Pale shades of pink and purple drifted through the sheer red and blue curtains of Hunter and Colleen's bedroom, bathing the room in a serene calm. Hunter was peacefully sleeping as the digital alarm clock he kept on his nightstand turned to read six in the morning. Colleen, however was wide awake. She watched her husband sleep as a devious smile spread across her face. Even though the previous night's activities had satisfied her usual needs, she couldn't help from wanting more.

She turned over and nuzzled her face into his neck and began to lightly kiss up to his ear. Once reaching the fluffy golden-furred appendage, she lightly licked it causing Hunter to groan in his sleep. This made Colleen giggle as she continued her loving actions. The covers on their bed were pushed down to Hunter's waist leaving his muscled chest out in the open since he only managed to pull on a pair of shorts before collapsing into his pillow last night. She ran the tips of her nails along his side and across his toned abs waiting for his reaction. His muscles twitched as the light touches awakened them. Hunter moaned a little as he turned away from the tickling sensation to lay on his stomach.

Hunter was in between dreamland and reality as Colleen's tender touches began sending shockwaves down his back. She definitely knew which buttons to push. As he became more conscious of reality, he turned back over where he was facing her. He touched his nose to hers as the drowsiness in his eyes refused to let him open them completely. Colleen attached her lips to his longer than she normally would. When she finally pulled away, Hunter wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her to his bare chest. Being half-way awake this early in the morning did have its advantages. He could enjoy the presence of his wife without any interruptions.

"You're up early…" Hunter whispered as Colleen cuddled against him.

"Can't I 'ave some peaceful time with my 'untie Wuntie…?" Colleen cooed.

Hunter smiled as he buried his nose in her hair. The smell of her jasmine-peach blossom shampoo was the best thing to wake up to, especially since she showered right before bed. Colleen felt heat rising to her cheeks as she wrapped her tail around Hunter's legs. Hunter took no notice of it as he ran his hand along her back feeling the smoothness of her cotton nightgown.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world…" Hunter whispered in her ear.

"Why is tha'…?" Colleen asked with a coy smile.

"Because I have you…" Hunter answered.

Colleen blushed at the sweet sentiment as she gave his cheek a lick.

"And I'm the luckiest girl in the world…" Colleen said.

"And why might that be…?" Hunter asked with a knowing smirk.

"Because I have you…" Colleen replied.

They loved their little games they played with one another in private. It may seem silly, but it was so wonderful to have so much friendship within their marriage. Hunter chuckled as he kissed Colleen's forehead.

"After last night, I thought you'd be out cold till noon…" Hunter said with a wink.

"I seem to recall someone passin' out before I did…" Colleen playfully retorted.

"Cut me some slack, Baby… I think any guy would pass out after fifteen rounds…" Hunter said.

"True… but no other woman 'as Mr. Super-Stamina Speed Demon for a husband…" Colleen reminded as she slid to lay on top of him.

Hunter kissed her gently as he went silent for a moment. He ran his hand along her shoulder up to cup her face on one side. Colleen nuzzled into his soft touch as she tightened the grip of her tail around Hunter's legs. Hunter paid it no mind as he admired his wife's beauty. Deep sapphire eyes, snow white markings set in the richest shade of auburn brown fur, and to top it all off, a smile that would melt the hardest of hearts.

While Hunter was lost in his thoughts, Colleen began enacting her real plan. She had her feet tucked just behind his knees and her hands were poised around his neck. She began running her toes along the back of his legs while her nails ran along his collar bone. Her smile began to draw into a playful devious smirk as she felt his body react.

Hunter felt the familiar fluttering warmth flowing through his body. He began to close his eyes in contentment until a more well-known sign that he was enjoying her caresses. His eyes shot open as he finally saw the look on his beloved wife's face. She wanted more.

"Looks like you've got more to spare, Love…" Colleen whispered.

"This I wouldn't have predicted…you're still…?" Hunter said noticing her extended romantic state.

