Midsummer Crises

by starwars4life

Many changes have happened in the lives of the hedgies in the span of 5 years: marriages, parenthood, and a new sense of identity. However, not all changes are good and have given rise to conflicts among many hedgies, which impact the whole family. What sort of life challenges face the hedgies now, and will the love of family and friendship be enough to solve the dilemmas?

12. Little Talks of Great Importance

Chapter 12: Little Talks of Great Importance

When Plushie gets back home he finds RJ holding a family meeting. Everyone is closely watching and listening to their co-leader, so Plushie easily joins the group without anyone noticing.

RJ: "As much as I'd like to not have us do anything this day, we are running low on food and need to go on a heist, especially since many natural food sources in the forest have dried up from the heat and lack of rain."

Verne: "But what about Pierre?"

Plushie figures now is the best time to make his presence known and steps out to say, "Don't worry about him, he won't be a problem for the next few hours."

RJ: "How do you know this?"

Plushie takes a deep breath then recaps what he and the former-Extremes had just been through. He tells the truth and nothing but the truth, which thankfully includes his revelation of how Verne and Velma have been right about everything. Every listener is so speechless that Plushie has to keep talking when not even a punishment is given.

Plushie: "I'll never disobey any of you ever again, my days of adolescent rebellion are over, and I mean it this time, for real and forever. Albert and Caleb also seemed to be hit really hard by what happened today, so they have changed too. But if you never want me to see any of my living friends again, I'll be okay with it. I don't even wanna go on the heist, I just wanna stay here and have some time to myself to get a lot of things off my mind—if I'm allowed to."

Verne and Velma walk up to their nephew and put a hand on his shoulder.

Velma: "Then go spend some time by yourself. You need some space after what has happened."

Verne: "We'll come up with a punishment later."

Plushie: "Thank you...But what'll we do about the families of my friends who died or got captured? I haven't told them yet, and they'll really be mad with me, and might even come by."

RJ: "We'll have one of our bird friends tell 'em. And Kale, you can stay here to defend Plushie if the families of Anthony, Alfred, Lacey, and Wilbur come by and get violent."

Kale: "Got it."

Rick: "So now that we know Pierre won't get in our way, that's gonna take one big complication out of the equation. Even so, it still won't be easy because the humans in the house we'll be raiding from that has enough food for our needs are just going to one of the suburbs' playgrounds for maybe an hour—an hour and a half at most—and then they'll be back."

Tyler: "So speed is everything."

RJ: "We also need to plan what to do if any of the homeowners come back early to get something they forget, or for an emergency like if the kids they'll be taking to the playground need a band aid or get hurt while playing."

Mary: "So post a lookout to keep an eye out for the returning humans."

RJ: "You read my mind and took the words out of my mouth. That's my girl!"

Mary giggles as RJ playfully noogies her, making everyone else chuckle at the sight—all but one. Seeing this, Bernard has had enough of feeling inferior to his sister and the father-daughter bond she shares with RJ. He just has to fix things once and for all, and muses in dismay, "I couldn't set things right with Patricia, but I just gotta set things right with my own family! It should be a father-son and mother-daughter bond, not the other way around." But now feeling more confident in himself than he has all summer long, thanks to all the training sessions, Bernard figures it's time to make his father proud of him—now and forever.

Bernard: "I'll be the lookout, daddy!"

The whole family gives a perplexed look at the opossacoon. RJ asks, "But what about your fear of heights, son? Last time we practiced up in that tree—"

Bernard: "I'm ready, just trust me!"

Scarlet: "But if you're the lookout, who's gonna help keep Sam company while we heist?"

Aaron: "I can, mommy!"

Hammy: "Yeah, he can, Scarlet!"

Scarlet knows that Hammy had said that just because he is being his usual, happy-go-lucky self, and not because he is trying to defend Bernard's point. She smiles and strokes Aaron's headfur while saying, "You are the best little brother to your big brother there will ever be, Aaron. But Sam needs more than you, me, or daddy to keep him occupied during the waiting phases of the heist. And out of all the other animals here, Bernard is Sam's best friend, other than you of course."

RJ nods, looks at Bernard and says, "I agree with Scarlet, you're better-suited to use your new skills to take an active role in the heisting, not to keep watch."

Seeing Bernard's smile fade away, RJ knows his decision, though necessary for the family's safety after the painful lesson from the Quinceañera, is harming his son's vulnerable self-esteem. So he intends to boost his son's confidence even in this minor defeat by putting a paw on Bernard's shoulder, looking him in the eyes, and adding, "Bernard, it's not that I don't believe in you. I just want to make sure nothing bad happens to anyone on this heist, or any heists ever again. Next heist, you can be high in a tree, I promise."

Tyler, who sees Bernard like his own little brother, tries to help him out by saying, "Roger could use his magic tricks to keep Sam focused and I can be up in the tree with Bernard."

Rick: "I wish we could do that, Ty, but with the amount of food we need to get in such a short amount of time, we can only afford to let one family member be up in the tree by his or her self. With Heather still injured, Kale needing to stay behind with Plushie, Sarah's damaged sciatic nerve, Simon and his family asleep, Annie and Drake needing their parents to look after them, and Ike needing someone to watch him, we don't have the numbers to spare."

In a strange turn of events, Mary actually decides to sympathize with her little brother, rather than argue against his desire to be the lookout. Being his twin, she knows his mind and has not been blind to how much he envies her superiority in their training sessions. She also feels bad for him since he's the only hybrid among the hedgies whose lover does not want to be with him because of his sterility.

Mary thinking: "It's time to do what a big sister should do: stand up for my little brother." (Out loud) "I agree with Bernard; he is ready, daddy and Uncle Rick. He's gotten so much better since we were attacked by Tabitha's gang that I bet he could take on three of them with one paw tied behind his back. I bet'cha all he needs is one chance to overcome his acrophobia and he'll never be afraid of heights again."

Bernard: "Yeah! And after what happened to mommy, I won't freeze up either."

Mary: "And because he'll have to be up in the tree all by himself, he won't fall and will keep his mind focused on his job since there won't be anyone to catch him."

Bernard feels a knot grow in his stomach at what his sister just said. But to show even the slightest hint of fear now will cost him this once in a lifetime chance, so his voice and expression remains as stalwart as ever when he says, "Remember when I got frustrated with myself when I still got afraid scary animal images during our last training session, daddy? You said that 'in order to be brave we must be scared.' Thanks to what Mary just said, I now understand what you really meant. But if I don't get this chance to face my deepest fear, I may never conquer it."

Mary: "Roger and I can keep Sam occupied, so please let Bernard be the lookout."

RJ feels like he is about to burst with pride from the words of his son and daughter. Like raccoons they are taking the opportunity before them, measuring every step, and using their intellect and experience to make it happen. And like opossums they are concerned for their own well-being and the safety of the family, and are mindful of their flaws but still willing to do what their hearts yearn.

RJ thinking: "Ozzie is so proud of you both right now. I can feel it." (Out loud) "You got it, son! You're gonna be the best lookout since Roger and Tyler!"

Bernard: "I won't let you down, daddy!" (Looks at the others) "I won't let any of you down!"

Quillo: "Way to go, dude!"

Rick: "Let's save our congrats after we're done with the heist. So now that we've got our lookout, we need to go over—"

Bernard hears nothing but mumbling as he tones out the words, lost in his anticipation. He's not excited, he is absolutely psyched about conquering his fears and showing just how much of a raccoon he really is to his dad and the whole family!

Bernard thinking: "Once I win over daddy with my being a true raccoon I'll be able to easily win back over Patricia, or another girl raccoon if she still won't wanna get back with me!" But being so close to Heather and remembering one of the most important lessons she taught him, he muses, "But I need to give credit where credit is due..."

Knowing he won't be able to do that until the meeting is over, he refocuses on listening to the plans.

Rick: "The target house is a two-story building, with a small pool in the backyard, beyond which is an alley that leads to the playground 150 yards away. Which means the humans can return quickly, so stay alert at all times, Bernard."

Rebecca: "Because the house is not bordering the hedge, there will be no easy escape if things go wrong, so there is no room for mistakes."

Rogan: "The kitchen is located at the front of the house, meaning the only way to retreat in a hurry would be out the front door—straight into the main street of the neighborhood with all the people outside who can see us, and the traffic that can run us over if we're not careful."

Luby: "There is a side-door from the kitchen that goes into a side-yard, but there's a large wooden fence separating the target house from the one next door, a gate that leads to the front driveway from there, and then the usual pool gates. What I'm getting at is that that door will be a last resort because it traps us more than helps us."

RJ: "The first major challenge to tackle is the home's burglar alarm, which the husband and son are very prompt in setting whenever they step outside the house, even for the short distance to the playground. They're a bunch of paranoid-Prestons."

Quillo: "No electronic device is too much for me, Rachel, and Spike to hack. We'll have it disarmed in no time."

RJ: "You'll have 15 seconds, then you need to cut or unplug the wire connecting the security system console to the nearby power outlet."

Spike: "No problem, RJ. We even know the make and model of the burglar alarm. Not to mention, the humans have a phone app where they can arm, disarm, and check the status of the system at will."

Penny: "Jeepers, how will we get past that?"

Quillo: "With time and with some unintended help from the humans themselves."

Stella: "Quit speakin' in riddles and tell us what you mean."

Rachel: "At full charge the system has a 30 minute battery lifespan. Once that time is up, the system will go dead."

Wanting to continue Ozzie's legacy, Bernard and Mary go "Uh!" and fall to the ground playing possum, causing everyone to laugh.

Quillo: "Before anyone says 'What if the humans check their phone app and notice the system is disarmed before 30 minutes are up?' chill out, 'cuz they'll be so busy playing with their seven little cousins that they won't have time to check their phones. That's how the humans will inadvertently help us."

De'Ausha: "Seven?! And they say animals have lots'a litters..."

Velma: "How will we leave once we're done?"

RJ: "The best exit will be through the back yard, into the alley, and then make our way back to the hedge. If that way doesn't work, the front door will be our secondary exfil point. The downside is that it'll attract more attention from the humans, but that's when Stella and De'Ausha will provide us 'cover' while we load the food into that off-road golf cart we still have. With Pierre gone, we won't have to worry about his gadgets and weapons."

Velma: "That reminds me, are there any traps?"

Verne: "Yeah. I bet Pierre has been installing those in many yards since the Quinceañera."

Rebecca: "Oddly no, not for this house."

Verne: "Phew, that's a relief."

Showing her raccoon mischievous side, Rebecca gives a lopsided smile while saying, "Because the father and son are big-time hunters."

Verne stares wide-eyed then sighs and rhetorically asks, "Why is there always a catch?"

RJ: "Don't worry Verne, it's against the law to hunt animals or fire a gun in a suburban neighborhood, you have to be out in the countryside to do that."

Verne: "That doesn't mean the hunters won't do it."

Rogan: "They'll lose their gun licenses if they do. And if you take guns away from hunters they can still be dangerous, but at least not armed."

Velma: "No one had guns at the Quinceañera..."

