Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Supreme Commander Fowler Birdy and Doctor Katherine Manx both belong to Disney. I wrote this story because I thought they'd make a great (though highly unexpected) couple. Feedback is always welcome, so feel free to leave a review or send me a private message. Enjoy 😊

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Chapter 12: Hard Truths

If there was one thing Birdy disliked about alcohol, it was the effect the liquor had on his bladder. He told Cruger as much when they ran into each other in the men's room.

"Sometimes I swear mine's the size of a pea," the Sirian replied with a chuckle as they washed their hands. "So how are things going between you and Kat?"

"Swimmingly," Birdy smiled, "I'm seriously considering asking SPD high command for a permanent stationary transfer."

"Really?" Doggie asked, his ears perking up. "You'd move here to earth for Kat?"

Birdy shrugged. "I don't see why not. One of the advantages of my job is that I can work anywhere and it would be unfair to ask Kat to give up everything she's worked so hard for. I don't want to take her away from her friends and I surely don't want to force her to choose between our relationship and the one place she considers home."

"You may be an insufferable pain in the ass," Doggie said, "but I have to admit you're a good man, Birdy."

Birdy cocked his head slightly to one side and raised an eyebrow. "Uh...thanks, I think."

"Everything's fine and dandy until someone gets hurt."

Doggie and Birdy both turned toward the familiar voice. Kat's brother, Felix, came out of one of the stalls and went over to the sink to wash his hands.

Birdy frowned. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Two words..." Felix lifted two fingers for emphasis "...Veilyren Hoat."

Birdy stiffened. "What about him?"

"He's already taken out two of your best rangers. The only reason Hoat hasn't gone after Kat is because he thinks she doesn't mean anything to you. What do you think he'll do when he finds out you do care for her?"

"And how exactly would he do that?" Cruger asked, folding his arms over his chest while Birdy glared at Felix.

"Not from me," the feline man-alien replied, "I may not agree with your relationship, but I love my sister. I'd be more worried about rumors and social media. The truth will find its way to Hoat's ear." He locked gazes with Birdy. "Love comes from those willing to put the needs of another before their own desires. The only way to ensure my sister's safety is by separating her from the person putting her life in jeopardy. If you truly love Kat, if you care for her at all, you will leave earth. Hoat won't think twice about her once you're gone. Stay...and the chances of him killing her will skyrocket."

"Felix," Doggie warned.

"You know I'm right," Kat's brother persisted, " I don't want to lose Kat all because of some infatuation. She deserves better than a fickle egotist with a chip on his shoulder."

Just to prove how much he disliked his sister's lover, Felix Manx shoved past him as he left the men's room.

"Don't let him get to you," Doggie said, placing a reassuring hand on Birdy's shoulder. "He's just upset. It's been a while since Kat took an interest in someone. After Grumn destroyed their home world Felix and Kat were all they had. He's an overprotective brother, that's all."

"What if he's right?" Birdy frowned. "I love Kat. If something happens to her, if she gets hurt because of me, I'll never forgive myself Anubis."

"Nothing bad is going to happen to Kat," Doggie assured him. " Even if Hoat did try something, we'd stop him." He gave Birdy's shoulder a firm but friendly squeeze before releasing it. "Come on. We don't want to keep Kat and the others waiting, do we?"

"No," Birdy murmured, "No we don't."

He followed Doggie back to the table where Kat and Isenia were waiting for them.

"I had the waiter bring you another drink," Kat informed Birdy when he approached the booth.

"That's very kind of you," he said, giving her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" Kat asked, noticing his lack of enthusiasm.

"I'm not feeling too well," Birdy admitted, "Too much liquor I'm afraid. I think it would be best if I retired to the base for the rest of the evening."

"I'll go with you," Kat offered, reaching for her purse.

"No," Birdy protested just a bit too loudly. He immediately realized his mistake when Kat's eyes widened. He lowered his voice. "You should stay and have fun with the others. I'll be fine."

" Are you sure?" she asked, concern shimmering in her emerald eyes.

"I'm sure," he whispered, brushing her hand with his as he turned to leave. "I'll see you all back at base."

The others waved to him as he left. Birdy felt the temperature fall as he stepped out onto the street. The air was cool and crisp, the evening sky clear and illuminated by billions of tiny stars. Birdy took a deep breath as he made his way back to SPD.

Birdy decided to walk. He needed time to think. Room to maneuver, his grandfather used to say. Felix didn't care for him at all, but the man was right. If Hoat learned of his affections for Kat, she'd never be safe, not with Birdy constantly butting heads with the murderous wretch.

Hoat would terrorize Kat. Birdy knew she was resilient, but he couldn't stomach the notion of putting her through that. Felix was right. She deserved better.

He yanked his uniform off as soon as he made it to his room and left the clothes in a wrinkled heap on the floor as he made his way into the bathroom. He needed a cold shower. Anything to fend off the alcoholic haze clouding his mind.

Deep down Birdy knew what he had to do and it was tearing him apart. Anger and frustration got the better of him and he slammed his fists into the wall. Once..twice...thrice before collapsing to the floor. He sat there on his knees, knuckles stinging, ice-cold water beating down on him as he closed his eyes panting for air.

Why couldn't the world leave well enough alone? What had he done to deserve this living hell everyone else called life? He just wanted Kat. To hold her, to feel her next to him, to love her and be loved by her. So simple, and yet, utterly impossible. He had to let her go. For her sake if not his own.

Birdy wiped his eyes, swiping away all the tears he hadn't realized he'd been crying, and pushed himself up off the floor.

I'm a supreme commander. I don't have time for this. To love is weak, he scolded himself as he finished his shower. I am not weak and I refuse to waste any more time on this...folly!

Birdy grabbed his communicator off the nightstand and started typing in letters. His month was up. Doggie's orders had been clear. He'd made a decision regarding the recruitment. All he had to do now was gather his rangers and return to headquarters. His fingers hesitated, hovering over the send button on the travel-sized electronic keyboard. He read what he'd written silently to himself.

Anubis,

Felix is right. It would be selfish of me to endanger Kat's life with my personal conflicts. I must hurt her, not physically of course, but she must be made to believe that I do not love her. Forgive me, my friend, but it is the only way. I must harm her to save her. I will be leaving first thing in the morning. I can only hope my departure will be enough to draw Hoat's attention away from SPD. I've already lost enough people I care about. I will not risk losing the rest of you. Farewell.

- Birdy

He forced himself to press the send button, then packed his things and tucked them away in the closet. He didn't want Kat to see the luggage. She'd ask questions, questions he couldn't possibly answer.

Birdy laid down in bed exhausted, yet sleep eluded him. Kat came in about an hour later. She curled up next to him, whispering his name, but he pretended to be asleep. He couldn't face her. One look and she would know something was wrong. Birdy kept his eyes shut until sleep finally took him.

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Okay! This chapter took forever to write. So, anyway, let's recap shall we? Kat's head over heels for Birdy. Meanwhile he's caught in a budding bromance with Cruger while Felix is on the rampage because he doesn't like the idea of his sister putting her own life at risk by getting involved with Birdy whom he believes isn't good enough for her. Everything is falling apart at the seams because of Hoat and the fact that they have no idea what he's up to and to top it off Birdy has the worst case of angst driven insomnia I think I've ever seen in my life. Is Birdy really going to leave Kat? Will Cruger go through with his earlier threat? Is Felix really specist? What about Hoat? Is he the only enemy they have to worry about? So, yeah...I'll post the next chapter as soon as I get done writing it. Remember, feedback is important, and always welcome. 😊