slightly, warning him that
the frill had receded.  He felt deeply tired and deeply satiated and almost
didn't want to break the embrace but for him sanity was returning with the
memory that he'd been angry when this had started.  He wasn't angry now,
what he was now was fulfilled but not full.  Even as his body felt
wonderful his belly grumbled faintly, reminding him that he hadn't had
lunch yet.  He shifted, moaning a bit at the wonderful sensation of Kaiel's
rod sliding a bit more.  He knew that his anus was all wet and swollen and
that it would be easy now for the rod to slide free, but he was reluctant
to give up the fullness so he tightened his muscles, causing Kaiel to stir
from his own stupor and free his shoulder.  That was the first Jaimz
realized that Kaiel had bit him, but it didn't hurt and as he trace his
fingers over the impressions left by his mate's teeth he realized that his
skin was intact too.  He shivered as Kaiel massaged that joint and sighed
breathily when Kaiel bent to lick the bite impressions, further soothing
them.

"I think I lost myself for a moment." Kaiel admitted shyly, his ears
tucking into his golden mane, "I treated you like a breeding garine."

Jaimz brow wrinkled at the unfamiliar word, but he quickly deduced, "A
female Gar?"

Kaiel nodded sheepishly and gave him a searching look before asking, "Did I
hurt you?"

Jaimz felt great, and that made his cheeks redden with embarrassment, but
he couldn't deny how he felt, "No...I feel wonderful."

Kaiel's eyes widened at Jaimz admission, he settled back, and Jaimz
shivered, moaning softly as his rod finally slid completely free.  Even
more embarrassed now Jaimz blushed a becoming shade of pink all over his
body and couldn't bear to meet his lover's wondering eyes as he settled on
the bed beside him.  He winced as the usual tenderness after-the-fact set
in, but he tried to ignore it as he thought how sticky and messy he was and
murmured, "I must stink."

Kaiel leaned over and breathed in Jaimz' delicious scent, it filled him up
and made him growl again this time with an added snarl of jealousy at the
thought of anyone else breeding with him.  Trying to suppress those strange
emotions he pressed his nose into Jaimz' silky fawn-brown tresses, but
instead of calming him the delicate scent just made him feel more
possessive.  Puzzled he pulled back and the jealousy diminished though it
didn't subside completely.  Experimentally he shifted close enough to catch
Jaimz' scent and the emotion rose again and he realized what was going on
though it was strange to him that the tag would work this way, but it was
clear to him at least that Jaimz' scent indicated he was ripe for breeding
and until it faded he'd have to be careful with him.  He would have to talk
to Kang about this newest development and he certainly hoped for Jaimz'
sake that the scent was only attractive for him, as his tagged mate.  "I
think you smell good."

Jaimz laughed softly, "Well maybe, but I am a mess."

Kaiel had to agree for Jaimz' fluids matted his pelt too, but Jaimz he was
sticky on his thighs and belly and of course between his legs.  He looked
delectable; sitting there beside him while coming down off the high sex
always was for them.  He was still a bit flushed too, with his cheeks quite
lovely and pink, and of course his mouth was soft and swollen and an even
deeper pink than usual.  His half cast eyes were soft and dreamy, with
those sweeping eyelashes casting long shadows over his cheeks.  Much of his
soft sun-kissed hair had fallen forward and Kaiel couldn't resist brushing
the trailing locks back, only to stop and stare at his forehead.

Jaimz didn't understand what had caught his attention so firmly at first,
then he remembered and raised his fingers to lightly probe at the edges of
his bruise, which have been still tender to touch, but his questing fingers
discovered no pain.  "What happened to it?" he wondered aloud as Kaiel
continued to stare.

Kaiel gave himself a slight shake and stroking his fingers over the faint
mark he said, "It's practically gone Jaimz."

"Really?" Jaimz mused, sliding off the bed and padding nude to a Zaran
sized mirror set next a tall chest of drawers.  He didn't look at himself
except to study the faint bruise that remained of his serious head injury.
He touched it while wondering if the healing went all the way through to
the dangerous contusion that was the real worry.  He didn't feel any
lingering headache which might warn of continuing injury, but he wasn't
about to believe he was completely recovered simply because he looked
better.  He tsked unhappily next when a quick glance down revealed just how
much of a mess he was.  He didn't see his beauty, even though he knew he
was good looking, his looks had never had much value to him before and now
how he looked seemed more of a curse than a blessing to him, so he didn't
dwell on his physical attributes, but Kaiel did see them as he came to
stand behind him, reflected in the mirror too.