That remark makes everyone pause as the painful memories of that day re-enter their minds. Rick quickly shuts those images out and adds, "Which is why we're gonna be extra careful. The human family is going to leave the fence door that opens into the alley ajar for when they want to return. We're gonna fully shut the door, which'll make them have no choice but to go through the rest of the alley, around the corner of the street, then walk past four large houses just to reach the front door of their house. That'll give us plenty of time to leave."

Luby: "As soon as Bernard uses his walkie-talkie to let us know of the first sign of the returning humans, we'll just take what food we've got—not worrying about filling the wagon—and leave in the golf cart that'll give us a speedy getaway."

Rebecca: "The golf cart will be parked in the alley. That way, after we leave out the back, the humans will still be trying to get in through the front."

RJ: "Any more questions?" When no one asks, he says, "Then let's get prepped and go!"

As the group goes to grab everything they will need, Bernard walks over to his sister and hugs her while saying, "Thank you so much for helping me out, Mary!"

Mary: "What kind of sister would I be if I didn't help out my little brother? You've earned your moment to shine and to get the chance to use your new skills."

Bernard: "I just gotta grab my golf bag and I'll be ready."

Mary: "Me too. I'll search for something you'd like to have in your bag inside the house if I have the time."

Bernard: "Really? Thanks again."

RJ approaches his kids and says, "You both ready?" while showing a one-sided, toothless grin.

Mary and Bernard say "Yes sir!" in unison

RJ: "Then get on into the golf cart!"

Mary: "Shotgun!"

Bernard: "Not if I get there first!"

As he runs past Mary, she goes after him saying, "Hey no fair! You had a head start!"

As he watches his twins get in the golf cart (Bernard's more raccoon appearance and build enabling him to outrun Mary), RJ nods in self-appreciation as he says in his mind, "Verne was right, I did make the right choice having kids and becoming a father."

He quickly joins the others and they ride off into the suburbs.

---

Because squirrels are one of the most common and non-threatening animals found near human dwellings, Hammy and Scarlet can walk around the yard of the target house without arousing any suspicion. No human—hunter or otherwise—would expect the couple was really waiting to report to the hedgies when the humans leave for the playground. Not only do their actions serve the greater purpose of helping with the heist, but it's actually given the two some alone time for themselves—without the fear of Sam throwing a fit from boredom since the combined efforts of Bernard, Aaron, and Mary's laser pointer keeps Sam occupied.

Hammy: "I wonder if this family has any Sonic games, you know, that hedgepig who has super-fast speed like Aaron and me. Aaron's been watching the family play the games and watch the cartoons online which—hey, doesn't make a lot of sense because it's not on an actual 'line' of any kind."

Scarlet: "First off, it's a hedgehog, not hedgepig. And second, we're not gonna have the time to check for videogames during this heist."

Hammy: "Oh yeah, because Ty said 'speed is everything', and I'm all about speed! Hey, I wonder if Sonic was based off of me because I was born in 1984 and according to Bucky, Quillo, and Spike the first Sonic game was made in 1991."

Scarlet smiles while rolling her eyes and tells her wacky mate, "I don't believe the creators of Sonic had you in mind when they made him."

Hammy: "But in the movie starring Jim Carey, Sonic went so fast in the bar that time around him was at a standstill, just like when 'the earth stood still' when I drank Mach 6 for the first time and saved the family from the scary clown bear Vincent, The Sniffer, and Psycho-Lady using the Depelter Turbo. Which means *gasp* that Sonic was based off of me in some way! This changes everything! This means humans have been spying on us all along! Which means that I can file a—"

Because her words have only made Hammy say zanier things, Scarlet knows there's only one way to make him stop and refocus on their job: she pulls him so close to her that it looks like they're conjoined twins, wraps her paws around his head, and kisses him like it's their last day on earth. Hammy returns the kiss in kind, and the two get so lost in their love for each other that they keep kissing even when they fall to the ground, with Hammy on top of Scarlet. When their tongues touch, Scarlet can taste all the cookies that Hammy has eaten, and he can taste all the berries she has eaten.

Note: according to an interview, the makers of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie in 2020 did take inspiration from the scene in Over the Hedge when Hammy had the Mach 6 energy drink. Funny, eh? Even though Over the Hedge is often overlooked, its inspiration is still around in the modern day!

Scarlet slowly pushes his head away from hers, their emerald eyes half-closed in a lewd fashion, their hearts beating fast, and their breathing deep and heaving.

Scarlet: "Do you know what I love about you the most, aside from how big your heart is?"

Hammy (romantic tone): "Please remind me..." (Normal tone) "Seriously. I forgot even though I try hard not to."

Scarlet (while stroking the back of Hammy's head): "There is never a dull moment when I'm around you, Hammy."

Hammy: "And there's never a moment when I wanna be separate from you, Scarlet."

The two are about to kiss some more, when they hear someone inside the house say, "Okay kids, let's head to the playground!"

It's followed by numerous "Yays!" and lots of footsteps that exit the back door. Hammy and Scarlet get up, go over to a walkie talkie they had set aside, Scarlet presses a button on it and says, "The birds have left the nest. Prepare to move in quickly."

In the alley hidden in some shrubs, RJ replies, "Roger that. We'll wait for the last one to leave our sight, and then hit it."

The humans notice the golf cart parked in the alley near the house next door to them, but assume it belongs to another family who rode it here to come to the playground—they just don't know it's an animal family.

Seeing that the last human has left the hedgies' sight, the animals emerge and back up the cart so it's blocking the target house's alley-side door. After climbing the fence, Quillo says "Let's get the door open with a lock pick and take out the alarm," while he, Rachel, and Spike run ahead of the others.

RJ looks at his son and says, "Okay Bernard, this is the tree," while pointing. "Get up there and do your job."

Bernard: "Yes sir!"

The walkie talkie the hedgies have with them is strapped to Bernard like a backpack so he can use all four paws while he climbs. The opossacoon takes a deep breath, rubs his paws together as if he's washing/dousing like a full-blooded raccoon, and then starts scaling the tree. He gets to the top in record speed because he replaces his fear of heights with his determination to fulfill the promises he made during the meeting, and the goals he intends to achieve when the heist is over. Even better, RJ notices him and smiles while giving Bernard two thumbs-up.

RJ: "Outstanding job, Bernard! Out-flippin'-standing! I guess you've really conquered your fear after all!"

Bernard: "Thanks, daddy!"

Rogan: "RJ, over here! Quillo, Rachel, and Spike have just unlocked the door and are working on the alarm system."

RJ: "Coming dad." (To Bernard) "You got this!"

He runs to go join the others and it's not long after that when the trio of porcupines comes into view. Rachel says, "We're good. The system is on battery mode and will go dead in 30 minutes.

The others nod and head in the house. The back room is a den and they go down a hallway where bedrooms and a single restroom are on either side. They then arrive at the kitchen which has one of the largest pantries and refrigerators the animals have ever laid eyes on. They let out a collective "Wow..." in wonder, but Luby quickly says, "We're here to do a job, folks," and they get to looting. While doing that, many of the animals silently admire how well-stocked the foodstuffs of this human house are; there is enough food to feed an army even after the hedgies will fill up their wagons.

Every now and then Verne checks in with Bernard on the walkie talkie to make sure the kid's acrophobia hasn't come back, which it has not. This not only makes RJ and Mary proud of him, but also the others and especially the raccoons.

As if Bernard's overcoming his fear and the large amount of food to steal isn't enough of a morale boost, something extraordinary happens when Sam picks up something.

De'Ausha is the first to notice and says, "Well well, lookit what Sam's got he'ah..."

It turns out to be a box of chocolate chip cookies which the five-year-old holds above his head triumphantly.

Scarlet taps Hammy's shoulder and says, "Like father like son."

Hammy zooms over to Sam and pats him on the back while saying, "That's my boy! You like the same flavor I do!"

Sam nods and goes "Eeeeahhhh! COOKIES!"

Everyone gasps and turns their heads in Sam's direction. He briefly looks concerned, wondering if he's in any trouble, until Scarlet ecstatically yells, "Oh my gah, he said his first real word! Say it again, Sam!"

His smile returns and Sam goes "Cookies!"

Aaron: "Again!"

Sam (louder and happier): "Cookies!"

Hammy: "One more time!"

Sam takes a deep breath and yells, "COOKIES!"

The others cheer as Scarlet, Hammy, and Aaron hug and kiss Sam on such a huge accomplishment for a squirrel with his "condition."

Verne had made sure to press "talk" on the walkie talkie as Hammy's family had asked Sam to repeat his first word. The older reptile now asks, "Bernard, did you get all of that?"

Bernard's voice: "Every part of it! Way to go Sam! You're the best!"

Sam runs up to Verne and says, "AAaaannnnnn ewwwwwww!"

Bernard's voice: "Heh-heh, you're welcome, best buddy!"

RJ: "How I see it, we'll be done loading these wagons any minute, so how's about Hammy, Aaron, and Sam go and have some fun in this house?"

Hammy: "Thanks, RJ! We like having fun!"

Aaron: "Yeah, because it's fun!"

Verne: "Just make sure you'll all be ready to go whenever we give you a holler."

Hammy: "Okay kids, who wants to check if there's a playroom full of toys upstairs?"

Aaron: "Me! Me! Me!"

Sam: "Ee!"

Hammy: "Let's go!"

The three male squirrels go up a nearby staircase as the rest continue to fill up the wagons. They are done five minutes later and Rogan looks up the stairs, and raises his voice to say, "Okay you three we're all done! Time to leave."

There is no response.

RJ: "You heard my dad, let's go!"

Still no response, not even any laughter, or the pitter-patter of squirrel feet. Just silence.

Scarlet: "Hammy? Aaron? Sam? Is everything alright up there?"

The third time there is neither a response nor any noise which makes the whole family worried.

RJ: "Let's split up. Half of us will go find them, and the other half needs to get the food to the golf cart."

The family nods, and Verne takes the walkie talkie and says, "Bernard, we gotta find Hammy, Sam, and Aaron. Continue keeping your eyes peeled for the returning humans."

Bernard's voice: "Okay, Uncle Verne. Still no sign of them yet."

Verne quickly catches up with the others at the top of the steps and all are glad to see the three squirrels are in a center room on the other side of the bannister. The hedgies quickly make their way to them and discover that Hammy, Sam, and Aaron are all standing still, shaking in fear, and pointing up.

With everyone's eyes fixated on the squirrels Rogan walks up to Hammy and asks, "What's got you so spooked?"

Hammy: "Scary room of death..."

The others take only one microsecond to look at their surroundings...and what they see causes their pupils to shrink, their stomach to turn into liquid, and their faces to become white as sheets. It's like the lair of a serial killer in a horror movie, only now the hedgies are in one. It's a very large room with hunting equipment, guns, and full to the brim with animal trophies. There are so many trophies that no walls are visible, as if the trophies are the walls—not to mention the furniture and chandelier.

Verne drops the walkie talkie on the floor from shock and mumbles, "Who ARE these people?"

Rebecca: "I-I knew they were hunters, but this...This isn't hunting. It's genocide..."

Rogan: "They have every game animal in existence..."

Roger: "The lions..."

Ty: "And tigers..."

