.~*Chapter Twenty-Four*~.

Jewel sat silently on the porch, watching as the sun rose in the distance. It was a beautiful January morning, and the snow still had to melt. Her mind went over everything that had happened in the past few weeks, everything from her rape to the present moment.

She had felt strange the past few days, and had gotten sick, but didn't know why. She was probably coming down with the flu. She was eating more, but didn't talk to anyone. She refused to say a word since that day. She had too much to think about, but at the same time, her mind was blank.

Beary watched the girl he loved from the trees on the outskirts of the meadow. He had gone out for an early morning hunt, and was just returning. He could see the first rays of the sunlight over the trees light up the golden she-cub's fur, giving her the essence of a glow. He found the sight quite beautiful, and couldn't resist sitting down and drawing what he saw on the little sketch pad Derek had gotten him on his last trip down to the city.

So far, the pictures in the little book consisted of Jewel and a few faces that he knew, but couldn't remember the names for. So much had happened since he and Jewel had been kidnapped that he barely remembered his life before that.

After that day that Thrasher had touched Jewel, Beary rarely left her side except to go hunting. He slept by her up in the loft at night, making sure there was a blanket separating them, and sat by her on the porch when they went outside. No longer was he going to ignore her in order to protect her. He had learned his lesson when she had been raped by the grizzly. He would no longer stand in the background, waiting for something to happen. Now he stayed by her side and protected her like he had promised. He told her every day that he loved her and would never leave her again.

She never verbally responded to him. Jewel wouldn't utter a word. Nonetheless, he kept to his vow.

As he added the last few details, he heard footsteps behind him. He knew Derek would get after him for idling instead of taking the meat in his backpack to the freezer before it spoiled. Then again, there was snow on the ground, so did it really matter?

Derek walked up behind him seeing him there. He knew he'd not put the meat away yet, but he wasn't about to disturb the kid from what he was doing. "That go'od. Ya kno'w, lik'ness," he said looking over Beary's shoulder.

Beary's ears perked up and he blushed a little at the praise. "Well... I.. uh... I want to give it to her for her birthday... I couldn't get her anything else for today..." He gave a small smile as he closed the book. "Jewel's thirteen today..." He put the book in his inside vest pocket and stood. "Better put the meat away, huh..."

He watched as Lei stuck her head out the door and called for Jewel to come inside. "She's... she's so beautiful... and I don't know how to tell her... I can tell her that I love her, but... I don't know how to get through to her anymore, Derek..."

"Why not just tell her how you feel, bro?" Dex asked as he wandered up behind them, holding his own load of food; he had gone fishing.

"It's not that easy, you know..."

"Sure it is. Go right up to her and tell her..."

"May work for you, Dex, but..."

"Don't be such a chicken."

"I'm not a chicken."

"You won't even tell your best friend that she's beautiful. Yeah, that's being a chicken."

"Dex, I'm warning you..."

"Ah c'mon. Hush the 'teazin." Derek watched Jewel go inside and sighed. The kid was still in shock—sorta. "Don'cha w'rry 'bout th' m'eat. I'll s'rt it." He picked up the backpack and went off.

Beary blinked. "Wait! It's my responsibility!" He followed the older bear.

Dex, too, followed... a little unsure on what to do with the fish he had captured. "Um... What do I do with these?"

"Oh, those?" Beary took them from his brother and began working with them—cleaning them up.

Dex watched in amazement. Since when did Beary learn to gut a fish? "So... when are we getting out of this hellhole?"

Beary's eyes widened. "Shut up! There's no way out..."

"Hey, take it eazy on him, Beary, but yeah, he iz right. Iz impozible ta get 'way from T'rasher, alwayz az hiz wayz." Derek shook his head slightly and smiled. "Ya 'kay Dex?"

Beary sighed and looked at Dex. "May not know how to fish—not that I want to know—but I can gut one. Derek showed me..."

Dex looked at Derek. "Well... I would be if I was back home... With Roxi's and my child on the way, I don't want her here with this monster... I certainly don't want Beary and Jewel here any longer."