Jaimz had no trouble appreciating Kaiel's beauty, his golden Godlike
perfection easily crossed species boundaries and for all his height he'd be
damn popular with the women back on earth, actually his size in some
certain areas might make him very popular indeed.  Feeling a twinge of
jealousy Jaimz turned toward Kaiel and poked him lightly while chiding
resentfully, "You're beautiful."

Kaiel had to laugh at the tone of his voice and chided, "You don't sound
happy about that."

Jaimz just gave him a dirty look and sauntered away but intrigued Kaiel
caught him up and carried him back to the bed, holding him easily as he
struggled to get away, "Tell me what you meant?"

Refusing to admit to his jealousy and frustrated by his inability to free
himself, Jaimz yelled, "Let me down!"

Kaiel shook his head and grinned playfully, "I will when you tell me."

"Idiot.  Let me go." Jaimz tried not to smile in response, but in squirming
to get free he kept rubbing against Kaiel's leg and his velvety pelt
suddenly didn't feel so soft to his sore bottom.  Embarrassed by the pain,
which was so personal, he tensed on Kaiel's lap and tried to pretend
indifference by saying, "I don't care; I'll just sit here until you get
tired." He recalled that Kaiel had the closing of the session to preside
over and smiled knowingly, "Or until you have to leave."

But Kaiel had noticed his slight wince and knew well enough from other
times what the problem one.  It amazed him that sex could heal yet leave
some areas still so tender afterwards.  Feeling playful he teased one pert
nipple as Jaimz gasped and tried to shelter his handsome chest from further
assault, he smiled and leaning forward to nibble on his earlobe he
whispered, "You will tell me...I know exactly what to do to make you talk."

Jaimz gave him a wide eyed look, and Kaiel was amazed he could still be so
naïve when he enjoyed what was about to happen so much.  He promised, "Oh
yes, you will squeal soon enough cub."

He was right, Jaimz squealed the moment Kaiel toppled him to the mattress
and flipped him over onto his face.  As he realized what was about to occur
he shot up and tried to scuttle away from him, but Kaiel grabbed and pulled
him back while spreading his legs apart.  Jaimz tried to be firm with
Kaiel, telling him to let go, but his body was already alive with
excitement and his anus was already pulsing in response and Kaiel hadn't
even started yet.

"No! N-no Kaiel.  Y-you don't have t-time to play with me now.  Oh God,
I--ahhh w-won't tell..." his voice trailed off to a shaky groan as Kaiel
spread his cheeks open and then his toes were curling helplessly and he was
gasping as Kaiel's tongue teased him, swirling around his throbbing anus.
"Mmmm.  Mmmm...Oh." Jaimz moaned, wriggling his hips in helpless abandon as
once again his body was swamped with pleasure.

He just tastes so good.  Kaiel thought dimly as this time he played gently
with the tender flesh being manipulated by the tip of his tongue.  Last
time he'd been forceful in readying Jaimz for mating, this time his
gentleness soothed even as it aroused; he licked and probed and danced his
tongue all around while his fingers massaged and eased Jaimz' cheeks and he
even kissed him there, making Jaimz squirm and coo in delirious delight.
He didn't struggle, but then Kaiel would have been very surprised if Jaimz
had made more than the initial somewhat obligatory protest, since this was
without a doubt something he enjoyed very much.  Kaiel liked it too, he
loved the taste of Jaimz though that wasn't as important to him as Jaimz'
pure enjoyment in it was.  His mate was just so sensitive and oh so
delightfully responsive too, that it was all he could do to control his own
excitement since he didn't plan to do more than ease Jaimz'
after-sex-discomfort, besides he garnered real enjoyment doing this and
seeing Jaimz peaceful and satiated was nearly as pleasurable as the
consummate act was.  That at least was what he firmly told his rod as it
tried to get a bit of attention too.

Jaimz just could not think a coherent thought as Kaiel concentrated so
devotedly upon the sweet spot between his cheeks.  He could see out the
window, and should have been terribly embarrassed since here he was lying
on his bed having his ass thoroughly plundered, and it seemed awfully
public even if no one should have been able to see in, but if he was
concerned about someone seeing him now he certainly hadn't given a thought
to witnesses getting an eyeful when he was being most thoroughly fucked.
He felt his cheeks heat at the memory, since it hadn't been more than a few
minutes ago that he and Kaiel had separated, and now, here he was growing
more and more aroused by the renewed sweet torture of Kaiel's clever
tongue.  He just couldn't have sex with the male and stay angry with him at
the same time.  He even managed to say as much, "How am I--ooh--supposed
toooh s-stay--mad at youoooh!" with every groan a helpless response to each
plunging stroke of Kaiel tongue.

