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That night, Soulful curled up in his sleep as he dreamed about events that had taken place a while ago...right after Soulful had gotten back from the rescue mission to No Heart's castle where he had uncovered the truth of his own origins.

Soulful remembered it all as he dreamed...

Regal had arrived at Soulful Heart's home sometime in the early afternoon by Cloudmobile; there was a rather large pot of her homemade chicken soup in the back. She had also brought some fever medication, in case he doesn't have any; a book, her key to his home in case he isn't up, and a few other things in a knapsack. She parked her Cloudmobile next to his home, and strapped on the knapsack before bringing the pot of soup up to his porch and setting it aside. Then she knocked on his door.

A slow shuffling noise punctuated by the odd cough was heard as Soulful Heart dragged himself to the door. It looked like he had had a hard night as he opened the door; his fur was messy, his eyes were glassy and he looked a bit wobbly on his feet.


Regal didn't look terribly surprised when she saw the condition he's in, but was dismayed just the same. "Hey, Soulful...I brought you some soup. Are you up to having a visitor?"

Soulful nodded a bit numbly "...Sure." He sounded a bit raspy.

Picking up the pot again, and sidling past him, Regal brought it into his kitchen and setting it down on his stove. It was still pretty warm, but she turned the burner on low to reheat it somewhat. "Go sit down."

A sign of how sick and weary he was was that he did what he was told without any protest or sarcastic comment. Last night's revelations had really ground him down. Regal went back into his living room, set down the knapsack and—daring greatly, invaded his personal space--putting a paw to his forehead. She shook her head. "You're pretty warm...have you taken your temperature yet?" Remarkably, Soulful didn't react to this intrusion. All he did was just shake his head, which he then regretted as his head felt swimming. Regal dug through her bag and came up with a thermometer, taking it out of its case and holding it out. "Here, under your tongue."


Soulful took the thermometer and stuck it in his mouth, closing it to hold it in place. He wiped his brow, which was beaded with sweat. He also smelled a bit ripe, probably not having showered. Regal fortunately wasn't worried by this at all; having five kids, she was pretty used to dealing with 'sick rooms' and everything that goes with them, so it was pretty hard to gross her out there. After a minute, the fox took the thermometer out of his mouth and handed it to her, too tired to look himself.

Regal took it and looked, shaking her head. "101.2. Yeah...you're definitely brewing something, there." She put it away, and got up again. She got him a glass of water, and handed him a dose of something to lower the fever. "Here, take this. It should help."


Taking a sip of the water, Soulful asked "What is it?" His voice sounding raspier than usual.

"It's a fever reducer. Also helps with headaches. Take Care prescribed them the last time Connie had a cold."

"Hrrm..." Soulful said neutrally as he took them, making a face at the taste.

Regal caught it. "Yeah...sorry about that, I probably should have warned you." She sat down again, looking concerned. "It might be a good idea to see Take Care about this later..."

Soulful shook his head. "Don't want to see anyone..." He mumbled,


"Okay..." Regal said, her heart aching for him, and she looked down at him again and asking. "Would you like me to go?"

"No..." Soulful reached out and held her paw. "Please....don't."

Regal gave his paw a squeeze, and nodded. "All right."

"Regal...." the fox bit his lip, looking down. "I'm...m'scared."

She didn't quite understand, and asked gently. "What about, Soulful?"

"...'bout what I am." He looked back up at her. "What if...No Heart succeeded?"


She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at him. "He succeeded in creating a being...one with free will, and the ability to choose. The fact that you don't want to be what he created you to be just proves that you're not."

"But...what if the fact that I'm so...snarky is because of..." He trailed off.

Regal took his paws and held them between her own. "And what if it's because of the way you started out life? Anyone would be angry...and jaded, and as you put it, 'snarky'. You don't BELONG to him, you never did." Soulful sniffled, leaning in for a hug. Regal put her arms around him, paying no attention to his unshowered state. "Shh..."

Soulful held her for a long moment...then started gulping like a fish out of water. Regal cautiously tilted her head a bit, not pulling back YET, unsure if he was about to be sick or if he had really started crying that hard. It was the former. Soulful clasped a paw over his mouth and backed up from her quickly--darting for the nearby garbage can. She winced, torn between backing up to give him some privacy or going over to help; it was easier to decide this with her cubs.

