.~*Chapter Nine*~.
"If you are correct about this, then we need to move now," Hart said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Ted exclaimed as he looked at Henry. "You're sayin' that you knew this guy?"
Henry ignored him and continued looking at Hart and James. "You will need me to come. That cabin is pretty well hidden," Henry replied.
"I thought ya said ya didn' know where Helen wen' all those years ago, Hen," Fred commented.
"Yeah!" the other Bears agreed.
"I lied." Henry sighed. "It was to protect the cub, all right? I knew the cub had survived. If I had told you the truth, you might've let it slip. Adam or one of his many friends could've heard and gone after him." He waved off their questions. "Not now. I'll you all later!"
"He's right," James put in. "Every second we waste standing here is another second that the cub might be dead." Everyone winced; tears fell from Jewel's eyes. James didn't notice, however, as he turned to his partner. "Time to go?"
Hart nodded and looked back at Henry. "Well, we are goin' to need your help findin' the cabin, as you've said, so…"
Henry nodded and looked at the others. All had dropped jaws.
Tennessee was the first to regain his composure. He walked over to the older bear and placed a paw on his shoulder. "Bring him home, Henry. Safe and sound."
Trixie was next. "We need our Heart back," she said while gripping his other shoulder.
Jewel looked at the elder bear tearfully. "Bring back my best friend…" she whispered. "Bring back my brother…" It broke everyone's heart to hear her say that.
Fred spoke next, saying something similar to Jewel's plead. "I wan' my lil' buddy back."
Zeb half-smiled. "The band ain't complete without him."
"I want my little brother back." With a smirk, Dex added, "It's too quiet around here without him." He got a few weak chuckles for that comment.
Ted frowned. "There are three families that are not complete without him: Yours, the Barringtons, and our family."
"Well said," Tasha said. "But you are forgetting one family."
Ted looked at her, as did the others, confused. "Whose?"
"Ours. The Stones," she answered. "He's like a son to me and James, and a brother to Jordan and Jewel."
Jewel nodded in agreement.
Allison and Norbert cleared their throats. All eyes turned to them. "We're going to have a lot to talk about soon, Henry," Norbert calmly said.
"But, please… please bring him home," Allison whispered as Norbert wrapped an arm around her waist.
Henry walked over to her and gently placed a paw on her shoulder. "I will. This has gone on long enough. It's time Adam and I settle things before someone else is killed."
Standing next to the wall, Roadie didn't say anything. Sure, he wanted the cub back, but he just didn't know how to voice his concern.
Hart cleared his throat. "Well, um, we'd better get goin'. We have a long journey ahead of us, you know."
Henry followed the two officers out of the house. Everyone stood in silence for a few minutes, praying that Henry's hunch was correct.
Tennessee suddenly gasped. He turned towards the Barrington adults and asked for a pen and pad of paper. Once receiving the items, he began writing, confusing the others. After a few minutes, he showed the others. "Help me with this."
They all smiled when they saw what he had begun writing. Within a few moments, everyone was calling out ideas, the Barrington parents included.
.~*The Country Bears*~.
Henry sat in the back of the bear-sized police cruiser. They had been traveling for almost half an hour now. No one had said much of anything the entire car ride. All were anxious. If this turned out to be a wild goose chase, then they had no idea where to go next. But, if this turned out to be a go, then Hart would have to call for backup… and most likely a medical evac.
Henry tried not to think about it. He feared what the cub would look like when they got there. There was nothing he could do right now except to wonder and pray that the cub was still alive.
James looked in the rearview mirror at the older bear, who seemed to have aged ten years in the past two weeks. Being a father himself, he could almost understand what Henry was going through. Would he be feeling the same thing if Jordan, his son, was kidnapped? He had felt the same way when Jewel ran off. She may not be his daughter biologically, but… still. He had raised her since she was two months old because her mother wasn't able to.
He could still remember the day Trixie had arrived on the doorstep…
Flashback
Night had fallen a couple hours ago on that winter night. The newlyweds of one and one-third months sat on the dark green sofa. Tasha St. Claire Stone rested her dark head on her mate's shoulder while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Back to the Future: Part 2" was on the television.
