Sorry for the wait, everyone. Been a crazy week, but here is basically two chapters in one to keep you occupied. :-) Am I forgiven? Cal will make you a chocolate cake if you say yes.I rewrote this chapter three times before I was satisfied, so I hope you also like it. I am more nervous about this one than the others because Cal is harder to write than it seems!

Also, reaching out to see who might be interested in a story about Katze and how he became Furniture. I have an idea floating around in my head and am considering doing a separate story, but I know most people like Riki and Iason. Iason would be in it, and possibly even Raoul later on. If there is enough interest I will certainly give it a whirl, so please PM me if you would read such a story or put it in your review.

And as always, please, please review (Master says my begging training is coming along well- what do you think?

Cal finished adding the filling to the last of the fruit tarts and licked an extra drop of filling from his thumb. Baking always calmed him and he was glad that Katze allowed him to do the cooking while he was here. As a former Furniture, Katze was quite able and accustomed to taking care of himself, but he would allow Cal to do some of the minor of chores.

"Those look good," Katze said as he reached around Cal from behind for one of the completed tarts, only to have his hand smacked away by the cook. "Hey!"

"They have to cool first." Picking up the tray of tarts, Cal opened the refrigerator and slid them inside, then turned back to clean up the small mess he had made while baking.

"They taste just as good warm."

Katze picked up the oil and granulated powder that Cal had used for the pastry, only to have the younger Furniture take them away from him and set them in the cupboard above the sink. Smirking he wet a cloth and started to wipe down the kitchen counter, then tried not to laugh when Cal politely pulled the cloth out of his hand and finished up.

"You baked so I should clean," he reminded amused, knowing how difficult it was for Cal to allow others to do what he felt was his job. "That's fair, right, since we're both equal?"

They weren't equal. Katze may still belong to Master Iason, but he was no longer Furniture. Katze was a businessman, respected by people on both sides of the scale, including Master Iason. Cal had been aware of Katze working for Master Iason, but had never really interacted with him, other than to solicit a call to Katze on behalf of his Master. While living with Katze, he had learned much more about the possibilities of life outside of being a Furniture. The freedom that Katze enjoyed was incomprehensible to Cal.

Katze slept when he wanted to, ate when he wanted to and he didn't need to consider the needs of anyone else. He still answered to Master Iason, of course, but that was the only person he answered to, and Iason did not speak to Katze as Furniture, but more as a colleague. That was the biggest difference Cal had noticed, and it was also his largest source of confusion.

They weren't equal at all, he was still just Furniture and it concerned him that that fact was starting to bother him. He'd never had any aspirations of being more than what he was, what he was trained to be. He was happy being Furniture for Master Iason, and he had a very real fear that Master Iason would reject him when he saw how tall he was now, to the point that it kept him up at night. Yet, he often found himself feeling envious of Katze's position and couldn't understand why. Such conflicting feelings were alien to him and he simply couldn't get a proper handle on them.

Reluctantly, he held the cloth out for Katze, even though the counter was already sparkling clean again, because he was still just a Furniture. "I…apologize."

Katze sighed inwardly and accepted the cloth. "Why are you apologizing?"

Cal considered his words carefully, as he always did. "I have shown unforgiveable arrogance towards your kindness."

"I'm not your Master, Cal. You can be arrogant, willful, happy or sad and it doesn't offend me. I've told you repeatedly that you can just be yourself with me. We're the same, you and I, and…"

"We are not the same."

Katze blinked. "We both serve Iason Mink. We are both Furniture. How are we not the same?"

Cal declined to comment, as this was a discussion they'd had several times and he knew that he could not win it. Katze was under a false impression that they were alike, and nothing that Cal said would change that. He had no special skills as Katze did. He would not be recognized as something more because of those skills. He was only Furniture, which was why he was so afraid that if Master Iason had no more use for him…No, he mustn't think of such things.

Katze tossed the cloth in the sink and regarded Cal, quietly. "You know you can talk to me, right. You can say anything to me, and I won't judge you."

"There is nothing I would say that would require such judgement."

"Really? What about your height? Are you still worried about whether Iason will accept you back?"

"I will accept whatever Master Iason decides."

"That isn't what I asked you, Cal."

Cal was aware of that, but his response had been automatic. He did feel a little more comfortable with speaking his mind with Katze, but it was still difficult expressing himself.

Katze dropped his hand atop Cal's head, relieved when Cal did not immediately pull back. He had slowly been getting the young boy used to being touched. He didn't know what Iason had planned for Cal, but if the boy did end up staying with him, he wanted Cal to be able to adjust to life as more than just Furniture.

"Have you thought about what you will do if Iason decides not to take you back?"

Cal slowly shook his head and was alarmed at the nausea that crawled into his throat. What could he do? There was nothing else he could be, nowhere else he could go.

"You could stay here with me, if you wanted to?"

Cal glanced up at Katze, who was still several inches taller. Stay with Katze? He liked this man, admired him really, but what if his jealousy continued? Would that make things more difficult over all? "You don't need me," he replied, quietly. "You have no use for Furniture."

"So, who says you have to be my Furniture? You could be my assistant and keep doing what you have been doing. Riki worked for me before too, you know? He didn't seem to mind it much."

"I am not Master Riki."

"No."

"I have no skills, but those of Furniture. I would be useless to you, as I am now."

"You can learn new skills and you are not useless to me, Cal. You've been a big help around here."