"I know. Hopefully some'thing migh't turn up, juzz have to wait for things ta sett'le down fir'st," he sighed and scratched his head for a minute, thinking. For the moment they'd have to get used to things; make the most of it. Hopefully, sometime later might be able to find a way for them to get away. He knew someone in the base had been thinking of how best to get them out of their predicament. "I heard it's Jewel's bir'vday... why not we make some'ting up fo her?"

Beary's eyes brightened and he smiled. "Yeah! Let's throw her a party! If... that's okay?" he asked, innocently.

Dex frowned. "How are we going to do that? We need a cake... food..."

Derek chuckled. "O'course we cou'ld. Hmm will hafta git down to the c'ty and get a few things... but ye'ah think we cud do th'at." He looked over the place... they'd need Lei-Lei for this. "Hm, Beary, what's Jewel like'd tha most? 'er favarit things?"

Beary looked at him with wide eyes. "T-The... city? You know we can't go down there... he'll kill us..." He looked down nervously. "I... I was thinking... we make something here..." He whimpered. "She likes... music... a lot of music... and cookies... and... um..." He blushed horribly as he muttered the next thing. "Making out... And she has this strange fascination with squeezing my butt."

Dex just stared at his brother slackjawed. Just simply stared for a good few minutes before laughing.

Derek shook his head. "Weren't saying you had ta go down there; I'd have gone down and got somethin... hmm don' know if Lei-Lei has much in 'er kitchen b'ut we'll hav'a look." He gave no reaction to the fact that Beary had said Jewel liked making out. "Az fo music don' know if there is somethin could use. But what about a song fo her?"

"If I had a guitar, I could teach her how to play. She's wanted to learn."

Dex glanced at him. "I thought she played piano..."

"Keyboard, and I also play the Thang. What's your point?"

"Uh... nothing. But you don't even have a guitar... well... here..."

"I need a new Gibson... mine's getting too small for my fat fingers." He started scowling.

Derek smiled. "Think I might head down to tha city after all, and ya don' have fat fingers... look ah these ones." He wiggled his own much bigger paws and chuckled. "Or might... hmm... might ask someone if could git down there and get a few bits..."

Beary chuckled and smiled at him. "She likes strawberry cake. And white frosting." He licked his lips. "Just get the mix and the necessary supplies and we can... um... make it ourselves! Surprise her!"

Derek grinned and nodded. "Sounds like a plan... I jus' need to get off this mountain..."

Dex frowned. "Why can't I go with you? Let us out of here..."

Beary looked at him and whined. "Master will hunt us down and kill us all..."

Dex turned to him, his expression livid. "HE IS NOT YOUR MASTER!"

Beary flinched and backed away.

"Don't be a fool Dex, T'rasher would find out and then... there'd be 'ell ta pay..." Derek looked at Dex almost straight through him... couldn't the kid understand?

"But we can tell the FBI! They can come up here and arrest him!" Dex argued angrily.

"Ya really are foolish boy... and also... Th'rasher w'ould do all possibible to not g't caught! Minute ee find's cops up 'ere..." he shook his head "No witnesses allowed or any'zhing..." He tried to change the uncomfortable subject. "ah Zhee if Cady wan's go down to tha city... no chip in 'er neck..."

Beary flinched and frowned slightly at the name, looking away, but didn't say anything. Chip? What chip?

"That bitch? You're going to trust her with this? Are you insane?" Dex chastised.

"Don'tcha call my Lei-Leis 'dopted daughter a bitch! She 'ad no choice in what she did! That girls done 'lot fo me and Lei-Lei!" He growled, annoyed. "Is not her choice in 'what she does... sh'e tries ta 'elp... 'ot a bad 'erson," he finished.

"Yeah, that's why she clobbered me with a baseball bat. She kidnapped Roxanne and me! She put our unborn child in danger! She's a bitch!"

Beary whimpered as he watched them bicker.

"She 'robably didn't even know hoo ya waz! She d'nt mean ta do things!" Derek growled angrily then his face turned sad and he sighed. "She saved my daughter's life... waz'n fo er she be dead..."

