Canuckle and Cheshire ... well I'd refer you to all the messages but for here, I'll just go with, 'thank you.' and I gotta say, it is nice to finally just let the felines have some 'couple' time. although ... Greer and her 'normal' sure could use some adjusting. I'm looking at you canuckle ; )

Also, a special thanks to cheshire. Now all of you should have taken the time to read Tigra and the X-Men as both a lead up to x-force: feral and to better know Greer. But another thing is that cheshire's writing when it comes to Greer and her mother is some of the best writing on this site. In light of that, the major interactions between the two of them are all her. And trust me ... she doesn't disappoint.


The structure is two stories high, basement likely.

Two main exit points ... Front entrance faces the street, two way. Rear entrance likely leads to enclosed lot. Wooden fence, under seven feet. Windows are standard residential pane glass in 3/32" single-strength thickness ... front door will be best.

Transport vehicle parked eighty yards away ... too far. Sedan in the driveway has adequate maneuverability and max speed of 80 mph. But locked, could raise alarms. Green SUV was unlocked, well maintained and can reach 70 mph and can cut across backyard to adjacent street, closest to highway. Trunk is filled, will cost speed.

SUV then.

One resident inside, female, forty-eight years old, unknown variable. Known to have firearm in residence. Will need to locate and neutralize. But civilians...people ... noise ... not enough intel ... this was wrong ... this -

"Colton? Colton why are you looking around like that?" Greer turned back to glance at Colton, a concerned look suddenly on her human features as she scanned the surroundings for some unseen enemy.

"This was a bad idea..." Apex mumbled as he eyed the row upon row upon row of houses around them. He wasn't used to this sort of ... populated environment.

The Base and even the Mansion were at least isolated from the rest of humanity ... and Greer 's house most certainly was not. It was right in the center of it. And inducer or not it left him feeling ... exposed.

Greer sighed as she watched Colton's eyes constantly scan passer by after passer by that strolled past them and she wasn't surprised by the few that strolled away a little quicker. The big guy could be intimidating but it wasn't their distress she was concerned abaout. It was her boyfriends. Carefully, Greer stepped closer to Colton, a hand on each arm so that he put down their suitcases and looked down at her instead.

"You alright?"

"Fine." Apex grumbled, his eyes flitting away for a moment as a car passed.

Greer gently turned his head so it faced hers, "Look, I know its hard being around people for you. But trust me, you'll like it here." she said reassuringly.

"That a fact..." the panther beneath the inducer rumbled. He sounded upset and the way Colton kept eying the surroundings was enough to tell her he hadn't believed her. He seemed distracted...on edge. There was no way he was ready to step into her house like this.

Greer let out a sigh, how she was going to make Colton understand this aspect of her life? Well at least what once was an aspect of her life ...

She stepped a little closer into Colton before she spoke, "The truth is...this is all pretty hard for me too." Now that got Apex's attention, his arms slipping around Greer as she continued.

"I mean, five years ago, back when I was still... human," Greer tucked a stray hair away and deliberately not looking at Colton, "it was the easiest thing to do, to come home. Say hi to the neighbors ... hangout at a friend's house. But now ... after the change," Greer gave a brief look around her, "To walk into a neighborhood full of people is almost one of the hardest things in the world for me. I mean I know I have this inducer on ... but it doesn't change a damn thing. I don't want to hide, I want to keep doing what I usually do ... but ... I know what people think. I know what they say ... how they react to how I really look. It scares me because I know most of them would be afraid of me and I hate that ... and as much as I don't say it ... they make me fear me too."

Apex blinked ... Greer only seemed talked about how great it was being a part of humanity ... something he admittedly could never quite understand. But to suddenly hear how uneasy it made her feel to be around those same people ... was completely unexpected. I mean he knew that humanity feared him, that was logical. But it had never occurred to him that Greer was actually afraid of humanity.

But as Apex paid closer to attention to Greer instead of the surroundings, it was obvious to see the nerves radiating off of her. And the way she kept looking around was actually much like his own, albeit subtler and better concealed than he had been doing. He wasn't certain if it was because he had never seen Greer in such a populated environment ... or if this was something she simply did a better job at hiding it then he gave her credit for. He gave a small shake of his head and wrapped Greer in his arms, hearing her take a shaky breath as she leaned against him.