Cal wouldn't, couldn't believe that. Katze was simply being kind. His keen hearing picked up on the quite alert from Katze's office indicating that someone had entered the building. "Someone has arrived. Are you expecting guests?" Katze didn't have any appointments today that he was aware of, and no one ever just dropped in on the black market dealer, not unless those people wanted to lose their heads.

Katze stepped away from Cal and lit a cigarette. "Yeah."

"Shall I prepare coffee?"

"Sure."

"For how many?"

"Three."

Katze regarded Cal for a hard moment, then stepped out of the kitchen and moved to the living area then started down the small set of stairs to the main entrance hall. He placed his palm to the wall by the door and the picture of a seascape disappeared to show a set of six monitors that surveyed various parts of the building and its outside perimeter as well as a small side panel. He watched the two people step into the antiquated lift and pushed a button on the panel to allow the lift to rise.

"You're early," he muttered as he entered his code to disarm the traps he had set on his floor of the building to allow his visitors to make it to the apartment safely. "Guess it's show time."

Cal quickly programmed coffee and retrieved a bottle of wine, opening it to allow it to breathe, in case Katze's visitors preferred a cool beverage to a hot one. Pulling off his small apron, he glanced down at the light-blue long sleeve shirt, dark jeans and burgundy vest he wore. After he had outgrown his uniform, Katze had purchased him some casual clothes, explaining that as he was not currently working as a Furniture, he may as well dress comfortably. The problem was that he felt more comfortable in his uniform, especially when they had guests.

Well, there was nothing to be done. He would not have the time to change before he would need to serve the coffee. The coffee machine beeped, indicating it was ready and he poured the steaming liquid into three cups, which he had set on a tray. He then added three small shakers of flavoring, picked up the tray and headed towards the living area.

He could hear the muffled voices coming from the downstairs vestibule as he set the tray on a table, and turned.

"Cal!"

The young Furniture was shocked to find himself in a bone-crushing hug when Riki rushed forward and threw his arms around him.

Riki pulled back, grinning and looked at the youth who was now almost the same height as him. "Holy shit! What has Katze been feeding you?"

Great Jupiter, don't hug me! Cal lowered his head and darted a look towards his Master as Iason appeared with Katze, fully expecting a flash of anger or jealousy. Why hadn't Katze told him they would be coming? Desperately he gathered up his courage and activated his training.

"Good afternoon, Master."

"Hello, Cal." Iason nodded, but his expression was unreadable. "You've grown."

"Yes. I apologize." This was it. This was where he would be told that he could no longer serve as their Furniture.

"Come in," Katze suggested, seeing Cal's apprehension only because he was also once a Furniture and he could tell the subtle deflections in the boy's face. "Cal's made coffee, but would you like something else to drink?"

"I would prefer a brandy," Iason said as he and Riki settled on the sofa.

"I'm good with this," Riki said as he reached for a cup and winked at the young boy. "Cal makes the best coffee."

Cal remained standing at attention, with his hands clasped behind his back, and resisted the urge to throw himself at Iason's feet and beg to return with them. Instead, he tried to focus on how best to accommodate them. Coffee really should be served with a snack, why had he forgotten that? The tarts weren't ready yet, what else did he have that he could offer them? He knew that Riki likes sweets. Were there any cookies left from the other day?

Once Katze had poured Iason his drink, and settled in his usual wing back chair with his own glass, Iason spoke again, negating Cal's chance to excuse himself and bring out more food.

"How have you found living with Katze, Cal?"

"He has been very kind."

"And what have you learned?"

Was he questioning his skills? Did Master Iason intend for him to stay with Katze? Was that why they were here, to end his hope? "Katze is a very capable individual, Sir, with many responsibilities."

"And have you enjoyed your time here?"

Cal formulated the best way to answer this. Katze had been good to him, it was nice to speak with a person who was a former Furniture and had made a life for himself outside of that field. Katze seemed very sympathetic to his plight, but he felt rather useless here.

"I am grateful to Katze, but I feel I have been a burden to him."

"That's a load of crap," Katze retorted. "He's managed to completely reorganize my filing system and even discovered five new delivery and trade routes that are almost completely off the grid."

"Indeed." Iason watched Cal intently. "How did you manage that?"

"I…I like to read about the history of our world, as well as others, and compare how things change. Maps and atlases are a part of that type of study and I recalled some of the lesser known streets from previous decades, before much of the construction around the cities were implemented."

As a Furniture, he had full access to the Main Libraries, and while he did enjoy historical documents and accounts, he found geography and topography the most interesting. He enjoyed studying old land and street maps of Amoï and comparing them to current ones; it was like watching a world, a city, a nation being born one line at a time.

"I was complaining one day because many of the current routes we use were being patrolled too often," Katze stated as he sipped his drink. "So Cal asked why I didn't use the old roads and I said there weren't any that led to the places we needed to get to." Katze set his drink down suddenly, rose and went to the small workstation by the wall. He keyed in some information and a hologram of the Tri-City area appeared before them. "Show them, Cal."

"I…It was really nothing."

"Show me," Iason said knowing that Cal would not refuse the request from him.

Swallowing his sigh, Cal moved forward and using his finger on the hologram, he drew extra roads, streets and even a few streams and hills that overlapped or flowed beneath the regular routes.

Iason rose and studied the map. "Have all these routes been confirmed?"

Katze nodded. "Every one of them, and they are obviously rarely, if ever, used."

"This is amazing, Cal!" Riki said, annoyed that Iason had not offered any praise yet. "How did you know all this was there?"

"I simply remember the overlays from old maps when I look at a new one."

