Chapter 7: The Alpha Within
A/N: Look, I know that other mammals don't have "that time of the month" in the same kind of cycle as us humans, but I wanted it to be something relatable to us and they are anthropomorphic and...I'm not about to Google "giraffe menstruation periods" okay?! No thank you! I still have their gestation periods the same as the animals themselves, but if they can stand on their two feet and talk, then I think we can take liberties with other things.
When I went to write out Ben and Terry's relationship, I had no idea how bizarre it was gonna end up becoming. Married only after a few days of dating, adopting a giraffe and mountain lion and the crazy stuff with the in-laws. I could write a situation comedy just on them!
I'm happy with how the dialogue came out in this chapter There are some truly funny moments.
11:40pm At Nick's restaurant
"I WANT MY MOMMY!" Sarah sobbed as James held her. The small mountain lion was very upset that her mother left in a huge hurry without telling anyone where she was going. "Wh-why did she just leave me?!"
"I don't know." James replied as he cradled her in his arms. "But don't you worry! You got your big brother James to watch over you. Okay?!"
"That's silly! You're not my big brother!"
"Well how do you know that?" James said with a smirk. "Do you know who your daddy is?"
"Yeah!" She replied. "Ben Clawhauser."
James chuckled. "No! No! I mean, your birth father."
"Oooh! No."
"Neither do I. We're both felines. Maybe we have the same dad. Anything's possible."
"That would be great!" Sarah replied. Rubbing her cheek against James. "I wish you were my big brother. I really like you!"
Michael looked over from his table where he and Petey were watching "Star Boars: The Empire Strikes Out" on their tablet. He nudged his brother. "PSSST! Act jealous."
Petey was confused. "What?"
"You gotta show your girl you care! Get mad at James!"
"I'm not mad like last time. He's a nice guy."
"Sarah's feeling bad! If you show you care about her, she'll feel better."
"Oooh. Okay!" He turned around and pointed at James. "Hey you...you poopy head! Sarah's MY girl! I'll hug her if she cries!"
"Oh yeah?" James said. "I'll just have to grab the both of you!" With one free arm, James scooped up Petey too. The little bunny giggled as he was being nabbed up. "Now...what can I do with you two? I can try juggling or...turn you into puppets!"
Spots came in through the door as James was playing with Sarah and Petey. She walked over to Nick and dropped of the pamphlets and stickers. "Here you go dad."
"Great! I was completely out. This has been a huge success. Did you see Duke on TV?"
"The weasel? Paco's stepdad?"
"Yeah! He was using the methods I was talking about last night and he saved a life!"
"Cool." She looked over as James was pretending that Petey and Sarah were puppets.
He'd first mock Petey's voice while shaking him like a puppet. "Hey Sarah honey! You're not falling for this jerk are you?" This made the bunny giggle.
James then shook Sarah and mocked her voice. "No way baby! I only have eyes for you!" This made the mountain lion cub giggle as well.
Spots was watching the whole thing and it was warming her heart. She was interrupted by Princess whose reflection she could see in a mirror in the back of the restaurant. "He's good with kids!" Princess argued. "...And I know how much you love to mother your siblings."
"Shut up!" Spots muttered under her breath. It did not go unnoticed.
"What'd I do?" Nick asked.
Spots got embarrassed that she was overheard by her father. "What?! Nothing! It's not you. I'm kinda...arguing with myself."
Nick looked over and saw that she was staring at James playing with the kits. "Still have some inner turmoil on your feelings for him?!"
"What?! No!..No! What feelings?!"
"Look Viv, my eyes aren't blind and I have a great sense of smell. I know how you might be feeling about him. But it might not be what you think."
Spots was curious. "What do you mean?"
"Look, ummm...can you keep a big secret? Even from Judy?"
"Sure dad."
"Okay, this is just between us. And please note that this feeling I'm about to mention was fleeting and left right away."
"Wait...Are you gonna tell me you were attracted to someone else?"
"Very briefly. It...It was Gideon Grey."
Spots ears shot up. "WHAT?!"
"SHHHHHHHH!"
Spots went down to a whisper. "Sorry. Sorry. Give me the details!"
"Well, we met at Bunnyburrow and we hit it off real well. Became best friends almost instantly. For a short while I had this...I don't know infatuation or attraction to him. couldn't explain it at the time. It was confusing me deep inside. I knew it wasn't sexual, but I still couldn't get him out of my mind for a short while."
"What did you do?"
"I came to realize that what I felt was the bond we both shared and nothing else. He was a fox like me, sweet guy, family man and someone I could relate to. It was like having a brother for the first time in my life."
"Would you have made out with him if he asked?"