"Incredibly…" Colleen answered with a bit of a growl.

Although his body was tired from the previous night's session, Hunter couldn't help but allow a devious smile of his own spread across his face as he tried to roll her onto her back. When he tried to move, however, he became aware of the tight bond Colleen had his legs in. He was stuck… at her mercy. Realizing his predicament, he looked up into Colleen's eyes giving an unsure, but playful, smile.

"You're mine now, Bustah…" Colleen said.

"Who's Buster…?" Hunter said goading her on, curious to see what she would do.

"You'll see…" Colleen giggled evilly before kissing him again.

Two hours later, the couple emerged from their room and headed downstairs for breakfast. Their fingers were interlaced together as they continued down the hall. Hunter felt every muscle in his body screaming out to him for some sort of relief.

"Why can I not say 'No'…? It's like an addiction…" Hunter thought to himself.

Professor Hubert, Blitz, and Exile were seated at their usual spots waiting on Shag to finish up cooking. Another smell caught Hunter's nose that was such a welcome signal to his weary body: coffee. He made his way over to the freshly brewed liquid and poured it into his mug. He felt his muscles tremble as the warmth from the mug radiated through his hands. He tried to take it in slowly so it wouldn't hit his system all at once like it did the first time he ever had it. That was an event that didn't bear repeating…

While Colleen went to make her morning tea, Hunter eased into his seat trying his best not to alert everyone to the soreness in his body. He felt so worn out he struggled to maintain a normal posture. He noticed the rest of the guys looking at him strangely, but thankfully they broke his gaze without a word.

"Uh oh… I hope they don't smell…" Hunter suddenly thought nervously.

Thankfully, an overriding scent began to fill the room as Shag emerged from the kitchen with another culinary creation. Fresh buttermilk biscuits, sausage links, and country gravy appeared on the table making the canines' mouths water.

"You've done it again, Shag. Another perfect breakfast…!" Professor Hubert praised as he passed the plate of biscuits off.

"Ja, you are dhe king of dhe kitchen…" Blitz agreed as he got up to get another cup of coffee.

"Awww… rararara rara ra ra…" Shag thanked his comrades.

"Abso-bloomin'-lutely delicious…" Colleen said after swallowing the bite in her mouth.

"Da… you are making mornings to being much easy for meski, Comrade…" Exile said.

"Now that's saying something…awesome as always, Shag…" Hunter said.

The Sheepdog smiled brightly as he set Muzzle's bowl down in front of him. The Rottweiler readily devoured the wonderful food as everyone continued their meal.

"Hunter, do you vant a refill?" Blitz asked holding the coffeepot out.

"Huh… oh yeah… thanks, Blitz…" Hunter replied as he held his mug out.

"No problem…" Blitz said as he sat down trying to suppress a smirk.

"So, what's everybody's plans for today? I mean before the gala tonight that is…?" Professor Hubert asked.

The newly elected mayor of Los Angeles, California, Jonathan Valiant, had been reforming the animal control system in the city. One by one, every shelter enacted a 'No-Kill' policy and hundreds of foster homes opened up across the city. While some would think this to put a strain on the city's funds by keeping all the unwanted pets of the city alive, it was surprising to see that nearly the entire city agreed with these solutions one hundred percent. People were submitting applications to be on the Foster Home List right and left to the point where there were more foster homes than pets. The shelters remained open, but more people were hired as trainers to prepare animals to be adopted out. The Road Rovers had been invited personally from the mayor's office stating that such well-known figures at an event recognizing the end of cruel treatment towards animals would bring national if not worldwide credibility to these policies.

"Oh yeah that is tonight, isn't it...?" Hunter thought.

"I was to be thinking to goski to library…" Exile said, answering Professor Hubert's previous question.

"Is there any book there you haven't read yet, Exile?" Hunter asked, breaking out of his thoughts.

"You are never to be knowing… new ones hideski like seal in ice cave…" Exile said.