"A photographic memory?" Iason asked.

"I do not believe so. It seems to only work with maps and diagrams."

"Still, that is impressive. Do you think you could also do something with building plans or sewage systems?"

"Yes. I have read some plans of that nature, what were available in the archives."

"Which buildings have you seen plans on?"

"Almost all of the ones in Tanagura. A few in Midas."

"Show me." Iason nodded to Katze. "Bring up the Gem Tower to show the inside structure."

A moment later, the spherical shape of the building that housed the offices of the Syndicate appeared in the hologram.

"Cal, can you show me any additions you can recall."

Cal studied the map for a moment, then stepped forward and started adding hidden rooms, false walls, three additional staircases and surprisingly a sub-basement.

"I apologize, Sir, that is all I can recall at the moment."

"That is more than enough," Iason decided as he committed the new plans to memory. This could give him the leverage he needed to win over his brother's and get things back on track. "Thank you, Cal. This will be a tremendous help."

Cal flushed and then tried to pull himself back into a more stoic expression, but he caught the wink Riki shot him and felt his lips twitch in reply before he could help it.

Iason waved his hand and Katze switched off the hologram as they both returned to their seats. "That is a remarkable skill, Cal. I am pleased that you were of some assistance to Katze while you were here."

While he was here? Did that mean he wouldn't be here anymore? Would his Master take him back to Tanagura, or would he be sold to someone else or worse, terminated?

"I am delighted to have pleased you."

"You seem to have fit in here well."

"It appears so." Oh no. Iason wasn't taking him back! How did could this be? He really had grown too tall to be of service. What was he going to do? Despite all these desperate questions swimming around in his head, Cal's expression remained neutral.

"Do you wish to stay here then, and continue assisting Katze?"

He liked Katze, but he didn't want to stay with him. However, he could not say that. He had no right to ask for anything and saying such a thing would make him appear ungracious.

"Iason, stop teasing him." Riki growled and turned to Cal. "You want to come home with us, right?"

A flicker of hope sparked inside Cal, but he didn't allow himself to acknowledge it. Home? Yes, he supposed he did think of Master Mink's condo as home. "I will do whatever my Master wishes."

"Damn it! That's not an answer!"

Cal glanced at Iason, and then back at Riki.

"That's the only one he's capable of giving, Riki," Katze started quietly.

"That's bullshit! Just tell the truth. Tell us what you want."

"He can't."

Riki glared at Katze. "Why not?"

"Because I am Furniture," Cal replied. "My needs are what my Master decides. I will do as I am bid. As Furniture, I have no other desire but to serve my Master."

Iason, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke. "We have a new Furniture now," he said, focusing on Cal. "A single household does not need two."

"Then get rid of Bean!" Riki snapped. "You said we were coming to bring Cal home. You said you missed him! Stop fucking around!"

Cal almost stopped breathing. Master Iason had missed him? His stoic demeanor broke for a second and he glanced at Katze, who secretly smiled.

"Riki, I have no use for a Furniture who does not wish to serve me."

"I do!" Cal flushed at his outburst and pulled his emotions back. "F…forgive me, Sir. I…What I mean to say is if it is your command I would of course wish to serve you."

"The dilemma remains that we do not require two Furnitures."

"What about what you said?" Riki demanded. "About becoming your ward?"

Cal gasped and his eyes widened in shock, unable to prevent his the surge of emotions from showing this time. "W…ward?"

Iason's gaze hardened. "Even as my ward, he must have an occupation, Riki. Without one, he cannot return to Tanagura."

Master Iason's ward? Him? Cal suddenly felt light-headed and weak, his legs started to shake, and he was barely aware when Katze, after recovering from his own shock, rose and gently guided him to a chair. This wasn't possible! He was not worthy of such a thing! He was just Furniture!

You are nothing, but what your Master decides for you to be. You need nothing, but what your Master needs. You deserve nothing but to serve your Master.

The hateful words from his programing sliced through his mind and heart, even as he fought to regain control. It was shameful to appear this way in front of his Master and Riki. He must bury these feelings and recover to a more normal state. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he find his calm? Why were his hands shaking so badly? What was happening?

Riki, surprised to see the usual stoic boy in such a state started to rush towards Cal, but Iason put a hand on his arm and shook his head.

"Allow Katze to deal with it," he said quietly, even as his former Furniture knelt before Cal, touched their heads together and murmured softly to him.

"You pushed him too far!" Riki hissed angrily. "All you ever do is fucking play with people and…"

"Enough." Iason rose and hauled Riki to his feet, pulling him across the room and into the kitchen, leaving the two Furniture's alone.

"Get off me!" Riki growled, trying to shake off Iason's hold, which was of course impossible.

"You go too far!" Iason backed Riki up against the wall, pulled his wrists above his head and held him there.

"Me?" Riki glared at Iason incredulously. "You're the one playing with his…"

"Do not blame me for your annoying ability to speak before thinking. It was you who caused Cal to react that way."

"What? How?"

"You told him he would be my ward."

"You said he already was! Did you lie about it?"

"No."

"Then what the fuck difference…?"

"The difference," Iason said as he gripped Riki's chin painfully. "Is that Cal does not believe he is worthy of such a thing. Not only that, but you did not allow me to prepare him for such a change!"

"Prepare him? You were just sitting there, fucking with him! How is that better than telling him the truth?"

Iason released Riki and stepped back, disappointed. "You still do not understand about Furniture."

"Stop calling him Furniture! He's a kid! He's Human for God's sake!"