"Kids…" Tasha whispered dreamily.
James glanced at her in surprise. "You want kids already?" he chuckled.
She smirked seductively. "Well, we aren't gettin' any younger, you know. Twenty-one and ready…"
James was about to suggest going up to the bedroom, but the doorbell rang, cutting off his response. "Now who on Earth would come here at this hour?" he grumbled, most upset that the mood had been ruined. He got up and walked over to the door. Swinging it open, he all but yelled, "Do you have any freakin' idea what time—TRIXIE? What the hell?"
Tasha's blue eyes widened in disbelief. She got up and walked quickly towards her mate, who had gotten over his shock at seeing his sister-in-law on the front porch, and invited Trixie inside.
Upon seeing her sister, the golden-furred female embraced her black-furred younger sister. Tears fell from her forest-green eyes.
"Trix, what's going on?" Tasha asked. "Did something happen with Tennessee?" A nod was her only answer. "Come on. Sit on the couch and tell me all about it, all right?" Again, a nod was her only answer. She guided her sister over to the couch, then looked at James. "Can you make us some hot chocolate?" she asked, knowing that Trixie hated coffee.
James nodded and went into the kitchen, leaving the siblings alone for a few minutes. When he returned, he was carrying a tray that had three cups upon it. He set it down on the coffee table, then sat down in the armchair next to the couch. He didn't know Trixie that well, but he liked her. "I've heard a rumor that the Bears are breaking up," he said, hoping to start a conversation. He knew that she was a part of the band; not a major part, though. But, it had paid for Tasha's schooling, until the money ran out. Medical school simply cost too much. He was planning on using his own money, well, the parts not needed for groceries, bills, and other things, for her schooling so she could go back.
Trixie cleared her throat and softly spoke. "That's true. They've been arguing a lot. Everyone's been so grumpy…" She took a sip of her cocoa. "I don't know how he… any of them… would take the news…"
"What news?" Tasha asked, holding her sister's golden paw. "What's going on?"
"It was an accident… We didn't mean for it to happen! I'm not ready for this!" Trixie cried. "I couldn't tell him! I had to leave… Now he's gonna hate me…" She broke down into tears once more.
Tasha took Trixie's cub and placed it on the tray. "Sissy," she soothed, using an old nickname, "tell me what's going on."
Trixie swallowed and whispered, "I'm pregnant."
Tasha immediately hugged her. "But that's great!" Seeing Trixie's fearful face, she became unsure. "Isn't it?"
"Well, yeah. But I have no way to care for the cub!" Trixie cried.
"How long?" James asked.
"T-Three and a half months," the golden bear whispered again.
Tasha's and James' eyes widened in surprise. "B-But you're halfway through your pregnancy!" Tasha exclaimed.
"And no one's noticed?" James questioned, astonished. It was obvious that the bear was pregnant, now that he knew what was going on. He had, at first, just thought she had gained weight.
"They were beginning to notice that I was gaining weight. That's when I knew I had to get out of there," the singer/keyboarder said quietly. "I think Helen suspected, but she didn't say anything… She's pregnant, too. Half a month."
"That's great!" Tasha exclaimed. She knew how long Helen and Henry had been trying for a cub. It was like a dream come true for the couple.
"Trixie, you can stay with us for as long as you need to," James said after a few minutes.
Tasha looked at him surprise. Trixie didn't move. Looking at her sister, Tasha saw that she was asleep. Husband and wife smiled. Tasha then helped the sleeping bear lay back on the couch, while James grabbed a warm blanket and gently placed it on top of his sister-in-law.
Then, quietly, both bears left the room.
~Time Skip~
A week after Trixie had arrived at the Stones' home, Tennessee showed up.
Trixie hid upstairs with her sister while James answered the door. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"We're on our Farewell Tour. Iowa was one of our stops, so I said that we should come here."
"Ah."
"Have you seen Trixie?" the band member asked. He was wearing a blue sweater with green stripes. His light brown eyes were filled with both hope and sadness. One paw was behind his back.