After being noisly sick, Soulful slumped down by the garbage can. "Urg...now I need a shower..."


Regal went over. "Here, I'll take care of that..." She rubbed his back. "Will you be all right to do that? I mean, are you sure you won't pass out?"

"I.... Soulful wobbled as he climbed to his feet. "...I'm not sure."


Shaking her head Regal said, "Then we won't risk it, and have you falling and hitting your head. Here's what we'll do...Now, I know this is a little embarrassing, but do you think you'll need help instead?"


Soulful's knees buckle a bit. "Urrrrng." He grunted, wincing. "...prolly." He blushed but really is feeling lousy. Regal resisted the urge to sigh in resignation; she's a little embarrassed too, but there's nothing for it.

"Okay. Wait here while I empty the trash can, then I'll help you get there." Hot cheeked, Soulful murmured an embarrassed thanks. Regal gave his shoulder a sympathetic rub before taking care of that and coming back, slipping her arm around him and helping him up. "Okay, get up slowly, lean on me."

Soulful leaned against her, feeling pretty weak. "'kay..." Regal helped him into the bathroom and had him sit down while she got the bathwater running.

"I probably should have thought to bring some stomach medication..." She said, almost to herself/

Soulful tenderly rubbed his stomach. "I guess...ugh, I guess wandering through the rain at night was pretty stupid."

"Well...I can see where you weren't thinking clearly..." She offered a weak smile. "Next time, the phone might be the way to go."

"Phone....right." He shuddered, wiping his sweaty forehead.


Regal decided that "matter-of-fact and businesslike" was the way to go, and turned off the water, going to help him up. "Okay, all ready." Soulful looked a bit warily at the tub. She knew exactly why he's hesitating. "Soulful...I'm here to help you, okay? After this is done, we won't speak of it again...all right?"

Soulful blushed. "O-okay Regs..." He slowly stepped into the tub. After an awkward moment, he started lowering himself into the water. Regal steadied him so that he won't slip or lose his balance; she was prepared to back off if she thought he can handle it from there. Sitting in the tub, Soulful looked even smaller than he usually does. He idly splashed a little water this way and that. Regal thought that's sort of odd, especially with someone else there, but...ah, forget it. Maybe he's just always taken showers before, she figured. She grabbed the soap and loofah and helped him get cleaned up, actually looking at him as little as possible, fur or no. Soulful sat looking down so he wont have to look her in the eye as he does whatever she asks, like raising an arm or standing or what have you.


When she had finished Regal looked for a towel. She saw his towel from the night before, balled up on the floor and nowhere near dry. "Okay, I'll be right back. You've got more towels in your linen closet, don't you?"

Soulful nodded. "Yeah...second closet on the right." Regal pulled out the stopped, which got the tub draining, and got him a clean towel, going back and helping him up again, then proceeded to wrap the towel around him. "Okay...that wasn't so bad." Soulful gave her a look that plainly said 'Says you.' "Okay...forget the soup for now, that can wait until your stomach's settled down a bit. Let's get you to bed, and I'll get you something to drink." Regal said.


"M'kay...." Soulful said as he leaned on her as she walked him to the bedroom. Regal made sure he was dry before she helped him on with his nightgown* "I'm sorry you're having such a bad time..." She said as Soulful raised his arms, struggling to get it on. She went to help him get it over his head, and once accomplished, helped him into bed. "Do you like ginger ale?"

"If it'll help..." He replied as he pulled the covers up, sitting up in bed. "Um....do you think you could...." he mumbled in embarrassment. "read me something?"

"Eheh, sure." She smiled. "Anything you'd like to hear?"

"The Fantastic Mr. Fox maybe?" Soulful suggested.

"Uh, what? She blinked a bit. "I haven't heard of it. Do you have it somewhere?"

"In the stacks. It's by Roald Dahl. Look for the D-authors. Fiction." He answered rapidly.

Regal grinned. "Sick as a dog, no pun intended, and he still knows where his books are..." She murmured. "Okay. Well, get comfortable, and I'll be right back." She went up to gets up to get him that glass of ginger ale to help settle his stomach as well as for the book. She came back a moment later with the book, the ginger ale...and a bucket, just in case. "All right...don't drink it too quickly." She sat it on a coaster, and the bucket by the bed." With that she opened the book.