"Ha-ha… wha about you, Blitz?" Colleen inquired.

"I made plans vith Eva to take her to dhe local amusement park. I'll be back in plenty of time," Blitz said.

"That sounds great..." Professor Hubert said.

"Whatski about you, Comrades?" Exile asked.

"Well, I was going out to the mall to do a bit of shoppin' and get me hair and nails done for the gala," Colleen said turning to her husband.

"I was sticking around here to hang out at the beach. With the gala, I need to relax as much as I can," Hunter answered.

"I'll bet…" Blitz commented making Hunter raise an eyebrow.

"Wha' abou' you, Shag?" Colleen asked.

"Re rarararara rara rarararararararara ra…" Shag explained describing his plans to try out some new recipes before planning the menu for the next month.

"Sounds like everybody's got a plan…" Professor Hubert commented.

"Apparently so…" Master's voice came from the doorway.

"Good Morning, Master!" The Rovers greeted in unison.

"Good morning, Rovers. Glad to see you all can get some R&R for the day…especially before the gala," Master said as he poured his coffee.

"You have no idea, Master…" Hunter thought as he felt his body slump slightly in his chair.

"It is definitely a big achievement for the mayor. Finally, a city of 'No-Kill' shelters and thousands of foster homes…" Professor Hubert said.

"Indeed… it is good to see that there are people out there who see the wrong in euthanizing pets because they are unwanted," Master answered.

"Don't I know it…" Hunter said.

Muzzle grunted in agreement since both he and Hunter nearly met the same fate.

"Da, maybe other places to be doing same soonski…" Exile said.

"Tha' would be a bloomin' miracle…" Colleen said.

Hunter was quieter than usual this morning. Normally, he was exceptionally talkative and wide-awake in the morning. He seemed ready to go back to sleep at some moments while other he was fine. He was on his third cup of coffee already, which would usually wire him up for the rest of the day, but it seemed to have no effect. Exile noticed and was slightly concerned knowing the Retriever's usual chipperness.

"Comrade, are you dokie-okie? You seeming not like selfski..." Exile said.

"Huh... oh yeah I'm fine, bro. Just a little tired I guess..." Hunter replied with a yawn.

Blitz snickered as he kept his opinion to himself. He may not know from experience, but he could put two and two together. Plus, you'd have to be a complete idiot to not smell the musk pouring off of Hunter when he and Colleen entered the room. Hunter looked at the Doberman strangely, but dismissed it as nothing important

"What's his issue today...?" Hunter thought in slight annoyance.

The husky looked over at the Doberman curious as to what was so humorous. Blitz managed to secretly raise his eyebrows quickly a few times sending the message clear to Exile as to what was really going on. Exile winked in reply letting him know he understood as he went back to his breakfast. Colleen noticed the motions, but thought it was something just between the two of them that she need not know about.

"I wondah wha' those blokes are thinkin'... then again maybe I don't..." Colleen thought as she finished her tea.

The morning meal continued on with the usual bantering conversations until everyone began to part ways for the day. Shag had already disappeared into the kitchen along with Muzzle, who was content to be the taste tester for his new creations. Master and Professor Hubert returned to their work spaces for the day. Colleen was headed to the vehicle bay after giving Hunter a kiss on the cheek.

"Be careful, Colleen…" Hunter said.

"I will, Love… see you latah…bye, Exile; bye, Blitz…" Colleen said as she exited the room.

"Goodbye, Comrade…" Exile answered.

"Bye," Blitz replied.

As soon as Hunter knew she was out of hearing range, he allowed his upper body to collapse making his head rest on his hands in front of him.

"Oww… my everything…" Hunter thought.

A low groan escaped his mouth as he heard the sound of snickering at the other end of the table from him. He raised his head up to see Blitz and Exile still seated with the dumbest grins on their faces.

"What are you two smiling about…?" Hunter asked with a raised eyebrow.