Kaiel ignored him except to turn him over, part his unresisting legs once
again and go at him from yet another angle, though with the added advantage
of being able to reach all Jaimz' sensitive flesh more easily.  He held
Jaimz' legs up and open, and paused for a moment just to look at him
splayed out all relaxed and aroused, in deed he didn't doubt that if he
wanted to right now Jaimz would be ready and willing to go again, though
his lingering soreness would have to be considered.  He fingered Jaimz
still wet and swollen anus, watching keenly as the bud opened under the
slightest pressure of his finger and how with the rocking of Jaimz' slender
hips his finger was sucked inside.  Jaimz moaned and pressed his fist
against his mouth as his hips continued to rock and Kaiel's finger
willingly rode the sensation, being eased in and out with each roll.  He
wondered for a moment how late it was getting and if the session had
started yet, a glance out the window convinced him that there was still
time and that was all the conversation he had with himself before he
climbed up onto the bed, rolled Jaimz hips up a bit more and leaned into
him even as his rod sprung free, so that as it slid from one sheath it
nestled into another, one that throbbed and pulsed responsively all around
his rod, the remaining oil easing the passage way.

Jaimz was plenty surprised though, to go from the soothing pleasure of
having his ass licked to being fucked again...without a simple may I even
being proposed.  He felt a sparkle of anger course through him, quickly
followed by a flush of pleasure that spread out from his core and settled
deep, it made his anger quiet but didn't completely suppress it as he
growled, "You didn't even ask..."

Kaiel had nothing to say, he'd made the decision for them and he'd bear the
consequences too.  He could see that Jaimz was simmering a bit, but there
was also pleasure evident in his seething green eyes which was tempering
his ire and he played upon that to overcome his resentment.  Because he'd
bred him so thoroughly already Kaiel did not have enough time to build up
his reserves yet but that didn't matter since he didn't want his normal tag
instinct to take over, he wanted to take it long and slow instead and drive
every last vestige of annoyance away and leave Jaimz so utterly satiated
that all he could think about was how good he felt.

The one thing he did that Jaimz couldn't help but notice was how gentle he
was, from the way he touched and kissed him, to the long deliberate strokes
of his rod as he pressed in and pulled out.  Jaimz had to admit that his
body was ready for this second go too, as with him still so swollen and wet
from earlier he opened easily to each slow thrust.  The deeper Kaiel probed
and the wider he slowly stretched to accommodate the slick width of him the
more Jaimz wanted of him.  He hated how simmering with anger and being
virtually taken by force...if very gentle force at that...he could
surrender with barely a whimper.  If it had been Ham or Lorz doing this to
him he knew he would be crying and fighting, but with Kaiel, not only had
his protest been minimal at best he was already pleading for more of him.
Why, why was it so right with Kaiel and so wrong with anyone else?

That was a question he'd have to consider at another time Jaimz thought as
he clutched Kaiel against him and sighed as his slow rhythm grew bolder
though it remained gentle at its core. This time, because of the passion
shared such a short time before this time the joining was finished faster
though Kaiel managed to keep it gentle and Jaimz was no more tender at its
conclusion though certainly what had ached before was no less sore now.
When it was done and Kaiel lay resting against Jaimz' sublime body, held in
his quivering embrace while feeling his final spasms as his rod slipped
free of his receptive body Kaiel sensed the edge of something he'd hoped he
would have quelled with his lovemaking.  But it was there, even though
Jaimz held him willingly and made no effort to push him away now that it
was truly finished, Kaiel could taste his simmering resentment as if it
were a drop of sharp oil on his tongue.

Kaiel sighed and pulled back to look at him, and Jaimz was so relaxed and
content that he still didn't make any effort to remove his arms from around
his neck but despite how sexually satisfied his mate was, there could be no
mistaking the crystalline shine in his eyes which spoke better than words
ever could of the anger simmering just beneath that lovely surface.
"You're angry." He noted needlessly, stroking back a fall of hair out of
those hot eyes.

Jaimz' sensual and sleepy expression belied the mood in his eyes, as, with
he swollen lips turning down at the edges, he said, "You didn't ask.  Both
times, you just took and didn't ask me."

