Notes:

Hi again, thanks for the feedback and love guys, it's nice to know that people missed the fic and want me to continue. Hope you enjoy this Travis-focused chapter and get to understand more about his character.
WARNINGS: Minor character death at the start and more angst.

2016

Travis loves his mother.

He remembers being so happy when he first saw her. He'd been stuck in that dark box for so long and he was so scared. He had only one thin blanket to clutch onto for comfort as the box banged and bumped, knocking him against the sides. The only light occasionally beamed in thin rays through the small holes in the box, and he sometimes poked his fingers through just to feel something that was outside of the box.

Then, one day, the box opened and she was right there, smiling at him comfortingly. She made him feel safe and he wrapped his arms tightly, never wanting to let her go. His father was there too and he was nice enough but no one compared to her.

They took him home, showering him with new presents and toys. They told him that this was his home now and that they were going to take care of him. He watched TV with them. He slept in their room with them, wrapped up in the warm, soft blankets of his bed, one made of wire with big gaps so he could see everything. He ate with them at the table and they sometimes let him try some of their food. When he got older Mom even let him drink her wine. He liked the fruity taste and how it warmed up his belly, making him feel all silly.

Mom would joke that she and Dad didn't need kids as Travis was their little baby. She never got angry if he broke something. All she would say is "Oh Travis, what am I going to do with you?" putting her hands on hips with a funny face to show she wasn't mad.

He would go on walks in town with Mom and Dad and people would ask to take pictures of him. He loved meeting people and he would jump all over them, held back only by the collar on his neck. Later, when people started backing away from him instead of rushing up to pet him, he'd get really angry and want to tear off his collar, even if he didn't know why.

The neighbours' children always came to play with him when he was little and they'd play Travis' favourite game – chase. Then, one day, he ran after one of the kids too fast and crashed into them. The kid cried and Travis knew he had hurt them. He was so sorry and he had tried to help them but their mother snatched them up, shouting at Mom as they left. The kids didn't come any more after that.

And then Dad didn't come back. It was normal for him to go somewhere most days, someplace called 'work', for a few hours. Travis never understood why he had to as Mom didn't go to this place. Nonetheless, one day, Dad never came home. Mom was very sad and cried a lot, trying to explain to Travis that Dad had died in a car crash. Travis knew what car crashes were as he'd been in Mom and Dad's car plenty of times and he had seen them crashing on TV before. Yet all he knew about death was that you never saw someone who died ever again. It made him so sad that he would never see Dad again and he smashed his fist against the wall, hooting when it punched straight through like it was tissue paper. Mom told him to stop but he did it again and again. It felt good for some reason.

After Dad died, Travis and Mom didn't go outside anymore. She said that no one else understood and that he had to stay inside to be safe. She called him her son and bought him whatever treats he wanted. They'd sit together every day, watching TV and eating snacks. He would often think about sneaking outside but Mom tightly bolted the doors shut, knowing he'd sneaked out to the garden before.

So instead he ate and drank, feeling himself growing taller and wider. He even figured out how to turn on Mom's computer, clicking on the buttons and using them to click the bright symbols on the screen. But no matter what he did, he still wasn't happy. He didn't understand what he'd done wrong, why Mom wouldn't let him outside. And the more he wondered, the angrier he got.

Soon, he began to feel sleepy, tasting something funny in his drinks. Sometimes he'd catch Mom putting something in his drink, something small and white, and he thought that it must be what was making him sleepy but he was always too tired to do anything about it.

When it happens, Travis is swigging a bottle of cola, watching, as usual, the TV. The pictures were different lately, showing apes like him running across a red bridge and attacking people. There were people in white coats wearing blue face masks, looking serious and saying scary words. Mom is making noise in the kitchen behind him, rattling in the drawers. He is sulking, having refused to drink the disgusting stuff that made him sleepy and instead snatched up a bottle of cola from the fridge.

He can hear her coming towards him. "Travis," she says quietly.

He ignores her.

"Travis!"

He grunts, barely acknowledging her.

She steps closer. "Travis, I know it's been hard these past years. Especially since he ... since he died. And I wanted to say I'm sorry."

Travis stiffens. He isn't sure what it was but he doesn't like the way she is sounding. She never talks to him like that.

"I know you hate being cooped up in here all the time. I hate it too. But it's only been to protect you. Those people ... They don't understand. They don't understand what you mean to me. They would take you away from me if anything happened. Take my son away from me. But now ... now they'll come. They'll come for you and I won't be able to stop it. They'll think you have that Flu and they'll put you down. I can't let that happen."

Travis' stomach drops and he feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. This is wrong! Mom is scaring him!

Mom begins to gasp, making those weird sobbing sounds that people do when they cry. "I'm so sorry ..."