"I am aware of that, Riki…""

"Are you?" Riki rubbed his wrists, angrily. "Or are we all just fucking toys to Jupiter's precious sons? Katze, Cal, me!"

Iason tightened his gloves, a sure sign of his declining calm. "Why can you not at least try to understand…"

"Understand what?" Riki lifted his chin, defiantly, angry at being manhandled for the first time in almost a year. "Understand that we're all just piss-ant fodder for the Elite's? How could I understand that? I'm just a fucking pet, after all!"

"What is wrong with you?" Iason snapped, his blue eyes narrowing coldly. "Why are you saying such things? Have I not proven that I am not like my brothers? Have I not destroyed numerous traditions and broken near all of our rules to keep you? Is ostracizing myself from my own not enough for you? What in the hell do you expect from me?"

Riki stared at Iason, stunned silent

"You chose to stay, yet you still complain about being a pet and have absolutely no concept of how very little like a pet you actually are, or of the special freedoms you enjoy. You bitch constantly about the rules, without any idea of how many I have already broken just to keep you with me and ensure your safety. You disrespect my kind at every available moment, including one who is my very close friend, and give no thought of how weak that makes me appear, because I appear to allow it and don't beat you within an inch of your life for the offense!"

"I…no, I…"

"You have not tried to understand me or my kind at all! You do nothing but mock us and despise what we are!" Iason stepped back suddenly and stepped away, again straightening his gloves. In a calmer, softer voice he continued. "Do you not understand that when you do such things to them you are also doing them to me?"

Riki gaped at Iason's back, hurt that the Blondie had physically turned away from him. That wasn't true! The other Elites were different! "So what, you want me to bow to them and lick their boots when they're talking shit about me and treating me like dirt? Would it be better if I got on my fucking knees and offered to blow them for…"

Riki's head reared back from the force of Iason's blow and had he not been so close to the wall, the slap probably would have sent him flying across the room. As it was, the slap was enough to knock him on his ass. He put a hand to his aching cheek as he glared at Iason.

Iason's hand curled into a fist preparing for further battle, but then Riki's furious eyes now sparkled with moisture and he slowly relaxed his fingers. He closed his eyes for a moment, reigned in his temper, then opened them again and crouched next to the fallen mongrel.

"I apologize," he said softly as carefully caressed the cheek he had hit. "I did not mean to do that."

The last time Iason had lost his shit was when he found out Guy had cut off the pet ring. He knew that Iason had wanted to kill Guy and he remembered how Iason had looked that day when he found him in the bunker. The fury and rage that had been in the Blondie's expression; and then the relief when he finally spotted Riki. Iason had still wanted him, despite him being castrated and effectively no longer of use as a pet. It had been the defining moment in their relationship, the moment that convinced Riki to admit to his feelings and to accept that Iason actually loved him. It had been the reason he chose to die with Iason.

"Riki?" Iason pressed his hand to Riki's red cheek. "I am sorry."

"I…I know." Riki knew that Iason would never intentionally hurt him, that knowledge had come at a great cost, but still he knew.

The fact that he could provoke Iason to go so far after all that had happened between them seemed to attest to the fact that the Blondie really was overworked and stressed. Iason had taken time out of his impossibly busy schedule to do bring Cal home, because Riki wanted him home, and here he was being a fucking asshole about it.

"I…I shouldn't have said that stuff." Riki sat up a little straighter, placed his hand over the one Iason still had pressed to his face. "I am trying. You know that right?" He sat forward so that his and Iason's face was almost touching. "I don't think of you as one of them, I don't think I ever have. It's not like I wasn't treated badly before, when I was on my own, but I was able to defend myself and earn some respect. It's harder for me to deal with now because I can't speak up, because if I do it ends up causing trouble for you and I…"

"Riki," Iason sighed softly. "Don't."

"I know I have anger issues, I know I'm stupid sometimes and arrogant, but it's really fucking hard being less than nothing, y'know?"

"You are not nothing, Riki."

Riki dipped his head. "Don't doubt it, okay? I say shit sometimes, stupid shit. I can't help it, but I never mean it, not to you. I…You know we're…I mean I…"

Iason gently pressed his lips to Riki's, and alleviated the mongrel's awkwardness in trying to say what was so very hard for him to say. "I will never doubt you, Riki."

"Yeah." Riki raised his gaze. "Don't."

Iason caressed Riki's cheek again and the redness that was starting to spread across it. "Does it hurt?"

"Fuck yeah!"

"Shall I kiss it better?" Iason felt that tickle in his chest again as Riki's eyes shyly darted away again, even as the quietest consent whispered past his lips. Iason moved his hand, kissed Riki's cheek, once, twice, then his eyelids, then his nose, then his other cheek, and finally his mouth.

Riki allowed his eyes to flutter closed, as Iason's lips moved against his, and the Elite's tongue slid in to tease and torment him. It was over far too soon for Riki's liking, but he couldn't make himself pull Iason back into the kiss; his mongrel pride wouldn't allow it.

"So…now we're good again, right?"

"I think so." Iason rose, then offered Riki a hand and pulled him up as well. "Now then, we still have a problem, Riki."

"What?"

"Should Cal return to us, what would he do?"

Was Iason really expecting an answer from him? "How the fuck should I know?"

"Riki, I will gag you if you do not desist with the profanity."

Despite their intimate moment seconds earlier, Riki glowered up at Iason, annoyed. He knew that Iason did not make idle threats and he did not want to be gagged in front of Katze and Cal. "Fine. But you didn't answer my fu…my question!" he amended when Iason's blue eyes turned to shards of ice.