"So how lateski were you two being up…?" Exile asked with a sly grin.

"Crud…" Hunter thought as blush of embarrassment inflamed his face.

The two bachelors couldn't hold it in anymore. They burst out laughing nearly falling out of their chairs. Hunter felt his face turn a darker shade of red.

"You really don't know vhen to quit do you…?" Blitz poked.

"It is looking like Comrade Colleen putting out your trail of fireski…" Exile said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hunter said crossing his arms across his chest.

"You're dhe vun who normally has to vake us up… how dhe tables have turned…" Blitz chided.

"So what …? Colleen's been more… romantic than usual lately… besides what business is it of yours what my wife and I do in our private time?" Hunter said as his face continued to beam bright red.

"But youski are not to be having enough energy to do the keeping up…eyeskis bite off more than they see to be chewing...?" Exile grinned, butchering another expression once again.

Blitz snorted back a laugh, more at Exile's phrase mix-up than Hunter. Hunter gave the Husky a look that said he was annoyed, bordering on ticked off. He got up from his seat and filled his mug back up with his fourth cup of coffee before answering his playful tormentors.

"I'm never this tired and you know it; but she's been all over me the past week. Not that I'm complaining of course… but fifteen rounds last night and four this morning are pushing even my limits…" Hunter said trying not to brag.

Blitz and Exile gave one another stunned yet amazed looks. True, Hunter had more stamina than they did, but hearing that was cause for a trophy. Neither of them knew what to say to that information, knowing that their leader wasn't lying. Hunter raised his eyebrows in confusion to their sudden silence.

"What…?" Hunter asked.

"So… you're saying… Colleen has been more… dominant…" Blitz said with a smirk.

"Huh… what… NO!" Hunter argued.

"You are to be saying comrade is being all over youski… I am not to be hearing you say to her Nyetski…" Exile teased.

"No guy in his right mind says 'No' when his woman is that insistent; especially Colleen," Hunter answered.

"Vell… sounds like our brave, fearless leadah isn't dhe vun really in charge, Exile…" Blitz teased.

"Watch it, Peppermint-Breath…" Hunter growled.

"Da… if Comrade Colleen boss Comrade Hunter under quiltski… only fair to do the thinking she boss him rest of way…" Exile said.

"There is no top or bottom in ANY relationship. Think what you want, but I can still out-pace you two any day…" Hunter said.

"Obviously…" Blitz said with a smirk.

Exile laughed at that making Hunter get up to leave the room. He wasn't angry, but he didn't want to stick around for any more of it. Before leaving the two cackling hyenas to laugh at his expense, Hunter looked over his shoulder from the doorway.

"Either way it goes, guys, I get more action in one morning than you two do in a year…" Hunter said with a toothy grin.

"Hey!" Blitz and Exile retorted as their laughter abruptly ended.

"See ya!" Hunter said as he dashed out of the room with a laugh.

A few hours later, Colleen returned from her outing at the mall. Her hair was silky soft and had been curled into voluminous waves cascading down her back. The manicurist had made her canine nails look smooth as red-stained glass. She even received a free neck and head massage that relaxed her into a Zen state of mind. She picked up her evening dress and Hunter's tux before heading back to HQ. After returning the keys to the Street Rover to Master, She made her way outside to see if her husband was still on the beach.

The ocean waves were what Hunter would describe as 'juiced up'… or something like that. There were plenty of big ones that were any surfer's dream and enough energy that made wake-boarding seamless. At first, the Retriever was nowhere in the Collie's sight until she scanned the row of hammocks that lined the beach. Inside one of them, Colleen saw a mound of golden fur stretched out as the slight breeze rocked it back and forth. As she approached, she heard the familiar sound of her husband's soft snoring. She saw that he had changed into his bathing trunks and appeared to have been in the water a little, but had dried enough for his fur to be windblown.

"Blimey… I didn't realize 'e was so tired… I 'ave been pushin' 'im a bit much…" Colleen thought with a pang of guilt.