Travis turns just in time to feel the knife slice down his chest. He shrieks in pain and shock. Freezing up, the second hit cuts deeper into his flesh, piercing his rib. Pitching himself back, he gapes at Mom, stunned. Why is she doing this to him?

Mom is holding a big kitchen knife in her hand, shaking and crying. She whispers, saying "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry" over and over again. She walks towards him, raising the knife again. "It'll be over soon I promise."

Travis is rooted to the spot, too confused and afraid, and he cowers, desperately flinging up his arms in a desperate attempt to protect himself. The knife comes down again and he screams as the blade repeatedly slashes at his arms. Instinctively reaching out to where he has been hurt, he puts down his arms and Mom jabs the blade in his face, the sharp tip scraping down bone.

Something happens then, something that Travis has never felt before. Or maybe he has all along – he just hasn't let it go until now. Heat races through him, making his whole body tingle. He isn't scared anymore, not at all.

Screaming, he lunges at Mom. Except she isn't Mom to him anymore – she is just a thing to him, a loud, infuriating thing. Prey. He grabs ahold of the thing, shaking it like a doll, releasing all the fear, pain, confusion and rage inside him. The thing shakes violently, its head flopping limply on its neck.

Screaming in its face, he lets the thing slip out of his hands, satisfied it's dead. The thing falls onto the floor, its head thudding hard against the tiles. The blade it was holding slips out of its hand, skittering across the floor. Something about the sound wakes him up, snapping him out of his rage. Finally, he smells the scent of blood and sees Mom's body sprawled out beneath him. He screams.

Travis loves his mother. But his mother is dead. He has killed her.

2017

Travis is alone. He eats whatever he can find, scavenging for scraps. He hasn't left the house – he can't do it, won't do it, so he keeps close, never straying too far. He stays in the attic, hiding from other scavengers. There aren't that many these days - there were more people at the start, especially after Mom ... died. Some people showed up at the house, taking Mom's body away in a bag. They seemed to have known he would be there as they crashed through the house, eager to find him.

Before he would have gone to them – he was so weak and his whole body burned. But then he remembered what Mom had said, how they would come for him and kill him, so he crawled up into the attic, barely able to pull himself up. He could see the sticky red trail following him the whole way but he didn't have the strength to care.

For a moment, he thought he had gotten away with it and that the people would go. But then someone shouted, right below the attic door, and Travis knew what he had to do. Just like in the movies, he opened up the attic window and pulled himself up onto the roof. Each movement jerked his gashes, ripping them open and causing new blood to gush over his fur. Biting down on his screams, he scaled the roof, dragging himself agonizingly over the tiles.

Perching on the top, he scanned his surroundings, hoping that there wasn't a blood trail that would lead them here. He spotted a van in front of the house – CDC – but no one was in there. Suddenly, a person walked into view, circling the perimeter of the house and Travis ducked behind the chimney, trying not to slip on his blood. The voices grew louder and for a second a man poked his head out of the window, craning his neck as he looked around.

Because Travis was not stupid, he waited, digging his nails into the chimney bricks, keeping still. It feels like forever but soon enough they leave him. And soon all humans leave him.

He understands now why those people did that. He knows that there is a sickness, a Simian Flu, that kills humans but does not kill apes like him. He knows that it makes apes smarter, which is why he thinks so much more, all the time. He finally understands why Mom hid him away from other humans and why she was screaming about saving him from them. But still, he can't understand why Mom tried to kill him. He thinks and thinks but it never makes any sense and he squeezes his head between his hands, almost wishing he could go back to being stupid. There's too much noise in his head, too many pictures making his brain hurt.

He is sitting by the attic window, gazing out into nothing when he spies something moving in the corner of his eye. He blinks a few times to make sure that it's real. He must be seeing things, he tells himself. There are no people anymore. But no – there are people! And not just people. There are apes!

They stride out of the trees as a closely knitted group, not one person straying too far from the other. The silverback goes first, his massive arms propelling him forwards. Travis knows that it's a male gorilla as he's seen them before on nature documentaries. The gorilla woman (at least he thinks it's a woman) walks beside him, cradling a little ball of black fuzz to her chest - a baby. The boy, a human boy, comes next, a backpack slung across his back and a gun gripped in his hand. His face is scrunched up – Travis thinks he's angry. Two human girls also wearing backpacks follow behind him, both holding hands. The smaller one – younger - has golden curly hair that shimmers in the sun every time she moves. The taller one – older – has wavy red hair, reminding Travis of the crinkly leaves that fall on the ground in autumn. It's pretty.

They all stare at the house and Travis scampers away, afraid he has been seen.