"Do you not recall our earlier conversation?"

Riki scowled and suddenly remembered what Iason had said about him choosing a new role for Cal. "Oh. Yeah."

Shit. Shit! Think, Riki, think! What the hell could Cal do? Iason kept insisting that the kid only knew how to be Furniture. He couldn't make Cal his private Furniture, because pets weren't allowed; were they? Elite, Furniture, Pet. What other fucking choices were there in Eos?

"I can find more for him to do here," Katze interceded, as he entered the kitchen. "He really has been a big help, if that is acceptable to you, Iason."

"It would solve the problem," Iason replied, but did not take his gaze from Riki.

He couldn't bring Cal back as a Furniture, because the law would demand that he be killed because of his age. While he had officially changed the boy's registry and title, they still had to have an occupation for him or his brothers would protest. Just being his ward might not be enough, they had to cover all the angles. Creating a new use for Cal was the only way, and he wanted to give Riki that responsibility simply because he trusted Riki to come up with a good plan. Also, it would allow Riki to feel like he had assisted with Cal's return, which Iason was beginning to suspect was something else his dear mongrel required.

"Is he okay?" Riki asked.

"Yeah, he'll be fine" Katze wanted to ask if Riki was okay, that mark on his cheek looked fresh, but he knew better than to interfere. "He's embarrassed that you saw him like that…"

"As he should be."

Riki glared at Iason while Katze simply smirked.

"But he's already back to normal," the black market dealer finished. "He's obviously confused and frankly, so am I. Are you really making him your ward, Iason?"

Iason nodded. "I have been unable to overturn the law, so I've found a way around it. However, I stand by my decision that we do not require two Furnitures, and no…" He fixed his gaze firmly on his defiant pet. "We are not getting rid of Bean."

"Asshole," Riki muttered, as he continued to rack his brain for a plan.

"Don't change the subject. We'll discuss you fetishes later."

Riki flushed, outraged. "M…My fet…You…you…!" Riki surged forward and slapped at Iason's chest in fury, only to have his hands immediately captured by the much larger Blondie.

Katze lifted his hands in surrender and quickly retreated, deciding that whatever had happened between them earlier, they had already made up for. "We'll be waiting in the parlor when you're ready."

"Not that I mind discussing such things," Iason replied, calmly as he pulled Riki closer and trapped him in his arms , while his hand wandered lower to play with the younger man's backside. "For I thoroughly enjoy your asshole, Riki."

"Hey! Don't do that shit here!" Struggling against Iason was a waste of energy so he let himself go limp.

"What did I say about the profanity?" Iason bit Riki's neck and the younger man yelped.

"That hurt you motherfuc…Mmmhherh!"

Iason's mouth captured Riki's in a hard, thorough kiss that left the mongrel weak-kneed and breathless.

Riki closed his eyes and bit down on a gasp as Iason sucked on his earlobe as his wandering hand slid inside Riki's trousers to the hardening organ inside. "C…come on. Not here, please."

"Very well." Iason lowered his mouth to Riki's, thoroughly kissing him again before stepping back. "Not here, but you will have to make it up to me later."

Riki shivered at what Iason might have in mind for later as he ran his hands through his hair and tried to straighten his clothing, especially the jeans that were now cutting off his circulation. "Um…Iason, can't we just bring Cal home and think of what to do with him later?"

"No. The decision must be made now."

"Why?"

"If Cal does not have a proper position to return, he will elect to remain with Katze."

"Not if you order him to."

"I will not order him to."

"I…You just told me about this a few hours ago!" Riki turned away and braced his hands on the counter. "How am I supposed to figure this out with such short notice?"

Iason wrapped his arms around Riki from behind. "You have always been good at thinking on your feet, this is no different."

"It is different!"

"Why?"

"This is about Cal, about his life. I can't just…just come up with a quick fix for that."

"Can't you?"

"No!" Riki turned in his arms and looked up at Iason. "It's too important! What if I make the wrong choice?"

"I don't think you will."

"But you don't know! Why are you even telling me to do this? Why can't you do it? Don't you make all the decisions, anyway?"

"You said you wished for our relationship to feel more equal. This is one way to do that."

"Yeah, but…" Riki leaned his cheek against Iason's chest. "I just meant, letting me decide when we do it or what we eat sometimes. Shi…stuff like that. Nothing like this."

"This is no different, Riki." Iason caught his chin and lifted his gaze. "Whatever you decide it will change Cal's life, but it can also change yours."

"I don't understand."

"I can't give you the real freedom you desire, but I hope that this, if done properly, can ease that desire somewhat."

Riki stared into those beautiful blue eyes above him and could feel himself easily lost in the colour and intensity. Iason was an android, he didn't have emotions in the same way as a Human did, but there was something there at work and Riki was always amazed when he saw whatever those feelings were , sometimes staring back at him.

"You think doing this, making this choice will make me feel free?"

"No, but I hope it will give you a purpose so that you will be less obsessed with that other freedom."

"You think I'm obsessed?" Riki asked, suddenly hurt. Hadn't he chosen to stay with Iason? Why would he say such a thing?

Iason slid his fingers through Riki's hair. "Are you not? Do you not still desire to be away from Eos and the Elite culture? To be allowed to go where you wish when you wish? To not be a pet?"

"Yes," Riki replied without hesitation. "But that doesn't include you. I don't want freedom from you, Iason. If I still wanted that I wouldn't be here."