Mary: "And bears."

Scarlet: "Oh my...Look at that armchair. They not only like looking at their trophies, they want to look at their trophies while in a state of total comfort."

Verne: "They're not doing this for food or sport...They're doing this for pleasure..."

RJ: "They even have non-game animals..."

Rebecca: "Every one of our species except hybrids is trophied here..."

Rogan: "Even insects and common birds like robins and cardinals..."

Mary: "Who makes trophies out of bugs...?!"

Ty: "These humans do..."

RJ: "I...think it's time for us all to get out of here. Right now."

After seeing what these "hunters" do to every animal they come across, no one is in the mood to stay here any longer. Heck, they'll never raid from this house again! Just as the hedgies collectively and silently affirm that they do NOT want to go up against these humans, they hear a beeping sound from downstairs for 15 seconds. And then, the burglar alarm goes off, blaring a high-pitched siren throughout the whole house. The animals cover their ears and hurry back down the steps, while asking in their minds "How did the alarm go off?!"

The answer is more baffling when RJ looks at a wall clock and notices that it's only been 20 minutes since the alarm has been disconnected, not 30 minutes. Little do the animals know that the seven cousins in the human family had found many playmates at the playground, which freed up the adults from having to play with them. Having gotten bored, the father had taken out this phone and noticed that the security system was disarmed. Thinking that he had forgotten to arm it on their way out, he had re-armed it and once the system detected the hedgies, the alarm was triggered.

Even though the hedgies don't know this, they do know that the alarm's noise (and the phone app) will indicate that there are unwanted visitors in the house, which will make the father and older son come back to investigate. And given what the animals have gathered from the trophy room, the humans will take matters into their own hands long before any police show up.

When the animals who went upstairs come back down, they discover that only one of the two wagons has been taken out of the house. And then, the alarm stops blaring, but none of the animals feel relief. Suddenly the ones who stayed behind come back in.

Rogan: "Why only get one?!"

Tiger: "Both were too heavy for us to move, we could only get one wagon at a time."

RJ: "But that doesn't matter, we gotta get to the golf cart and leave!"

Stella: "But the alarm stopped, so won't the humans think it was just a glitch?"

Luby: "And has Bernard radioed about the returning humans yet?"

Knowing there is no time to explain the horrors that he has seen, Verne simplifies the explanation by saying, "No, but my tail is tingling!"

Rick: "Okay. Let's get the second wagon and—"

RJ: "No! Forget about it! We're leaving NOW!"

Spike: "Why?"

Rebecca: "No time to explain! Hurry!"

Hearing the panic lining the words of those who went upstairs and seeing the fearful look in their eyes, those who had taken the first wagon don't ask anymore questions. They flee as well. But just as she gets to the door leading to the backyard, Mary remembers something that causes her to stop and then turn back into the house.

RJ sees this and chases after his daughter while shouting, "Mary, what're you doing?! I said leave the second wagon!"

Mary: "I helped load the first wagon, and it doesn't have something I need!"

RJ: "We'll get it at another house, just come back!"

But by the time he catches up to her she has already taken something from the second wagon and puts it in her golf bag.

Mary: "Okay, now let's go!"

RJ decides to lecture Mary later and the two head back the way to the den, only to almost literally run into the others who come dashing back inside.

Rebecca: "Secondary exfil! GO!"

Before RJ can ask why, he sees the human father and older son following close behind the hedgies. Downright horrified, he and Mary join the others in running toward the front door on the opposite end of the house.

RJ: "How'd they get here so fast?!"

Velma: "We were about to open the backyard gate when we saw those two climb on the off-road golf cart to get over the backyard fence!"

Roger: "They just showed up without warning! Like one of my disappear-reappear magic tricks!"

Mary: "Didn't Bernard inform you?"

Verne: "There was no word from him!"

Ty (in a cross tone): "Because he was having a fear-induced panic attack!"

Mary (angry): "Again?! At the worst possible time?!"

RJ: "Worry about that later—wait! You mean he's still in the tree?!"

Rebecca: "Yep, which means we've got to help him come down from the tree when we backtrack to the alley and before we leave in the golf cart."

With a voice tone full of obligation—bred from being the sole surviving grandfather of Mary and Bernard—Rogan says, "That'll make things more risky than they already are, but I am not leaving my grandson behind! I left RJ behind and will never do that again to anyone!"

Stella: "You said it! We not leavin' anyone behind!"

Nothing else has to be said, and the animals are nearly at the front door. That's when Tiger's ears perk after his superb cat hearing picks up the sound of something he has heard from many an action movie. In a panicked voice even he didn't know he possessed, he screams, "SPRAY NOW, PRINCESS, OR ELSE WE'LL DIE!"

De'Ausha doesn't hesitate, and uses her skunk spray to create a cloud of foul-smelling gas that blots out everything behind the hedgies—just in time to make the human father miss his shots with a suppressed handgun! Having gotten the gun off a fireplace mantle in the den and loading it with some bullets from his pocket (that he, as a die-hard hunter and gun fanatic, never leaves home without), the father's silenced bullets hit the wooden floor a couple of inches behind the hedgies and causes a few small slinters to kick up into the air. Thankfully, De'Ausha has provided the animals with the perfect cover and time needed to open the front door since the father won't risk shooting blindly and hitting furniture or a window. But just as the animals feel the sweet taste of safety on their tongues when they open the door, they find the human son standing on the front porch. The animals had been so focused on running from the two humans that they failed to notice the son separate from the father to go into the kitchen, take the door to the side yard, and make his way to the front of the house.

He isn't armed, but the father soon remedies that by coughing out, "Catch, Kelvin!" and then throws the gun in the direction the light from outside is coming from. Because Kelvin does not strike the hedgies as the kind of guy who would miss the gun, Stella steps forward and raises her rear end ready to use her own skunk spray. But this time she is about to do so with regret, as the skunk says in her mind, "Here goes our last and only means of making a clear getaway. These humans'll have a clear shot at us once they exit my stink cloud."

But before Stella can gas Kelvin, Rebecca—who also knows what will happen if Stella uses her spray now instead of later—shouts, "Don't Stella!" and leaps high into the air where she bats away the handgun before it can reach him. It lands into a flowerbed, but Kelvin simply pulls out a concealed double-edged hunting knife.

RJ thinking: "Geez Louise, these humans are always out for animal blood!"

Rebecca lands on her feet and says, "Flip me high toward him!" to no one in particular. Spike is the closest and lets Rebecca hop into his forepaw, then launches her upward with all of his strength. Rebecca performs a front flip that enables her to kick Kelvin in the chin, forcing him to look up. Unfortunately, his arms angle downward and Rebecca gets cut by the hunting knife on her way back down to the ground. She lands but then collapses to her knees, causing everyone to gasp.

While Spike runs toward Kelvin to hit him with his quills before the human can recover and renew his attack, Rachel rushes over to her and says, "Rebecca! You got hurt!"

Rebecca (seething from the pain): "Don't worry, it's not that bad. Really. I feel okay. It's just a cut."

Rick: "Even so, you can't run on your own."

Tiger: "Someone put her on my back!"

Scarlet: "But what about the dad? He'll come out any moment!"

Mary's voice: "Me and Ty got it covered!"

Ty's voice: "Just run to the side yard!"

Both had spoken somewhere close to the front door and a quick glance from the others makes them confident enough to obey Ty. Using a kite wire she had pulled out of her pouch, Mary is holding it up on one end of the bottom of the doorframe while Tyler holds up the other end on the opposite door frame side. When the father comes running out he trips on the wire, flies forward, and falls into his son, the two of them falling down the front porch stairs. Mary and Ty give each other a thumbs-up and then run across the porch, hop the gating, and land in another flowerbed located on the side of the house that will lead to the side yard.

Luby: "Fantastic job, Ty and Mary! You two and Becca bought us valuable time and ensured Stella can use her spray for when we leave in the golf cart! But we still need to hoof it, 'cause those hunters might be back on their feet fast."

Ty: "My thoughts exactly, mom!"

Mary: "What about Bernard?"

Scarlet: "Hammy and RJ will get him down from the tree, we just need to focus on getting to the golf cart!"

So they do, and the hedgies oddly go through the side yard without any sign of pursuit from the humans. However, they soon discover why, when suppressed bullets hit the alley gate door just as they close it. Because there is a toolshed on the tiled ground next to the pool, that means the humans are at least at the pool gate, which means they are dangerously close to the hedgies. Even worse, when the runners get to the golf cart, Bernard, Hammy, and RJ are not in it. Spike and Quillo get ready to drive the golf cart while the others look up into the tree where Bernard is and hear him yelling "I can't climb down! Not even on your back, daddy! I can't, I can't, I CAAA-AAAANNNN'TTTT!"

RJ: "SHHH! Not so loud!"

Hammy's heart almost stops in fear when he sees what Bernard's yelling has done, and then he himself shouts, "DUCK!"

All three do that just in time to dodge three suppressed bullets which hits the trunk of the tree. Had they been standing for a second longer, they would have been shot. Unfortunately, they are still easy targets, and with Bernard's acrophobia back full-force he won't be able to climb up further into the tree for cover. The human father takes aim and squeezes the trigger of his gun—

—Which goes Click-click! as it has run out of ammo. The father growls in frustration and digs into his pocket to get some more bullets. Because he has to put them individually in his spent clip, it'll give RJ and Hammy a little extra time to make Bernard come down with them, but only a little extra time.

Thinking back to their training sessions, RJ asks his son, "You still have your grappling hook in your bag?"

Bernard: "Y-yeah."

RJ: "Get it out. Hurry!"

Bernard rummages through his red and black golf bag and pulls out the grappling hook which conveniently already has a rope tied to it. RJ whirls it above his head like a lasso three times and lets it go while aiming at the golf cart which it hooks onto. He then ties the loose end to the tree branch they are standing on.

RJ: "Go on, Hammy. We're right behind you!"

Hammy nods and scurries down the rope. RJ pulls out a washrag and puts it over the top of the rope. He looks back a Bernard and said, "Get on my back, son and hang on! Close your eyes when I say to and we'll be on the golf cart before you know it."

Bernard: "But the heights!"

From below, Hammy's voice shouts, "RJ, Kelvin is about to open the alley gate!"

Rogan's voice follows immediately after with, "It's now or never!"

To make matters more stressful, RJ hears the father put the now-loaded magazine back into the handgun.

RJ: "Bernard! We're dead if we stay here!"

Bernard: "But-but, I-I!"

RJ hears the father cock the gun's slide, and Kelvin lifting the metal latch of the alley gate. He looks to Bernard and yells in a demanding tone, "For the love of Mother Nature, MAN UP, son! Just long enough for us to get to safety!"

Bernard gulps, runs over to RJ and clings to his back. RJ then uses the washrag to slide down the rope and land into the golf cart. Finally, RJ pulls out a serrated knife from his golf bag and cuts the rope. Seeing this, Rogan says, "Now Spike and Quillo, GO!"

The tires squeal and the golf cart races forward just as Kelvin comes through the alley door and takes aim with his knife, ready to throw it. That's when Stella uses her skunk spray to create a gas cloud that the golf cart disappears behind. Spike and Quillo also swerve to the left and right just in case Kelvin did throw the knife, which now won't hit its mark.