He is debating whether he should call out to them when the sound of scrambling on wood rises from downstairs – the front door. He waits, hoping the door will hold. There's silence and then … a big BANG echoes across the house, signalling that the door has caved in.

He doesn't know what to do. Should he go to them? The gorillas are apes like him. But what about the humans? Why are they with them?

Plucking up his courage, he slowly climbs down the stairs, ears pricked. He can hear rustling and clanging in the kitchen so he assumes it's safe enough to head into one of the bedrooms. He creeps into Dad's room, lowering himself into a crouch so he can peek out the window.

The girl with the golden hair is in the garden, holding the baby gorilla in her lap. The gorilla woman stands behind them, pushing them gently on his swing. They look happy. The boy with the gun stands beside them, guarding them. Occasionally he looks at the girl and smiles. He looks different when he smiles.

But there's no sign of the leaf-haired girl or the silverback.

Travis hears a small click behind him and the sound of the door swinging open as it drags across the carpet.

Oh no.

He whirls around, baring his teeth. The leaf-haired girl starts in fright, gawping at him.

"Oh. Hello," she says nervously. He hisses and shrinks back. The girl holds up her hands earnestly, palms facing towards him. "No, no, no. It's okay, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."

He frowns at her. He wants to believe that.

The girl suddenly gapes at him, taking in the slashes all over his body. "Oh my god! What happened to you?"

Travis glowers at her and the girl flushes. "I'm sorry, that was rude. It looks infected though. We have medicine you need it. We've found tons." She hesitates. "You can understand me, right?"

Before he can stop himself, he nods.

The girl grins. "Thought so, but it's good to make sure. I'm Evelyn by the way. I prefer Eve though. My grandma used to call me Lyn sometimes but I never liked that. My brother and sister call me Evie … "

Travis watches Evelyn-Eve-Lyn-Evie babble away. She seems nice. He likes her.

"… anyway, what's your name?"

He stares at her blankly.

"Oh yeah, you probably can't tell me. Do you not know sign language?"

He shakes his head.

"Okay. Maybe you could write it down? I just need a pen …"

Eve begins rummaging through her backpack, muttering about finding a notebook. Travis croaks and she looks up at him. He coughs and tries again, struggling through the thickness of his throat.

"T – R – A – V – I – S …" he rasps, just managing to get the word out.

The backpack clunks to the floor. Eve gawks at him, her mouth hanging wide open. "Oh my god," she mouths noiselessly.

After a short silence, she speaks. "Travis? You said Travis?"

He nods, relieved she can understand him. "Yyyyyyyeeeeeeesssss …" he chokes, just that one word taking so much effort.

She laughs, pacing excitedly. "Wow. That's awesome. I mean, I knew apes were all smart now but that's – that's just – awesome!" she finishes, throwing up her hands. She beams at him.

He smiles back, head sagging wearily. He's so tired and everything hurts.

"Oh yeah, we should probably get some medicine for you. It looks like it really hurts. You're probably hungry too. We lots of food if you like baked beans and dried fruit. Hey, Big Poppa come here!"

Travis inches back uncertainly. Eve notices.

"It's okay, I promise. We're not going to hurt you. Come with us."

Eve holds out her hand. Travis takes it.

"Someone trying - to hurt you."

Eve lifted her head from her book, seeing Travis pace across their hut. Luna watched him lazily from the corner, eyes flicking side to side as he went. Sky was perched on Eve's shoulder, leaning down occasionally to touch the pages. They had finished reading Eve's favourite book as a kid, The Hungry Caterpillar, and Sky was clumsily grabbing at the pages, wanting to look at the pretty pictures. Eve had read it aloud and signed it to Sky, hoping that she'd pick up on at least one of them.

Sky was five months old now and hadn't spoken a word yet, not even babbled. While she seemed to hear and understand some words that were said to her, giggling at the ones she found funny, she couldn't (or wouldn't) sign, let alone speak. While Cornelia and the other women tried to reassure Eve that all children did it in their own time, she couldn't help but worry.

"Travis, do we have to do this now?" she asked irritably, looking at Sky pointedly.

Travis glared at her. "Do you – not care?"

"I do care," Eve retorted, smarting at the accusation in his voice. "But you have no proof! Why would someone drive a cougar into that field when it could have gone for any ape? Gone for Bad Ape or Sky?"

They'd had this conversation several times already. From the moment she'd been taken into the Shelter (home sweet home, she thought bitterly) Travis was all over her, telling anyone who would listen that someone had driven the cougar into her deliberately. It was obvious who he was accusing – Travis swore that Koba disappeared just before it happened. Koba insisted he hadn't done such a thing and said that he had gone to check on some of the children. Travis didn't believe him, arguing that Koba had tried to kill Eve since they first arrived. Caesar was forced to intervene, getting between them the two enraged apes before they could come to blows. Koba submitted immediately to Caesar but Travis didn't, only holding out his hand when Eve snapped at him from her nest as the healers swarmed over her. Everyone noticed that, Caesar especially. And that was a problem.