"Sorry ... that was kinda heavy huh?" Greer glanced up through her raven hair, grinning sheepishly, and causing him to shake his head and just hold her a bit tighter. He didn't need to say anything ... he just wanted her to feel safe. This was supposed to be something he had difficulties with ... not her. She was the one that was supposed to be enjoying all this.

Greer was having similar thoughts ... a little upset with herself for letting her nerves get the better of her. She was supposed to be setting a good example for Colton ...

'Dammit,' Greer thought but she was glad she got some baggage off her chest. Coming back home always brought her a sense of relief ... and dread ... and suddenly having Colton here with her took some of the dread away. At least she knew she wasn't going to be running out on all fours, bleeding through her stomach ... she rolled her eyes. She couldn't look at her house now without thinking of that particularly fond memory.

"Alright, enough!" Greer took a step back and gave her head a little shake before fixing her boyfriend with a smile, his human features doing a better job of showing her his level of concern, "I'm good."

Greer reached up and gave him a quick kiss before turning back towards her front door and took a steadying breath. Speaking of things to be nervous about ...

"You're late!" was the first thing he heard as he couldn't help but watch in fascination as Greer wrapped herself around the woman she called 'mom.' He raised an eyebrow, starting to feel a little uneasy. The resemblance between her and Greer was indisputable. From what he could see, she had the same ... human features as Greer. Sharp features, willowy build, raven hair. She was similar and yet so different from Greer at the same time.

"I'm sorry mom ... we took the highway and traffic on the bridge was horrible." Greer took a step back as her mom started giving her the usual critical look.

"Mhm ... Wait, have you been skipping meals? You feel thinner ... let me take a look at you." Greer was immediately relieved for her inducer, as it hadn't gone through quite the same changes as she had, she just hoped her mom didn't notice she was clutching it tighter.

"Mom ... c'mon," Greer whined and Apex watched in amusement as Greer's mother inspected her from head to toe, much in the same way she did with him. Critiquing how the black sleeved blouse , blue tartan skirt and trench coat just didn't go with the those combat boots ... earning a defeated sigh from Greer. She had seen that coming ...

"Mum..." Greer muttered a little louder, embarrassed as she caught Apex looking at her, that smirk so much easier to read. The tigress gave him her own version of that smirk.

Apex shifted his feet nervously, he too was in his preferred military boots, and had grey jeans tucked along with a white t-shirt and a brown leather jacket stretched across his shoulders. Greer had assured him that even if he didn't need it, people would likely stare at the man walking the streets in a cold March in a t-shirt. Still... he got a little worried at the prospect of Greer's mother critiquing his wardrobe as well ... it seemed she was as obsessed with it as her daughter.

Seeming to try and shift some of the focus off of her, Greer grabbed her mom's arm and directed her attention towards him.

"It's good to be home and mum ... this was the boyfriend I was telling you about."

He didn't know why he felt so nervous when those piercing olive eyes settled on him ... the only logical way to get them to stop staring at his so intently was to move so he took a hesitant step forward, and forced himself to look Greer's mother in the eye. Something Greer had told him was vital for a good impression before attempting to introduce himself.

"Ms. Nelson ... Colton Hanes." Marie stayed where she was next to Greer as now it was his turn to get a once over.

"So ... you're the boy that's been keeping my daughter so busy."

Though mentally Marie knew it was ridiculous to call this one a 'boy.'

Marie stared at the mountain of a man in front of her. Greer hadn't been kidding ... he was majestically built alright. Lean but still packing muscle upon muscle, with an impressive chest but narrow waist. His dark hair was clipped short into a classic military cut, leaving Marie with a clear view of his face. Angular, chiseled and ... handsome. Her daughter sure knew how to pick em. But that didn't mean she'd be making his life any easier.

But Marie's sharp eyes had immediately notified her of certain things that alerted her that this man wasn't quite … normal. How his eyes seemed to take everything in ... and that unusual shade of amber ... sometimes gold when he stood too near a light. And there was this strange attitude he gave off ... She'd been a reporter for over twenty years and she knew a military man on sight ... although 'military' wasn't exactly the vibe she was getting. Marie didn't know what it was but just something about this man radiated intensity.