"No! Look, the fact is YOU share a very similar bond with James. He's near your age. You were orphaned, he was...kinda orphaned too. Both of you lost your birth parents. You have similar tastes. You have a strong bond with him and maybe...just maybe your mind and body are confusing it with a romantic attraction."
Spots looked hopeful. "Really? You think so?!"
"No. But There's a possibility I'm wrong. But you need to stop holding yourself back and let whatever happens happen. Maybe it's nothing but a feeling of bonding or maybe...it's a bit more. But you need to stop having a rigid mindset of 'this is who I am and I won't change' and be whoever you want to be."
"You're right. I feel better now. Thanks dad!" She kissed her father on the cheek and went off to chat with James and the kids.
Meanwhile, Tim Wolford was on the phone with Ben. "As much as I hate 'ta say it, 'dats probably 'da best course. I'm just surprised ya went 'dat route. Makes me respect ya. I'll give her a talkin' to later myself. See ya!"
"So what's up with Terry?" asked Nick.
Tim decided to address Sarah instead of Nick. "Sarah, you're mommy's fine. She found out Suzie was ummm...sick so she rushed to the school to check up on her. She's with your daddy and Judy now."
Sarah was now worried about her sister. "Is she okay?"
"Oh yeah! She's poifectly fine. She's ummm...jeez how do I put 'dis to a five year-old?...I'm gonna be blunt. She hit puberty."
"Why'd she hit puberty?! Did they get into a fight?"
Everyone got a big laugh as Wolford tried to explain. "No, no honey! Puberty is a stage in life. It's when your body goes from being a child to well...closer to being an adult. She's a woman now. Her body can now make babies."
"Ooooh! Is she pregnant?"
"No. That would require a boy giraffe. And don't ask for details on 'dat cuz 'dat ain't my job! It's yer parents. But because of this...ummm...her pee-pee will bleed on occasion. It's completely normal for females and nothing to fear."
"Sounds gross."
"It is. But bottom line is, she's okay, it's something natural, it's a stage of life and 'dere's nothing to worry about."
"Then why did my mommy freak out?"
"Because 'da only information she got wuz Suzie sayin' 'I'm bleeding!' and she took off like a rocket to go get her. Ya understand now?"
"I guess so. I hope they get back soon. I have more things to ask."
"And you'll have 'ta ask 'dem cuz I ain't yer fadder."
"Okay. Thanks uncle Tim!"
Wolford got a smile a mile wide. "Hey! I like 'dat! Thank you!"
"Jimmy says if your parent has a friend, that friend becomes your aunt or uncle. That's why he calls mommy 'Aunt Terry'."
" Well 'dats a good rule. Thanks Jim!"
"No problem dad." James responded.
It was then that Michael called out to Petey. "Hey Pete! Dark Raider is about to fight Duke Futtbucker!"
Petey jumped out of James' arms and ran up to the tablet. "Let me see! Let me see!"
Tim was curious. "'Dose two never saw Star Boars before?!"
"Nope." Nick replied.
Tim then ran over to watch the bunnies watch Star Boars. "Ooooh! I get ta live a piece of my childhood vicariously through another child! I can't wait to see their expression when Dark Raider tells Duke 'dat..."
"SHHH! SPOILERS!" The other predators hushed Tim as they surrounded the two tiny bunnies who were fixated on the tablet.
Meanwhile...
"How can you do this to me?!" Terry sobbed. "I'm your wife!" The tiger was still pawcuffed and sitting in the sidecar.
Ben just stayed silent on his motorcycle. His paws resting on Judy's hips as she steered the bike.
"Ben? Ben speak to me!"
Ben just spoke to Judy instead. "Any more word on Terry's street craziness?"
"The only reports I'm getting from Francine is that the witnesses describe her as an orange blur."
"Okay."
Terry was worried. "Ben? please speak to me. I love you."
The motorcycle stopped in front of the school parking lot. "Is there any little cubs around?"
"No."replied Judy. They should all be inside.
"Good!" Ben replied back as he got off the bike and shouted at his wife. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!"
Terry had her ears back in fear. "I-I was just really worried about Suzie! I wasn't thinking straight!"
"You're damn right you weren't!" the fat cheetah shouted back. "You're gonna have a criminal record now! Do you know how much this will cost us just to bail you out?! Not to mention the fact that this will certainly cost you your job! We are taking care of a giraffe you stupid idiot! A giraffe! Do you know how much it costs to shelter and feed such a large mammal?! How am I gonna do that on my salary alone?!"
"I'm sorry! I-I was just so worried!"
"Terry. You cannot be so impulsive and emotional! This is the second time in just under a week that you've caused mayhem on the streets! Everything you want can't be instantly done. You have got to learn to have patience! Now I'm gonna calm down and see my daughter. I don't know how I'm gonna explain me carting you off to jail. I've never been so mad at you!"