"He could. Koba hate humans."

Eve shook her head. "Enough to risk killing other apes? No. He might hate me but he's not that crazy. He wouldn't let Ape or Sky get hurt just to get back at me, I'm sure of that."

Travis huffed, unconvinced. "There others – who might."

"Who?" Eve demanded, suddenly apprehensive. What ape would want to hurt their own, especially ones as innocent as those two?

"I hear other males – talk about Bad Ape. Say he strange. Act like human."

Eve tutted. In a way, she had almost expected the other males not to like Bad Ape – he wasn't big and strong like them and he didn't like 'manly' things like hunting. But Sky? "What about Sky? She's just a baby."

"Think she look – too human. Too close to you. Hair the same. Say that you her real mother and that she half-human - mongrel."

Eve nearly jumped up in fury. Aware of Sky on her lap, she ground her teeth together. "And who said that?" she hissed.

Travis swallowed, guiltily averting his eyes from her furious face. "Grey's wife. Red. A few others."

Cedar. Of course. The woman was the definition of poisonous, looking at Eve with utter contempt every time she saw her. She was pretty sure Cedar bitched about her behind her back, though whether the other women joined in she wasn't sure. The rest of the women were nice to Eve (to her face anyway) but that could have been just because Cornelia was. Cedar didn't appear to care about what Cornelia thought though, treating her with cold politeness. So maybe Cedar was just an all-around bitch.

Red was no surprise – he was the only ape more bitter and hateful than Koba, constantly scowling at everyone.

Eve knew exactly what they were basing their claims on – instead of turning back to its natural red, her hair had paled even further, brightening into a pure bone-white similar to Sky's fur. Like a Daenerys Targaryen knock off, she thought. She theorized that the Flu must have raised genetic susceptibility to pale or white hair. After all, it was no coincidence that two of the rarest creatures on the planet (an albino gorilla and orangutan) and a human with white hair were all in the same place at the same time.

Eve stroked Sky's head, willing herself to be calm. "I won't have that," she swore. "They can say all they like about me but not her. It's not her fault she's stuck with me."

Travis regarded her anxiously. "What you - going to do?"

She laughed humourlessly at his expression. "Don't worry, I'm not going to confront them or anything like that. But something has to change. It's my fault, keeping myself out of sight from everyone, trying to keep everyone happy. I need to go out more. I can't hide anymore, whether it's in the Shelter or the School."

He gawped at her in alarm. "No! It not safe! Apes try and hurt you! Hurt you already!" He motioned to the bandages wrapped around her arms and ribs to illustrate the point.

She had to admit that it had been a close call: the wounds were deep and she had lost a lot of blood, more than enough after everything she had been through. But, with Sparrow's help, she'd managed to stitch up most of the wounds herself in between dizzy spells (to the apes' fascination and disgust) and patch them up with bandages from the med box. She refused to take any painkillers – she'd been through worse and using them would be a waste.

"That doesn't mean anything! If anything, it proves I am fully capable of taking care of myself! I'm not completely helpless Travis. Besides, Caesar wouldn't let anyone hurt me."

Travis made a face at that.

"What's that look for?" Eve said, exasperated. "Do you not trust Caesar?"

He went quiet. "You ... you don't?" she said incredulously.

"Not him – I don't trust," he muttered.

Eve scrutinised Travis' face. She could see the concern and frustration in it. She sighed. "Travis, I know you're trying to keep me and Sky safe. I appreciate that, I really do. But you can't keep watching my every move. It's dangerous out there, I know it is. But it always has been. Nothing's changed. You have to trust me, Travis. I can take care of myself."

He shifted uncomfortably. He went to say something but Eve stopped him.

"This is our home now. We're not going anywhere, not even if we wanted to – there's nothing out there for us. It's the best for all of us. While not everyone may love me being here, I still feel much safer than I did back out there." Out there being the human world, or what was left of it. "It might be hard but I think we should try harder to fit in with the other apes."

Travis opened his mouth to argue but she waved him down. "I know you might not like it but it's true. I mean Travis, you don't even talk to the other apes unless you have to."

Travis bowed his head sullenly. Even he had to admit that was true. Though he did everything that was asked of him (hunting, gathering, etc.) he never made an effort to be friendly with any ape outside the troop, making it very clear who he'd rather be with. And he had no time for apes that hated humans – meaning that they hated Eve.

"And if we want the apes to give me a chance despite everything humans have put them through, isn't fair that we" (you, she thought) "give them a chance too?" she finished, shooting him a pleading look.