Soulful took a sip of the ginger ale as he settled in to get comfortable, while leaving room for Regal to sit on the bed. "Um, Regal?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I'm....acting like a kid or anything for needing help?" He blushed a bit.

Regal pursed her lips thinking a bit before answering. "Well...not really. Heh, you know, Stellar's kinda helpless whenever he gets sick, so I didn't really think about it." She answered though her husband never asked to be read to...

Soulful slid over resting his head against her shoulder. Regal smiled. "I haven't read to anyone in a long time, it seems."

"You haven't?"

"Not since Faith was younger."

"She's a good girl..." Soulful smiled as he leaned against Regal, almost cuddling. Regal started to seriously wonders what's UP with this new behavior from him...but lets it go. It was probably the fever after all..."Yes...she is. She likes this author too, her favorite books are "The Witches" and "James and the Giant Peach"."

"I like this one....for obvious reasons."

She grinned. "The thought had crossed my mind." She started reading, and found herself getting into the story. The story was about the Fantastic Mr. Fox, his wife and his kids as he outwits three dumb, evil farmers to bring food to his family. Regal paused in her reading. "I can see why you like it. It's a really engaging story...and it's got foxes."

"Heh. Yeah....Mr. Fox is a lucky guy." Soulful chuckled.

Regal put her arm around him and continued reading; she's mainly attributing his admittedly needy behavior to what he learned and what he's gone through. Soulful just continued to listen, looking up at Regal with something like admiration....and yawned. He started rubbing his head against her, getting a bit tired. Regal lowered her voice a bit as she continued, idly stroking his shoulder, something she'd done with her cubs and did without thinking.

Soulful then shut his eyes, not asleep but listening to the sound of her voice. He let out a contented sigh/purr resting his chin on her shoulder as she read. Some time later, she stifled a yawn in her reading, and noticed her backside's gone to sleep. Soulful for his part closed his eyes and was breathing gently, leaning against her; conked out. Regal silently put the book aside, and noticed that he's still feverish. She carefully disengaged herself from him, lightly brushing back his headfur a bit, and went to get a cool cloth for his forehead.


The fox fidgeted a bit in his sleep as he got comfortable. Regal came back and placed a cool damp washcloth on his forehead, and answered her cell phone, which she had on 'vibrate'. She went out into the living room to talk to her husband and give him an update, leaving out (of course) exactly what was on Soulful's mind.

While Regal was talking to her husband, a dream came to Soulful...and not the good kind. While the dream landscape is the Kingdom of Caring, the sky is overcast and gray to fit the mood. The Family has just learned the details of Soulful's background, though just how they did isn't revealed. Everyone, even Bright Heart and Gentle Heart, is disgusted with him now, and even the Liger family is persuaded to agree...he doesn't belong.

Soulful whimpered in his sleep, his face twisted with fear. Regal came back it, sitting nearby, and wondered if he was all right. In his dream, the Dream Regal finally looked at him as if realizing just how wrong she was to be so understanding...and turned away from him, giving a dismissive flick of her tail. She and her family walked away to join the others in shunning him. From his bed Soulful reached for Regal—both the dream and the real versions. "Regal* N-n-no! Don't!"

Quickly Regal went to him, gently shaking his shoulder. "Soulful, wake up, you're having a nightmare." Soulful stopped thrashing about and jerked awake.

"N-no! Don't send me away!" He panted, coming to his senses. "Don't send...me..." He looked up. "R-regal?"

"It's okay, it's not.." She stopped herself from saying "real", and changed her words. "It's not gonna hurt you. You were dreaming." Soulful, badly rattled and already emotionally vulnerable started to tear up as he threw his arms around her waist and started sobbing. "Hey, hey...shhh..." She rocked him, shushing him like she would her own cubs. "I'm here...I'm here..."


"Don't send me away....I didn't ask to be like this!" He pleaded, half-awake and half out of his mind with fear.

Regal is suddenly just this close from crying herself. "Oh, Soulful, NO ONE is gonna send you away...It's okay..."

"Y-you promise?" Soulful pleaded, squeezing her tight, burying his face in her shoulder.

Regal sniffed a bit, holding him close. "Of course I promise."