Dex snarled at him, clenching his fists. "You said she doesn't have a chip. Then why the hell hasn't she left? Gone for help? Why does she stay?! Why doesn't she help protect all the innocents that he's taken?!"

"Guys... please... don't..." Beary whined, unheard.

Derek shook his head. "Ya seen zhem mahks on her back? Dat's T'rashers doin... she d'nt mean ta do things! if he orderx her, zhe doez what told..." Derek growled angrily. "Cady's T'rashers beetch... ee urts er... even when zhe takes plaze of er comrades... ee's got her as iz... ee keeps er close... zhe won't leave im or run an ee knows it... would rather kill 'erself than run from er master..."

The human scowled and shook his head. "Y'all are a bunch of wackjobs. Just sayin."

"Dex, please... it's Jewel's birthday... please don't fight..." He was shaking slightly, arms wrapped around his body.

Dex looked down at his younger brother before sighing and ruffling the cub's hair. "All right, doofus. Sorry for scaring you."

The panda breathed deeply and calmed down. "Yeh, ah should'n lose it like that... c'mon... let's get this stuff sorted, then ah'll git down to tha city and get the things." He let out a slight soft chuckle. He knew what he'd bring back; just had to hope they had the right one.

Beary's ears perked and he turned his head just in time to see Jewel race out of the cabin, crying, with Lei following her. "Huh...?"

Dex blinked and looked over at the fleeing females. "What on earth...?"

"Nawt sure... think zhe might'ta heard about say it is her birthday taday." He watched them running a little worried.

"No... Jewel would be happy about her birthday... She would know that I had something specially planned for her..."

"Hmm... 'kay... well I'll be gitin down ta the city be gone fo a bit... will be a w'ile I think. If Ca'dy come don't send 'er 'way."

Beary nodded and turned around and left the shed, chasing after Jewel.

Dex turned and was about to start arguing with Derek again, before he heard Roxi calling his name from inside the cabin. Sighing, he wandered over in her direction.

.~*~.

Cady hefted the items in her backpack and the things in her arms, grinning slightly at her step-papa. "Well that was a pleasant trip. Think they'll like all this lot? Got some party nibbles and stuff. You need a hand at all, Derek?" she looked at what he was carrying.

Derek smiled happily as he carried the two guitar cases. "I 'ope zey 'ike em. B'ue fo Jewel, and red fo Beary." He had gotten Beary a red L4 Gibson Acoustic guitar with a jumbo cutaway style body, a glossy solid spruce top, rosewood back and sides, rosewood fretboard and bridge, dot inlays, and gold hardware.

For Jewel, he had gotten a blue 1976 Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic Guitar with mahogany for the neck, back and sides along with the spruce top and a wine red/heritage cherry finish. The neck was nice and full feeling falling somewhere in between what is now called 50s shaped and 60s shaped and is 1-11/16" wide at the nut.

"Hope so too, they looked gorgeous when you picked them out." She grinned at him. "Say... y-you don't think they'll mind me coming up? I still feel bad over what I'd been ordered to do that day..." She winced remembering when she'd wacked Dex over the head with that bat.

"Zey might git mad at fuwst, but... Lei-Lei misses ya... and so do I... Zat s'ould be wha mattahs most. Ya aw our guest."

"Miss you both, too. I-I better not stay too long or Thrasher will get mad... fugging lucky in one way that he's not chipped me... oh well it's nice to be out of the base... so what you going to be doing for Jewel up here?" She paused a second to shift the stuff in her arms making them stable again.

"Well, it's her bi'thday.. and Beary wan'ed ta t'rough 'er a partah... Least we cou'd do fo zem..."

Cady smiled at that. "Aww that's nice. Think all this that we've got is enough for them? I could always pop down again and get some more nibbles and pop."

"Nah, I'm suw dis is enough. How much can humans eat, anyway?" He laughed and gave her a small smile.

"Well you never know with humans but I know with cubs can get pretty hungry. How's the girl doing? Uh, Roxi, is it? With her belly? Was a bit worried when she'd been dragged about an all."