Travis chewed on that for a bit, thinking. At last, he nodded. "I know you right," he admitted. "I'm sorry. Just don't like them – talking about you like that."

Eve smiled sadly at him and reached out her hand. He immediately knelt in front of her and took it. "Try not to worry about me. I've got thick skin." Both of them winced at the inappropriateness of the term, thinking of the countless needles and cuts that had been inflicted on their bodies. "Okay, poor use of words," Eve cringed, "but the point still stands. I'll be fine. I promise. I just ... I want you to be okay." She trailed off, leaving the rest of the sentence unsaid: without me.

Travis gripped her hand enthusiastically. "I will," he promised. "We both strong," he added, an apology for implying she was weak.

She squeezed his hand. "Both strong," she agreed.

Time to go to war.

Travis edged nervously into the courtyard, eyes darting everywhere. He was going to do what Eve said. He was going to try.

He quickly spotted Sugriva in the corner, talking to Luca. Luca had taken to Sugriva, thinking him a worthy candidate for the Gorilla Guard. Sugriva looked up to Luca, perhaps the same way he had looked up to his father. Travis couldn't relate to that – he'd loved his father but never considered him a role model. If anything, he'd followed his mother more closely since she was with him most of the time.

A pang of longing ached in his chest and he strode towards them, throwing it off. This was not the time to think about his mother.

Sugriva gurgled in greeting, happy to see Travis out and about of his own free will.

Luca nodded in acknowledgement, surprised when Travis offered his arm to him. Travis was not accustomed to ape gestures and body language, being more comfortable and familiar with a handshake, but he'd seen the other apes do it and he was determined to try and fit in. Hesitating, Luca eventually grasped Travis' arm; not an admission of dominance but friendship. Travis grinned gratefully at Luca's kindness, dropping it as soon as he remembered that apes didn't like smiling. It was a human thing.

"Hello Luca," Travis said haltingly. "I apologize if I – have been disrespectful to you. To other apes. Worry about Eve – a lot."

Luca rumbled sympathetically. I understand, he signed. Not used to apes' ways. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," Travis agreed. "Raised by humans." And you better not say a word about it, he thought darkly.

Caesar the same. He was raised by a human before he freed us.

Travis' eyes almost bulged out of his head. Caesar was raised by humans too?! How had he not known this before? But then, thinking it over, he'd undoubtedly been told by Eve before and he hadn't listened. He had selective hearing when it came to talking about the other apes. But it made sense, he supposed. Otherwise, why would have Caesar helped Eve, let alone allowed her into the Colony?

"Truly?" he asked anyway, still shocked at the idea.

"Yes," a deep, baritone sounded above them. Travis looked up to see the serious face of Caesar gazing down at them from the stone platform above. He jumped down to meet them and Travis made sure to bow, offering his palm in submission. Luca and Sugriva did the same and Caesar swiped their palms. He hovered over Travis, making him wait, probably as an example for all the times he had not submitted so easily. Travis waited and soon enough Caesar swiped his palm, accepting his submission good-naturedly.

"Sorry Caesar," Travis said, not looking him in the eye. "Luca – just explain – "

It's alright Travis, Caesar signed. I understand if you have questions. I'm happy to answer them for you. We have not spoken properly before.

Nodding, Travis accepted Caesar's gestures to follow him, grunting goodbye to Luca and Sugriva. They walked up the winding walkway into Caesar's home and Travis' chest tightened. He had never been here before. Striding straight in, Caesar beckoned for him to come in and sit. Sitting himself down awkwardly, Travis' nerves rose when he saw that neither Cornelia, the nice woman, or Blue Eyes were here. Was he in trouble again?

Caesar caught his look. I am afraid that Eve has stolen my wife. She seems very keen to get Cornelia's advice on children. Indicating that Travis to come closer, he indicated a gap in the foliage that made up the walls of his home. Peeping through it, Travis could see Eve with the other women in the courtyard. It looked like she was demonstrating the tricks she had taught Luna, allowing the others to try. He could hear their laughter drifting up and he gazed wistfully at them.

Caesar grunted to get his attention. You and Eve seem close.

Travis stared at him expressionlessly. He thought that would have been obvious by now. "Yes …?" he said in a questioning tone.

Caesar sighed, clearly finding this as awkward as Travis did. Close … similar to ape male and female … He didn't elaborate, hoping Travis got what he meant.

Travis' eyelid twitched. He got it. "She care for me when I sick," he said hoarsely. "She save me. She protect me. We protect each other. Protect troop."

Caesar wavered but his curiosity got the better of him. As friends? he asked carefully.

Travis flinched and he had to resist the urge to bare his teeth. "More than that," he said stiffly. "Wouldn't understand."