Ben started to storm off and he kicked a trash can hard along the way. Unfortunately for him, he hurt his toes doing so. "Owie! Owie! Ow! Ow!"
Judy and Terry looked on in shock. Terry still couldn't believe it. "Did you see how angry he was?!"
Judy tried to calm things down. "Terry, I'm sure things will be fine. PLEASE don't get divorced! You just got those children and they'll need you!"
" 'Divorced'?! I've never been more turned on in my life!"
"...WHAT?!"
"I've never seen him so aggressive! He was so angry! So full of intensity! So...so...so...ALPHA!"
Judy just rolled her eyes. "It's nice to know you have your priorities straight."
"Tonight I'm gonna have him bite my neck, pull on my ears and spank me!"
"Could we get back on track to the fact that your daughter needs you right now and you're possibly going to jail?!"
"Sorry Judy. I've really made a mess of things. Haven't I? SNIFF! I'm gonna lose my job! What will my kids think of me?!"
"Can you walk now?"
"Sure. My doctor's going to be taking the stitches out tomorrow and he said I should be fine for walking short distances."
"Okay then." Judy walked over and un-cuffed Terry.
The tiger was confused. "What are you doing?"
"I got all the reports coming in on my headpiece. No one saw you clearly. It was POSSIBLY a tiger in a wheelchair. Nothing definite. You were going so fast that they called you 'The orange blur'. Since no one could make you out, they can't charge you."
"That's a relief!"
"NOT SO FAST! Me and Ben know and we should take you in! I'm risking my neck but I'm letting you off. Not without a favor."
"Anything!" Terry exclaimed.
"Quit. Resign. Police work is not cut out for you. You're too emotional. Too impulsive. Too reckless!"
Terry pulled her ears back in sadness. "You're right. To be honest, I've been thinking about this for a long time. When we're done here, take me to the station and I'll sign a letter of resignation. I'm going to miss Tim so much."
"It's for the best." Judy replied. "You sure you're okay to walk?"
"Yeah. I just gotta make sure not to exert myself."
"Like pumping your arms really hard pushing a wheelchair up to 80 MPH?"
"...Touche'."
Meanwhile, Ben had made it to the nurses station. Suzie saw him coming through the door. "Daddy!" she exclaimed.
She bent down so Ben could hug her neck. "Hey sweetie! Your mommy told me all about what happened. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes. The nurse said it's nothing life-threatening and that you and mom would be able to explain what's wrong with me."
"Well...Judy explained some of it to me. Basically, you're body is going through some changes. It's getting ready for you to be able to...produce calfs."
"I'm gonna have babies?!"
"Not right now. It's just that your'e becoming an adult now."
"I can't be an adult now! I'm still in junior high!"
The nurse and Ben couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, your body doesn't care. It happens to all girls your age."
"But in different forms." Judy replied with a nervous Terry behind her.
Suzie's ears perked up. "Momma! I'm glad your here!"
Ben looked upset that Terry wasn't in her pawcuffs. "Judy. Can I talk to you outside for a moment?"
"Sure. Oh nurse? If you have an educational video about this, that might help. Terry was born male and had a sex change, so she's unfamiliar with female puberty."
"As long as I have the parent's consent." The nurse said.
"Sure!" Terry replied as she hugged Suzie's neck and then sat down.
Ben walked out of the room and Judy followed. He was upset at the current situation. "Why is she not in her cuffs?!"
"Do you want Suzie to see her mom in pawcuffs?"
"No, but you were supposed to wait outside!"
"Ben. No one saw her face. She's being called 'The Orange Blur'. If we arrest and prosecute your wife, you will not only have to pay for bail, but for the lawsuits that will occur. She agreed to quit the force and just be a housewife or get a job where she's less likely to go crazy."
"She was off duty this time and she went crazy! Still...you're right. This would cost us dearly. There's one big problem though."
"Which is?"
"This is aiding and abetting! We know she broke the law and we're letting her get away with it!"
Judy just shrugged her shoulders. "Well Ben, I'm usually good at enforcing the law...Just not always obeying it."
"Considering you were in with a mob boss, I believe you."
As Judy and Ben went back inside, the nurse played a VHS tape for Suzie.
"Puberty! God's greatest mistake."
On the old tube TV, a skunk actor in a leather jacket came out on a prop stage. "Hello! I'm Henry Stinkler. I used to be the coolest actor in Hollywoof, but now I'm doing educational schlock like this and charging ten bucks for my autograph at conventions."
"Right now, you're most likely at an age where your body is going through some changes. Some good, some bad, but all of it is perfectly natural...and kinda messed up."
"Let me talk to you boys first. First off, you'll notice a change in your voice. The lovely soprano voice you once had will start to crackle and drop to a baritone. Well, some of you anyway. If it doesn't change, you're probably gay or something."