The hammock was extra-large so Colleen had plenty of room to join him. She snuggled up close where she could lay her head on his chest. Before she could close her eyes, she heard Hunter's nose kick it into high gear. His nose ran along her neck through the thick part of her head fur before opening his eyes.

"Mmmmmmm…whatever your stylist used smells great…" Hunter moaned as his eyes fluttered open.

"Thank you 'untie-Wuntie…" Colleen answered with a kiss on his nose.

"Mmmmmmmmmmm… been here long…?" Hunter asked with a smile.

"No, just got back…" Colleen answered.

"Really…? How long were you gone?" Hunter asked.

"About five hours… why do you ask?" Colleen wondered.

"Whoa, dude… I've been out here that long…?" Hunter said in surprise.

"You didn't surf…?" Colleen questioned.

"I got out on my board for maybe five minutes. I couldn't keep my eyes open so I stretched out here," Hunter explained.

Colleen's ears drooped down knowing why he was so tired. She whimpered a little as she gently nuzzled the side of her face against Hunter's.

"What is it, Baby…?" Hunter asked noticing she had gone quiet.

"I guess I feel a bit guilty, Love… knowing tha' I'm the reason you're so worn out…" Colleen admitted.

Hunter smiled as he gently kissed his wife's cheek. He wrapped his arm around Colleen's shoulders as she nuzzled into his chest.

"Sweetheart, don't feel bad… I'd rather be tired from pleasurable activities than anything else…" Hunter said with a wink.

Colleen blushed as she returned the loving smile. She would never want anything to change the feelings she held for her wonderful Hunter.

"Even I can't explain it really, Love... it's like if I didn't have *ahem* 'you'... I'd die. It is the strangest feeling I've evah 'ad..." Colleen said with a blush.

"Well, either way it goes, Baby... I'll always be here with that fix... whenever and however many times..." Hunter whispered in her ear.

"I love you, 'untie..." Colleen said as she hugged him tightly.

"I love you more..." Hunter answered.

"Prove it..." Colleen said playfully, instigating one of their favorite back-and-forth games.

"After the gala..." Hunter answered as he kissed her forehead gently.

Colleen giggled as she and Hunter relaxed in the hammock for a much needed rest. The sound of the ocean waves crashing against the sand along with the slight breeze rustling the fabric of the hammock umbrella over them was like a soothing lullaby. The happy couple contentedly lounged in the wonderful scene unwilling to move.

"Dominant… what a joke..." Hunter thought with a chuckle as his wife hugged him around the waist just to rest with him.

The evening hours had fast encroached upon them as everyone finished their preparations for the gala. Hunter wouldn't say he hated formal events, just didn't care for all the formal attire. Sure, tuxes gave an air of 'James Bond' in his mind, but the stiff collars and the absolute fit made him feel like he was in a cage. He had just finished adjusted the red vest into place when he heard Colleen's voice.

"Love, is me hair pin on the dressah…?" Colleen asked from behind her dressing panel.

Hunter broke from his train of thought as he draped his red tie over one shoulder. He glanced down to find his beloved's requested item sitting on its accustomed velvet-lined stand.

It was a four-pronged decoration in the shape of a rose outlined in diamonds that Colleen had received as a personal gift from the Queen of England when Colleen had revealed her Rover form to her human family. While they were initially shocked, the realization of what their beloved pet had done for them in protecting them from great evils made the Queen herself bestow a Crown ruby upon the Collie in the form of this exquisite piece of jewelry.

"Here you go, Sweet…" Hunter began as he turned to hand it to her.

Colleen was delicately draped in a strapless midnight blue evening gown. It was embellished with diamonds that were shaped in star and swirl designs along the skirt and up the bodice. In the center of the sweetheart neckline, a large ruby rested in the shape of an English rose. The gown reached down to the floor despite her six-inch heels underneath. She had gathered her hair in a gorgeous up-do making the light make-up she put on highlight her face beautifully.