"You wanted me."  Kaiel defended, feeling his ears tip back in response.

Jaimz cupped his face and then with a twist of his hand tugged at his ruff
hard enough to make Kaiel grunt in surprise.  "It doesn't matter that I
wanted you!  What matters is you--didn't--ask!  You talk about giving me
choices and than arbitrarily make them for me!"

"But you liked what I did!  You liked it very much, I know your body Jaimz,
and it can't lie to me!"

Jaimz dropped back with a bitter laugh, "Oh Kaiel, you're right.  I won't
deny it, I enjoy you.  But even so, you gave me about as much choice as
Lorz did."

Even though Kaiel was thrilled by Jaimz' confession, he still sucked in a
shocked breath and rasped, "That's harsh!  I've never raped you.  Never!"

Jaimz ran his fingers through his agitated lover's mane and whispered, "The
fact you refuse to see the similarities worry me Kaiel.  I'm not as strong
as you; if you want to force me I can't stop you.  All I have is the right
to say yes--or no."  he pulled his hand away and felt his anger fade as a
well of sadness rose instead; he looked at Kaiel and made sure his lover
understood how hurt he was as he explained, "All you ever have to do is ask
Kaiel."

Kaiel shifted back to sit on his heels and stare unhappily at Jaimz.  His
little tag mate remained lying where he was, still evidently relaxed and
satiated, and his body certainly looked delectable like that too, but
though his expression seemed content, it was his eyes that told the full
story.  Gone was the bitter anger he'd seen only moments ago, now instead
those eyes were soft and swirly in their sea foam glow and so terribly sad.
He hated the disappointment brimming in those eyes, for it made him feel
small and clumsy like a little cub and not an accomplished and confident
adult who could handle any situation with calm and poise.  Jaimz it seemed
knew how to manipulate him better than anyone, even his own father had
never made him feel so insignificant.  The way Jaimz made him feel, renewed
his own resentment and what he did next left him feeling even lower than a
worm, once he came back to his senses.

At first Kaiel didn't even seem aware, his anger was all he felt and it
consumed him.  Being more or less accused of rape made him want to show
Jaimz just what rape was, though part of him knew that Jaimz was already
familiar with such brutality.  Still he couldn't think past the red haze
that blinded him, nor could he hear past the angry buzz in his ears.  "You
don't know what you're saying!  I never raped you!"  He yelled, as he
ground his fingers brutally hard into Jaimz' tender thighs and wrenched
them apart.  He was spent, he should have had nothing left, but a Zaran rod
was not the same as a humans; it merely needed to unsheathe to be ready.
Jaimz didn't resist, for he was a spent as Kaiel, also part of him couldn't
believe that Kaiel would really hurt him, force him yes, but hurt him,
never.  With his body having been so well used he was certainly ready even
if not truly prepared, but Kaiel's forcefulness was still surprising and
the brutal swiftness of it all left Jaimz gasping and stunned.  Even as
ready as his body might be, the sudden vicious intrusion still made him cry
out.  There was no pleasure here, just the raw consummate act of Kaiel
taking swift and utter possession with all the finesse of a ramrod.  Kaiel
froze as Jaimz cry finally broke through his red rage but by then it was
too late and the damage was done.  Jaimz lay under him, impaled upon his
rod, panting softly in reaction.  He wasn't crying for which Kaiel was
glad, but his eyes--oh how his eyes condemned him for this violation.

"I..." Kaiel uttered, startled and sickened by him actions and horrified
that he could have reacted to Jaimz' statement in such a way.  He swallowed
and tried again, "I'm..."

His hands trembling as he pushed Kaiel back, Jaimz turned his face away and
said tonelessly, "Get out."

His ears tipped back all the way as Kaiel slipped free, he hesitantly
reached for Jaimz, let his hand drop away as shame filled him.  Jaimz sat
up and shifted away from him.  He noticed a faint grimace mar his winsome
face and recognized the same after-sex-tenderness expression.  Guilt
flushed him and he felt sick to his heart as he realized what he'd done.
"I...Jaimz." He cried achingly, trying once again to touch him, though his
shame held him back from closing with his wounded lover, "I'm sorry.  Gods
please, I'm sorry.  There's no excuse--."

Jaimz sent him a black look and repeated, "Get out!"

This time Kaiel pushed through his guilt and grasped Jaimz by his upper
arms, pulling him into his shaking embrace.  "Please...please forgive me."