"She's pregnant... almost four months now..."

"Yeesh. Still got five months to go then. It's nine months for humans right? I really hope Thrasher won't take the little one away when he or she is born." She winced, thinking about her daughter; had been quite some time since that day.

"I know... Tell me, he's s'ill havin t'ouble roundin up breedahs for the male, yes?"

She winced and nodded. "Finding it hard and getting pissed off about it... wouldn't stop lashing out at me over it." She grimaced and rolled her shoulders a little bit.

"I hope he nevah finds any. Gonna git dem outta here soon..." He froze and looked at her in horror. He hadn't meant to tell her.

She just grinned. "Was wondering when you were going to say that... oh don't look worried." She glanced around. "Me and someone else have been thinking how to as well..." she whispered. "Get em down to the city and away from here... Beary's been put through enough and so have the others, can't frickin believe what Thrasher's thinking and what he's been doing."

"T'ere's mo, Cads... Befo we left... I... I ta'ked to Lei..." He took a deep breath and leaned over, whispered something in her ear.

"Uh-oh. Okay, really need to get them away soon. If Thrasher finds out, it's gonna be bad." She grimaced. "Thrasher's getting moody and stuff, getting impatient. Once he finds out he'll be ordering her back to the base... not good at all..." She sighed. "Me and the other tw—- uh never mind well we're trying to figure out a way on getting them down to the city..."

"Cady... t'ere's anozzur p'oblem... we... we don' know who da fazzur is... Th'asha or Beary..."

She gave him a look. "Derek, I'd have gotten pregnant several times since I've been here. Thrasher's sterile, he's had sex with me so many times over the years if he wasn't I'd have been pregnant since I first arrived here..."

"I know dat, but ya nevah know... she... she was raped... sho'tly after she made love with her mate..."

She growled darkly. "Thrasher hurt her?! Godsdamn it! Is Jewel all right? Bet the poor kid's badly shook up over it, and yes I'm more than aware of what happened to Thrasher. Can't say I'm happy about it."

"She's mo zan shook up..." he said softly. "She... she hasn't spoken since we got back f'om da hospi'al... not one wo'd..." He let out a dark growl. "He hu't Lei-Lei, too... she... she offahed 'erself in da cub's place... but... it was too late..." He let out a soft whine as he remembered that day... returning to the cabin and finding Jewel handcuffed to the couch while Lei was chained to the bed.

"N-no not mom too! That bastard!" She looked VERY upset. "h-he frickin hurt em both! Is she all right?!" she whimpered loudly at this news.

"Lei-Lei won't ta'k 'bout it... Jewel... doesn't ta'k at all... he left dem dere... chained to da couch and bed... bleedin'..."

Cady went white under her fur. No... He'd done that!? When he'd punished her he'd not usually made her bleed; sure he'd chained her up in that chamber of his and beaten the crap out of her but not made her bleed! "Fug! Haven't tried anything to talk to them? Jewel's really hurt if she won't talk at all! She's probably severely traumatized by all this!"

"We've t'ied... all of us... she won' ta'k... I know he's been badleh hu't by dis... but... I don know wha I can do ta fix it..."

"I wish I could help Derek... but I wouldn't know how to. You know my history; there's no difference between it for me." She whimpered. "Poor kids... they don't deserve any of what's happened and happening."

"I know they don't... and... I'm sowi to say I helped him..." He let out a soft whine.

She looked at him. Why say helped him... "what you mean Der?" she looked a bit confused

He sighed and told her the truth, that it was he that had made the entire thing happen. He had made sure the Bears stayed in that particular hotel by booking up all the others. He had gotten rid of the night manager. He had paid off the fire inspector to not check out the hotel. He had brought this upon the cubs...

She looked shocked. Wait, what?! He'd helped this happen?! Why?! Why do it?!

"I... I juzz wan'ed out... to be f'ee ta live the rest of my life with Lei-Lei... I... I feel horrible... now zat I know dem... I... I'm a monstah..."

"Papa, you're not a monster, you were desperate. It wasn't your fault don't get upset. Thrasher played ya didn't he."

