-Ƹ̴Ӂ̴}|{-

Chapter Twelve

Max

"Thanks again for this, Dean." I sighed, tickling Luna's belly with one hand as the two of us sat side-by-side on the floor, cross-legged. We'd settled Ari on the pull-out sofa bed in the lounge area, the bed that the two of us usually shared, and retreated to Dean's bedroom so we didn't wake him. He grinned a little, gently nudging Logo until the dogs paws and jaws wrapped around his hand.

"You need to stop thanking me," He laughed. "It's been almost three weeks now."

"I know, I'm just…"

"Not used to having someone looking out for you? I got that." Dean laughed, nudging me gently with his shoulder. I grinned a little, loving the ease that had developed in our relationship. I caught sight of the clock on the other side of the room, and sighed.

"Its twenty-to-one and we have school and work tomorrow," I grumbled. "We should probably go to bed."

"Probably," Dean sighed, standing and pulling me to his feet. I was about to leave when he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a gentle hug. For a second I hesitated, and then my arms wrapped around him and I felt my head bury its way into his shoulder as if of its own accord.

I hadn't felt this safe around anyone since, well, since Fang.

After a long moment, Dean kissed the top of my head and then pulled back, shoving me playfully towards the door. "Get out of here, loser."

I mimed stumbling towards the door, pressing my hand to my heart and fake gasping in shock, before laughing quietly. "Fine, jerk."

"Oh, Max," He called out after me. "Owen and I are working late tomorrow, and he's bringing Kallie, so I figured I'd take Ari and you can stop by after work? Discounted food for you, and the guys."

I grinned, nodding my approval before heading out.

-Ƹ̴Ӂ̴}|{-

Total wagged his tail enthusiastically as he saw me coming, and even Akila perked up a little. The two of them had been getting more and more social, but they only had two weeks left at the shelter before their time ran out and they were put to sleep. I was so reluctant to let it happen that Dean and I had even talked about adopting them to our flat, but we already had six dogs and really couldn't handle any more.

"Only two weeks left, huh?" Fang asked; I frowned a little. Over the past month or so the two of us had come to an understanding of sorts. We were fairly friendly around each other, but nothing more than that.

"Yeah," I sighed. "I'm desperate to get them a home, but everyone seems to be reluctant because Akila's so big."

"I've left an application for them on your desk," Fang offered, grinning a little. I snapped my head up a little.

"What?"

"Sophie's been wanting a dog for years now, and I brought her and the others up yesterday and they love the pair of them."

"Seriously?"

Fang nodded, grinning a little, and part of me felt guilty that he was once again making an effort that I had yet to reciprocate. Besides, what was stopping me now? There was no longer an abusive father, or jerk of a boyfriend, to defend and appease. Why couldn't there be an easy relationship between the two of us?

"Thanks, Fang, seriously." He nodded, again, before turning and heading out. What happened next surprised me as much as him, I can assure you. "Hey, Dean and Owen are working late at the diner tonight – discounted food for you, Iggy and if you're up for joining me and the others."

Fang blinked. Then blinked again. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. "That'd be great, Max."

I watched him walk out of our shared office, before smacking myself on the forehead. Recently myself, Kieran, Tyler and Tyrone (the other two workers at the shelter) had been heading to the diner after work; I was sure the others had noticed the lack of Fang and Iggy, but none of them had said anything and the three of them got along great with Dean and Owen.

Still, I knew that Tyler and Fang didn't exactly see eye-to-eye sometimes, and Iggy, Fang and I were still barely on speaking terms.

So why I had I just gone and invited them?

-Ƹ̴Ӂ̴}|{-

"You came," Dean grinned, sliding into the booth next to me, scooting over to let Owen in and shifting a little uncomfortably when he saw that Fang and Iggy had joined the group; I could understand that. He knew that I wasn't completely comfortable with them, and that was bound to make him a little on edge.

"Of course I came," I laughed, nudging him playfully and nodding to where Ari and Kallie were playing just across the room in the area with the small tables and chairs supplied just for kids. "You're holding my brother hostage. I had to come and save him."

Dean growled playfully, giving me a small playful shove; strangely, I did flinch at the mock-violence, but laughed and nudged him back, blushing a little as I realised that everyone was watching us; Fang seemed to be playing especially close attention.

I wondered what his deal was.

"So, Kieran," I said to break the small silence that had lapsed over the table. "Is it true that you really got taken down by two teeny-weeny cats today? Impressive."

"Teeny-weeny," Kieran said exasperatedly, but he was grinning and nodding. "They were crazy. Great big feral things; I was scared for my life, thought they were going to eat me or something."

"And yet two thirteen-year-old volunteers managed to pull them off without getting a single scratch on them? You should have heard the pair of them squealing in the staffroom – I swear it's a pre-teen girl thing." Tyler piped in, and I was glad to note that the awkwardness had dimmed.

This might actually work.

A/N - Sorry this one took so long; I've just started college (English college, I'm not that old you Americans!) and it's crazy!

Long wait again. I feel ashamed ^^'

Hopefully I haven't dissapointed you too badly with the standard, but I'm trying my best. College is crazy, and I'm trying to work out issues with some of my best friends, not to mention work and working on my own novels - crazy!

Hope you hadn't given up hope and I haven't lost you all!

This chapters question: What is/are your favourite colour(s) and why?

Mine are black, white, red and dark purple. As for why... I think they kind of help me fade into the background a little. Call me paranoid ^^'.