Marie raised an eyebrow … She didn't know if she liked that. She decided that for the weekend she'd observe this 'Colton Hanes' ... closely.

Greer stood in the center awkwardly as her mother and boyfriend seemed to be having some sort of silent stare off ... as if to see who'd back down from the other first.

'Geez… which one of us are part tiger again…' she thought in exasperation before taking a step closer to Colton and leaning against his chest.

"Mum please, Colton hasn't been keeping me busy. We were just ... getting to know each other." Apex looked down at Greer for a moment to see her smiling up at him.

"Uh hu ... and how is it that you two met exactly?" Greer was prepared for this ... her mother, ever the reporter.

"You remember Professor Logan? He introduced us. Right Colton?" Greer grinned, subtly elbowing the panther next to her. He got the cue and continued with their rehearsed introduction.

"Yes ... Logan introduced us. But as I was saying, it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Nelson and I'm honored that you let me come for the weekend," and Greer could only watch expectantly as he reached out a hand. Marie eyed it ... and him before answering. She knew Greer was hiding something behind that performance but ... she'd get that out of her later.

"Well he has charm, I'll give you that," Marie finally smirked before her eyes softened and to Colton's and Greer's surprise, wrung her arm though Colton's extended one.

"Well don't just stand there out in the cold. Come on in. You must be exhausted from your trip," and he could only look at Greer for help as he was pulled into the Nelson's residence.

Greer meanwhile was trying not to giggle as she watched Colton carefully pad around the living room. He looked cautious, like he was afraid the walls might crumble if he as much as bumped into one. Marie noticed that too and immediately directed him to the couch.

"Just take a seat over there... I'm going to get lunch started, you two must be hungry from your trip," she said gently before disappearing towards the kitchen.

As soon as Marie left the room, Apex was back on his feet surveying his surroundings. Greer was tempted to follow her mom into the kitchen just to raid the fridge but knowing Colton he'd probably feel uncomfortable if she left him there alone ... or possibly make use of one of the escape routs she was certain he had already scouted from outside. He had been eying her mom's SUV very closely. So she stuck around.

A tensed silence formed as Greer removed her coat while Colton looked around with an odd intensity for someone in her living room. Greer was trying to think of the best way to get him to relax when he suddenly did her the favor of breaking the ice, "This is where you grew up?"

"Yea ... what do you think? I know it's not the mansion but ... it's home."

"It's nice . Very... cozy."

Greer raised an amused eyebrow at Colton's back. She definitely never thought she'd hear Colton use the words 'cozy' and 'nice' in the same sentence. Greer smiled; at least she knew he was trying to enjoy himself. Apex lifted an arm as Greer slipped in beside him with a smile.

"Thanks ... My mom always wanted to be an interior decorator but she was just too bad at geometry to you know qualify and become one. So she became a reporter and..." Greer paused when she realized Colton had stopped listening to her and was instead looking intently at a picture frame on the mantle.

"Is that ... you?" he asked curiously as she saw him pointing at the the little girl in the picture. Greer cringed.

"Yeah. I was ten years old. Thank God for puberty..." she joked grimacing a little at the pigtails. Colton just nodded before continuing to stare at the photograph. Biting her lip, Greer decided to press forwards in hopes Colton would talk back. He'd never really shown much interest in her ... 'human life' and hoped this might be a good opening.

"It was my tenth birthday. Well ours ... that boy over there,"

"Gabriel..." Greer looked up at Colton with a furrowed brow as he was still looking at the picture. Greer kept a raised eyebrow as she slowly continued ... she didn't remember having mentioned him before ...

"Right ... Gabriel ... my twin brother. You can't actually see it but we're on the statue of liberty and..."

Greer froze when Colton pointed to another figure in the picture. To a man with sandy blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes ... a man who had his arm swung protectively over her and Gabriel.

"And who is that?" Colton had noted that this was the only picture of the man, while in more recent pictures he was absent.

Greer felt a lump form in her throat. It's been so long since anybody asked her that question.

"Tha - That's my dad..."

