Chapter One: "The Big Question"

Cassidy sighed happily as she curled up on her bed, pulling the blanket up to her waist. She snatched a book from her bedside table and opened it up where the bookmark was. She was coming to the dramatic scene where everything suddenly turns around, and she knew she would have a hard time putting it down later. That's why she chose now to read it. Most of the gang would be asleep, except Rev and Icy. Rev has gotten a new videogame the otehr day and had been waiting forever so he could play it. Knowing him and Icy, they'd be up all night with it.

She glanced at the empty spot on the bed beside her. Tech would be late coming to bed, she knew. He had a lot of work to do. She would have helped, but Tech insisted that she sleep instead.

A few hours passed unknown to the she-coyote, who was completely engrossed in the book. She took it slowly, being sure to notcie every detail. That's why the sound of her door opening nearly gave her a heartattack.

Tech froze in his tracks. "Good greif, Cass. Are you okay?"

Cassidy's face turned bright red and she stammered. "Yeah, you just... surprised me, that's all."

Tech chuckled and sat down beside her. He bent forwards until his lips met hers. Cassidy smiled and returned the kiss. "So...what are you doing in here? I thought you had a lot of work."

"Yeah, I know...I just couldn't seem to focus without my favourite assistant." He then kissed her cheek softly. "What are you doing up? I thought you were going right to sleep."

"Heh, I only met to be up a little while, but I got wrapped up in my book."

"I see." He kissed her again.

Cassidy giggled and pulled away. "Good greif Tech, what's gotten into you? You're acting almost like Seth."

This time Tech blushed. "I've just... had something on my mind that I wanted to ask you..."

Cassidy picked up her glass of water from the nightstand and nodded at Tech. "Go on." She said, taking a drink.

"Well... It's kinda ackward for me to say this but... I want... I want to have kids..."

Cassidy's eyes widened as her drink spewed out from her mouth like a fountain. She coughed harshly, leaning forwards as Tech rubbed her back.

"Jeez Cass, I think you might be losing it," He teased, more out of embarassment of her reaction then out of a real joke.

The she-coyote glared at him for a moment, gathering her composure before reaching over and putting her glass back on the nightstand; not wanting to spill it if her love sprang anymore surprises on her.

Turning back to him, she blinked her beautiful eyes in remaining shock and surprise. "K-Kids?" the word ended up as a soft murmur, causing her to frown.

Tech, noticing the frown and wincing at what he thought was horror on her face, gathered himself up for a long-winded explanation. He started, "Well, Cass, it's just... I-I mean I... i-if you don't want kids, th-thats fine but, I dunno, I just kinda thought... well, I, uh, thought that... maybe..." He stopped when a finger was pressed against his rambling lips.

Smiling softly at him, Cassidy giggled, "Tech, love, you're starting to sound like Rev. Breathe."

He took in a deep breath before continuing. "I know this is sudden, Cass... but I didn't know how else to tell you." Tech stammered.

"I understand... It was just... quite the surprise." Cassidy laughed weakly. "But, Tech... I really don't know what to say."

Tech rubbed the back of his neck. "You don't have to... just forget I said anything."

"That would be hard to do, Tech..."

"I'm sorry, Cass.."

"No, don't be. It's good that you brought it up."

Tech blinked. "It is?"

"Yes. I mean, we've been married for almost six months now." Cassidy giggled lightly. "Most couples would have discussed this already."

"I guess we're not like most couples."

"Never have."

"And never will." Tech chuckled. "So." He cleared his throat. "Let's discuss this."

Cassidy inhaled, and a long moment of silence passed between them. Tech gazed at Cassidy softly. He could tell by the look on her face that she was thinking, trying to find the right words to say what was on her mind. Honestly, she looked scared to him. He had worried about that.

"...Cass?"

She glanced up at him, her face a picture of fear and innocence. It was then she quietly squeaked out. "Tech, I'm scared."

"Scared..." Tech mumbled, nodding slowly to himself, "Yeah, I-I guess that's one way to start off the conversation."