As mates? Caesar exclaimed, his shock overcoming him. The idea of an ape and a human being together in that way was strange to him. To most apes and humans as well he wagered.

Travis bristled, the anger inside him begging to unleashed. Imagining Eve's reaction when she found out he had snapped on the Ape King, he cooled his temper. "Not like that," he confessed, feeling ashamed without fully understanding why. "No need. Eve not interested … in that."

They both fell silent, absorbing what had been said. Travis hadn't wanted to be that direct talking about Eve but it couldn't be helped. If she hadn't explained it to Caesar already, she evidently didn't think it worth talking about. Maybe she was too traumatised by the labs to speak of such things, let alone contemplate it with an ape. But then and again she could have been so embarrassed at the idea of her and Travis being mates that she didn't even bother to correct the other apes' assumptions …

Childishly, Travis was tempted to run and hide but he had a burning question he couldn't avoid. "If you like humans … help Eve … why you leave them?" he blurted quickly.

Caesar snapped his steady gaze to him and Travis lowered his eyes. He couldn't help himself – he had always wondered, ever since that thing had told them about Caesar.

Caesar stared hard into the distance, thinking. I loved my human father, he said after a while. My human grandfather too. There was a woman, Caroline, that I cared for too. My father's wife. I never knew my true mother but I was happy with them all the same. I thought I was their equal, that I was one of them. But I was wrong. As soon as I hurt another human protecting my grandfather, I understood that. It didn't matter that I was protecting my family – I was just an animal to them. They imprisoned me with other apes at this place … they called it the Shelter. He scoffed. It was no Shelter. Not like our Shelter, which is what it should be … I understood then how humans treated apes. How they abused them. I had to do something to help them. So, when the time came to free apes … I let go of my human family. And they let go of me.

Travis could see the deep sadness and grief in Caesar's face and he suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy for him. "Had to let go – of mother," Travis croaked, the admission piercing his heart. "Took care of me. Died … trying to protect me from - other humans. Didn't understand. Do now. Miss her." He swallowed, a lump in his throat. "But found Eve. Found new family. Found other apes. Freed apes. We take care of new family together. We find new home."

Caesar clasped Travis' shoulder warmly. I am glad you are all here. Eve too. He paused pensively. I helped Eve because I saw something in her. Something that was in my human family. In the humans that warned us about the firestorm. Something not in many humans … goodness. An ability to see past the differences between humans and apes. To see us as equals. Eve has that. She has put apes before herself many times, almost dying to save them. You and your troop are lucky to have her.

Which reminds me … He stood up, picking up something from the corner and showing it to Travis. We have been working on this for her. For putting herself in harm's way and potentially saving many apes' lives.

Travis smiled. He knew she would love it. Slowly, he began to feel himself relax for the first time in the Ape Colony. Perhaps the apes were warming to her, starting to show her the respect she was due.

"Thank you," he said, heartfelt. "She will love it." He stopped. "It important to me that apes like her," he continued sheepishly. "Not wish – harm. Worry about her."

Caesar noted his unspoken apology for being so hostile to his apes (but mostly Koba) and accepted it gladly. It is natural to worry for your family. You were only protecting them. He added a warning note. But I cannot tolerate any more incidents.

Travis inclined his head in agreement. It made him realise how stubborn he had been, thinking his behaviour was protecting his family when it was only harming them in the end.

Offering his palm to Caesar again, Travis went to go when a brilliant idea occurred to him. Something that would make it up to Eve. He turned back to Caesar with a hopeful expression.

"Do you have any of it left?"

Sitting with Cornelia, Tinker, their chimpanzee friends Maple and Fisher as well as all the females from her troop, Eve sat patiently as Lake and her friends played around with her hair. The girls had ambushed her when her conversation about Sky and the women's children had turned into a demonstration of the tricks she and Amber had taught Luna, prompted by the dog's constant butting in, demanding everyone's attention. While the women initially questioned whether Luna actually enjoyed doing tricks – understandably as humans had forced apes to perform tricks – Eve assured them that she liked it, always relishing the opportunity to show off how clever she was. No one argued with that – by now every ape in the Village was acquainted with Luna's willful personality.

As Cornelia fussed over Luna, trying out commands such as spin, jump, stay and sit, Lake unexpectedly reached out to touch Eve's hair.

Eve jumped, mentally wrestling the impulse to unsheathe the knife from her belt. Jolting in surprise, Sky clambered from Eve's back, tucking herself snuggly into the crook of Eve's arm. She stared at Lake with big blue wary eyes.

Seeing Eve and Sky's alarm, Lake backed away, apologising profusely. Eve shrugged it off, insisting that it was fine despite the crawling of her skin in response to the touch.

Tentatively, Lake ran her hand through Eve's tresses. Thick, she said in wonder. Like snow. Beautiful.