"D-do you think Bright and Gentle would be...disgusted, with me?"

"Not in a million years." She shook her head.

"O..or your children?"


Regal shook her head again. "Not them. Not Bright Heart, not Gentle Heart, not anyone. If any of the others knew about...about everything, they'd be angry, but not at you. They'd be angry and disgusted with No Heart, because of what he did to such innocent beings. It's not your fault, none of it...and I'm not the only one who would think so, I promise you that."


"I--i was so scared." He mumbled, referring to his dream. "It was awful! Everyone was against me....everyone wanted to turn me away...everyone." He looked down, sniffling with an occassional hiccup.


Regal shook her head again and then a few tears did fall. "Oh, no...no, that would never happen...We love you. That'll never change. Never." She gently stroked the back of his head.

Soulful held her tightly. "T-thank you..."

She nodded, discreetly rubbing her eyes, and held him. "Don't cry anymore, okay? It'll be all right..."

"O-okay....you too." He looked up at her, noticing her eyes.

"Eheh..." She shrugged as if to say, "Yeah, well..."

Soulful hugged her again. "Thanks for waking me up."

"Sure. Wish I got here sooner..." She rubbed his back a little.

"It's okay...just glad you didn't wait much longer." He grinned feebly, making a weak attempt at a joke. "Would've really been a pain to have to change my sheets."

Regal snickered a bit. "To say nothing of the embarrassment."

"Yeah....NOT to say of it." He elbowed her gently.

"Heh..." She shook her head a bit, and asked. "How's your tummy?"

"Round and fluffy with an Egyptian symbol. Why?"

Regal rolled her eyes. "No, smarty, I mean changing from red to green?"

Snorting, Soulful shook his head. "No...I think I'm good on that score. I'm a bit hungry actually, even though it's late."

"Okay, I'll get you some soup. Probably shouldn't overdo it yet."

"Thank you Regs."

"No problem." She went down and dished him up a bowl, setting it on a tray along with a good amount of crackers before bringing it back to him. Soulful picked up a cracker.

"Ooh a saltine. Riveting." He munched on it.


She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Trust me, your stomach'll thank me later."

"I guess....Regal, really thank you for...everything." He blushed.


"Oh, you're welcome." She sat on a nearby chair, stretching a bit, wincing as her spine cracked a little.

"How long were you in bed with me?" Soulful yawned.

"I'm not sure. Few hours, I think. I didn't notice you fell asleep."

"Oh...geez, what time is it?"

Regal shrugged. "About 8, I guess. I forgot my watch." She looked at the clock by his bed.

"Are your kids going to be worried?"

"No, my family knows I'm here. I told them I might be here a while. Besides, I just talked to Stellar...he's concerned about you, says he hopes you feel better soon."

"Oh, tell him thanks for me. And tell Faith I'm sorry I missed our reading date. I promised I'd read with her before this..."

"Ah, that's all right. She understands more than she lets on." Regal chuckled.

"Heh." Soulful wiped his mouth as he drank his soup. "She's so cute, I just wanna keep her."

"Yeah...she knows it, too. The cute part, I mean. First thing out of her mouth when she knows she's in trouble is, "I love you"."

The fox smirked. "Smart too."

Regal smiled. "Takes after me." She winked.

"Modest, aren't we?" She shrugged, glad he's perked up a little. "Oho, not saying huh?" He reached around behind him, slowly. Regal suddenly put her ears at half-mast, sticking out to the sides but not quite laying them back yet.

"What're you doing?" She asked. Soulful grabbed a pillow and whalloped Regal with it, feeling much better.

"Ohph!" She caught it full in the face, and grimaced as she tries to get the taste out of her mouth. "Glad to see you back to your old self! Goofball."

"Pah! You're the only goof here, Regs." He snorted.

Regal giggled, putting the pillow back where it belonged. "Okay, no playing rough. I'd like the soup you just ate to stay where it is."

"Okay, okay..." Soulful put his hands back behind his head and got comfy again. "Oh Regal? I think my feet need a massage." He wiggles a paw. "Chop chop!"

"Hey, don't push it." She smirked.

"Huh! Some service!" Their banter was interrupted when Regal's her phone "buzzed" again, making her jump; she had left it on the nightstand.