Apex turned his head to look at Greer and saw that she was still staring at the picture, her hand across her stomach and slowly rubbing her other arm. He had never asked Greer about her family and Greer had never really volunteered much. Apex had tried to forget the conversation he had overheard between Greer and her bother and beyond that he knew very little. She had spoken of her mother before but had never mentioned her father. Not even in passing.

"Your father..."

"He was a police officer. He died eight years ago ... I was thirteen." Greer said quietly.

"Oh..." Apex knew he was treading in territory that was not where he wanted to be ... he knew there was probably something he was supposed to say but Greer was answering the questions he didn't know to ask.

"He was gunned down by a mugger when he was off duty. He ... threw himself in front of the woman and he - he didn't make it."

Apex lowered his head, "I'm sorry." He said quietly, noticing Greer's sullen face and pulled her closer to him, her arms moving to wrap themselves around his waist.

"It's OK. Everyone tells me how tough he was but that's not how I remember him. I remember him just like a regular, fun, dad. The type that makes lame jokes and teaches you baseball when you're a kid..." Greer now looked at Colton, a small smile on her face.

"You would have liked him."

Apex, not knowing how to reply, chose to look back at the picture. Greer's father looked strong, proud. The way he wrapped his arm around Greer and her brother projected protection ... but something more as well. Apex took a deep breath. He knew what to say now...

"He would be proud of you."

Greer who had been trying not to let on how much her father's death was affecting her snapped her attention back at Colton, "What did you say?"

Apex looked back down at Greer, "I said... He would be proud of you."

A lump formed in Greer's throat. "How would you know that? Besides ... he wouldn't even be able to recognize me anymore." Greer felt she was going to lose control again but she stopped when she found Colton's hand resting against her cheek, his golden eyes locked on hers.

"I know because from what you just told me and what I have seen, you're just like him."

...

"Greer? Greer!" Marie called out for what had to be fourth and fifth time and there was still no answer.

"God that girl will drive me to an early grave…" the frustrated reporter grumbled as she made her way from the kitchen back to where she had left those two. She had spent hours figuring out just what she'd serve for lunch when her daughter and Colton ... 'I mean boyfriend,' Marie got a little smile from getting to think that ... and she would really appreciate if they showed up to have some before it got cold. The looks she got buying that much meat at the butcher ...

"Where on earth are they- HOLY SHI -…" Marie practically had to slap her hand over her mouth when she finally figured out what had been keeping the two of them ... she had walked back into the living room ready to read Greer the riot act when she caught sight of her daughter, literally wrapped around Colton, kissing him passionately before transitioning to ... Marie blinked.

'What are they doing?' she couldn't help but think as she watched her daughter and Colton bunt heads, run their cheeks against each others' neck. And then the sounds hit her.

'What is that?' Marie tried not to raise her eyebrows too much but - but she could have swore her daughter was actually purring. And whatever sound Colton was making ... was… what sound was that? Yeah ... this was making her uncomfortable.

Quickly looking around in deciding what to do, Marie caught sight of a particular weapon of choice, and with a smirk she gave no warning before she started spraying her daughter and Colton with water, causing Greer to yelp and Colton to growl slightly before stopping when he realized who it was he was growling at. Greer had given him very strict instructions on that. Greer however didn't seem to remember that.

"MUM!" Greer practically roared as she gave her mother a furious look. But Marie wasn't having it, just giving her head a shake and shooshing the two with her hands.

"Walk it off! Walk it off!" Marie snapped before ushering them both towards the kitchen.

"You and I are going to have to talk…" she whispered harshly to Greer before spraying her with more water because she could get in a good retort.


Lunch with Colton and her mom wasn't nearly as bad as Greer thought it might be. It seemed years at Weapon X had toughened Colton up when it came to intense interrogations and he didn't wilt under the pressure Marie could dish out. She was fairly certain that one boy from high school hadn't asked her for a second date purely out of terror from the prospect of another questioning.

As good as that was, Greer wasn't trying to push her luck and as soon as she was able she had thanked her mom for lunch, bundled her and Colton back up and they were quickly out the door into the sunny, if breezy, March afternoon.

The rest of the day was spent with Greer's arm wrapped around Colton's as she showed him around her old neighborhood and ... well just gave him a picture of who she was.