Eve blushed and the women laughed.

Soon the girls were swarming her, armed with brushes, wanting to experiment with her hair. Going against her gut instinct to scratch and claw whatever was touching her, Eve let them style it, swallowing irrational bursts of anger each time a brush snagged on a knot.

Relax, she told herself. You're safe. She held Sky tighter. Chanted in her head. You're safe You're safe You're safe You're safe You're safe No one can hurt you …

Her eyes gradually began to flutter shut and the muscles in her body loosened. This wasn't so bad. Maybe she was getting used to whole touchy-feely stuff again. Or, more likely, it was due to who was doing the touching.

Lake examined Eve's hair carefully, looking for any kinks or loose strands. Satisfied, she and the girls stepped back. Done! Lake exclaimed proudly, eagerly shoving a broken piece of a mirror into Eve's hands.

Looking into the mirror, Eve saw a woman with flashing green eyes staring back at her, a simple braid crowning her snowy mane. Sitting on top of the waves flowing down her back, the lower part of the crown changed, turning into a kind of tight-knit fishtail braid. Running her fingers across the braids, she felt … pretty.

Leaning forward to look herself, Sky beamed gummily, cooing in what sounded like approval.

"I love it. Thank you," Eve said appreciatively, turning her head this way and that so she could see it better. "It's beautiful."

Lake and her friends shuffled bashfully. It's nothing, I – Lake stopped abruptly, her eyes focusing on something behind Eve. Craning her neck to see what she was looking at, Eve immediately saw what the problem was: Cedar.

Lowering her eyes, Lake murmured her excuses and left, the girls hot on her heels. The women, who'd been watching Eve's styling session, tensed and Tinker visibly rolled her eyes. Obviously, not all of them were too fond of Cedar.

"Hello Cedar," Eve said pleasantly, determined to strike first.

Briefly stunned by Eve daring to speak to her directly, Cedar flicked her aloof gaze to Eve, not bothering to return the greeting. Sitting as far away as humanly possible from Eve, Cedar held out her arm to the Ape Queen, who shot an apologetic look over her shoulder to Eve.

Eve lifted her eyebrows at Cornelia – what can you do?

Cedar grimaced at Eve's hair. Lake did that to you did she? she signed without waiting for an answer. I think she's happy to have a real doll to work with. Her every gesture dripped with condescension. I suppose it's … unique, she drawled, her eyes grazing over Eve's braids in open disdain.

Wow, Eve thought. She's not even being subtle.

Focusing in on Sky squirming against Eve's chest, Cedar's eyes lit up with a malicious gleam. Such strange hair! So alike Sky's. I've always thought she's looked odd. So … human. Makes sense I suppose considering she is your daughter.

And there it was, plainly laid out in those veiled, venomous words.

Cornelia opened her mouth to intervene but Eve gave her a subtle shake of the head. Let me handle this.

No more playing nice Eve.

Eve smiled radiantly at Cedar. "Weird consequence, I guess. I figure that the Flu makes us more susceptible to white hair. I mean look at Winter! Or even Cloud and Ray."

Cedar huffed sourly. She was clearly hoping for a more incriminating answer, something she could use against Eve. Her eyes narrowed.

It must be hard knowing she is not your real daughter, she said, pulling an oh-so sad face at Eve. You'll probably never have children of your own, will you? Not with all the other humans gone. It must be awful to know you'll never be a real mother.

Eve flushed with fury. How dare this woman say Sky wasn't her real daughter?! Baring her teeth in what barely counted as a smile, she chose her next words very deliberately.

"You're right – she isn't my blood daughter. But she is my daughter and I am her mother in every other way it counts. The fact that she is an orangutan and I am a human makes no difference to me. I love her nonetheless. But that doesn't mean that I want to replace the memory of Sky's blood mother. It's important to me that Sky knows about her blood mother and what she gave to save her."

Cedar ducked her head shamefacedly, showing hints of cracking. But Eve wasn't done yet.

"It's true that I'll never have a kid that's related to me. But I don't care about that. I never did." Eve pretended to think. "Though you must know exactly how it feels, right Cedar? Not being able to have a child of your own?"

It was a low blow and she knew it. It was well known that Cedar was likely infertile after years of her and Grey trying to have a baby. Cedar's face sagged and Eve almost wanted to take back what she'd said. But then Cedar kept talking.

That child would have been better off without you! Cedar fumed, losing all pretence of being friendly. She should be with an orangutan family, her own kind! To think that all that poor girl has to learn from is you and your filthy mate!

Eve shot up, protectively squeezing Sky to her side. "Don't you say another word about Travis! He's been like Sky's father since the very beginning but that's only because he cares about her! He's like a brother to me and certainly not my 'mate'."