Jaimz huddled tensely in his arms for a few heartbeats, but finally he felt
him relax.  He curled around him whispering, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry Jaimz.
You unhinge me...you...no...no, it was my fault.  I'm sorry."

Jaimz sighed and because Kaiel's remorse was real he was able to say
quietly, "You didn't really hurt me...much."

Kaiel nodded, aware that Jaimz had been ready for him.  He closed his eyes
as he thought how it could have been if Jaimz hadn't been so ready.  He
ground his teeth just agonizing over what he'd done, in recalling promises
he had made that he'd failed to keep, at betraying Jaimz' trust.  He had
been amazingly fortunate that he'd lost his control after Jaimz had been
very well prepared, he'd forced a path that had been well plowed and
thoroughly seeded already and caused little physical damage though the
emotional damage might be incredible.  Thinking of all the ground he had
regained in this short span of time (surely he hadn't been more than an
hour, if even that) he fretted over how to repair what he'd broken, if
indeed he had broken Jaimz in his spirit.  But Jaimz was handling his
betrayal very well, maybe too well; he worried since he knew that for him
being raped meant he had utterly no control at all.  He gnashed his teeth,
remembering how he'd spoken grandly of wanting Jaimz to have choices, and
even though Jaimz claimed he hadn't given him any choice on joining earlier
(which he didn't believe since Jaimz would have fought to a state of
traumatic exhaustion if he really didn't want to be with him) in this final
joining he really hadn't given Jaimz any choice at all.  Aching with
dizzying guilt he pressed Jaimz against him and again rasped, "Oh Gods I'm
sorry."

Jaimz sat very quiet in his mate's arms and took some comfort in his very
real regret for there was nothing feigned in Kaiel's reaction; what he was
projecting was as real as his touch and smell.  His anger had faded quickly
and now he was just too tired to think.  So much had happened today that he
was full to the brim yet unable to process.  He needed some downtime to
just put everything in proper perspective.  "Kaiel... I..." he pulled back
and looked at his anxious lover, and at seeing his expression he drew in a
calming breath and tried again, "you have a session to wrap up."

Kaiel's ears flicked and his expression cleared, his eyes though still
relayed his fears; "You want me to go?"

Fully cognizant of his uncertainty Jaimz cupped his cheeks between both
hands and nodded as he said gravely, "I'm not punishing you Kaiel, so
please don't take this wrong--but yes, I want you to go."

Kaiel sighed, sagging a little as he refuted, "Yes, you are punishing me,"
he wrapped his own hands around Jaimz, drawing both away from his face and
curling them gently against his chest instead, "I understand...God I
understand.  I was wrong to--to..." he shook his head and anxiously bit his
lip as he sent a dread filled look at his small lover.

Jaimz sighed, shaking his own head as he repeated, "I'm not punishing you.
I'm not angry...really I'm not." He spread his trapped hands across Kaiel's
chest and whispered, "I don't know why I'm not angry, maybe that will come
later.  But I'm really not angry."

"But you still want me to go." Kaiel mourned solemnly.

"Yes." Jaimz agreed, "You need to finish the session Kaiel...and I need to
think.  A lot has happened today and I just...I just can't think with you
around." He admitted truthfully.

That got him a little smile; also Kaiel's ears flicked forward and remained
at a more optimistic slant after.  Of course being told he had to power to
render Jaimz witless had to help his wounded ego; though lifting his mate's
mood had not been his intention, certainly seeing Kaiel's expression
lighten and his golden eyes glow once again with a hint of humor helped
ease his own spirits a bit.


Kaiel nodded finally and allowed, "I do need to wrap the session."

He let him go, though the worry showed in his beautiful golden eyes, he did
let him go.  Jaimz just sat and watched him, making no comment at all as he
wiped down his pelt as best he could without a shower immediately handy and
pulled his formal (if a bit wrinkled) outfit back on, his robe was in his
own room, so he'd have to grab that on his way out.  He finger combed his
hair and sent another anxious look at Jaimz, this one filled with all his
worries and doubts.  Jaimz motioned him over and he went willingly to him.
Jaimz rose up to his knees and hugged him tightly, resting his face against
the heavy silk of his tunic.  Kaiel, still beset by his worries held him
just as tightly and rasped, "We'll talk after the session okay?"

Jaimz closed his eyes, breathing in the heady scent of him and crushed him
with his next words, "I'm going home Kaiel."



This story is dedicated to Brett (you know who you are), who helped me see
through the mountain blocking my path.  Kaiel and Jaimz story will continue
in Part 5, coming (hopefully) in Spring `09