First she walked them by her old high school, Greer taking the time to point out to Colton exactly what 'cheerleaders' were and recount some of her favorite stories about the trouble and silly drama her and her friends used to get into. Next they walked by some of Greer's favorite spots she used to go to when she was younger ... the park her and her brother used to play at ... the pool she got her first summer job at as a lifeguard. For dinner Greer made sure they went to Papa Chino's, her favorite pizza place in the world. The Mansion did a lot of things right ... but good New York City pizza wasn't one of them.

And through it all, Apex just let Greer talk. She had started out sounding a little nervous , almost embarrassed, as she recounted all these stories about ... about who she used to be. But that soon gave way to laughter and excitement the more she remembered, almost a non-stop stream of memories. And looking down at her ... with her inducer on, that human face just smiling at everything ... for the first time Apex considered who Greer might have been before he knew her. Before she ... was like him ... Apex didn't like it.

"And that's where my best friend Patsy liv - Colton? Hey, is everything alright?" Greer had been tucked under Colton's arm as they were walking back from dinner when she had caught the distant look on his face. Noticing the face Greer was giving him, Apex gave his head a little shake before giving her a more comfortable smile. He always forgot how readable his human features were to Greer ...

"Fine. Just ... taking it all in." Greer kept up her stare for a moment longer before smiling again and letting out a content sigh, balancing her head on his shoulder as they continued down the sidewalk. She liked this ... the two of them just having a normal night. Walking down the street like everybody else. She saw the look some people gave them and ... well she knew it was shallow but she liked the admiring looks they garnered. It made her a bit sad to know it was all a show but ... that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy it all the same.

When they got back, Greer immediately dragged Colton to the couch and snuggled in as she picked a movie for them to watch. After last time he owed her a real movie night. Marie stopped by with some popcorn which Greer eagerly accepted, though she was fairly certain it was just an excuse to check to see if she could use the water sprayer again.

By the time the movie ended, Apex was laid out on the couch with Greer snuggled on top of him, the two disguised felines nuzzling quietly as Marie could still clealry be heard puttering upstairs. And while she was comfortable ... a day filled with travel and hiking around the neighborhood had her in need of a shower.

"I'm gonna go upstairs real quick," Greer bunted foreheads as Apex just rumbled earning a wider smile from her, "be right back." And with a rather involved kiss, she eventually tore herself away from her personal pillow and dashed up the stairs.

Greer rushed into her room and started shrugging off clothes, tossing her inducer on the desk just as her mother gently knocked on the door.

"Honey? I heard you come upstairs and I was wondering if ... if you ..." The look on Marie's face was one of pure shock.

Greer froze, and then cursed her own stupidity. She had been careful to make sure no one at the Mansion had seen her outside of Colton without a few layers of clothes on without her inducer. Her induced image did an excellent job of covering up the great amount of weight and muscle she lost during her six weeks while she was hurt. But without it ... Greer felt her ears lower as her mom's attitude quickly changed to rage. She had never seen her mother look that angry. Not in a long time ...

"Mom ... let me -"

"Greer Grant Nelson… What the hell happened to you?" Marie demanded, horrified that her daughter looked so ... so ... Good God…. Somebody was going to pay for this.

"I… Um… uh… " Greer lowered her head, her ears completely flattened.

"Are you sick? Greer you look like you've lost thirty pounds!" Marie couldn't believe it ... she swore she could almost see the ribs just beneath the fur ... and all that muscle was gone. She looked haggard ...

"It's a long story," she whispered before looking up in surprise as Marie slammed her hand onto a table.

"Oh it's fine Greer. You don't have to tell me, it's not as if I'm your mother. Just keep hiding secrets from me! I'm totally alright with that!" Marie practically snarled, causing Greer to flinch backwards.

"It's not like that! I didn't mean to..." Greer paused to regain some balance, "You wouldn't understand."

"THERE we go again. 'You wouldn't understand.' Well what is it I wouldn't understand Greer? Tell me so maybe I can try!" Greer felt her hackles rising as she tried to control herself.

"I can't." she said softly and Marie felt all the frustration building up inside of her just disappear, replaced with something ... something painful.