Iason closed his eyes, surprised at the relief and joy that filled him at Riki's simple confession. He dipped his forehead and touched it to Riki's. "Thank you for that."

Riki could feel the heat sting his cheeks, even as he forced his arms to curl around Iason's back. "You're welcome."

"Yet, you do still have feelings of inadequacy, do you not?"

Riki was startled by the question, more so because it hit so close to the truth. "Not…not really," he murmured against Iason's chest when the Blondie hugged him closer. "I get bored and stuff because there is nothing to do, and everything is done for me, but that's because I spent so many years making my own way. I…I wouldn't say…I mean, it's not anything like I resent you still."

"Still?"

Riki lifted his head to meet Iason's gaze. "I used to hate you remember? I mean, what you did to me was fucked up…shit. Sorry." He slapped his hand against his neck expecting to be bit again, but instead he felt the vibration of Iason's chuckle and, relieved Iason wasn't going to hold the swearing against him, continued. "I hated you and I resented what you did to me."

"Ah, yes." Iason slid a gloved finger down Riki's cheek. "And now?"

"Now? Well, now I don't really feel that way anymore. I still get mad sometimes because of the situation and the fact that you basically took away my choice, but…but then you have me back my choice and I…you know."

"You chose to stay."

Riki nodded and hid his flaming face in Iason's chest again, furious that he couldn't contain his embarrassment. Why were they even talking about this? How had their conversation gotten so…so intimate?

Iason squeezed Riki a little harder, he really did love this tactless, hard headed, obstinate and sometimes ridiculously shy Human.

"About Cal," Riki murmured, trying to turn the conversation away from him. :He can't be my personal Furniture right?"

"No."

"And there's no way I'd make him a pet, even if that was possible, so what does that leave?"

Iason shrugged. "That is something you have to discover, my love." He softly kissed Riki. "And I believe you will. You have grown so much since the first time we met. You have matured into a fine, capable young man."

"Yeah, that you keep as a pet."

Iason flicked Riki's ear, watched his lover flinch, offended. "I think I shall rescind my offer to wait until we get home…"

"No!" Riki pushed against Iason's chest, because he had no doubt that the Blondie would indeed strip and fuck him right here in Katze's kitchen. He looked up at Iason with his best puppy dog eyes. "I'm sorry."

"That expression doesn't work on me."

"Sure it does." Riki fluttered his eyelashes and pursed his lips into a pout. "Doesn't it?"

Iason chuckled again. Damn him. "You are such a troublesome creature."

"Seriously, Iason, I don't have any clue for Cal's new job. I mean, I may have street smarts and know computers, but I only have the minimum curriculum from Guardian and…and…"

"And?" Iason prompted as he watched Riki scowl. "What is it, love?"

"I'm an idiot."

"You most certainly are not!"

"No, I mean…I mean I don't have much smarts….book learning I mean."

Iason stepped back so he could look at Riki properly. "What do you mean?"

"Cal…Cal could be…my…um…my tutor." Shit! Fuck! What was he in fucking grade school? "Other pets get tutors, right, for shi…I mean stuff like music and art?"

"True." Iason tilted his head, intrigued. "Do you wish to learn about art and music, Riki?"

"Hell no!" Riki closed his mouth with a snap.

He didn't care about any of that artsy stuff, he privately scorned the other pets who would sing or dance just to please their master's, but it was all he could think of for Cal. It hurt his pride to admit it, but there was still a lot of stuff he didn't know. He didn't have any culture or book learning. Who needed that shit? It was just one more thing that separated him from the other pets, but still…if he had to bury his pride a little to find a place for Cal, then…so be it.

"I mean…not that stuff, but he could teach me other things. Like he said, about history and other worlds and…" An idea came to him suddenly and his expression softened with just a hint of grief as he met Iason's curious gaze again. "Maybe…maybe he could help me find where I came from?"

Iason laid his hand against Riki's cheek. "Do you truly wish to know?"

"Y…yeah. I think, I kind of need to. I mean, I know I'm a mongrel, that won't change, but I've never really felt like one, you know? Maybe I need to find out why?"

"It will be difficult and even if you learn the answer, there is no guarantee that your father is still alive, Riki."

"No. I know, but I'd like to try." Riki lifted his gaze to Iason's and covered the hand on his cheek with his own palm. "Will you let me?"

Iason wanted to deny the request, wanted to lock Riki in his bedroom and have Jupiter replace the block she had broken through. What if Riki did indeed locate the planet where he was born? What if Riki's father was alive? Perhaps Riki had an entire family who wanted him. Would they fight to get him back? Would they steal him away? Iason couldn't, wouldn't give Riki up, not even to a long lost father, and yet…how could he deny allowing Riki to learn his origin?

Iason's hesitation worried Riki. "Iason?" he asked again and felt his heartbeat increase exponentially. What if Iason said no? The Blondie could be ridiculously possessive and if he did say no, would Riki even be willing to go against him?

"Riki." Watching the sudden uncertainty in his lover's eyes, Iason swallowed his own misgivings and kissed Riki's cheek. He would give Riki all that he was capable of giving, anything he asked if it was possible. "I think it is a very good idea."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Riki smiled, shyly. "So, we can bring Cal home now?"

"Well, let's tell him what he will be doing first and then if he accepts the position then yes we can bring him home."

