Chapter 18

Vengeance felt anxious as he drove up to Ellie and Fury's. While he felt an affection and protectiveness for Asher, he was a little unsure of how Asher would react to him. He wanted to start forging ahead, building a relationship with him, getting to know the boy who he decided was the child of his heart.

The door opened before Vengeance could knock, and Fury came outside. He cocked his head to the side to indicate he wanted to talk away from the house. Vengeance followed him.

"How's Blue?" Fury asked, concern etched in his face.

Vengeance felt a growl building, "She will be okay. She has a concussion, a dislocated shoulder, bruising…" He clenched his fists and took deep breaths to calm himself, "She will be okay." He said this to himself as much as to Fury.

"I'm sorry, Vengeance," Fury said, lowly, "Sal doesn't understand why he can't just go wherever he wants. And he was so excited to meet a new friend. He followed Asher's scent to their house. Sal said that he played cars with Blue while she tried to find Ellie. He wants to go back," he smiled, "He said he didn't even get rice krispy treats." He lost the smile a moment later, thinking about why that had happened.

"It wasn't his fault," Vengeance said, "He's a child. You must have been crazy with worry."

"We were looking everywhere," Fury agreed, "Ellie was a mess. When we got the call, that a human said they had a New Species child… we thought the worst. The task force was alerted and in motion before I even had time to process what was going on."

"Is Salvation okay?" Vengeance asked, thinking about the scary things he'd witnessed as a child; how that had molded and shaped him.

Fury sighed, and linked his hands behind his head, looking around, "He's okay. He was confused. He didn't see the worst of it. He heard Blue cry out, tried to protect her… she shielded him, and Remembrance scooped him up before Tim laid Blue out."

Vengeance couldn't stop the sound that left his mouth. He pictured Tim, who, while human, was double the size and weight of Blue, knocking her out.

"I know, I know," Fury said, "I don't know what I would do if someone hurt Ellie that way. No. I do know. I would kill them."
"That is what I want to do," Vengeance replied, "badly."

"You've come so far, Vengeance," Fury said seriously, looking at him in the eye, challenging him to disagree, "And now you have the best possible future ahead of you. Don't throw it away."

"I will do my best," Vengeance replied, not making promises, but still agreeing with Fury. He had everything to look forward to.

"I've come for Asher," he said, changing the subject, "I'm going to take him home. Blue must stay in medical overnight."

Fury changed directions with Vengeance, and walked with him to the house, "He's pretty beat," he said, "you need any advice?"

Vengeance ran his hand through his hair, "I need a lot of advice, but I do not have time for it now. Asher and I will figure it out."

Fury opened the door and called Asher's name. Asher scampered into the entryway with Sal close on his heels, "It's time to go," he said, "Vengeance is going to have a sleepover at your house."

Asher looked up at Vengeance, a smile on his face, but then he bit his lip. It was a move so much like Blue's that Vengeance felt it in his stomach.

"But what about my mom?" Asher said.

"Your mom is resting in the hospital," Ellie said, coming up and kneeling so she could look at Asher eye-to-eye, "She'll be back in the morning. Do you remember Vengeance? From the other night? He's a really good friend of your mom's and she thought that you would like to stay with him."

Vengeance kneeled down as well, "I care very much about your mom. And I care about you, too. I would like to spend time with you," he said, watching Asher's uncertainty. He added, "you know, guy time."

Asher stopped biting his lip and smiled brightly again, "Yeah," he agreed, nodding, "guy time. We can play with my superheroes and read my books."

He held out a hand to Vengeance, who took it gently in his own. His engulfed Asher's, and he was struck by how small and fragile the boy was.

"See you later, Sal!" Asher said, waving at Sal as they departed.

"Do you like my cart?" Asher asked as he and Vengeance got closer.

Vengeance hadn't noticed the cart before, but laughed after looking closely, "This is a very heroic looking cart," he said. He didn't recognize all the symbols.