Greer was looking firmly at her feet until she heard something soft fall to the floor ... and then there it was again. Looking up Greer saw something she'd never expected to see, her mom crying. Instantly she tried to repair the damage but it was too late.

"Fine ... then don't," Marie hissed softly.

"Mum ... I ... It's not like that. MUM!" and before Greer could stop her, her mother had stormed out of her room and slammed the door. Greer stared at shut door in shock. The sound still resonating in her head.

This was not what she wanted. This was exactly what she was trying to not have happen.

"Mum…" Greer said softly, gripping herself tightly around the middle as she fought against the tears slowly falling down her face.

...

Marie was fighting back tears of her own as she stormed down the stairs only to come up short as she found her way blocked by Colton. From the look on his face it was clear he knew something had happened. But as Apex took in the look on Marie's face ... he recognized that face.

"You ..." Marie remained a few stairs above him, effectively putting them on equal footing and blocking his way to Greer. He knew she was crying and he needed to get to her.

"Move." Apex didn't hide his growl this time but Marie wasn't phased, just looking at him even harder.

"No ... no you will tell me what happened to Greer."

"Move ... now." He wasn't going to hurt this woman because he knew Greer would likely never forgive him ... but he had a limit to his self-control. And the last thing he was going to do was tell a stranger anyth -

"Please," Apex jerked his head back as suddenly the fury left the woman and her voice trembled, tears once again falling down her face. She took the last few steps down and with each one he backed up ... he ... he didn't know what to do with this.

"Please tell me what happened to my daughter..."


Greer had planned on just jumping in the shower ... but that argument with her mother ... She needed to cool off, let the water wash away that itching guilt in her chest if she ever hoped to look her mother in the eye again.

Greer took a nice long deep breath through her nose before sinking a little lower into the water, trying to just focus on the feel of it through her fur ... much good that did her.

She hadn't meant for that to happen. She wanted to tell her mother ... she wanted to tell her everything. But every time she thought about it ... there was just that itching fear that ... Greer sighed before rubbing her temples.

"Damn it ..." the tigress growled before looking up wildly when she heard the door creak open and Greer sank a little lower into the bathtub. It was one thing to let your mother see your stripped self. The stripped self she wasn't really comfortable with to begin with ... it was another to let you stripped self completely naked. It also really didn't help that her mother might still be mad at her.

"Hey…" Marie said simply.

"Hey…" Greer mumbled back lowering her head as her mother sat next to the tub and without a word, Marie started to gently shampoo Greer's hair. Much to the tigress's surprise.

"I can do that myself…" Greer said meekly knowing her mother didn't really like touching her. At least she was certain her mother didn't like touching her ...

"Nonsense. You were paralyzed for six weeks and I didn't put in my fair share of taking care of you."

Greer released a little irritated growl. Colton ... that traitor ... Only to look up in surprise as her mother flicked her ear.

"Don't growl at me young lady. I'm being forgiving as it is," Marie warned before moving down to rubbing her daughter's back. God she could see the spine so prominently under the ... fur. Marie bit her lip before continuing. Carefully running her hand down her daughter's back like she used to when she was younger. She didn't want Greer to feel like she was petting her.

Greer on the other hand just awkwardly stared at her clawed feet as her mother continued to wash her. This had to be the most physical contact they had since ... well forever. Despite her mother claiming she was "cool" with how she looked now. Greer was careful not to overstep certain boundaries though. Those hugs felt so restrained sometimes ...

"Mum?"

"Yeah?" Marie said absently as she started washing out Greer's hair.

"Are you still mad at me?"

Marie paused before shaking her head.

"No. I'm not mad at you. I'm just mad that ..." the older woman sighed before looking Greer in the eye.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Greer recoiled slightly from her mother's tone.

"I didn't want you to worry…" the tigress mumbled.

"I don't want to hear that. It's not just this time Greer. You never tell me anything. I mean ... we barely talk at all. Why?"

"Well ..." Greer realized that she really had no place to run, "I thought you didn't want to know because…"

"Because?" Greer finally let out a sigh.

"Because I know how much you wish that I was still ... normal. And you know ... living a normal life ... and not," Greer held up her arms, "me." That came out a lot softer than Greer intended.

