Pale shoulders, soft obsidian hair, delicate fingers…

Leon remembered these vividly as he woke with a start.

His heart was pounding in his chest, sending blood coursing through his body. A heady blush warmed his face.

Had he really just had another dream involving the count?

The business after their little shared dream at the museum had nearly put him off sleep forever. But sudden long hours at the office drained him of any reserved stamina he may have had, and he eventually gave in to his bed. Normally an uncomfortable affair, he had found the cheap threaded sheets and nearly flat pillow a glorious resting place the night before.

Soft breathing, a familiar laugh…

He leapt from the bed, hurrying to the sink and immersing his face in handfuls of cold water. It had been a long week. He just wanted to get a decent night sleep.

But ever since having tea with the count that one night, he didn't think it would ever be possible again.

"What is it that you desire?" A white hand resting on his cheek…

"Sonofabitch!" He stormed to the kitchenette and threw a pot of coffee together. One frigid shower later he was dressed for work in his favorite American flag shirt and blue jeans, coffee in hand.

By the time he arrived at the precinct, he was in a foul mood as expected.

"Leon, what gives? You're half an hour early!" Jill chuckled as he walked past.

"Felt like doin' something different for a change. That okay with you?" he grumbled, dropping into his chair and taking a gulp from the lukewarm cup of coffee.

"Well that's fine with me, but give me some warning next time you decide to be early. Thought I'd have a heart attack!" Her laughter irked him even more.

"Yeah, fine whatever."

Jill smirked before moving off to her own cubicle.

He watched her go, admiring her figure as she went. Jill was a good looking cop, he gave her that, but she was too feisty for him. He liked a bit of fight in his women, but Jill was beyond feisty. She was just as stubborn as he was. And he didn't like to see himself in the women he dealt with.

He picked up the nearest file on his desk and flipped it open. Taking a slow sip, he reviewed the work. Nothing terribly interesting.

"Leon, buddy, you're spacing. What's your deal?" Jill set a steaming mug of coffee in front of him.

"What? I'm not spacing! I'm reading a damn file!" He grabbed the mug and took a gulp; it burned the whole way down and he found the pain from the heat gratifying and frustrating at the same time.

"Okay, look. We all know why you've been so irritable. You've avoided the pet shop for almost a week! You two must have really gotten into a bad fight. I've never known you to stay away this long." Jill was staring thoughtfully at him. He looked down into his coffee.

A fight? he thought. Hardly. I just don't think I could face him right now. He grew hot under her gaze and stood abruptly.

"Yeah. You're right. I haven't been in a while. Guess I'll go stop in for some freaking tea or something."

He heard Jill laugh as he grabbed his coat. "Oh Leon, you're so easy to read sometimes." His laughter rang through the entire station as he left.

Gazing sadly at the pile of broken china and the puddle of tea seeping over the linoleum Count D heaved a sigh. "That's the fourth cup today, Pon-chan. You really need to be more careful."

The little girl in curls and laces stuck out her tongue and then proceeded to pout. "It was T-chan's fault. He's been miserable because Leon hasn't been here to chomp and Chris always runs away when he wants to wrestle so he tried to chomp me instead!"

Rolling his eyes D issued her a broom and dustpan. "Nonetheless, that is no excuse to be breaking things. Clean this up and I'll see if I can't whip up an extra nice tea time snack for you."

Pon-chan squealed and got to work.

D smiled and went to fetch another cup. The one he pulled from the shelf had a pattern of blue flowers delicately painted over a butter cream yellow lacquer. A small reminder of the coming spring and finer weather. He was glad of the changing seasons. It meant healthier air for his animals. The cubs that had sprung from his and Leon's dream were going to be well taken care of. A foster mother was already set up, and she was eager to nurse. She was an excellent choice and he had no doubt that she would teach them the ways of the wild.

Leon's offer to take them to the zoo surfaced in his thoughts and he frowned. There was the problem with his detective. He didn't understand.

Leon thought that since they were technically extinct, they would make millions off them.

But they would never last in a cage. They were too young. He didn't want to think of them behind bars, people gawping at them as they mewled for a mother and the chance to hunt in the open.

The thought made him shudder. No, they would stay with their new mother and grow up to be proper hunters without human interference.

He would never convince Leon that it was the only way they would live their lives. He sighed again and busied himself making a new pot of tea.

It was better that Leon avoid the shop. He doubted he could talk to him about the situation, or any situation for that matter. He was aware of the tension between himself and the gusty cop, but he had no idea what it meant or where it came from. He enjoyed the time they spent together, and genuinely felt amused whenever Leon was around. He was great for a laugh and his American etiquette, though vulgar, was almost a part of his nature. It's what gave him that garish charm. He had felt similarly attached before, when acquiring T-chan. Was it a simple matter of affection for a new pet?

He chuckled as he put the kettle on. What sort of animal would Leon become? Something loud, and would certainly have teeth. His smile faded.

"I shouldn't let him get to me," he murmured with a sigh, and shook his head. "If I get any more attached, I may have to keep him."

He laughed at the notion of taming Leon and set about making afternoon tea.