Once again the hedgies have raided a human home and its wagon-load of goodies, surviving by the skin of their teeth. But there are no victory yells or whoops this time. It takes Mary all of her willpower not to swing her fist or shout a swear word at Bernard. She still yells at him angrily, "Why didn't you warn us of the returning humans?!"

Even worse, Mary isn't the only one feeling this way toward Bernard, as the older kids and even Stella, Tiger, Rachel, Bucky, and Spike feel frustrated with him. The kids are just more vocal about it, as Roger joins in on Mary's behalf with his own accusative tone in saying, "We were depending on you!"

Tyler: "You had one job. One, simple, job! And you still couldn't do it!"

De'Ausha: "I thought you said you conquered your fear of heights!"

RJ: "That's enough, kids. Give him a chance to explain."

Bernard: "I'm sorry, really! I didn't mean to! I tried so hard not to be scared. And it wasn't the heights this time, not fully. On the walkie-talkie I heard all the details about that trophy room."

Eager to defend Bernard, Verne says, "When I dropped it, it must have landed on the talk button, which allowed Bernard to hear our words..."

Bernard (nods his head yes): "The things you all described...the animals that were trophied, both the small and the big...it made me so scared of what those hunters would do to us, that my fear of heights returned and I couldn't focus on anything except that. If it hadn't been for that, I would not have gotten scared."

Mary: "You still put everyone's lives at risk, again! You'd think that after what happened to mommy that you wouldn't—!"

RJ: "Stop it right there, Mary! And you put our lives at risk too when you went back to the second wagon to get something even when the first wagon was already full."

Because Mary had helped convince the family to let Bernard be the lookout, she feels all the more angry for wanting to give him the chance to prove how much he has improved. Mary takes in and lets out a deep breath, and addresses her brother in calmer but still angry tone, "But I still get things done, and I do them right! I should have never stood up for you when Aunt Scarlet said you should be with Sam during this heist." She knows she will pay for what she plans on saying next, but needs to get it off of her chest or she won't be able to sleep straight for a week. "I believed in you." (Getting louder after every pause) "I wanted you to do good, I wanted you to succeed, and you still messed up! You always mess things up!"

RJ: "ENOUGH, Mary! Unless you want to get a spanking and be grounded from heists for a long time, you go to the front seat" (to Roger, Ty, and De'Ausha) "all of you go to your parents, and no one better come back here until I say it's okay. I need to talk to my son."

Roger, Ty, and De'Ausha nod and climb over into the seats in front of the back ones. RJ sits next to Bernard who isn't crying but has his face buried in his paws. RJ puts his own paw Bernard's shoulder while softly saying, "I'm sorry about that, but you know she didn't really mean it. She was just very angry, but I promise she will never say anything like that ever again."

Bernard makes the groan-like sound one makes before crying, so RJ wraps his arms around him and pulls him close to his chest. He kisses Bernard on the head and says, "Shhhh. It's gonna be okay, son. I still love you as much as ever."

Bernard: "But she was right daddy...I do always mess things up..."

RJ: "No you don't."

Bernard: "Yes I do! It's like...I did so well during all our training sessions, but when it comes to doing heists—at doing what I'm trying to learn in the real world—I still get scared and mess things up!"

RJ: "No one can overcome their flaws in a short amount of time, it takes lots of practice."

Bernard: "But we have been practicing."

RJ: "And you have been improving. Not as fast as your sister, but still improving, which is better than not improving at all. You said it yourself—and I completely agree—that if it wasn't for the details of the trophy room, you wouldn't have gotten scared. That was not your fault, it was just an unfortunate accident when the talk button was left on."

Bernard (snappy tone): "I heard Uncle Verne the first time, and it doesn't matter." (Depressed tone) "I'm no good to you on heists."

RJ: "Did you forget that your job was up in a tree serving as lookout? If you had been in the house loading things in the wagons you would have done a perfect job, even if you got scared. It was both the walkie-talkie accident and your task that's to blame, not you yourself."

Bernard: "But Mary would still do a better job at loading things than me. And if she was lookout she wouldn't have gotten scared and have warned us about the humans."

Even though he has been very empathetic of Bernard, RJ doesn't want to be too soft on him either. Because as much as RJ wants to deny it, Mary was right in that Bernard should have improved after what happened to Heather at the Quinceañera. He figures that sometimes to get kids motivated parents have to light a fire in their bellies, and that's what RJ intends to do when his tone has an edge to it as he says, "That's enough moping, son. Pull yourself together. You've been feeling down in the dumps for too long and that stops here and now."

Bernard's eyes widen and his expression shows that he wasn't expecting RJ to say these things in the way he is saying them. However, his new parenting tactic also has Bernard's full attention, so RJ keeps that cynical-inspiration edge by saying, "So things didn't turn out the way we hoped, that's part of life. Instead of sulking over what can't be fixed because it's in the past, use it to make things better for yourself in the future. We have enough food to last us for a good while, so we'll just train harder, and you will get better. Say that: 'I will get better.' "

Bernard: "I will get better."

RJ: "Like you mean it."

Bernard (sterner tone): "I will get better."

RJ: "Now like you really mean it."

Bernard: "I will get better!"

RJ's tone returns to normal when he says, "That's the spirit! Whenever you doubt yourself, say those four simply words."

Bernard: "I will. Thanks, daddy."

RJ: "You're welcome, Bernard. And if Mary or the others get onto you for what happened today, or for something that happened in the past, tell them 'I will get better.' "

Bernard: "Yes sir."

RJ: "Now go to the front, tell Mary to come back here, and for her to bring her bag. She has some explaining to do of her own."

Bernard nods yes and climbs over the rear-facing seat. Not even a full minute goes by when Mary comes over the seat.

RJ: "Sit right here." (Pats the spot next to him where Bernard had been)

While making her way there, Mary says "I hope you punish Bernard too, not just me."

RJ: "We're not here to talk about him, we're here to talk about you. Specifically, why did you put our lives in danger by going back to get something when I told you not to? And what did you get? What was worth the risk?"

Mary reaches into her bag and pulls out—

"Really?" says RJ with a raised eyebrow and surprised tone.

—A tube of Spuddies.

Mary: "I know it was foolish of me to do this, and that I should've just been satisfied with what we already had in the first wagon, but I...I just had this weird, irresistible urge to grab them. It felt like 'the feel' that raccoons use that you taught me before, but a little different. I just couldn't leave without them."

RJ puts both paws on his daughter's shoulders and says in a serious tone, "Mary..."

Mary feels nervous, not knowing whether her father is mad or disappointed with her.

RJ (with a smile and in a happy tone): "Come here."

He wraps his arms around her and gives her a quick hug before letting go of her. Confused, Mary asks, "I don't understand. You're not mad with me?"

RJ: "What caused you to want those Spuddies even though we already had more than enough food is more than just part of being a raccoon...It's because you're my daughter. I know exactly how you feel and what compelled you to do that. I know this because I did the exact same thing when I was 22 and stole all of Vincent's food. You remember what I've told you about the bear Vincent, right?"

Mary: "Uh-huh."

RJ: "I had just loaded up all of his food into a red wagon while he was still hibernating and was about to leave his cave Scott-free, when I looked back and noticed he still had a tube of Spuddies in his claws. I knew I should've just left with all the food I already had, and almost did, until I felt compelled to grab even those."

Mary: "And that's how you ended up meeting mommy."

RJ: "Precisely. Now don't get me wrong, what you and I did was foolish and dangerous, and you will need to learn how to control that urge in the future, but it's not a bad thing in and of itself. It's just part of who you are because it's a part of who I am, both as a raccoon and as what makes me me on the inside."

Mary: "Wow...Thanks, daddy." (Hugs RJ)

RJ: "Now let's go join your brother and put all the hard times of this day past us. Wha'do'ya say?"

Mary: "Yes sir!"

RJ chuckles and the father-daughter pair ascend the rear-facing seat and go to the front with smiles on their faces. Bernard smiles too, but his is fake, not genuine. There are two reasons for this. First, he can't get over his frustration with how he's still afraid of heights even when he had saved Tabitha from a deadly drop to her death when he was four-years-old.

Bernard thinking: "That's some cruel irony. I was more courageous when I was younger than I am now...But then again, you reacted on impulse back then, and Mary was there to help you out. Just like when she had you jump off the golf cart and get your golf bag while the humans were chasing us at the Quinceañera. If I can make that impulse happen on my own, I'll be better."

But any hopes of that are shrouded in shame by the second reason his smile is a lie. He had overheard everything RJ and Mary had said and feels awful to say the least because even when Mary did something equally endangering to the family, RJ found a way to truly praise her. And like usual, the praise was about how much more like a raccoon, and like RJ, she is. RJ's talk with Bernard made the boy opossacoon feel loved, but RJ still sounded like Bernard had let him down again. And unlike with him, RJ not once talked to Mary with a hard-edged tone. To Bernard, it seems like RJ loves Mary more than him.

Bernard thinking: "And why shouldn't he? She's better than me at everything except being dramatic like a possum, but that's not gonna help me on a heist. *Sigh*" Just as he's about to give in to his despair, he remembers what RJ had told him to do and silently vows with determination, "I will get better. I'm gonna prove to daddy that I can be a true raccoon just like Mary once and for all! And I know just what to do to make it happen."

Now Bernard's smile is genuine and looks to the future with a sense of hope and excitement at what he will do to prove himself.

---

When the golf cart arrives back at the log those in it are given a warm welcome by those who stayed behind. There are also a few non-family members visiting like Ladarius, his sister Markasia, Ruth, Elroy, and Garrett.

Emily: "Another successful raid, huh? Wish I was there."

Bucky: "Trust me, babe, you wouldn't want to."

Markasia: "Somethin' go wrong?"

Mary says, "You can say that again," while pointing her thumb and cocking her head back at Bernard.

Scarlet: "But not everything was bad. Sam said his first real word! Say it, son!"

Sam: "Cookies!"

Bucky: "We-ell, look it that!"

Hammy: "I know! Cool isn't it?! Next thing he'll be saying two real words, and then three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, elev—"

Scarlet says, "Okay, Hammy they get the picture," in a chuckle before her zany mate goes off on one of his tangents.

Sarah addresses all the raiders when she asks, "Wait, didn't you bring two wagons? Where's the other?"

RJ thinking: "That's my mom, alright. Age hasn't dulled her eyes or raccoon instinct."

Verne: "Like Mary said, there were some 'complications' and we could only get one wagon. And before anyone asks, we're not raiding from that same house ever again. Or the same street for that matter."

Velma: "The reason being that some animals who live near human settlements live longer than others because they know certain human homes aren't worth the risk to raid from."

Roger: "The humans were genocidal lunatics who hunt and trophy every animal there is; and I do mean every animal."

Ty: "We barely managed to escape, too."

Intrigued by the recent direction the conversation has taken, Kale comes in and asks "Were dare any wolves?"

Mary: "Yeah."

Garrett glares and points at Kale while saying, "Too bad you weren't in their trophy collection."