"She looks like a princess…" Hunter thought as his jaw dropped.

Colleen noticed the frozen look on his face and couldn't help from laughing.

"'untie… you can blink now…" Colleen teased as she twirled playfully in front of him while attaching the hair pin in place.

Hunter shook his head back into reality before answering, "All I can say is… wow… you look amazing…"

Colleen blushed a light shade of pink. Even after all this time, hearing his genuine compliments made her feel special. Hunter fastened his tie and attached a gold tie chain to keep it in place as Colleen finished her adorning with a pair of earrings in the shape of rosebuds and a choker necklace that matched.

"Ready, Love…?" Colleen said as she stood by their door.

"Let's go," Hunter answered offering his arm to his wife.

Everyone else was patiently waiting in the vehicle bay outside the Sonic Rover hangar. The gala began in about four hours so they would arrive in plenty of time to get settled before the event started.

"Vhy exactly did ve get invited to dhis event anyvay, Meister?" Blitz asked as he tightened his cuff links.

"Well, Mayor Valiant explained that your presence would bring some much needed publicity to his life-saving work. There are many who feel it has been a waste of funds to do this. He said that it has been a personal mission of his for several years. He didn't go into detail, but I could tell how much it bothered him that so many pets have been killed for no good reason. Plus, when I told Hunter about it, he agreed that it would be worth making an appearance," Master Shepherd replied.

"Wasn't Comrade Hunter being there in pound when you call himski…?" Exile asked.

"Yes, the main shelter in Los Angeles in fact… I feel that was a factor in his decision," Master said.

"Vell, to quote our leadah, he is 'super-lucky'…" Blitz said.

"You better believe it, Blitz…" Hunter's voice came from behind the group.

"About being timeski… what was to be taki…?" Exile began until Colleen came into view.

"Ja… ve vere about to lea…" Blitz said until his words left him at Colleen's appearance.

Shag and Muzzle stood stiff as their eyes bulged out. Hunter and Colleen couldn't help but laugh.

"My goodness, Miss Colleen, you look absolutely gorgeous… if you don't mind me saying such," Professor Hubert said breaking the stunned silence.

"Indeed… a true beauty... as you already are…" Master agreed.

"Can we just do the agreeing with youski…?" Exile said finally snapping out of his daze.

"Ja, before ve say someting stupid…" Blitz added.

"Oh you all are too much… you look quite handsome yourselves…" Colleen commented.

"Yeah… you all look sharp…" Hunter said complimenting the Husky's gold and Doberman's pale blue tux colors.

"Spaisiba, Comrade," Exile said with a smile.

"Danke," Blitz said.

"Let's head out, Rovers. Mayor Valiant is probably pacing the floor waiting on us," Master said as he made his way up the boarding platform.

"What was that last name, Master?" Hunter asked suddenly.

"Mayor Valiant… Jonathan Valiant... why are you asking, Hunter?" Master answered confused.

"Why does that name sound so familiar…?" Hunter thought silently.

"Oh it's nothing… it sounded familiar for a second… guess not…" Hunter answered.

Everyone dismissed the incident as they settled into their seats. Hunter initiated the vertical takeoff sequence after the GPS locked in the coordinates of the private airstrip behind the LAX airport the mayor had secured for their arrival.

"Here we go, Rovers..." Hunter said as the plane's thrusters kicked into high gear.

Everyone allowed their bodies to sink into their seats with the force of the forward jolt. While the main team was used to this feeling, Master Shepherd and Professor Hubert were still a little shaky.

"I swear I will never get used to that..." Master said as the gravity equalized.

"Doubly agreed..." Professor Hubert said.

The rest of the Rovers laughed heartily as the Sonic Rover made its way through the darkening skies.

Meanwhile in L.A. ~

The moon was beginning to brighten the sky over the 'City of Angels'. The lights of the city began to sparkle like fine gold against the dark backdrop of the busy asphalt streets. Scores of people swarmed the shops and clubs of the main strip as the nightlife began to awaken yet again. Even the 'Hollywood' sign seemed brighter than usual tonight.