"Hello? Oh, hi Faith. No, Mommy's busy, sweetheart. What?" She sat bolt-upright. "You better put it back! I don't have to explain it, young lady." After a pause, she flattened her ears. "Well, when you're a mother YOU can be mean." There was another pause and then, "Yeah, okay. Love you too, sweetie...bye-bye." She closed her phone and put it away. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again; sometimes I don't BELIEVE the things I hear coming out of my mouth."

Soulful looked up. "I would've like to talk to her too....what's up Regs?"

"Sorry...you can still call back, but you better do it quick, it's nearly her bedtime." She shrugged. "She's just acting up a bit because I'm out of the house, that's all. She said if I didn't come home before tomorrow, she'd hold my new jacket for "random", as she put it."

Soulful snickered. "Clever girl..." He reached for the phone.

Regal handed it over. "You know how to work it, right?"

"Sure, sure..." He dialed up the Liger house. Stellar picked up the phone.

"Hello?"


"Hello Stellar, Soulful here. The kids still up?"

"Yeah, they're still up. You doing okay?" He asked.

In the background, Soulful could hear Faith asking, "When's Mommy comin' home?"

"I've been better...but Regal's been a great help." Soulful chuckled. "Can I talk to Faith?"

"Of course...Hey, Faith, someone wants to talk to you."

Faith perked up brightly. "Mommy?"

Stellar chuckled. "No, Soulful Heart."


"Oh...Okay." She took the phone. "Hey, Unca Soulful. Mommy said you were sick."

"Hey kiddo, she wasn't kidding either. I've been real sick. Sorry I won't be able to read to you tomorrow."

"Aww....Okay." She brightened a bit. "'Nother time?"

"You betcha sweety. I'm sorry I have to borrow your mommy too, but she's taking real good care of me. Doing all the kinds of stuff she usually does with you. Making dinner, reading to me...you get the idea."

"Hehe, s'okay." She whispered. "I hid her jacket under the couch...promise not to tell?"

"I promise..." He whispered back. "Just be sure to put it back later, I don't want you getting in trouble, okies?"

"That's no fun...Why hide it at all, if I'm gonna put it back before she sees?" The youngest Liger asked innocently. In the background Soulful could hear Stellar.

"Hide what? Faaaaith..."

"Uh-oh..."

"Uh-oh indeed...I toldja kiddo." He chuckled. "Are any of your big sibs around?"

"Connie's here." Faith said, then yelled, forgetting about delicate eardrums. "CONNIE! UNCA SOULFUL WANTS TO TALK TO YA!"

On the other end of the line Soulful gritted his teeth, his fur standing on end. Regal winced.

Taking the phone, Connie said. "Faith, use your 'inside voice', remember? Hey, Soulful...heard you're not feeling good."

"Ugh, to say the least....but your mom's been great. Mind if I keep her?"

Connie snickered. "Just for the day, otherwise Faith'll hold us hostage with a water pistol."

"Heh. Are you okay Conners?"

"I'm fine..." She thought 'better than you've been', but didn't say.

"How's your family?"

"We're all fine." She sounded concerned. "I heard you were over here last night...is everything okay?"

Soulful sighed, biting his lip. "I'm....no. But I will be."

"Okay...Well, I'll let you get some rest. Um..." Connie cleared her throat. "Love ya."

Touched, Soulful's ears drooped. "I love you too Connie. Thank you."

Through the phone Soulful—and Connie—could hear Stellar going, "No, no, NO, Faith, we DON'T play with our boats in the toilet! Gahhh..."

"Yikes...I better go, Faith's in rare form today." Connie said.


"Alright. Take care sweety."

"You too. Bye."

Soulful hung up and gave the phone back to Regal. "Thanks. You may wanna head home though. Things are falling apart without you there."

"I can only imagine..." Regal sighed. "Sure you're gonna be okay? I could stay if you still need me."

Soulful shook his head. "Naah, I'm feeling a bit better. I'm just going to go back to sleep anyway." Seeing her face he added, "I'll be fine."

"Okay...I'm just a phone call away." Regal sat up and gave Soulful one last and a peck on the cheek. "Goodnight Soulful."

"G'night Regal..."

As Soulful's dream came to its end, the fox still sleeping on the fold-out couch, he smiled happily.

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