Asher nodded and letting go of Vengeance's hand, pointed at each, "This is Superman's sign, this is the Bat signal, and this is the Avenger's. But you probably know that one, right? Because you look like Captain America."

Asher crooked a finger at Vengeance, who bent down closer, "I know you're not really Captain America," Asher whispered, "but I like to pretend."

Vengeance laughed, and picked up Asher and put him in the cart, "If I'm Captain America, who are you?" he asked.

Asher pondered this as Vengeance backed out of the driveway and started toward Blue's home, "I don't know," he said slowly. He started pointing at his fingers, "I have a Flash costume, a Buzz Lightyear costume, a bat cape, a Superman cape, Iron Man mask, Thor's hammer…" Asher yawned hugely, "I'm just Asher right now, I guess. Ask me tomorrow."
Vengeance chuckled, "I will."
Vengeance and Asher pulled in the the driveway, and Asher silently followed Vengeance to the door. Vengeance was glad to see that it had been repaired, and walking inside, he saw that someone had thrown open the windows to air it out. Blue's scent permeated the house, and with it, there was still a tinge of fear and pain. He swallowed the urge to growl, knowing he couldn't scare Asher that way.

He walked with Asher to his room, "Hey!" Asher said, "Mommy was playing with my toys without me!"

He looked down at the cars lined up, "She didn't even put them away," he said imperiously, "She always makes me pick up my toys."

Vengeance went to his dresser, and pulled out a set of pajamas, "Do you need help?" he asked.

Asher bit his lip, and shook his head, "No," he said, "Mommy usually helps me."

"Do you want me to help you tonight?" Asher looked unsure.

Vengeance squatted next to him, and put the pajamas on his knee, "Your mommy asked me to do all the things that she does," he explained, "I know I won't do them as good as Mommy, but I will try."

Asher nodded his head, still biting his lip, but held his hands up over his head. Vengeance realized he needed help taking off his shirt and so lifted it up. He helped Asher into his pajama shirt and shorts. They went into the bathroom where Asher pointed to the door, "You wait out there," he said, "I need privacy."

Vengeance followed his directions and waited until the door opened. He helped Asher put toothpaste on his toothbrush, but stared at Asher confused when Asher handed it back to him and said, "You have to do a supervisory brush."

Vengeance realized that he meant he had to brush Asher's teeth, so he took the tiny toothbrush and gently brushed his teeth, one more time. Asher spit and then led the way to his bedroom where he started digging in a suitcase for books. He handed three books with bears on the front to Vengeance.

He looked at the titles, apparently they were about a bunch of bears in clothes who went by the name Berenstain. Huh.

Vengeance started to read to Asher, whose eyelids got heavier and heavier. As Vengeance got to the end, Asher suddenly interrupted him, "Is my mommy okay?" he asked in a small tremulous voice.

Vengeance adjusted himself next to Asher, who laid his head on Vengeance's chest, "Yes," he said, "Your mom is fine. She got a little hurt today and the doctors are giving her extra rest time."

"But she'll be back tomorrow?" Asher asked.

"Yes," Vengeance said, "And I will be here too, to take care of your mom, and you."

Asher was silent and Vengeance wondered if he had fallen asleep, but when he looked down, he saw Asher's eyes were still open, "Will you stay and take care of her even after she gets all better?" Asher suddenly asked.

"Yes," Vengeance answered, "I want to be part of your family." He thought of the word that humans used to describing being mated, "I want to marry your mom."

"Ohhh," Asher breathed, "So will you be my dad?"

Vengeance felt his throat tighten, "Yes," he got out, "I want very much to be your dad."

"Okay," Asher replied genially, "I think that's a good idea. My mommy needs someone to take care of her. She's actually really small for a mommy. And I've always wanted a dad," he started to whisper, "But don't tell my mom that, I don't want her to feel bad."

"I won't," Vengeance answered, feeling his eyes well up.

Asher yawned again, "Will you stay here until I fall asleep?" he asked.