"Welcome home, Sirs," Bean greeted as Iason and Riki entered the condo and Bean immediately took Iason's cloak. Cal stepped in behind them, clutching a small case and Bean noticed the small case clutched in the tall boy's hands. "Shall I prepare the third floor guest room, Sir?"

Rather than reply, Iason looked down at Riki. "Well, what do you think?"

"Cal's not a guest." Riki said and caught Cal's arm to pull the suddenly reluctant boy into the step down living room. "I'll show you to your room, Cal."

"Are the renovations for the pet room finished?" Iason asked Bean as he watched as the pair headed across the room towards the lift.

"Yes, Sir. They just finished up a few moments before you arrived."

"Good."

"Lunch will be ready in about twenty minutes, Sir. Is there anything you would like me to prepare for your guest during his stay? Perhaps a tour of the apartment and basic amenities?"

Iason knew Bean was thinking that Cal was another pet, which was an obvious assumption since the pet room had been refurbished, but he quickly disbursed the idea. "No. Cal used to be our Furniture, he already knows his way around so we just leave him to make himself at home."

For the first time, Iason saw the smallest flash of annoyance in Bean's dark eyes. "Am I to assume my services are no longer required, Sir?"

"Not at all."

"I apologize for my continued confusion, Sir. Are my services somehow lacking?"

"No, you've been doing a fine job of running the house. Cal was our Furniture. He is now Riki's personal tutor."

"I see. Very well, thank you for clarifying that, Sir. I shall finish preparing the meal."

"Fine." Iason moved across the living area and stepped up into his office, to check his messages.

Riki opened the door to the pet room, felt a small clench of fear and anger that always appeared when he came near this room, and pushed it back. He'd hardly been in here the last two years, but those memories remained, regardless of the passage of time.

As the door slid open, the oppressive feelings of the past melted away. The hated pet chair where he had been chained and tormented for months had been replaced with a large rounded bed accented with pretty, comfortable looking sheets. Instead of transparent wall cupboards that held sexual toys for both pleasure and punishment, there was a tasteful matching bureau and wardrobe closet.

The sensual red and black colors that had outfitted the room previously were now shaded in a lovely pastel blue with a deep crimson boarder. A massive area rug in reds, golds and blues took over a good deal of the floor, beneath the bed, and several accent shelves were nestled in the corners of the room for books or knickknacks.

"Wow!" Riki said and stepped inside, pleased when he didn't feel even a glimmer of anger. "They did a great job."

"I…I don't understand," Cal said, still standing outside the door. "What is this room for?"

"It's yours." Riki turned, walked over behind Cal and gently pushed him over the threshold. "It doesn't look anything like what it did before, which is good." He walked to the small desk and computer console by the wall. "Hey, this is a pretty spark system." He ran his hand fondly over the monitor. "Nothing but the best for Iason."

Cal gripped his case tighter as his eyes surveyed the luxurious room, well luxurious compared to the room he'd slept in as Furniture anyway. Was this really for him? He didn't need all of this…this room and comfort. What was Master Iason thinking? What would their new Furniture think, putting someone like him in a room like this?

"Hey, Cal!" Riki poked his head out of the ensuite bathroom. "They even changed it up in here. Come see!" When Cal remained in the center of the room, silent and trembling, Riki walked back to him. "Hey, what's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"It…thank you, truly, but this…this is too much!"

Riki caught Cal's shoulders. "It's not. You're not Furniture anymore."

"No, but…"

"You're Iason's ward and my teacher. You can't sleep in that back room of a kitchen when you hold such a responsibility, right? I mean, that would be, like, an embarrassment to Iason or some shit, right?"

"No, I mean, yes, of course, but Riki…"

"I need you, Cal. I need you to teach me and help me find my people and where I come from. I know this is hard, it will be hard for me to get used to, too, so we'll just have to lean on each other and get through it, right?"

Cal stared into Riki's obsidian eyes and felt his heart calm. "I don't know how much help I will be, but I will certainly try to find your family, Riki."

"You and Iason are my family now. I'm just looking for answers of who I am and where I came from, so I'm counting on you. Okay?"

Cal clutched a hand to his chest and lowered his eyes so Riki would not see the tears rising inside of them. Riki was so stubbornly independent, the idea that he would as for help or willingly admit to relying on someone else was staggering. Did he really consider them family? Cal couldn't remember ever having a family, except in those small snippets of torturous brainwashing, and those faded almost immediately afterwards.

"O…okay."

Riki squeezed Cal's shoulder and moved back to the door. "I'll leave you to unpack, see you at lunch."

"Yes…See you."

Cal watched Riki step out and close the door, then once again turned to inspect the bedroom…his bedroom. Could he really do this? Were they just keeping him around out of pity? Well, so what if it was pity, although he did not really believe Master Iason capable of such an emotion, but Riki could have possibly convinced him. Despite his rebellious nature and hard outside appearance, Cal knew that Riki was probably the kindest, most sincere and sympathetic of all of them, he envied that sometimes.

"Such a sweet boy," Cal sighed as he walked to the bed and set his case upon it.

Even though Riki was much older than he, Cal still considered the young man from Ceres to be his charge. He had bathed Riki and helped him dress, had walked him around Eos on a chain, which had made them both feel uncomfortable, but Master Iason had insisted it be done. When he had thought his Master and Riki dead, well, it had nearly crushed him. He'd become so attached to the mongrel, and he knew that was against the rules, but Riki was different. He was different from any other pet, any other person that Cal had ever known.