James felt pity for the bear. "Sorry," he lied. "She hasn't been here."
Tennessee's shoulders slumped and he let out a sad sigh. Pulling something out from behind his back, he handed it to James. "If you see her, could you give her this?"
James looked at the papers he now held in his paws. 'Sheet music?' he wondered. He looked at the title and smiled. "Can Love Stand the Test" was the name of the song. He looked back at the disgruntled bear. "I will, Tennessee. I promise."
Tennessee smiled softly. "Thanks…" Then, without further words, he turned and left.
Shortly after that, Trixie and Tasha came down. James handed the music to Trixie, who sat down on the couch and read it. Tears fell down her cheeks.
~Time Skip~
"It's a healthy baby girl."
"She's beautiful, Trix!" Tasha complimented.
Trixie St. Claire was on the bed in the guest bedroom, fur wet with sweat from just giving birth.
Dr. Peterson, an elderly, pepper-furred, female bear, wrapped the newborn cub in a warm blanket. Then she carefully and gently handed the bundle to the new mother. "Well, everythin' seems to be in order, so I will take my leave." She filled out a birth certificate. "I'll send you a copy as soon as it has been filed with the county. Who shall I say is the father?"
"T-Tennessee O'Neal," Trixie whispered.
She noted that down. "Thank you. Take care."
"Thank you, Dr. Peterson," Tasha said.
Trixie was fascinated by the newborn cub that now rested in her arms. Strangely, the cub didn't cry. She just cooed softly. Her eyes were closed and wouldn't open for a few weeks along with her ears.
"She looks just like her mother," James commented softly as he held Tasha's paw. "And something tells me she's gonna act just like her… At worse, Tennessee… When that bear has sugar…" He winced.
Trixie sighed softly as she gently caressed her daughter's soft golden cheek. "Jewel Destiny. Her name is Jewel Destiny St. Claire," she said as the cub cooed again. Trixie's eyes slowly began to close.
Tasha took the now sleeping cub from her sister's arms and gently placed her in the crib at the foot of the bed. Then, silently, husband and wife left the room.
~Time Skip~
"Trix, are you sure you want to do this?" Tasha asked while Trixie fed Jewel with a bottle of warm milk.
"I can't take care of her, Tash. I don't have any way to-" Trixie began.
"Then stay here!" James exclaimed.
Trixie closed her eyes. "I can't. I'll help pay for her needs by sending money from any gigs I perform. If I can find any…"
"Trix, don't say that! You have a beautiful voice and you are a wonderful pianist!" Tasha argued. "Anybody who passed you up would be passing up a fortune!"
Trixie smiled softly and looked at the small cub in her arms. She hated the idea of parting from her beautiful daughter, who's eyes had only just opened to reveal forest green ones, but she had no other choice. Raising a child on the road wasn't a good idea. It was no place for such a youngen.
Gently, she nosed her auburn haired daughter, kissing her snout, and whispering soothingly to her. It was breaking her heart to give her up.
"Are you going to try and find Tennessee and patch things up with him?" James questioned softly.
"That's one of my goals. Once I find him, I'm gonna set things straight. Then I'll be back for Jewel." Trixie sighed. "I don't know where to begin looking, though. I don't even know how I'm getting back to the state of Tennessee…"
"How did you get out here in Iowa, then?"
"Bus. It took almost all the money I had to get here."
"We'll pay for the ticket, then. It's the least we can do," Tasha said.
Trixie's eyes widened. "I can't accept that!"
"You gave us a daughter, Trix. Though she may not exactly be adopted, but…"
Trixie smiled. "Thank you…"
End Flashback
It was about another three months after Trixie left the now-five-month-old cub with the Stones, that another pregnant bear arrived…
Almost too late.
Flashback
Tasha Stone was very surprised when she opened the front door, one warm afternoon at the end of May, and found Helen Taylor standing there, holding her large belly. "Helen!" she exclaimed, immediately helping the bear inside. "JAMES!" she yelled.
James came jogging into the room and skidded to a halt at the sight of the light brown-furred bear in labor. He didn't know Helen as well as Tasha did, but that didn't stop him from acting. He helped lower the pregnant bear to the floor, and then went to grab some blankets.