Ladarius: "Hey, quit talkin' like'a hater. Kale's a changed wolf now."

Garrett: "You're defending him?! He killed your oldest sister!"

Markasia: "Which is something me n' my fam'ly'll nev'a fo-get. But we have forgiven 'im 'cuz he's been helpin' keep these woods safe from oth'a predators who might kill others' fam'lies too."

Kale looks at Garrett but points in the direction of Markasia and Ladarius when he says, "Take notes from 'em Garrett, or you'll end up bein' as bad as my ex-godfather."

Garrett scoffs and says, "You're out of your mind..." while giving Markasia and Ladarius a matching facial expression for his words.

Rebecca: "Garrett, did you come here just to be angry at Kale?"

Garrett: "No, I came to visit with you."

Rebecca: "Then come help me down, I got injured at the heist."

She turns around to reveal a large bandage—that Luby and Rick had put on her during the drive home—going vertically down her back.

Garrett rushes over and asks, "Oh my lord, what happened?"

Rebecca: "I got cut with a knife by one of the humans we raided from. It's not deep, and all I need is to keep the bandage on to fully heal. But that means no gymnastics for me until then, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything that will make me want to do gymnastics because you know the reason why I do them."

Garrett: "Of course. Anything for you, Becca."

He helps her to the ground, they go over to the log where Rebecca put some things in a purse that she uses as her equivalent to her brother's golf bag, and then the two walk off to be by themselves. No one feels more satisfied by the altercation than Kale. There was a time when the thing he hated most was prey animals helping him because as a wolf, Kale was taught from birth that wolves have to fight their own battles, and that help from anyone—especially those who wolves eat—was a sign of weakness.

Kale approaches Markasia and says, "Thank you very much for defending me from Garrett. Only someone who also suffered from my direct actions could shut him up."

Markasia: "No problem, Kale. Like I said, you changed, I just don't know why some animals can't see that."

Rick: "He must have some reason besides you killing Lizzy and her family."

Rogan: "But if I know Rebecca—which I do—she'll find out what that is, make him see the error of his ways, and then he won't be mad with you anymore, Kale."

Ladarius: "Need some help unloadin'?"

Stella: "You our guest, we don't wanna put you to work. We got it, you and De'Ausha go have some fun."

Markasia: "I'll help 'em, lil' brother. I came heah ta escort you and now I can make myself mo' useful. Meet you when I'm done."

Ladarius nods and then he and De'Ausha go set up a small net and start playing tennis. The best thing about playing sports with De'Ausha is that Ladarius doesn't have to go easy on her; quite the contrary he has to bring his A-game to beat her. And if worse comes to worse, he doesn't mind losing to such a talented girl, especially his fiancé.

Having brought her son here for a similar reason as Ladarius's, Ruth says, "I'll help too. Elroy, you can hang out with Mary."

Elroy approaches Mary and says, "Did you do something awesome during the heist?"

Mary: "Oh, uh, y-yeah."

Elroy: "Is something wrong? You don't sound yourself."

Mary: "My little brother messed up again. He was the lookout and should've warned us when the humans returned, but he got scared instead and we almost got shot or stabbed. I swear, the nonsense I have to put up with him sometimes..."

Elroy scoffs in bitterness and says, "No kidding. I know exactly how you feel. Little brothers are annoying, incompetent, and just a royal pain in the tail." Not wanting to be overheard, he leans and whispers into Mary's ear, "I swear, the day when my little brother David dies it won't be a loss, it'll be a burden lifted."

Mary: "Burden? Don't you think that's going too far? I mean, yeah, younger siblings can be really annoying, but he's still your brother. No matter how many times Bernard messes up, I will always love him. Don't you love David deep down?"

Elroy: "No, because he's a bother and a pest—like all kids."

Mary: "You're a kid too."

Elroy: "But I'm nothing like David or my other siblings."

Mary: "Elroy, stop it. You're scaring me."

Elroy: "I'm only trying to say how the fact that you can't have kids with me is a good thing because—" After seeing the look Mary is giving him, the possum pauses then clears his throat and says, "You're right. Sorry. I took it too far. I honestly thought you'd feel the same way about your brother like I did with mine."

Mary: "I don't feel that way about any kids. All life is precious, especially young life because of how innocent little kids are."

Elroy: "I don't know how you feel that way, but probably because you don't have nine other siblings."

Mary: "I beg to differ. My 'cousins' are basically my other brothers and sisters. So I have 20 siblings, and I love each and every one of them. And yes, they can get annoying and needy, and there are times when I wish I didn't have to help take care of them, but the fun I have with them outshines the frustration."

Elroy: "Unfortunately, that's not how I feel. Taking care of my siblings isn't enjoyable, it's a chore worse than a normal chore. I'd rather sweep the inside of our home than play with my siblings. But we won't need to worry about any of that if you marry me."

Mary: "If you marry me you'll still be around a lot of kids and will need to help take care of them."

Elroy: "Wait, you wanna stay here with your family?"

Mary: "Of course, I wouldn't wanna spend a day without them."

Elroy: "But I was hoping we could move to another place to have adventures, see the country, and do all the fun and exciting things that are only possible if we don't have kids to hold us back."

Mary: "We can still do those things with my family, because it won't be as fun if it's just me and you on our own."

Elroy: "Uh! You're nuts, but I still love you so much."

Mary: "I love you too, and also know how much I mean to you, and you mean more to me than you'll ever know since you don't mind that I'm sterile. But you need to love my family, not just me, if you wanna be my boyfriend. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is."

Elroy: "Can we stop it there, please? I came here to have fun, and this conversation has turned into the exact opposite. So how's about we do something together?"

Mary: "Like what?"

Elroy sounds uncertain as he says, "Liiiiiiike..." When he notices De'Ausha and Ladarius playing, Elroy gives a wide grin and says, "Do you like tennis? Because we can have a lovers vs lovers match with those two." (Points in the direction of the skunat and skunk)

Mary wonders if Elroy is part raccoon somehow since the suggestion is perfect as it is mischievous. She expresses this by saying, "Now you're talkin'! You want the position near the net or far from the net?"

As the two make their way to the tennis court, Mary muses in hope, "Maybe this will help him see how siblings can be fun."

---

When everyone separated, Bernard feels left out and lonely since Patricia didn't come to visit him unlike Elroy and Ladarius, which can only mean she is getting along with Zack. He says in his mind, "Even if I do become like a true raccoon, she must've already given up on me..."

Bernard is brought out of his brooding when Sam comes up to him with a big smile and holding a laser pointer in his paws. Out of all the animals he's known, Sam just has the biggest, brightest smile which instantly puts Bernard in a better mood. The opossacoon says, "Wanna play 'Catch the Fairy'?"

Sam: "Nuhhn."

Bernard: "No? Then what is it you wanna do?"

Sam holds up the laser pointer and says "Geeg!"

Bernard: "Huh?" Sam points the laser at Bernard, causing a red dot to shine vividly on the opossacoon's white fur, which makes Bernard ask, "You want me to catch the fairy?"

Sam shakes his head no and continues to shine the laser at Bernard while walking up to him and tapping him. Bernard's own face lights up as he says, "Oh! You wanna play laser-light freeze tag!"

Sam: "Yeeeee!"

Bernard thinking: "At least I'm good at something. Other family members would've taken longer to guess what Sam wanted." (Out loud) "Okay, lemme see if anyone else wants to join and we'll go have a blast!" While walking to Aaron, Ike, Roger, and Ty, Bernard finds a little comfort as he muses, "Even if I can't get a girlfriend, at least I still have some great friends."

By the time he gets his fellow family members to play laser-light freeze tag, the food has been unloaded and the hedgies separate to do numerous activities, mostly relax.

In the fracas, Quillo has lost track of Rachel, and asks Penny, "Mom, did you see where Rachel went?"

Penny (playfully): "Oh Quillo, losing sight of your own mate? I thought I raised you better than that, son."

Quillo grins and decides to play along by saying, "Maybe my parents neglected me and relied too much on TV and videogames to raise me." (Normal tone) "But really, mom, did you see her or not?"

Penny (normal tone): "I think I saw her go over toward the pond."

Quillo: "Thanks."

Penny: "Mm-hm. Now I gotta go help Emily with Drake and Annie. I don't know what any of you would do without me, Lou, and Annette to help. Speaking of that, when are you and Rachel gonna make grandbabies for Annette, your dad, and I?"

Quillo: "We have been trying mom, and we'll keep trying until it happens."

Penny: "That's the spirit."

The two separate and when Quillo arrives at the pond, he sees Clara taking a drink, or more like chugging it down. Quillo intends to ask her something once she finishes, but 20 seconds later and the wolfess is still gulpin water. Quillo decides to get her attention by saying, "Geez, save some for the fishies."

Clara doesn't budge her head, but gives him a vulgar and obscene gesture with her paw while still drinking the water, which causes Quillo to muse "Ruuuu-uuuude..." Not wanting her to get away with what she just did for no apparent reason other than being a jerk, Quillo says, "Wanna see what happens when I shock you this close to a large body of water?"

Clara stops drinking, glares at Quillo, and says, "You's the reason I got these devil-collars on, so it's only natural dat I'd hate you, your brothers, and mates. I'm also totally parched, 'cuz you's've all been havin' me do every little thing for ya's like a slave! Your family is way too big for one servant ta take care of!"

Quillo: "Now you know how Kale feels about being the only wolf to protect these woods from predators. It's overwhelming and frustration beyond belief."

Clara: "Gettin' back ta my rant of why I need lots'a water, Kale and no one else will bring me water anymore, and dis is the closest source."

Quillo: "Have you asked for water? We'd still give it to you of you need it."

Clara: "I don't need anyone's help!"

Quillo briefly sighs in frustration and says, "Look, have you seen Rachel come by here?"

Clara: "Sure did, and boy was she cryin'. Not 'cuz I said anything to her, but because she's a wuss."

Quillo: "Don't touch the water with any part of your body."

Clara: "Why's dat?"

The answer is an electrical shock. Clara maintains her sanity by thinking of all the horrible things she would do to the humans who designed the shock collar. When the electrocution is over, Quillo says, "That was for insulting my mate, but I'll knock two points off your jerk-rating if you use your nose to help me find Rachel."

Clara: "Don't you know your own mate's scent?"

Quillo: "You can find her faster, and you're our family-slave, so do it or it's more electrocution."

Clara wants to lie and send him on a wild goose chase, but the threat of being hurt more makes her say, "Fine," in a tone of resignation. After taking a long sniff with her eyes closed and her other senses working at their fullest, she shares what she can gather. "She went dat way" (points down a path to the right of the pond) "for about 50 yards, then took a left down a small hill, and is currently in a vacant log."

Quillo: "Thanks. I'll put in a good word for you with the rest of the family for helping me."

Clara: "Just leave me alone."

Quillo: "Sure."

Once Quillo leaves, Clara continues drinking the water. Once she's finally done, she says "You's can come out now, Kale."

Kale emerges and says, "Forgot how hard it is ta spy onna'other wolf."

Clara: "Why were you eavesdropping?"