Vengeance nodded, "Of course."

They were both quiet, and Vengeance felt Asher drift to sleep. His breathing got even and heavy, with a little snore. He breathed in Asher's scent and let it invade his senses. This was his son. He felt it down to the marrow in his bones. He enjoyed the weight of the boy for a while longer, before carefully extricating himself and going to Blue's room.

He lay down on the bed, fully dressed, and pulled Blue's pillow to his face. He turned on his stomach and breathed in the sheets. They still smelled of him and Blue. He wrapped the blanket around himself, imagining that it was Blue and fell to sleep surrounded by her scent.

Chapter 19

Blue decided that the novelty of being waited on hand and foot wears off. She had never even returned to her home in the human section of Reservation. Vengeance had all of her and Asher's things packed and unpacked in their new home in the New Species section. This house was older and Blue immediately fell in love with it. It was one floor, a bungalow, and had lovely nooks like a bumped out window in the kitchen and a columned archway with built-in bookshelves in the living room.

Blue had spent the first day in her new bedroom, staring at everything with wide eyes. Maybe it was being injured, but she was also really weepy. Everytime she saw Asher and Vengeance together, she got choked up. The first time, Vengeance nearly lost it. He hovered around her, his hands moving around her body, looking for some place to land that wouldn't hurt her.

She explained that she was really happy to see him and Asher playing. He was very confused, but in an absolutely adorable way.

Vengeance had moved a big cushioned chair into the kitchen, near the bright windows. Blue had been parked there for the last three days. Vengeance had cooked every meal, entertained Asher, and then Asher and Sal. He hadn't let her lift a finger.

He hadn't touched her either.

The first night she understood, and honestly, though she had wanted him, badly, she was way too sore to try anything.

The second night, she was feeling much better. Her arm was out of the sling, and though she was still tender, she definitely wanted him. She spent extra time getting ready for bed while he put Asher to sleep. But when he came in, he merely kissed her gently, tucked her in, and went to sleep on the couch.

They were going on day three, and if he told her to sit down in this chair one more time, she was going to throw something at him.

Like herself.

Vengeance was sitting in deck chairs with Fury in the backyard. They both watched Sal and Asher, and another New Species boy named Forest, climb over the play structure.

Vengeance stood up, watching the boys, and stretching his hands over his head. His shirt lifted up from his shorts and revealed a tantalizing section of bared tan skin. Blue groaned aloud.

As if he could hear her, his head whipped to the window, his eyes narrowing as he saw her standing there. She gave him a small wave and an embarrassed smile. His gaze was distracted as Asher called to him, wanting him to watch some sort of move.

"Nice!" she heard Vengeance call out.

Oh my god, she thought, even his voice is sexy. I want to ravage him.

She saw Vengeance lean down to say something to Fury, and then head to the back door. She quickly sat back on the chair and picked up her book.

Vengeance inhaled deeply when he came in. Her eyes widened as she took in his tense body. His hands fisted and unfisted at his sides, and his nostrils flared. He took a long, stalking step toward her.

"You stood up," he said, scolding her.

Blue nodded, not taking her eyes off of him.

"You groaned," he said, "but I do not smell pain."

Blue shook her head and cleared her throat, that was still raspy, "I'm in a little bit of pain."

Vengeance lost his predatory look and kneeled next to her concerned, "What is the matter? Do you need to go to medical?"

Blue scooted forward on the oversized chair, placing a leg on either size of Vengeance's thighs, "I hurt because I want you so badly."

Vengeance's eyes widened and then narrowed again, "Blue…" he groaned.

"Vengeance," she mimicked, "I'm better. I don't hurt anymore."

He wouldn't meet her eyes and she started to feel self conscious, "Do you…" she paused and tried to formulate the question, "Have you changed your mind? Do you not want me anymore?"

"NO!" his answer was instantaneous, "I do, Blue. So much. But you were injured. I want you completely recovered."
"I am completely recovered," she argued.