"I let dis happen! Dis is all my fau't! I caused all dis!"

"No, ya didn't! Derek, ya know yer not at fault! Please don't blame ya'self!" She looked at him upset at the fact he was blaming it all on himself. "If anyone was to blame for those kids misfortune it's Thimple."

Derek blinked and looked at her. "Thimple?"

"Josh Thimple. From what I heard from Thrasher when he had him in the office and I was there, seemed to be the main reason Thrasher was contacted by him. Something involving revenge on the kids over something... Not exactly sure though."

"I coulda stopped it... but I didn't... I'm a failure..."

"Derek, you aren't a failure don't think that, please. Come on they're okay. We'll get them away from all of this."

"I 'pose yer right... C'mon... Let's go git dis partah s'arted." He gave her a small smile and picked up the guitar cases again.

"Sure Der... c'mon let's go give them some much needed fun" She chuckled and sorted out the stuff she was carrying and started walking up towards the cabin again

He gave her a small smile and began walking as well. "Dis will be fun, eh? I don't t'ink I've been to a partah since I was... eleven..."

"Only party I can remember having was when I was... twelve I think... was nice..." She smiled and ruffled her furry self and walked a bit brisker up the path. "So how we doing this? A surprise party?"

"Yeah... Gotta bake de cake an eve'yt'in. Gonna be interesting... eh?"

"Hehe oooh it's going to be fun! Hope it brings some cheer to em and makes Jewel feel a little better." She smiled at him.

"Maybe get her to ta'k a little..." He smiled at her and let out a soft sigh. "Cady... wha aw we gonna do..."

"Mmm?" She glanced over at him "Do about what Derek? Meaning about getting them out of here?"

"No... About makin a cake..."

"Oh, that's not a problem! I can make one... got the ingredients with me just need to find out what exactly it should be like."

"I don't 'ink it'll be the same..."

"Can do it with Beary. Show him how if he doesn't know how to make on. If it's from him it'll be special"

"That's sounds like it'll work... Yes..." He looked over at the cabin with a small smile as he saw Lei-Lei on the porch, smiling happily as she began preparing the meat.

Cady looked over where he was smiling and grinned happily. Mom... she giggled slightly and walked up to the cabin.

"Wonda if we're gonna 'ave deer s'ew." He licked his lips eagerly and glanced at Cady with a goofy grin. "I 'ope so. So yummy."

"Haven't had that for ages! I've missed moms cooking" She grinned happily at him. "Yum, yum!" She licked her lips. "Where shall I put the stuff once we're inside?"

"Uh... You'll have to ask Lei-Lei..." He looked down at the guitar cases. "I'll... put dese in da shed till latah."

"Hehe all right... hope they like em." She giggled and walked up to her mom with the stuff she smiled. "Hey, mom."

Alakalei paused at what she was doing—cleaning and salting the meat—and looked at Cady in shock. "Cads... What... what are you doing here?"

Cady stepped back a second the smile fading. "Went down the city with Derek to help him out with a few things. Got quite a few bits here." Her ears went back a bit... wasn't she welcome?

"Oh... well... last time you were here..." Tears started to form in her eyes as she let out a soft whine. Her baby had been stolen from her... her last cub, little Nevada, a small albino.

Cady whimpered at that and backed off trembling. No, she wasn't welcome. "I'm... I'm sorry... I'll go... I didn't th-think." She was fighting not to start crying over that memory. She put the things down and started to move away her lip wobbling. She should have stayed away. Her mom didn't want her here.

"No... it's okay... It... was just a bad thought... Please... don't go... please... Cady... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." Lei set the meat down on the cutting board and whined as she got up. "Please... Cady... Please forgive me..."

Cady whimpered and looked down sniffling and stopped where she was and stayed put. "I'm sorry, m-mom..." She looked up with her eyes at her mom her ears flopped flat.

"No, don't be... It's my fault... I should have invited you back ages ago... I'm sorry..."

"Y-you sh-shouldn't b-be the one s-saying s-sorry. I sh-should be. I've missed you s-so much!" She sort of shuffled forward towards her mom her head down.