Kale: "I saw Quillo coming toward your direction and because you hate 'im so much, I needed ta keep an eye on you's in case you tried to attack him. But you really have been thirsty and nev'a asked anyone to give you a drink?"

Clara: "I'm in the mood ta be alone and angry right now. We'll chat later."

Kale gives her a brief shock and says, "No, we're gonna talk now. Firstly, ever since I brought you's here, you've been spendin' more time alone than with anyone else, inlcudin' me. And secondly, how can anyone want ta feel alone and angry?"

Clara: "I've been so alone and angry for so long dat I've gotten to the point where I actually kind of like it...I can't explain why, but I just can't go a day without feeling hatred and loneliness. I keep thinkin' about all the things I'd like to say and do ta my pack if I ever see dem again when I'm the one with the power over them."

Kale: "That is a form of self-abuse."

Clara: "I told you I'm messed up in the head. And get dis, I overheard what ya's family said about seein' wolves in the humans' trophy room. I sincerely hope that the corpses were my parents and brother, that dey were so afraid of dying and gettin' taxidermied that their black hearts had failed 'em, and it was the thought of going ta Heck that froze dare faces into masks of terror." (1)

Kale: "Yeah, that is messed up, but aren't you tired of bein' messed up? And didn't you recently tell me you didn't wanna die alone, hated, and unloved? One step ta make dat happen is ta let the past go and not take out your anger usin' your imagination. That only makes you feel worse, not better. And you're lettin' dem have power ov'a you every second you spend hatin' them. So face the facts: you'll never see your pack again, and certainly not have power over them. You will never have closure in your life, especially the closure you want, but maybe that's for the best. I say that because it means if you don't want them to win, you've got to prove that you're not going to be alone, hated, and unloved. Life is too short to spend hating anyone or anything, especially the lives of wolves with the mark of shame."

Clara takes time to think about everything Kale has said. It irks her, but he is one hundred percent right. She certainly wants to move on and forget about her pack, but it's hard to do that when their action of giving her the mark of shame is still screwing over her life to the present day. Coupled with how she is now the slave and whipping-girl for the family of prey animals to electrocute, it's all becoming too much to bear. She has a strong body, but even her strong mind, which has been slowly weakening over many years of horribleness, can't take things anymore. Because of that, she suddenly has the desire to open up more with Kale while the two are alone.

Clara: "I can talk to you about anything right?"

Kale: "Sí."

What happens next if a first time experience for Clara. She cries. Cries for the first time in her life (aside from being a newborn pup). Confused out of his mind, Kale rushes over to her and asks, "Hey, what's with the breakdown?"

Clara (in a mixture of sorrow and anger): "I can take the humiliation of bearing the mark of shame, I can take the burden of knowing I'll live a lonely life. But I CAN'T take the humiliation of bein' the slave of a bunch'a prey animals! It's worse than getting the mark of shame! It's worse because each jolt of electricity is a sign that I'm no longer the proud wolf I once was. Because I've sold my life an' soul for selfish revenge and bitterness, I've become a dog, a pet, and a plaything for animals lower than me to experiment with at will!

"I do wanna get over all the bad stuff dat's happened ever since my tail was removed, but I honestly think it's too late for me. Nothin' worth saving remains in me! I am hopeless, unredeemable, and beyond salvation! I am a monster, for more reasons than you can count."

Kale: "What's your numb'ah one reason?"

Clara: "You wanna know about my true preferences and pleasures? It all started with my first kill, with the animals I experimented with, and then oth'a predators. I didn't know then that I was capable of killin', but the sight of blood excited me. Causing pain filled an empty, lonely space inside with profound feelin's of power and control. (1) And the fact dat I could resist pain made me feel superior to all oth'as.

"But now, after bein' abused by animals I used to consider inferior to me, it's like karma is finally givin' me a taste of my own toxic medicine. Because I think I finally figured out why I like feelin' alone and hatred: because I deserve it. My attitude got me the mark of shame, not my brother, parents, or my godmother. And just when I think my life can finally start gettin' better, I remember what I said ta RJ and Rebecca after Ozzie's funeral and realize, I done messed it all up again! And then I put your standin' in your family at risk because you believed dat I could change. You were the only one who would stand up for me in front of your family, and I blew it! Now you're just as harsh toward me as you used ta be toward prey animals. I made you relapse, and now I'm finally payin' for it. I'm so sorry..."

Clara takes time to let out crying noises while Kale looks on in shock. He never thought Clara would show this side of herself. Moreover, ever since after Ozzie's funeral he doubted Clara even felt feelings, but the tears she is shedding are genuine. If she is lying, she deserves the Oscar for Best Actress, but he knows that she is not lying because his nose detects the scent of honesty. After all, why else would someone as strong and cold as her have such a breakdown?

Clara blows her nose, takes a breath, and says in a pleading tone, "Don't turn inta me, Kale. You're probably the only nice wolf in existence, which is a good thing, not a bad thing. You've gained everything you nev'a had, and you shouldn't lose it becuz of me."

Kale: "Not everything...I don't have a mate or kids."

Clara: "Well, you deserve better than me...Which is why I'm going ta my cave and lettin' whatever predators live there now kill me. I am poison for everyone and everything I'm around. I'm a lost cause and the world will be a betta place if I die. That's my only hope of redemption. I know I'm goin' to Heck, but I can at least prevent anyone else from becoming exactly like me."

Clara walks as fast as her injured paws can carry her, and simply goes around Kale when he gets in front of her to stop her. Seeing that she is dead-set about throwing her life away, Kale does the one and only thing that can make her stop and listen to him. He approaches her again and faster than she can walk around him, he takes both shock collars off of her. Clara gasps out, "You just—! But didn't you say if someone tried ta take it off, dat it would shock me?"

Kale: "That tech only works for your biometric signals, not for mine. But recalling the main reason why you're so messed up..." (Rhetorically) "So you sayin' you killed because it was jus' plain fun, and made you feel powerful and superior ta all other animals? So did I, and all wolves. With such abusive and strict packs who rule us usin' fear and having power over us, it's only natural dat we wanna have power over and induce fear in others who are weaker than ourselves. So you're not as alone as you think. And while on that topic, somethin' else we have in common is loneliness. You've been feelin' lonely without friends n' family, and I've been feelin' lonely because I'm dee only good wolf dare is. If you're willing to change your ways, we both won't feel lonely anymore."

Clara is so surprised with Kale's words—not to mention his willingness to listen and share with her—that it makes her realize and say her revelation out loud, "Yeah...maybe I'm not so alone. I feel better now dan I have in years..."

Kale: "See, doesn't talkin' about how you feel make things much betta for you dan isolating yourself from others? You know, if you open up more and try ta be nicer, you wouldn't get electrocuted as much."

Clara: "That's the thing, I felt so superior to others that I thought no one would understand me. But you...You're dee only one I've met who has ever sat down to talk to me about how I really feel. You're also dee only one who has a slight idea of how I feel, which is better than no idea."

Kale: "All wolves, no matter where we're from or who raised us, have some sort of shared experience. And all wolves are also too stubborn to really open up about our woes, but the night that I did with dis family was when we finally saw eye-to-eye. I told 'em how hard it was to be a wolf and a predator, that we have no freedoms and no fun, just the desire ta uphold the Codes of Wolf Society and be better than everyone else. That's when I started becomin' dare friend, which led me to bein' in dare family. Hopefully this talk will do the same for you, as long as you truly want to change."

After some thought, Clara nods and says, "I never thought I'd say this, but I guess in some sick and ironic twist of fate, me getting the mark of shame wasn't a punishment. It was a gift...A gift for me. I was always alone in that there was no one like me except me. I was a black sheep for all the right reasons, and never needed ta prove my superiority. Then, only after I got banished from all Wolf Society could I truly exert my superiority over the predators and prey that I met, only to be cursed that it was because of my inferiority that it was possible...Just like how you had everything a wolf could ev'a ask for in your pack, and den chose ta get the mark of shame so you'd finally feel happy and loved. It's a stretch, but I guess we are more alike than I thought."

Kale: "Yeah, it is a stretch, but it's still there. My gift for gettin' the mark of shame was finally bein' free from the Codes of Wolf Society, findin' a family, and gettin' a better purpose in life. Even though all predators hate me for it, and some prey animals still hate me, I wouldn't change a thing about what happened to me. What about you?"

Clara thinks to all the things that have happened to her since getting the mark of shame, both the good and the bad. Although the bad things far outnumber the good things, those few good things are what stand out more, and have had a bigger impact on her life. Now that she has given it some thought, she nods and says, "I think I agree. Had I not gotten the mark of shame, I wouldn't have met you."

Kale: "You's're so much more enjoyable ta be around when you're open like this. To make your life easier, talk and act to dee others like you are now with me. I can't be the only one you open up to."

Clara: "They'll prefer to shock first, listen later. So can't ya just tell 'em what we've talked about?"

Kale: "You need ta do that ya'self. Don't worry, you've got me back on your side now. I know you's not lyin'."

Clara: "In dat case, I guess I will. 'Cuz I've got no oth'a choice, only this time it's because I willed it. Talk about an oxymoron..."

Kale: "We'll do it whenev'a you feel ready, but we gotta put the collars back on before we go ta eat dinner late tonight after my patrols. Hopefully when you open up more to dee others they'll be the ones who take off the shock collars for good. Until then, how 'bout we put the serious tings on hold and have some fun? Wanna see which one of us can hear and use our sense of smell better?"

Clara: "Sounds like game for 'lil whelps."

Kale: "Yeah, let's play a game like we're 'lil whelps, 'cuz you never got ta be one."

Clara: "I...Alright, but only 'cuz I see it as a challenge to determine which one'uv us is better!"

Kale: "Den in that case, you're on!"

The two canines agree on targets to see or trace the scent of and begin their game, and for once Clara isn't too proud to admit that she is having real fun for the first time in her life.

Note: (1)=Based on Resident Evil: Code Veronica novel by S.D. Perry.

---

Once Quillo is almost down the hill he can hear Rachel crying, which makes him rush over in her direction. She is in the vacant log like Clara said, and Quillo doesn't announce his presence, he just gets next to his mate and hugs her. She grips him hard enough to make him ask, "Can I have my arm back please?" after 15 seconds.

Rachel loosens her hold and says, "Sorry."

Quillo: "No sweat, just tell me what's wrong."

Rachel: "Ever since I heard Scarlet tell Sam to repeat his first word, I...*Sigh* I want to hear my own kid say his or her first word and show him or her off to the world. But we...why are we the only ones who don't have kids yet?"

Quillo: "We've been trying for two years, and can try some more if you want."

Rachel: "I'm wondering if it's even worth it anymore."

Quillo: "Of course it is." Wanting to rekindle his mate's sense of fun and competitive nature, he says in an encouraging tone, "We can't let my brothers and your sisters beat us in the kids department. We gotta show 'em what we're made of."

Rachel: "But what if I'm barren like Velma...?"

Quillo's smile vanishes, and he pauses and widens his eyes, now feeling the same fear and doubt that is currently plaguing his mate. Being the biggest over thinker of his brothers, many unpleasant thoughts race through his head such as, "What if she is right? What if it's not her, but me? Am I infertile? What kind of mate would I be if I can't provide the one I love with something she and I want so much?"