"Blue," he said on a sigh.

"Please get me the phone," she demanded.

He immediately stood and brought it to her. She punched the buttons on it quickly and waited for someone to answer.

"Hi, Trisha?" she asked, "It's Blue. Am I cleared for sexual activity?"

Trisha laughed on the phone, "Is someone treating you like glass?"

"Yes," she replied, "Would you mind…"
"Not at all," Trisha said.

Blue held out the phone to Vengeance, who took it cautiously, "Hello Trisha," he said.

"Yes," he said, listening carefully, "But what about her shoulder? Uh huh. And her concussion? Okay. I understand."

Blue was already moving to the door before Vengeance hung up, "Hey Fury?" she called out, "Do you mind taking the boys to your house for a while?"
Fury looked confused for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed, "No problem!" he called out, "Come and get him later."

She watched him wrangle the boys and heard his cart drive away. When she turned back to face Vengeance, he had resumed his predatory posture.

"I want you now," he said.

"Come and get me," she answered.

He took two loping strides from the phone and devoured her mouth. She devoured him right back, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling her body up. He grabbed her thighs and wrapped them around his waist. She wrapped her arms up, until she could grab his hair and tilt his head to the side.

His tongue slid along hers. She loved the way he took the time to taste her. The tip ran along her teeth, the roof of her mouth, then he would pull back and kiss along her jaw.

Blue leaned her head to the side and he ran his teeth lightly up and down the cord of her neck.

She shivered and he whispered in her ear, "You like that?"

"Mmhmm" she said agreeably.

He moved quickly, placing her back in the chair and sitting back on his haunches. The sunlight streaming through the window hit him. His eyes glittered wildly and his hair shown, shades of blonde and gold.

"You're so beautiful," she said, reaching out a hand and running it down his face.

He kissed her palm, before running his hands up her arms and down the sides of her ribs.

"You will tell me if you feel any pain," he demanded.

"If you don't get inside me soon, I'll be in pain," she breathed.

Vengeance growled low, and moved his fingers to her shirt. She was wearing one of his button down shirts. She had been surprised he had things so dressy, but he told her he was expected to attend some meetings and fundraisers at times, and needed them. Blue hadn't been able to lift her arm yet, so he had given her the shirt. She'd worn it every day, loving the feel of it and the smell of it.

Vengeance unbuttoned the first few buttons, spreading the shirt wide and looking at her breasts. He placed his hand over one, her nipple touching the center of his palm, and he turned his hand, until his fingers grazed her ribs, as he gently teased it. Blue let her head fall back, as his lips followed. He licked and sucked, lightly blowing air over the tip, and then nibbling lightly.

"Harder," Blue begged, and clasped his head to her.

Chapter 20

Vengeance groaned. He was trying to be gentle, but Blue's demands were making it increasingly difficult to stay in control.

He suckled hard at her breasts, and he smelled a wave of arousal. The hand he had wrapped around her ribs, dipped slowly down the front of her sweatpants, testing and teasing.

He ran his finger along her cleft, delving into soft, wet folds.

Blue moaned and grasped his neck, pulling him to her lips. Teeth clashed and tongues dueled. He slowly penetrated her with one finger. Her hips jerked in response, and he felt her tight channel spasm and contract.

"Vengeance!" she cried out.

Vengeance drew back, pulling his fingers from below her pants. He watched her face and slowly licked his finger clean. His eyes closed as he tasted her.

When he opened them, her brown eyes were blazing, "I need you to fuck me," she said.

She grabbed his t-shirt with both hands, whipping it up. She moved so fast that he lost his balance and ended up splayed on the floor. She followed him and sucked in a tight breath when she tweaked her shoulder.

"Blue," Vengeance said warningly, sitting up immediately

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she said laughing.

Vengeance rolled them both until she was on her back. Her laughter stopped abruptly when she saw the expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Vengeance leaned down slowly, taking her lips, moving his against hers. He let out a shuddering breath and opened his eyes.