"How far apart are the contractions?" he heard Tasha ask.
"A-About… t-th-three… m-minutes…" Helen gasped. "It's… t-too… late! It's… too... late!"
"How did you get out here?" Tasha questioned.
James entered the room, handed the blankets to his mate, then asked, "Does that really matter at this moment, Tash?"
Tasha glared at him for a moment before answering. "Just call Dr. Peterson, all right? I don't like the looks of this."
James nodded and left the room. He knew Helen was in capable paws at the moment.
~Time Skip~
"Well, he's a bit on the small side, considering he's almost a month late, but he's a healthy baby boy," Dr. Peterson said softly, looking at the tiny bundle in Helen's arms. "And he has a good pair of lungs," she added as the cub began to cry loudly. She then turned to Tasha. "Very nice delivery. I couldn't have done better with the situation. If you hadn't of been here, we could've lost the cub. You have a medical background?"
"Sort of," Tasha replied as she took the crying newborn from the exhausted Helen. "I was unable to pay the tuition, so I had to drop out my senior year of medical school."
Dr. Peterson sighed. "How far into your senior year?"
"Halfway," Tasha answered quietly. She handed the newborn to James.
"I can help you finish, if you want. I do need some help at the office, and you do meet the qualifications…"
"Well, it's something to think about," James said before Tasha could decline the offer. "I can take care of Jewel while you are at work."
Tasha answered her husband with a kiss on the cheek.
Dr. Peterson clapped her paws together. "Well, then it's settled." She looked at her watch. "Ack! I'd better get goin'. We'll talk later, all right?" She left before Tasha had a chance to remind her of the birth certificate.
~Time Skip~
"What do you mean 'they're gone'?!" Tasha hissed.
James sighed. "Like I said. I took Jewel with me to the store and left Helen and Beary here. I was gone maybe an hour, and when I got back, they were gone!" he answered.
"Where could they have gone? We don't even know why they were out here in the first place!" Tasha fretted…
End Flashback
"Hey, uh, Henry?" James asked.
"Yeah?"
"Why did Helen come down to Iowa eleven years ago?"
Henry sighed. "To hide Beary's birth. Unfortunately he still found out."
Hart looked into the rearview mirror at the bear. "Adam?" he questioned.
The bear nodded.
James was confused. "Why does Adam want the cub dead?"
"I only want to tell the story once. Now is not the time," the widower answered softly. "I don't like to think about it… Surely you can understand that."
Both officers nodded. They could understand. Who really wanted to talk about a murderer? Especially when said murderer killed your mate and attempted to kill your cub as well?
Hart broke up the silence. "We're here."
Henry's eyes widened as he looked out the window at the familiar trees. He hadn't been out here since a few days before Helen's death. That was the last time he had seen his cub until a year ago. He shivered. Beary had to be here. He just had to be. If he wasn't…
He didn't want to think about it.
"All right, Henry. Direct us. Was there a special path you used to get to the cabin?" Hart asked as they stepped out of the cruiser.
"Not until we get further into the forest," the pepper-furred bear answered while taking off his hat and tossing it into the back of the cruiser.
"How far?" James asked as they began walking through the trees.
"A couple miles. Oh, and the "path" is hidden very well. If you haven't been here before, you wouldn't notice it."
As they walked, none of them noticed a large figure following them. As they drew further into the trees, they didn't hear, smell, or see the flames that were quickly wrapping around the forest.
They didn't know how long they had been walking, but Henry suddenly stopped. "We're here."
There was a small path, so overgrown with weeds and small plants that one wouldn't have noticed it if it wasn't for the fact that some of the plants and weeds were downtrodden.
"They are here…" Henry whispered. "No one else would've known about this path." He led the way down the path.
They were walking for about five minutes when a loud crack! echoed through the trees.
Immediately recognizing the sound as a gunshot, Hart and James pulled out their guns (James' gun being slightly larger than Hart's) and moved to either side of Henry. Slowly and carefully, they continued moving. Fifteen minutes later, a dainty little log cabin came into view. Long vines of ivy climbed the spotty, moss-covered walls. If one wasn't looking closely enough, one would've completely missed the little cabin. As they drew closer, they saw the front door was wide open.