The skunk then looked offscreen. "What do you mean I can't say that?! Sorry kids, I'm arguing with the director. I'm sure he'll edit this out in post."
"Anyway, besides your voice changing, you may be come more aggressive and territorial. You'll likely to see an increase in your testosterone which will make you a grade-A $$hole but hey, know any teenagers who aren't? Also, your testicles will lower and you'll wanna mate everything in sight. Oh! And boners! For a few years, you'll be at your sexual peak and constantly get boners at the most random times. Happened to me when I was 14 at my grandma's funeral. Super awkward."
"From what I hear, he wasn't invited to do any more of these." The nurse commented.
"Sometimes it's so bad you can't even go number one and two at the same time without spraying the wall! Am I right fellas?!...What?...Alright, I won't talk to the cameraman! Fine!"
"For you girls, it's even worse. Boys get a new voice, aggression, more fur and boners, you...get to bleed! Isn't that wonderful?! You see, inside your body, a little ovary ends up in your uterus. Like a little egg in an oven. Either a male comes in...literally and fertilizes the egg (and if this happens now, you're parents will likely disown you forever) OR...the egg is not fertilized and it's shoved out of your little baby oven causing you illness and bleeding. Sound fun? It gets better! Some of you lady mammals will experience what's known as 'Heat'. This is where your body not only gives out a scent to draw males to you, but puts you in the horniest phase you've ever been in in your life! And yet, you're only halfway through your school education, not including college, have no source of income outside of your own parents and are in no way ready to have children all the while you're body wants you to mate and is giving signals to other males of your species that you want to mate because God is a cruel son of a..."
"CLICK!" The nurse turned the television off. "Well that's the short of it. If you want more information, talk to your parents."
Judy stood up. "Actually, since they were both male at birth, she should talk to me. Terry?"
"Yes?" Terry replied.
"After we...visit the police station, I need you to go to the pharmacy and get Suzie some tampons her size."
"Okay."
"And a giraffe-sized...toy. To fight her urges."
"Oh good!" Suzie replied. "After all this, I could use a trip to the toy store."
"Not that kind of toy Suzie."
"Can I go home?" Suzie asked.
"Sure." The nurse replied. "It's been a rough day for you."
"Actually, it hasn't been too bad! Just before this happened, I got a call from my aunt Gazelle. She's coming to my birthday party!"
The nurse chided Suzie. "I know you had some trauma today, but it's bad to fib Suzie."
Terry spoke up. "Actually, it's true! My twin brother is one of her dancers and her fiance. I set up the call!"
"Wow! My apologies Suzie. Looks like someone's gonna end up being the most popular girl in school."
"Well, I don't wanna be popular if it means everyone only wants to be my friends to meet Gazelle. Mom? I'm gonna go home and change. I don't wanna meet Junior Junior tonight with blood-stained pants."
"Okay honey! I'll meet you there later. You understand what's happening to your body now, right?"
"I-I think so. It's so weird! I don't like it."
"No female does." Judy replied. "But it's part of life."
They said goodbye to the nurse and left the school. Suzie turned around to talk to her parents. "Daddy, thanks for taking time from your police duties to come see me and momma."
"It was no problem honey! Your mother and I met up by...circumstance. We'll see you later!"
"BYE!" Suzie shouted as she walked off.
Ben then looked over at Terry. She was already in the side car licking the back of her paw and wiping her head with it. "Terry...I'm...I'm sorry I yelled at you."
Terry was a bit surprised and a little disappointed. "What? No! No! I deserved every bit of that chewing out."
"I snapped!"
"No you didn't! You got real tough and said what needed to be said! You were stern, firm, in control and really became the alpha male! You took charge and I loved it!"
"...Really?"
"Yes! Sissy Ben is nice on occasion but I LOVE macho Ben!"
"Hunh! Gee! Well ummm...did Judy tell you that you're quitting?!"
"Yes sir!"
"And...and until you find a suitable job, your going to be a housewife! No more craziness! You hear?!"
"Yes sir! You're in charge of me...I mean, the house. You're the alpha of the house! And you're right. I was terrible. Crazy! I promise, I'll be a calm little kitty from now on."
Ben sat behind Judy on the bike, lowering it by half a foot. "Well that's good to hear."
"And since I've been so bad, when you come home tonight, you can give me a good, hard spanking!"
"Ummm...that's okay."
"I insist! Please?"
"You're twice my size! I'll hurt my paw!"
"Don't worry! I'm gonna buy a paddle tonight. I want you to hurt me bad!"
"I...don't know how I feel about all this."
Judy couldn't help but laugh. "You are one weird couple! C'mon! Let's go!"
They took off on the motorbike and headed back to the station.
.