Lei held her arms open and enfolded Cady in a hug. "Shh... It's okay, my Caedia... It'll be all right... I promise..."

Her eyes widened in shock. No one had called her that in years. She buried her head in her mom's neck and sniffled and wrapped her arms around her, slowly calming down, feeling wanted and safe.

"I'm sorry... Shh..." Lei held her close and gently pet her hair. "Shh... Come on, child... sit with me and help me salt the meat, all right?"

Cady smiled against her neck and nodded and nuzzled her and then sort of drew back. "O-okay... m-mom." She gave her one more hug.

"Tell me, what did the pair of you get?" Her eyes suddenly widened when she saw Derek walk over. "D-Derek?! What have you done to your fur?!"

Derek had dyed his fur a rich red. He gave her an innocent look. "It twas Cads idea..."

"Hey! You were one for getting down to the city! I didn't choose that color." She smirked and chuckled and fiddled with the hole in her ear poking a long claw through it and took on an innocent look.

"You tol' me it was da only one ya had!" He gave her an accusing look.

She reached into her pocket for a moment and pulled out a bottle of fur dye which was a dark gray. "Oops forgot I had this one." She grinned at him all mischief and no malice. "Here go and stick this on if that's better."

"He'll burn off his fur with that, if he puts too many chemicals on his fur, Cady," Lei whined. "I'll just have to get used to him like this."

Derek scowled and glared at Cady. "Ya are evil."

Lei started laughing. "Might have had to figure out a way to turn her fur pink in revenge."

Cady grinned and smiled. Hearing Lei, she turned her head and looked at her mom in horror. "No! Not pink! Blech! Aw c'mon anything but pink!" She shook her head quickly.

Lei laughed, and then turned her head and looked over at Jewel, who was standing in the doorway. "Hello, child. How are you feeling?"

Jewel glanced at Cady nervously, before shrugging.

"Oh h-hi, Jewel. You all right?" Cady gave her a smile, remembering what Derek had said. Yeesh she did look a bit peaky. She saw the nervous look and her face softened.

Jewel looked at her again and moved closer to the door.

"It's all right, Jewel. Cady's my adopted daughter. She won't hurt you. Where are the others?" Lei asked softly.

Jewel looked over at the trees first, then back in the cabin.

"They went out hunting again? And Roxi's laying down?"

She nodded.

Cady glanced at her mom for a moment and then at Jewel. Did she really think she'd hurt her? Her ears flopped back against her head. That poor kid.

"Do you want to help me, Jewel? Cady and I were about to finish salting the meat. There's still a bit to go, and since Beary and Dex are out hunting again..."

Jewel nodded slowly. She would like to help... Suddenly, she got this sick expression on her face and she bolted inside.

Lei sighed. "Morning sickness sucks..."

"Poor kid. I know how she feels. Hate morning sickness..." she looked sympathetically in the direction Jewel had just disappeared to. "Hope she's eating and drinking enough"

"We do what we can," Lei said softly. "She'll be out to help us in a moment."

"Hmm you think it's a good idea? She looks pretty bad, mom. She should take it easy and relax if she's feeling sick."

"She needs to keep busy. She has a lot to think about lately." Lei sighed. "Like how to tell her mate... The cubs will be born within three months. As soon as they are... we have to leave. Before Thrasher comes and claims Beary to return... for when he does, he'll find out that Jewel's pregnant..."

"All the more reason to make plans. Three months? I'd pin it at two. If we get sent after you, we'll try and chase you to the city, mom."

Lei sighed. "It's not Derek and my time to leave... we're not meant to... been here too long... but we will get the youngens out..."

"I know, mom... but I don't want any of you to get hurt. You need to get out, too. Please... I don't want you hurt if you get caught," she whimpered.

"I know I'm not getting out, Caedia... but... I will try... I promise..." She looked past Cady and smiled when she saw Jewel return. "How are you feeling, child?"

Jewel simply put a paw on her head and sighed.

"Got a headache Jewel? You feeling all right?" Cady looked over concerned for the she-cub.