"Well, Riki and Master Iason are counting on me," he said to himself as he opened his case and pulled out some of the clothes that Katze had helped him pack. "I must do my best to be of assistance and not disappoint them. I shall be an impeccable and informative tutor." He nodded to himself as he set his shirts in one of the dresser drawers and returned to the case for more. He gathered some slacks and set them in a lower drawer. "I will find where you come from, Riki. It is the least that I can do for all you have done for me, and for Master Iason."

He knew his Master was happier with Riki than he had been before, although he had known that Riki had been a pet for Iason previously, and then had been released for a time. During that time he had come to work for Master Iason and the Blondie had seemed…well depressed most of the time, if it was even possible for an Elite to feel such a thing. But once Riki had returned, Master Iason changed into a much more friendly and relaxed person.

A knock on his door caused Cal to turn to the young boy with dark eyes and hair standing in the doorway.

"May I assist with your unpacking?" Bean asked, politely.

Cal shook his head, embarrassed by the offer, after all they were both equal. "No, I can do it. Thank you."

"Is there anything you need that has not been supplied? Do you approve of the design, or shall we change it to a different color?"

"Oh no. It's fine, really." Cal felt he should probably clear the air between them before they went any further. "Your name is Bean, correct?"

"Yes."

"I'm Cal."

"I have been made aware."

Cal detected the slightest hint of distaste in the younger man's voice. "How old are you, may I ask?"

"I just turned ten, Sir."

"You're only a couple of years younger than me, so you don't need to call me sir, Cal will do, and I don't expect your duties to extend to me."

"You are a guest in Master Iason's home and a teacher to The Pet. I will of course tend to all your needs as well as theirs, as is my duty."

The pet? Definitely a trace of scorn there. Did Bean not like Riki? Is this why Riki had suggested getting rid of Bean back at Katze's? Was the dislike mutual? Of course, he could recall that Riki wasn't overly fond of him at first either and he almost smiled.

"I know that Riki can be difficult, but really, once you get to know him he can be quite nice."

"I need only tend to The Pet's basic needs and report any misdeeds to Master Iason," Bean returned blandly. "Forming attachments is strictly forbidden. All Furniture know this."

The subtle baiting was obvious, but Cal refused to bite. He'd been insulted before, such things had never bothered him. One had to have a thick skin as Furniture, besides he needed to try and get along with Bean so as not to upset his position here. He did not want to throw away the second chance he had been given.

"You're right of course, please forgive me." Cal offered a slight bow to Bean. "We are in your care, please do your best."

Bean blinked, as if taken aback by Cal's response, then nodded curtly. "Lunch will be served in five minutes."

"Thank you, Bean."

Cal released a breath as the boy left, then turned back and finished his unpacking. Once done he headed back to the main floor. Habit had him heading through the dining area and towards the kitchen to start serving the food, but Riki speaking to Bean caused him to stumble to a halt.

"We need another setting."

Bean stiffened ever so slightly as he poured Iason's wine, then returned to normal. "I apologize. I shall bring one right away."

"Here," Riki said as he spotted Cal, and hopped up to pull out the chair opposite his. "Sit."

Cal immediately looked towards his master for permission, and Iason gave a subtle nod.

Once Cal was seated and Riki had resumed his seat, Iason leaned in and quietly spoke in Riki's ear. "Don't do that again."

"What?" Riki asked, startled.

"Hold the chair for Cal, you embarrassed him. He is not used to such things remember? We must help him adjust slowly."

"I was just…" Riki peered through his fringe of bangs, saw the pink spots on Cal's cheeks and swore softly. "Shit. I forgot."

Iason squeezed Riki's knee under the table, affectionately. He could tell that his lover was excited to have Cal back, and he was pleased to have the boy with them again as well, but Riki still did not grasp the enormity of how such a change would affect their former Furniture.

Bean returned with a place setting for Cal. "Shall I serve now, Sir?"

"Yes," Iason said as Cal started to rise.

"I can help…"

"No." Both Bean and Riki spoke simultaneously.

Cal blinked and slowly sat down again. "I'm sorry."

Realizing that he had screwed up and embarrassed Cal again, Riki cleared his throat and tried to think of a way to make it better.

"Bean is more than capable of serving the meals," Iason reminded with a hint of kindness in his voice. "That is his job, yours is to teach and I am sure you will do well at it."

"Y…yes. Thank you, Sir. I will try."

Riki could see that Cal was uncomfortable and cursed himself for not being able to remedy it, but then an idea came to it. "Can you teach me to cook too?"

Both Cal and Iason stared at him, the younger one visibly startled. "To cook?"

"Yeah." Riki waited as Bean returned with three dishes of sweet smelling meat and vegetables and placed the servings before them. "I miss the things you cook, they tasted really good. It's still teaching, and I used to like to cook when I was in Ceres. I never had a lot to work with, so there is definitely room for improvement, right?"

Again, Cal turned to Iason for permission and ignoring the boy's habit, Iason refused to meet his gaze and concentrated on filling his mouth with wine. Cal needed to look to Riki if he required permission now, or make the decision himself.

"I can teach you to cook," Cal said softly, as Bean poured a glass of juice for Riki, then turned to him.

"What would you like to drink, Sir?"

Cal tried not to wince. "Just water is fine, thank you."

"Very good, Sir."

Riki glared at Bean's departing back then turned his attention to Cal again. "So…chocolate cake for supper?"

"Are you asking him to make it for you, or will that be your first lesson?" Iason asked, amused.

"Um…I'll try making it, but…have another on hand, just in case."

Iason laughed and he noticed a slight twitch in Cal's lips as well.