Marie stared at her daughter, visibly stunned and just as Greer was absolutely certain she would start yelling again, her mother suddenly grabbed her and wrapped her tightly into a hug.

Greer blinked once or twice.

"Mum?" she asked nervously.

"You silly silly girl ..." and that's when Marie's grip tightened. "Why on god's earth would you think that?! Greer I- I've told you I love you. No matter what. No matter how you loo-"

"You abandoned me," Marie released her daughter to look at her in shock. And that's when she noticed the tears in Greer's eyes and in them, her daughter's unfamiliar anger.

"Greer I -"

"You abandoned me…" Greer repeated it louder this time, her voice trembling.

"You ashed me why I don't tell you anything? You had me shot and abandoned me… YOU ABANDONED ME WHEN I NEEDED YOU THE MOST!" Greer shouted accusingly, her chest heaving as she panted from the sudden onslaught of emotions. Gripping her hair tightly as she started to speak faster and faster.

"You called me a monster ... and ... and a freak and ... and said that I wasn't even human! That I was ... was something that belonged in a cage ... That I was," And Marie lunged forward to hug Greer again as her daughter started convulse, struggling wildly in the water, struggling to get out of her mother's hold but Marie held on, refusing to let go and refusing to let Greer wriggle out of her embrace.

"You don't love me! Not like this ... I know you don't! You can barely touch me, you shudder ... you give me these looks."

"No ... No ..." Marie protested softly, kissing her daughter's head and holding it there until Greer finally reached a semblance of calm. Her whispering so soft, Marie barely heard any of it.

"I know you want me to be normal. And I'm sorry but I'm not. I'm sorry I can't go to college ... or get a job ... or lead any semblance of a normal life ..." Greer shuddered finally wrapping herself around her mother. Crying into her chest as if she was five years old again.

"I'm sorry mum. I'm sorry I can't… I-"

"Shhhh…" Marie instructed softly, trying to hold in her own tears… "Shhh ... it's not your fault ... it's not your fault," she repeated over and over, petting Greer's hair, rubbing circles into her fur. Just holding her as tight as she could.

It felt like an hour before the two woman separated. Greer giving her mother an apologetic look when she noticed the tears in Marie's eyes, hesitantly she raised her arm to wipe them away but Marie just smiled and pushed Greer's arm down.

"None of that…" she said curtly shaking her as if to clear it before she kissed Greer's forehead something she hadn't done in years.

"My beautiful baby girl." she whispered before offering her hand to Greer."Come let's get you out before you catch a cold" and as if in a dream, Greer allowed her mother to lead her out of the bath and wrap her in a large towel and as Greer was led to her room, she slowly snapped out of her daze.

"Mum you don't have to-"

"Nonsense. You're my daughter Greer and its about damn time I showed it." Marie insisted. "Now sit down." and Greer did as she was told. Despite being tensed initially, she slowly allowed her mom to dry her off and it was only after she felt her stop did she dare look Marie in the eye.

"Oh you look so adorable with your fur ruffled like that," Marie remarked running a gentle hand through Greer's hair as she passed her some sweats, though Greer could hear the cracks in Marie's voice. She was trying so hard ...

"Mum I-" but Marie pressed a finger to Greer's lips.

"Before you say anything. I want you to know ... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did to you. For all the things I said to you. I - I don't know if you'll ever forgive me and I don't ever expect you too. But I just want you to know ... I love you Greer. I LOVE you. You're my beautiful baby girl .and I couldn't be more proud of you. Alright? I want you to remember that. I want you to remember that I love you."

Greer did her best not to tear up again before she lunged for her mother.

"I love you too mum. I love you so much ..." she whispered curling into her mother's lap, burying her head into Marie's neck.

"I know ..." Marie whispered before leaning against Greer, hugging her close, refusing to let go.

...

It was an hour later, when Apex came to investigate. Marie had made him swear to give her a chance to fix things with Greer and despite his better judgment, he had allowed it. Something about how she had looked at him...

Quietly making his way upstairs, he took a glance into Greer's room and he couldn't help but smile. There on Greer's bed, lay his tigress and Marie, both asleep but holding onto each other tightly. A look of content on their faces.

With a rumble, Apex gently closed the door.