Really? Cedar jibed, standing up as well, regretting it when she saw how Eve's 5'11 stature towered over her. Still, she kept going. No one else seems to think he is her father! Not even him! He only has eyes for you!

Eve's mouth dried up and she had nothing else to say. Because it was true. When had Travis ever been interested in Sky unless it was because Eve asked or prompted it? When had he done anything without her interests in mind? It made her realise how horribly wrong she had misjudged Travis' intentions, their relationship.

Did I really not notice this whole time or did I choose to ignore it ...

"Enough!" Cornelia shouted in a rare show of anger, ripping Eve out of her thoughts. I will not have you say such things, Cedar! Apologize to Eve at once!

Cedar pouted. But it was her! she signed in outrage. She said –

I know what Eve said! While I might not approve of everything that she said, she was defending herself and her child. What you had to say was far worse Cedar. Apologize. At once.

Cedar mumbled a half-hearted "sorry" to Eve, refusing to look at her. She stalked away, not even offering Cornelia her palm. The women were silent for a moment.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have – "

Sorry? Tinker smirked. I'm not. I've been waiting for someone to do that for years.

Maple and Fisher laughed as Cornelia suppressed a smile.

Eve giggled in reply, happy to have found an unexpected ally in Tinker. "She's going to hate me forever now."

Tinker shrugged. You're a human. She was always guaranteed to hate you.

Eve chuckled, surprised that Tinker had actually managed to make her feel better. "That's true."

Cornelia sighed. In future, please avoid fighting with Cedar, Eve. Or perhaps avoid her completely.

"Yes, my Queen," Eve said meekly.

The women snickered and Cornelia rolled her eyes. Cornelia will do Eve.

Sky gave a little cry and Kali automatically reached her, tucking her into her chest. Don't fret hungry one, she said gently.

There was a chorus of hoots and the women looked up.

Oh look, there are your mates Eve and Cornelia! Tinker teased as Caesar and Travis approached. Eve laughed, ignoring the twist in her stomach.

Greeting his wife with a tender touch of their foreheads, Caesar turned to Eve. Behind him, a couple of apes were holding something in their arms. I have something for you, he said. To thank you for your bravery in facing the mountain lion alone so that apes could be warned of the danger.

The apes were holding out a beautiful pelt of tawny-beige fur. The cougar she had killed. She stroked the soft fur in awe. This wasn't just some small gift. It was an honour. A mark of a warrior.

"It's beautiful. Thank you. I love it. I can't thank you enough."

Caesar smiled warmly. It's nothing you don't deserve Eve. I am glad you like it. He gestured to Travis. I believe Travis has something for you too …

Almost bashful, Travis thrust out his hand, unfurling his fingers to reveal a crescent moon necklace. The moon had been made with the cougar's claw, carved into a small crescent. The pendant was framed by a thick circle of silver wire which had been fashioned to wrap around the crescent, holding it in place. A long length of brown cord was threaded through a hole at the top, finishing the necklace.

Eve clasped the necklace in her palm, smoothing her thumb over the pendant. It matched perfectly with her mother's crescent moon hairpin. It was so thoughtful and sweet that Eve could barely speak.

"You made this?" she asked hurriedly, struggling to keep the wobble out of her voice.

Travis shuffled his feet. "Had help," he admitted.

Overwhelmed, Eve cupped Travis' face affectionately before impulsively pulling him into a hug. "Thank you," she whispered.

Hearing the apes hoot and chatter around them, Eve felt like she had finally been accepted. Like she was really a part of this Village. Maybe now things could be different …

But as soon as she looked over Travis' shoulder the illusion was shattered. The eyes of Cedar, Grey, Stone, Red and many other apes across the yard were burning into her and she could physically feel their disgust and loathing. Locking eyes with Koba, she was surprised to see that there was no obvious rage or disgust in his face. Instead, he looked … curious. She looked away, not wanting to think about them when she was so happy.

But she could still hear the words Cedar had said about her and Travis ringing in her head. Was it true? Did Travis love her in that way? Was it the reason why he did so much for her and the troop? Did he want something from her? And what if she couldn't give it to him?

Eve sighed and closed her eyes, clutching Travis tighter, hiding, even for just a little bit.

Oh, Travis. What am I going to do with you?

Notes:

Welp that's awkward! Eve's not interested in a relationship with anyone at all but is Travis prepared to accept that?
P.S Don't worry, it's not going to turn into a love triangle or anything like that. While Eve will definitely get closer to a specific character in the future (100 points if you guess who) it will not be a romantic conflict between them and Travis. This is just to show the growing friction between Travis and Eve.
As always, thanks for reading and please give feedback if you want to see more! Stay safe everyone!