Cassidy felt her spirit lighten a bit as she let her knuckles gently shove against his arm, smiling at him as he grinned back at her, but it was short lived, "Tech, I'm serious here."

"Well, why are you scared, Cass?" Tech reached out and rubbed her shoulder gently. "Maybe I can help."

Cassidy hesitated, her face turning a slight shade of pink. " Well... it's actually several things." She paused. "First... I think we need to realize that... there is a lot of responsibility and work involved in having a child."

"I know. I thought about it." Tech smiled at her. "And I believe that I'm ready for it."

Cassidy smiled. "That's great. But,... I.. I'm just a little scared of... well, you know... the 'process' of becoming parents." Her face flushed brightly.

Well... that information threw the genius for a loop. Tech felt the fur on his cheeks burn as he lost his train of thought. 'Right... the whole process of, well, that.' Taking a look at his smaller mate, he could suddenly feel her insecurity and shuffled himself down underneath the covers more. "Oh... right, the uh," he coughed, "process..."

That made Cassidy only blush more. "Tech... I'm not saying no forever... I'm just saying that I need some time to think it over, okay?" She let her nose gently press against his cheek. Her eyes closed and she breathed steadily. In the silence she could hear her heart beating in time with Tech's. She giggled lightly. "I love you." She whispered.

Tech smiled at those words. He felt his heart warm at them, as it always did whenever he was with her. Pulling his arm from under the covers, he slid it around her shoulders, causing the girl to giggle again. "I love you too, Cassidy." He mumbled, nuzzling her hair and breathing in her comforting scent before kissing her soundly on the nose.

He stayed that way for a moment, just loooking into her beautiful brown eyes before speaking again, "I-I didn't mean to sound like I was pressuring you or anything, but... it was just an idea."

Sighing and pulling herself even closer into his arms, she rested her head on his shoulder, "I know, love... and I don't feel pressured, really. But I do need time to think about this."

"Take as much time as you need. I'll wait as long as I have to, Cass... you're worth the wait."

Cassidy sighed happily. "Thank you, Tech." Her eyes began to close as sleep took over. Tech smiled, rolling over so he was on his back, with Cassidy's head nestled on his chest. They both loved the position. It made Cassidy feel safe and secure, and it made Tech feel strong.

They layed there together, silent and happy. Feeling Cassidy shiver slightly, Tech pulled the blanket up and tucked it gently under her chin. He kissed her forward. "Goodnight, Cassidy..."

Before either coyote knew it, morning was upon them, and the day began as usual.

But, luckily for preoccupied Cassidy, no missions appeared on this day, leaving the gang free to enjoy extra activities. And for the girls, this meant shopping, ice cream, and goofing off.

Mairi stared at the coyote long and hard, not even pausing in her continuous licking of her ice cream cone. Cassidy seemed oblivious to Mairi's stare, along with the rest of the girls' as well. Slowly, she reached out with a single finger, until it made contact with Cassidy's ice cream cone. Mairi quickly pulled her hand back, licking the ice cream off of her finger.

Cassidy blinked and gave her friend a confused look, tilting her head sideways.

Mairi titled her head in the opposite direction, smiling widely. "Hi."

A smile cracked across Cassidy's face until she burst into a fit of giggles.

"ANYWAY." Mazz declared, straightening herself. "What's got you so quiet?"

Cassidy shrugged. "It's nothing. I've been thinking."

"¿Pensando en qué?" Quick asked, nomming her cheese-flavoured ice cream cone.

"..." Cassidy hesitated.

"Come on," Icy gave her a light punch in the arm. "You knwo you wanna tell us."

Cassidy smiled. "Alright... well... it's about Tech and I."

Sapphire gave a small gasp. "You aren't gonna split up, are you?"

Cassidy laughed. "Haha, no! Never!"

"So what is it?" The girls chorused, eager to hear.

"...Tech... wants to have kids." She blurted out.

(END CHAPTER)