In stark contrast to this idyllic setting, there was a dark part of this magnificent city that lay just beneath the surface like a disease waiting to grow and claim its victim. Beyond the historic Bradbury Building and the lively events going on in China Town was an area that made Skid Row look like Park Avenue by comparison.

A few rows of rundown, damaged buildings near the abandoned factory district still stood as a testament to the time when many of the now forgotten industries provided housing for their workers and their families. While the factories had relocated long ago, the neighborhood remained. Many years passed and it remained a typical working class neighborhood until jobs began moving further and further away. As people left, vagrants began to encroach on what was once a good neighborhood. Drugs, gangs, and prostitution began reshaping the area into L.A.'s most dangerous district. Cops wouldn't even follow suspects into this area fearing their own safety, calling it the Black Web district. Anyone who went in never came out and if they did they were never the same.

As the night grew darker, a young man in a navy blue hooded sweatshirt was walking down a dimly lit side street. He fit right in with the spooky surroundings as he walked along the unkempt sidewalk. He stopped in front of a severely damaged building covered with the charred remains of what once was a multi storied complex. He remembered that several years back an explosive fire had erupted through this part of the neighborhood. Police were never specific in public reports as to what the cause was, but everyone knew that it involved the drug empire that plagued the area. It went quiet after that incident, but no one really knew why.

The youth slipped inside taking care to watch his steps as he stood in the doorway of a dingy, mold-filled room. The ceiling was caving in as a slight breeze blew through what remained of curtains still attached to the front window. On one side was a rusted metal chair in front of a blackened workbench with a few things scattered about it that were indistinguishable in such darkness. As he panned over to the larger window, the only light source in the room, a black silhouette blocked out one side.

"So… everything is set…?" a deep voice said from the darkness.

"Y-yeah… just gotta give the w-word, J.T." the young man replied.

"You've done well…" the voice growled in satisfaction.

"Yeah… a-anything for an old f-f-friend…" the young man stuttered as his body began shaking.

"After all this time, I'll finally get back what's mine…" J.T. said with a satisfied smile as he continued to look out the window.

"W-what exactly is t-that, J.T.?" the other man asked rubbing his arms as if he was cold.

"You'll see in time, Sean… you'll see…" J.T. answered with an evil chuckle.

"So… what about the uh… the uh agreement we h-had ya know?" Sean said shakily as he wrung his hands together.

The man dug around his breast pocket and tossed a small item to the trembling young man. Sean began to breathe in relief as he stared at the baggie of white powder like it was a diamond.

"Finally… 'Mad Dog' high…oh h-how I've m-missed this…" Sean babbled to himself in giddy delight.

"If this goes right, Sean… there will be more where that came from…" J.T. said.

"Y-yeah…?" Sean said in a daze.

"Much more, my friend… much more…" J.T. replied.

As Sean pulled a small glass tube out of his pocket to enjoy his payment, J.T. ignited a silver lighter with a depiction of an enraged wolf engraved into the lid. He held it under the glass tube watching the wisps of white smoke be inhaled by its recipient. Sean's eyes closed in contentment as the euphoric fluttering feeling he was accustomed to began flowing through his veins. He felt his body slump to the floor as his body succumbed to the drug's paralyzing yet tingling side effects. His face was contorted into a goofy twisted smile as he shakily added more of the glorious white powder to his pipe.

"Enjoy…" J.T. said as he left the misguided youth to his addiction.

"Soon… 'Mad Dog' will rule again…" J.T. thought.

Once outside the disheveled building, the dark man reached into his front coat pocket to pull a cellphone out of his front coat pocket. He quickly dialed a number he had memorized and waited for the line to pick up.

"Bruce... we clear? Yeah... good... I'm on my way," J.T. said before disappearing into the night.