And the worst part is, being animals, they can't go to a medical clinic and get tested for infertility. Quillo and Emily might spend the rest of their lives trying and it could all just be a waste of time. Rachel takes note of Quillo's pause and adds, "I see you agree with me."

Quillo: "N-no I don't."

Rachel: "Then why did you stutter?"

Quillo sighs in defeat, and can only think of one thing that will help lighten the mood. "Mary and De'Ausha can't have kids, and they'll still be happy with the ones they love. We can still be happy together, can't we?"

Rachel: "Well...yeah. But we're not hybrids, we should be able to have kids."

Rachel's mentioning of that has finally, though unintentionally, given Quillo what he needs to bump back. He says, "Maybe we're not trying hard enough," with more confidence now.

Rachel: "I'd say we have been trying very hard."

Quillo: "But there's always room for improvement."

Rachel: "How so?"

Quillo: "Starting by telling you we can't lose hope. We will have kids one day."

Rachel: "What makes you so sure?"

Quillo: "Don't forget how Luby and Rick had been trying for about four years and still tried even when they thought it wouldn't happen, and then it did happen. Maybe it'll be the same for us."

Rachel: "But what if it doesn't?"

Quillo: "Don't think like that. That kind of doubt is what will not make it happen."

Rachel (rhetorically): "You do realize there's a difference between a pep talk and making something happen in reality, right?"

Quillo: "Why are you being so negative today?"

Rachel: "Because we almost died on that heist, and we'd have no one to carry on our legacy."

Quillo: "All the more reason not to lose hope and keep trying."

Rachel pauses to think about Quillo's responses to her lamenting, and it doesn't take her long to crack a small smile. Quillo notices this and says, "Looks like I've gotten through to you."

Rachel: "I don't know where you get your confidence from, but I want you to tell me."

Quillo: "I just don't like seeing anyone sad, and try to make things better by thinking positive thoughts. And it's all the more important when you're sad, which gives me extra motivation."

Rachel kisses Quillo and then says "I'm so glad I married you."

The two decide to spend some quality time together and enjoy the serenity of the woods. Although the temperature and humidity are a little high, there is a pleasant breeze that keeps things from being uncomfortable. Moreover, the porcupine couple has each other to find solace, and hopefully will have little ones of their own to add to the mix. That is a hope they now know to never give up.

Note: I want to give yet another thanks to TheIceAgeMan77342 for suggesting a way to add drama to Quillo's and Rachel's relationship which has allowed me to flesh out their personalities in ways that I couldn't do in previous stories.

---

Meanwhile, Rebecca wonders if there is any hope for Garrett. Their conversation on the walk they are taking to a creek has been more pleasant than what Garrett's initial one today have been, but Rebecca knows Garrett will get angry again the instant she brings up Kale. She figures there is only one way to make sure he is the right one for her, and had a plan ready to help her find out as soon as she put shampoo, a shower brush, towels, two new red ribbons, Neosporin, and a long band aid in her purse before they had walked off. A few other animals are present at the creek and are drinking water, swimming for leisure, or dipping their paws in to cool off. Wanting some privacy, Rebecca and Garrett follow a small water stream that offshoots from the main creek and ends in a small pond no bigger than five feet across.

Garrett: "So, what're we gonna do?"

Rebecca: "I need a bath. The humidity made me sweat profusely when we were on the heist, and especially when I used my gymnastics on the humans."

Garrett: "Can't you bathe yourself?"

Rebecca, remembering how amazing it felt when she made out with Garrett at his home, gives a sly grin and rhetorically asks, "Wouldn't you prefer to bathe me?" To add a little more tease, she lightly brushes the top of his chin with the tip of her tail while she asked the question.

As expected, Garrett likes where this is going and says, "Heck yeah."

Rebecca honestly thinks she inherited her parents' romantic demeanor more than RJ, and can't deny that it feels good to be this way around Garrett.

Rebecca: "Besides, I need someone to take off and put on a new band aid when I'm done."

Rebecca first removes the ribbons around her ears, which makes Garrett—being the honest guy he is who doesn't like hiding anything when it comes to the ones he loves—comment, "You look so naked without your ribbons on."

Rebecca: "We're animals Garrett. We don't wear clothes to begin with."

Garrett: "It's like a dog without a collar on; I'm so used to seeing you with your ear-ribbons that it's strange—but by no means unpleasant—to see you without them on."

Rebecca hands him a shower brush and shampoo and says, "Here you go, but you better not say the lame and clichéd line, 'Can I do your front' or 'back?' Got it?"

Garrett (sarcastic): "Aw man, I was so looking forward to saying that." (Normal tone) "No problem, Becca. That love letter I wrote for was the last time I say clichés around you."

Rebecca walks into the deepest part of the small pond, goes under, and then comes back up looking like she has lost half her weight. As she said before animals don't wear clothes, but nothing comes closer to looking like that than when they get wet. Their thick fur sticks to their skin, making their real body shape stand out. Garrett stares and almost drops the shower brush and shampoo when he sees how lithe yet muscular her body is as a result of doing gymnastics all of her life. Normally, Rebecca doesn't like getting wet because it makes her feel so exposed and takes so long for her fur to completely dry. However, seeing Garrett's reaction makes her think, "Maybe being wet isn't so bad after all." But then the more cynical voice in her mind says, "If all he cares about is your body, then you're better off marrying one of your girlfriends, you gay—"

She's brought out of her thoughts by Garrett putting shampoo on her chest down to her belly and lathering it until the spots to which he applied it are white and soapy. He uses the brush to clean her deep to the skin, then repeats the process for her arms. Rebecca turns around and he puts shampoo on her back starting from the shoulders down to the base of her tail, being careful to avoid the spot with the waterproof band aid. Even so, while cleaning around it Rebecca winces from the pain and hisses out "Owwwww..." Just as it hurts the most, that's when Garrett drops the shampoo and brush and starts cuddling with her, unwilling to let his girlfriend feel pain and unable to keep himself from not touching her perfect body anymore. His eyes are closed, but he has observed Rebecca from many views enough to know what to do and where to be. His chest is pressing against her back, his loins are touching her hindquarters, his muzzle is resting on her left shoulder that he nuzzles, and he places his right paw on her right hip and his left paw on her belly, massaging those areas. Rebecca once again enters a state of mind where she feels one hundred percent heterosexual. She places her right paw on top of Garrett's at her hip, interlocking her fingers with his. She raises her left paw up to his head and strokes it from the top down to his nose. The two continue their cuddling for a full three minutes, not saying a word but knowing how to make the other feel.

Garrett: "Rebecca..."

Rebecca: "Yes?"

Garrett: "Does it still hurt?"

Rebecca: "A little."

Garrett: "You saved me before, now it's time to return the favor for you." He kisses her neck and says, "I can feel your wound pulsating. Focus on feeling nothing except my heartbeat."

Because the place where his heart is located is pressing against her wound, it's pretty easy for Rebecca to feeling his fast-beating heart.

Rebecca: "Okay."

Garrett: "Now take a deep breath, calm yourself, relax, and try to match your wound's throbbing with my heartbeat."

Although Rebecca isn't controlling the beating of her wound intentionally, once she feels Garrett's heartrate slows as he relaxes, her own wound stops pulsating as fast and starts to slowly ebb away. It's almost like magic, but then again so was her treatment that brought him out of his vegetative state.

Garrett feels her wound not beating as much and asks, "Does it still hurt now?"

Rebecca (in a blissful sigh): "Not anymore..."

Garrett: "Forgive me, but, uh, 'can I get your front?' "

Rebecca lets out a chuckle, finding amusement in how Garrett said the lame and clichéd line but she actually likes it, and says, "Go right ahead, but I make the first move this time."

He backs up while she turns around, and with closed eyes, she walks slowly forward, presses her ventral to his ventral, places her paws on his chest, and rests her head beneath his chin, nuzzling him there. Garrett gently places his paws on her hips, and the two remain motionless. They soon feel each other's heartbeats which are pumping in perfect synchronization. Her heart really is beating for him, and his heart is beating for her. Their hearts are one. They spend two minutes like this, and while Rebecca wants it to last longer, she hasn't forgotten why she really wanted to bring Garrett to the tiny pond today.

She opens her eyes, looks into Garrett's, and says, "Garrett?"

Garrett: "Yes, Rebecca?"

Rebecca: "I need to ask you a really serious question."

Garrett: "Go ahead."

Rebecca: "Do you love me for my body or for who I am?"

Garrett: "I'd say both"

Rebecca raises an eyebrow and says, "I was kind of expecting you to say 'for who I am' only."

Garrett puts a paw on her cheek and says, "Is it wrong to have a physical attraction for the one I'm in love with? Like I've said before, I love every hair on your body, every muscle, and every sinew—all because of who you are. Your fur, muscles, and sinews make you the strong, independent, caring, gentle, and kind young woman that I fell in love with ever since Lizzy's death."

Rebecca: "Well, when you put it that way, then I'm glad. But if you love me and want to marry me, then you'd have to get along with my family."

Garrett: "I already get along great with your parents, brother, his mate and kids, Verne, and pretty much everyone else."

Rebecca: "Not with Kale."

Garrett removes his paw from her cheek and says, "Becca, not today," in a tone that indicates he's trying to avoid the topic.

Rebecca: "No, Garrett. We need to settle your grudge with Kale here and now. You got angry with him the other day when he asked if you or any of your family had been hurt by Clara. Then you got mad at the mere sight of him today."

Garrett: "After what he did to me and my family, how could I not get mad at him on-sight?"

Rebecca: "Because Markasia and Ladarius didn't, even when he killed their sister. And like with Shaniqua, he didn't mean to kill Lizzy. The day he did was so his pack wouldn't get onto him for not killing an innocent prey animal. His pack were monsters, not him. I've told you how much he hated being a wolf, how he was never able to do what he liked or feel the love that he craved. He has spent many restless nights, sacrificing his body and mind, to save prey animals so that they will never suffer a loss of family like you did ever again; never asking for anything in return, and yet you still hate him. You still want revenge on him."

Garrett: "There will never be enough punishment for him. He killed Lizzy and my in-law family. Even if he was being pressured by his evil pack he still could have chosen not to."

Rebecca: "To which he has told you many times that he would have chosen to suffer the abuse and loss of what little privileges he had from him pack if he could go back in time to that moment again. How can you still hate him? What's your real reason?"

Garrett: "Lizzy was pregnant, Becca. Pregnant with my kids."

Rebecca: "Do you know that for sure? Be honest."

Garrett: "Um...well...no. B-but she was most likely!"

Rebecca: "You had only been married to her for about two weeks."

Garrett: "But she was still the love of my life at that moment in time, and he took her from me!"

Rebecca: "You just said you love me. I love you too, even with my gay thoughts and feelings making me demand that I don't. But in order for me to love you fully, for who you are, you need to drop your hatred of Kale. Now, I don't mean to threaten you, but if all you care about is getting revenge on him, then you won't be the right mate for me. If you can't stop craving vengeance, I could always embrace that I'm gay and marry one of my girlfriends because her life isn't obsessed over revenge, it's on enjoying what makes life fun and enjoyable.

