Disclaimer: Hellboy and crew are not mine (DUH) Special thanks go to my beta dog youkai jane. Without her, this story probably would have never gotten published.
Chapter Two: Over My Dead Body
Vixey was sitting in the back of the lovingly named Garbage Truck with Hellboy and Abe, trying not to worry.
She was failing miserably.
"I am so not in the mood to argue with Jason tonight," Vixey half whined, resting her head on the side of the truck where she sat.
"You think he'll protest," Abe asked as he glanced over at her out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help feeling a little protective of her, even if she could handle herself.
"Quite frankly, yes. He hates that dog and would like nothing more than to see him destroyed. Not to mention he hates me so much that he seeks his weekly enjoyment from pissing me off." She rested her forehead against her hands in irritation. "Why are human males so aggravating?"
"I believe it has to do with the testosterone levels," Abe said matter of factly. As he said this, Abe and Hellboy shared a knowing look, both trying to hide the smirks growing on their faces.
They watched as she paced back and forth, occasionally steadying herself as the truck hit a bump in the road. One particularly large bump sent her careening into Abe's lap. It took every bit of Abe's willpower not to hold her tightly against him. She looked up at him sheepishly, hoping the heat she felt in her cheeks didn't show on her face.
"Sorry, I hate that bump." Vixey used every drop of restraint she had as she fought the instinct to wrap her arms around Abe's head and snuggle as close as she could against him.
"Quite alright. No harm done." Abe felt a pang of something in his chest as Vixey extracted herself from his lap and opted for the seat next to him instead.
Vixey had a headache. She didn't need or have the time to get involved with someone right now, but she felt so drawn to Abe. Fortunately, they had arrived at the shelter, leaving her no time to think about what she felt for Abe.
Abe watched in amazement as she shifted back to her human form and pulled her keys out of her pocket.
"Just in case the door is locked," she said after looking at their confused expressions. As she hit the button to open the big door, Vixey noticed with annoyance that Jason's truck was parked in her space as usual.
"Oh yay, jackass is here." She said sarcastically, jumping down from the bed of the truck.
"You might wanna take this," HB said as he turned and opened the compartment that held THE SAMARITAN.
Vixey laughed, shaking her head at him. "Don't tempt me Red."
"We'll be here if you need us," Abe said with a encouraging nudge in her mind.
"Thanks." Vixey practically breathed, trying hard to resist the temptation to just jump back in the truck and go back to the BPRD with Abe. Maybe get Abe alone, find a nice little room with a bed——
"I'm coming with you," Myers said, interrupting where Vixey's thought was going.
It took a moment for Vixey to form a reply, images still racing through her head of what she could do to a certain blue man. "Whatever," she finally pushed out, "but if he starts shit, get out of the way."
"Remember, you two. the comms are open if you need us." Hellboy interceded as Vixey reached for the door.
"Thanks guys," Vixey said with feeling as she shut the door. HB and Abe watched through the one way mirror as the two headed into the building.
"I have a feeling this ain't gonna be pretty, Blue."
"Indeed, she has a strong hatred for this Jason person." Abe felt a tiny twist of pride and joy at this thought, knowing that Jason would have no chance with his girl. 'My girl?' Abe thought in confusion before Hellboy pipped up again.
"I hope the boy scout doesn't get into anything he can't handle." Thought Hellboy always put up a front of indifference and, sometimes, jealousy when it came to John Myers, deep down, Abe knew Hellboy truly cared for the little half-pint.
"Remember Red, we aren't dealing with demons for once."
"Yeah," Hellboy sighed, "I know."
_-_-_
As Vixey and Myers walked down the twisting hallway, they could heard the sounds of many barking dogs. Vixey stopped at a door marked 'Kennel 4'. Myers, realizing she was no longer keeping up a steady pace behind him, turned around. They could hear several people arguing beyond the door. Vixey glanced over at Myers, judging how well he would be able to defend himself. Myers caught the look, returning one of his own.
'Kids got guts,' Vixey thought as she gently pushed the door open. As they walked in, a group of two men and three women standing in the center of the room stopped talking and turned to stare at them. A bull mastiff, Diablo, Myers figured, sat on the floor at the center of the circle. He was muzzled and looked as if he had been beaten. He had been barking and growling when they walked in but as he caught sight of Vixey, he began whining and pulling against his leash trying to get to her. A dark haired man in his late thirties turned around to look at her.
"I don't remember calling you, Vixey." He said with a snarl.
"You didn't Jason, someone else did." Vixey shot a quick 'thank you' glance at Ray, who nodded in return. She switched on her most angry face as she turned back to Jason. "How dare you go behind my back and undermine my authority? This dog is fine around me and I specifically told you that if he was returned again that I would take him."
Jason sneered at Vixey, an ugly grin of selfishness and confidence plastered on his disgusting, sweaty skin. "And I told you that if he was returned that it was policy to destroy him."
"Bullshit!" Vixey screamed, "Jack left both of us in charge. Therefore, it takes both of us to decide which ones to put down. You just decided to take things in your own hands because you knew I wouldn't destroy him." As she was yelling at him, Vixey stalked over to Jason. Even from across the room, she could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"You've been drinking," she said with disgust. "No wonder you're acting so stupid."
"You're such a bitch Vixey, you know that?" Myers, along with the rest of the people in the room that were not in this confrontational attack, slowly inched together to form a rough circle around Vixey and Jason. Myers stealthily pulled his gun out of it's holster. He could just feel the impending physical attack coming.
"Jason, Jason, Jason," Vixey smiled evilly. "You should know by now that Bitch is just another compliment. I've been called much worse. Now, if you all will excuse me, I'm going to take Diablo home."
She had just taken the muzzle off of her new dog when Jason grabbed her around her neck.
"Over my dead body," he growled into her ear.