The golden female gave a small nod and sat down on the porch, her swollen belly just a little visible.

Cady gave her a small smile. "So what you doing with this meat then mom?" She finished cleaning and salting a large piece and went for another...

"Well, I was thinking of making deer stew. Jewel's been inside chopping up vegetables that we had in the greenhouse and making the gravy. Jewel, do you mind if Cady stays for dinner?"

The she-cub shrugged her shoulders. She didn't care if she did or not.

"I don't want to be a nuisance, mom, besides, Roxi, Dex, and Beary might not want me around. To them they see me as trouble no doubt." She sighed and slapped some of the salt on to the meat and rubbed it in.

"You are staying and that's final." Lei gave her a stern glare. "Besides, there's so many people here... there's going to be a lot to do, and my old bones can't do much anymore."

"Oi you aren't old mom, sure I'll help out and stuff as I don't want you overdoing it... mmm missed your cooking, mom. I can't wait."

"I'm sixty-one, Cadiea... I am old... and tired of living this life... but you already know that." She gave her a sad look.

Cady bowed her head and sighed unhappily. Yeah, she did already know that. "I'm sorry, mom. I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I don't mind. I'm glad you think I'm younger than I look." She gave her a feisty smirk and winked, laughing.

Cady looked up at her. Was she really all right with that? She'd thought she'd upset her! A small unsure smile crept over her face.

"My bones and mind might be old, but my soul... ooo... You should see what I can do with Derek. Mmm... I definitely give him a run for his money."

Jewel looked down, suddenly uncomfortable, but didn't want anyone to notice.

"Oh mom! Yeesh!" Cady gave a mock grimace and stuck her tongue out although she couldn't stop the deep chuckle rolling from her.

Lei laughed and smiled at her. "Come on, let's get this meat ready for the stew. Jewel, keep chopping those vegetables, please."

The she-cub nodded and picked up a vegetable and cleaned it before setting it on the board and carefully started chopping it up.

Cady watched her doing that and carried on salting and cleaning the meat. "Mmm you know... I might go and yes I know it's not ladylike but I think I might go and see if I can rustle up a few crows."

Jewel sighed and shook her head. She got up, picking up the bag of vegetables and went inside. She looked over at Roxi, who was laying on the couch staring at the ceiling.

"Why don't they have a TV or something... I'm going insane just sitting here," the human complained, wandering out to the porch.

Jewel managed a small smirk and shook her head again. She went over to the counter and once again began chopping the vegetables. She glanced back out the window behind her at the duo on the porch and shook her head.

Cady sighed and glanced over at the cabin. "Can get ya something of the sort if you want, Roxi, even if it's a DVD player." She sighed and got up and wiped her tears away and walked over to the table her shoulders slumped. She took a piece of the meat and salt, and then took a sharp knife. With a few quick controlled slits with the blade had evenly sliced it into pieces she didn't say a word as she concentrated on the task.

Jewel glanced over at her warily, watching her work.

It was only a few more minutes before the three of them came inside to finish their work.

Lei sighed. "Cady, there's no point in a TV. You wouldn't get a signal up here."

Roxi let out an annoyed growl.

"Said DVD player not TV mom. Don't need a signal for that." She cut around with a surgeons precision a piece of sinew and removed it and then sliced the piece of meat. She now had up into bits and added them to the pile she'd made with the previous piece.

Lei blinked. "DVD... player? What is that?"

"You can use these disc things to watch like movies and stuff. You don't need a signal for it to work, mom. Next time I go down to the city. I'll see if I can nip down there tomorrow. I'll getcha one if you want, plus a few DVDs."

"And some watermelon," Roxi put in.

Lei glanced over at her and laughed loudly. "Cravings, eh?"

"I also want ice cream, ranch, mustard, hot dogs, popcorn..."

Cady burst out laughing. "Anything else, Roxi?" She knew what having cravings was like; she had a terrible craving for sweet stuff when she'd been pregnant herself.

"Something to smack Dexter in the head with."

At that, Jewel couldn't suppress her laughter.

To be continued…