"I have suffered enough from the mere existence of revenge, and can't have it in my life anymore. The revenge of Shark-Bite Silver Fang and the Wrong-Way Wolf Pack is what forced my parents to abandon their home, and their two-year-old son. Those wolves' revenge is what kept my mom and dad from loving me like a daughter while we searched for RJ. The day I met RJ, revenge for mom and dad's abandonment of him is what made him not accept me as a sister and hate me unconditionally. Any revenge will ravage a family apart. And you wanna know what the truth about revenge is? It never makes anyone feel better, only worse. You have been craving revenge for so long that it won't matter if you do make Kale pay for what he did. Your craving for vengeance won't end, and you will just find another thing to take revenge on. When you still feel miserable after getting revenge on Kale, you'll stop blaming him and then blame yourself for how bad you feel. It will destroy you more than Kale, and it will destroy me if I marry you.

"This is something you can change about yourself, and something you should change. If you're still not ready to forgive him, fine. But you can at least stop hating him and wanting to get revenge on him. Because you wanna know something else about hating Kale for what he did to you and your in-laws? It's like you love Lizzy more than me."

Garrett's stone wall of defense for his beliefs has already crumbled from Rebecca's insights and experiences. His mind is blown by how right she is and how wrong he has been, which is why he answers her question by stuttering out in a tone of disbelief, "Oh...I...n-never th-thought of it like that..."

Rebecca: "I'm sorry she died, but that was five years ago. That is way too long to keep hating and wanting revenge on someone who has done all he can to change and make the lives of those he used to hunt safer. And do you think Lizzy would want you to avenge her and her family's deaths?"

Garrett doesn't even need to think for a nanosecond to know the answer to that which is, "No, she wouldn't..."

Rebecca: "Look, I'm not trying to rush you to forgive Kale, you have to do that at your own pace. But I am trying to help you realize that if you keep looking to and feeling for what happened in the past, then you will miss what you've got in the present."

Garrett: "...Like you..."

Rebecca: "Exactly."

Garrett surprises Rebecca by picking her up and cradling her in his arms with his right paw gripping her thighs and his left paw gripping her back. Her cut wound doesn't hurt once he starts kissing her on the lips and she kisses him back. When they break away, Garrett says in a mix of grief and happiness, "Thank you, Rebecca. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how much damage I was doing to you or myself by holding onto my hate."

Rebecca: "It's okay Garrett. Everyone makes mistakes, but I forgive you."

Garrett: "I don't know how you can, but I am so grateful for your love! Even if you turn out gay, I'll always remember you as the first girlfriend who healed my heart, mind, and soul..."

Rebecca: "You have my whole family to thank for my love...including Kale. His relationship with us is living proof how love—or just the desire to love—will always be stronger than hate."

Garrett: "Do you think he's still back at your home? 'Cuz I'd really like to tell him a few things."

Rebecca: "He probably is, but I haven't finished bathing yet. If we miss him before he goes out on his patrols, I'll send him your way one day."

Garrett: "I'd really appreciate that...But for now, let's finish your bath. And..."

For the first time since she met him, Garrett actually looks shy, which causes Rebecca to ask, "Yyyyeeeeee-eeeeesssss?"

Garret: "Can you return the favor for me, even though I'm already clean?"

Rebecca: "I'd love to."

Garrett: "Great."

The two young lovers have a wonderful time together as all their negative feelings wash from their bodies, cleaning their inner selves as much as their outsides.

---

Meanwhile, in a secluded area a little ways off from the log, Plushie is playing a Nintendo 3DS. Unlike the rest of the animals, he's not having much fun. The game does little to take his mind off what happened earlier today. He's actually thankful when he hears footsteps crunching over leaves and looks up to see Verne and Velma.

Velma: "We had a feeling you'd be here."

Plushie pauses the game, closes the 3DS, and says, "You've come up with my punishment, haven't you?"

Velma: "Indeed we have."

Verne: "You're grounded forever—if you don't stay exactly how you are."

Plushie: "Wait, what? 'Exactly how I am'?"

Verne: "There is no way we should punish you for doing the right thing. Your friends were in the wrong, and nothing has made me prouder than you realizing why they were bad for you, and trying to make them see the error of their ways."

Velma: "Your mother, Kimberly, would be proud of you too, because you are finally starting to become a strong and responsible young man who tried to save those who mock and reject you."

Plushie: "But when the families of those who got captured come by, I don't think they're gonna want to accept my apology."

Verne: "How I see it, you have nothing to apologize for. So you should not—you cannot—carry any guilt in your heart or mind."

Verne and Velma give Plushie some time to think about what they have said, and then the teenager says, "I...that's how I felt when Eliza lashed out at me, but you telling me that that was right means so much. Thanks. But when the families do come, Kale might not be around to protect me or all of you, because they may try to take you out instead of me to get back at me."

Velma: "They'll have to come through me and your Uncle if they wanna harm anyone, especially you."

Verne: "You may think we're meek and paranoid, but we will fight like we've never fought before to make the families of your friends understand everything we have told you, and more."

Plushie is amazed at the strength behind his aunt's and uncle's words, which proves to him they can be strong when they need to. But considering how he has acted to them in the past, Plushie asks, "How can you be willing to fight for me and still love me even after all the horrible things I've said and done to you? I don't mean to mock you, but you're still not my real parents."

Verne: "Who says we aren't? Don't forget Plushie that we have raised you for almost half of your life—from when you were nine-years-old to now. We have brought you up as if you were our own son, and we did that because we love you like a son."

Velma: "We provided you a home and love when you needed it the most, shortly after your dear mother's passing, even when you were bitter toward us because we love you. That sounds to me like something parents would do for their son."

Verne: "Blood-wise, you're our nephew; but because family comes from the heart and the love we have for others, and not from blood ties, you are both our nephew and our son."

Velma: "I daresay you're more of our son than our nephew."

Plushie starts shedding tears of joy at the truth of his aunt's and uncle's—no, his parents'—words. He leaps up and wraps his arms around them as far as he can while Verne and Velma give him a hug too.

Plushie: "Thank you, mom and dad...For everything!"

Verne and Velma in unison: "You're welcome, son."

Plushie: "But just to avoid confusion, I'd like to keep calling you 'Aunt' and 'Uncle' when around others, but promise to call you 'mom' and 'dad' when we're all alone."

Verne: "We were hoping you'd say that."

Velma: "If there's anything else you need right now...?"

Plushie wants to do something fun and enjoyable with his newfound parents in a way that will be equally fun for them. Then he recalls a fun little secret they have and asks, "You two like having splash fights while flirting when no one else is around, right?"

Verne blushes in a mix of pride and embarrassment while saying, "Uhhh, yeeeahhh..."

Plushie: "Let's make it a family activity, starting now!"

Velma nods while smiling and then looks at her smiling mate and tells Verne, "Sounds like fun!"

Verne: "Then let's head to the nearest unoccupied pond!"

Their feud finally over, Verne, Velma, and Plushie run off like kids at Disney World where they have a great time bonding, having become a born-again family.

---

At 5PM, all the hedgies (minus Clara who isn't ready to talk to the others yet and Kale who is back on his patrols) have returned to the main living area and bid farewell to their friends who came to visit. Though she hid it while playing tennis, Mary's distraught with Elroy's overly bitter and seemingly shameless views of kids and family plagues her mind. It bothers her so much, and because her future love life is depending on it, she decides to break the promise she made to Elroy about not telling anyone his feelings toward family. Since RJ is currently busy talking to Hammy, Aaron, Sam, and Bernard, Mary goes inside the log where Heather has just now woken up from resting.

Heather: "Hi Mary."

Mary: "Hi Mommy. How'd you sleep?"

Heather: "Pretty well. Even better, my injuries now just feel sore instead of painful. So I'm making a lot of progress in my recovery."

Mary: "Yay, that's great!...But, um, I need to talk to you about something that's bothering me."

Heather: "Of course. What is it?"

Mary takes a deep breath and tells her mother the kind of opinions Elroy has about family and small children. Heather's eyes widen and she silently says, "He seems like such a sweet boy. I never knew he would feel this way..."

Mary: "I'm thinking that maybe he's not the right boy for me. I shouldn't marry someone who hates families and kids. But at the same time, who else will still love me as much as he does and be willing to marry me even though I can't have children of my own? I still love him. He's brave, sweet, smart, understanding, fun, kind, not to mention handsome. I love everything else about him—except his view on families. That's the only bad thing about him, but it's a huge bad thing."

Heather: "I see why you're so torn apart over this, and I sadly don't have any personal experience with what you're going through. However, all relationships with lovers involve compromises; you and your boyfriend will each have to sacrifice some of the things you both enjoy doing, and do things that you don't like. And it has to be mutual. If you only made him change without changing some yourself, then he might not love you. I think if you both talk some more about your opinions on family, the sooner you can start making compromises."

Mary: "But do you think things would work out between Elroy and I?"

Heather: "I am giving you my honest opinion when I say: I think you are perfect for him. Perhaps all he needs is someone like you to show him how family and being around kids can be the best things in the whole wide world. And if that involves moving away from the rest of us when you get older, then that just might be what has to be done. I want you to have your own life with him and be happy. You don't need to feel obligated to stay here with us if it will keep you from being happy with him."

Mary: "But I want to stay here with my family, even as an adult."

Heather: "But it's also too early to start worrying about such things during this point in your life. You need to be doing and wondering about the things every 11-year-old girl should. You don't wanna grow up too fast. You need to enjoy your youth, every moment of it, and worry about more serious things when the time comes to deal with them when you get older. Understand, sweetie?"

Mary smiles, hugs Heather, and says, "Yes ma'am! You're right! About everything!"

Heather: "Mother knows best."

Mary giggles and then asks, "Can I sleep beside you tonight, Mommy?"

Heather: "I'm sure Bernard won't mind."

Bernard then walks in, and says "It's okay. I wanna sleep next to daddy tonight, anyway. And I'm here to tell you it's time to for dinner."

RJ and Rick come in with the baby doll stroller and put Heather in it. As Mary leaves the log feeling better than ever, Bernard leaves feeling worse than ever. For he had heard and seen everything between the mother and daughter ever since Heather had said "But it's too early to start worrying..." Needless to say that he had become insanely jealous. He brooded, "Mary even has a better relationship with Mommy than I do!" And contrary to his words, he was not okay with her sleeping beside Heather tonight, and had only said it was alright because RJ is a heavier sleeper and wouldn't notice when Bernard puts his plan to become a true raccoon once and for all in motion.

Bernard thinking: "Then and only then can I finally feel like a worthwhile creature on this earth. If I fail, then my life is no longer worth living, which means I'll..."

It is because of that horrible outcome that he intends to get it right. His life, after all, depends on it.

---

What does Bernard have in mind? Will Clara finally open up more with the others, and how will they treat her from here on out? How will the families of Anthony, Alfred, Wilbur, and Lacey take the news of their children's capture? The answers to these questions (and possibly more) will be answered in the next chapter!