James sniffed the air. "Blood," he growled. "And it's fresh."
Henry's heart quickened. He, too, could smell the coppery scent of the crimson liquid, even if he could not see it.
They slowly continued walking towards the cabin, their muscles tense and ready to move. Just outside of the door, they moved to either side of the doorframe, which was riddled with old bullet holes.
"This is the police! Come out with your hands up!" Hart yelled, his voice echoing throughout the trees.
There was no movement or response from within the cabin.
James glanced around in confusion. "You yelled loud enough to scare every creature within a mile of here… Why is there no noise?" he asked.
Hart's eyes widened. "Somethin's off," he muttered before jumping in front of the door, gun poised and ready. Checking to see that the room ahead of him was secure, he called, "Clear!" Looking down, he noticed several bloody footprints. "They're leadin' into the forest," he said after a minute. "You two follow them. I'll look in here."
"10-4," James answered. He looked at Henry. "Stay close," he ordered. Henry nodded and the two bears followed the blood trail. After about four minutes, the blood began to appear closer together. "Whoever it is, is slowing," he muttered, his gun still drawn.
The bloody trail ended in a small, dark form that was slumped against a tree trunk. In the light that managed to reach them through the numerous leaves, they could see a gaunt, almost white-furred face. The dark eyes were closing.
Henry immediately recognized the form as the missing cub, Beary. He moved as fast as he possibly could and took the injured cub into his arms. Looking into the fading hazel green eyes, he cried out, "Stay with me, Beary! Stay with me!" But Beary's eyes closed before he could finish the sentence.
"Oh, my gosh…" James whispered in horror as he took in the sight of the cub. Then he saw the metal collar around his neck with a thick chain attached to it. "They chained him?"
Henry continued trying to wake the cub, but to no avail. That's when he noticed the rubbed-raw skin on his snout.
James noticed it as well. "A muzzle, too!" The black bear swore. "We have to get him back to the cabin," he continued. "Maybe there is some medical supplies there. It's the only chance he has right now."
Henry nodded and picked the cub up, surprised at how light he was. "He's so light…" he whispered.
"I'm guessing they gave him little to no food," James replied. "Bastards." He grabbed his radio and spoke into it. "Hart, we found the cub. I repeat, we found the cub. We're coming back to the cabin."
"10-4," Hart replied. "How's he doin'?"
"He's hurt and barely conscious. We're going to need an evac copter… Fast. I don't know how much longer he's gonna last."
"10-4. Hurry."
"10-4." James looked back at the band manager. "Let's get going. The sooner we get back to the cabin, the better."
Henry just nodded, not even looking at the dark-furred bear; he only had eyes for his long-lost son.
.~*~.
Hart was standing in the doorway when they arrived. His eyes widened when he saw the cub—with the collar and chain still around its neck—in Henry's arms. "Good Lord. What have they done to him?"
"I don't know… But they're going to pay for it," Henry growled darkly.
"Lay him down so I can examine him," Hart said. "I have a little trainin'."
Henry did so, gently laying the cub on the ground outside of the cabin door. He was still marveling over the fact that the cub… his son was so light.
Hart knelt next the cub, unwrapped the now-crimson scarf from around his leg, and began his examination. "Well, he has a bullet entry in his left thigh. I don't see an exit wound anywhere, though. And judgin' by the amount of blood on the scarf, the bullet may have nicked an artery." He sighed and carefully rewrapped the injury. "If we don't get him to a hospital soon…
Henry's heart froze at the implication. He'd already lost his mate… He wasn't about to lose his son. "When's the copter going to get here?" he asked.
Hart checked his watch. "ETA's about 10-30 minutes."
"You won't be alive long enough to meet it."
The new voice made everyone jump in surprise. They all turned to see a great black bear, whose thick fur was spotted with silver. He wore only a gray leather vest and baggy black shorts.
"Adam," Henry growled angrily, his eyes filled with rage and his ears flat.