"Sometimes," Vengeance said, "I do not believe that this is my life now. I do not believe that you and Asher are real. I am afraid I am going to wake up and find that Mercile has given me a drug and I am still in a cage."
Blue's eyes welled with tears, her heart breaking for him, "It's real, Vengeance," she said, "I promise."

Vengeance leaned down and kissed her again slowly.

"I love you," Blue whispered against his lips.

Vengeance reared back, looking at her wide eyed, a small smile hovered on the edge of his lips, "You do?"

"Of course I do," Blue said, "You're very loveable."

Vengeance snorted.

"Oh, sexy snort," Blue joked.

"I'm show you sexy," Vengeance murmured, and sat back on his heels. He pushed the shirt gently off of Blue's shoulders, and then pulling his off as well. Blue enjoyed watching his muscles twist and bunch as he removed it.

"What do you find loveable about me?" Vengeance suddenly asked, his hands on the button of his jeans.

"Hmmm," Blue said, naughtily, "I'll give you one loveable characteristic for every piece of clothing you remove. And I'll give you credit for the shirt," she added magnanimously.

Vengeance smiled, a true gleeful smile, "Okay," he answered.

Blue reached up and pulled him down, kissing him deeply, "One," she enumerated, "you protect me in big and small ways," she said, "like right then, when I hurt my shoulder, you stopped everything just to make me more comfortable."

Vengeance moved his lips to the shell of her ear, kissing and pulling on the lobe. Then he sat up and unbuttoned his pants. He stood up, and slowly pulled the zipper down. Blue watched as the zipper got lower and lower, "Two," she said breathlessly, "you have changed your entire life for Asher and me. You moved from a home that you love in the Wild Zone, and took in a ready-made family without hesitation."

Vengeance was left in his boxer briefs, the tip of his cock visible at the top of the waistband. It tented out his briefs, and Blue felt her mouth water.

"Three," Blue said, "you're honestly surprised that someone could find you loveable." As the words left her mouth she got quickly to her her knees. She pulled Vengeance's briefs down herself, and gripped his cock in her hand. Her fingers could barely wrap around it. It was smooth and hot, and glistening at the tip.

Blue looked up at Vengeance under her lashes. His chest heaved as he watched her. Her eyes dropped back, and she stuck out her tongue and gave a long lick to the vein running beneath it. With her other hand, she lightly scoured the crease of his balls. She let her tongue move up and down the length of him, and then she teased the slit. Tasting the precum that had gathered.

Vengeance growled low in his throat. Blue wrapped her hand tighter around his erection and began to move it up and down. She sucked the head into her mouth, swirling her tongue around and around the mushroomed head. She heard Vengeance groan and she moaned in response.

"Blue!" Vengeance cried out, and was on her. He gently pushed her back, and nudged her thighs apart, ripping the sweatpants off. He dove beneath her thighs and gave her one long lick, before rearing up and thrusting into her.

Blue cried out.

"I'm sorry!" Vengeance said.

"No, no," Blue said, and wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him to move with her heels pressed into his ass. Her nails raked down his back, and she couldn't stop twisting.

"Move!" she cried out "I'm dying for you to move."

Vengeance began a slow drag in and out of her. Blue bucked her hips wildly, "I'm fine!" she gasped out, "Harder!"

Vengeance managed a new angle, he lifted one of Blue's legs and began drilling into her. He hit a spot deep inside her that she didn't know existed and suddenly she was coming.

She heard Vengeance roar and then felt him; hot semen blasting into her. She felt him swell even further as he slowly stopped pumping, until his forehead rested between her neck and shoulder. She felt him give a long lick, and her pussy spasmed around him.

"Holy hell," Vengeance said, as she pulsed around him.

Blue wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, and twisted her legs around his back.

"I love you," she said again.

Vengeance looked up to give her a look of wonder and disbelief, "I love you, too," he replied.