So ... anybody notice anything different? Well how bout the AMAZING new cover art for this arc? BIG thanks to super-talented Cheshire for the gift. Sadly we can't review artwork but if you like what you see, be sure to give her a shout out

Cheshire, Canuckle, Retro ... what can I say? The two felines needed some much needed fluff time and I'm glad you're all enjoying it. Some action is on its way but fluff will certainly be sticking around. And of course Jacque as well ; )


Marie lowered her paper for a moment to watch the two ... felines make their way into the kitchen. Greer was back in her sweats while Colton made due in a pair of basketball shorts. The reporter raised an eyebrow ... It looked as if Greer was doing her best to keep a bit of distance between the two despite her boyfriend's clear disapproval as she shot him a look and not so subtly nodded in her direction.

Marie let out a little sigh. The girl never learned ...

"So ... how did you two sleep last night?" Marie was back to her paper after once again pushing a full breakfast plate (eggs and fruit with yogurt this time) and another smoothie in her daughter's resigned direction.

"Fine." Greer smirked as she glanced over at Colton who gave her a raised eyebrow. For someone that had told him to keep the other night a secret, she was certainly doing a poor job of hiding it. Though he did enjoy her tail slipping around to touch his.

"And was that before or after you sneaked into his room?" Marie calmly turned the page as Apex let out a short growl ... Greer had rather roughly pulled on his tail in surprise.

"How - we didn't," Marie finally leveled her with a look, "sorry mom..." Greer looked back down at her plate, clearly embarrassed at being called out for her mom and it had the tigress feeling like she was fifteen and getting caught for sneaking back in from that party.

"And what about you? You have anything to say?" Apex looked at Marie for a moment before giving a slight shrug and going back to his breakfast.

"Nope." He hadn't been certain why Greer had been so adamant on secrecy anyway ... they slept in the same bed at the Mansion. And obviously her mother knew already. He sure as hell wasn't sorry ...

Marie fixed him with a look but decided to refocus on Greer.

"Greer, you know the rules. A lot of things might have changed but they haven't." Greer pushed some eggs around on her plate as her ears went to press themselves flat against her head. How could her mom still make her feel like a child all the time ... it really wasn't fair ...

"However ..." Greer's ears perked up and she slowly turned to look at her mom who seemed to be letting out the longest sigh in the world.

"It's not as if I was born in the last century. But that door will remain open and you will not make me a grandmother before this one," Marie gave Colton a pointed look, "asks a very simple question and buys a very expensive box."

Greer was willing to ignore that last part as she tilted her head towards her mom.

"Wait ... so does that mean you're alright with us sharing a -"

"Just keep that door open. And try not treating your mother like an idiot. Reminds me of me and your father ..."

"Mom!" Greer pretended to be scandalized as her mother gave a very motherly non-committal shrug and went back to her paper. Apex glanced over at Greer to see that whatever had just happened had left Greer smiling ... and at the moment that was all that mattered.

He was certain nothing that had just gone on was anything he should be worried about.


The rest of their day was what Greer would describe as a 'lazy Sunday' in suburbia. Or just about perfect as far as she was concerned. No training ... no missions ... no random group of thugs trying to beat up her boyfriend ... perfect.

After breakfast the two just laid tangled together in her room, rotating between watching whatever she wanted and just absently nuzzling the other. Though the incessant purring eventually drove Marie to storm up to Greer's room just to be able to get some work done, earning an embarrassed smile from the tigress who proceeded to hide by tucking herself a bit more into Colton's side and murmured something about keeping it down.

But after a half-hour of silence Marie considered if that much quite was any more peaceful. No purrs ... no soft growls ... not even voices. Suspicious, the reporter abandoned her laptop and quietly made her way back to Greer's room.

"Greer is everything all- oh…"

Looking into the dim light, she finally realized why the room had gone quiet ... Colton and Greer were ... napping. Well at least Greer was, her slender frame curled and intertwined with Colton, her head resting on his arm while a hand laid on his chest. The panther meanwhile had opened a suspicious eye upon hearing her approach.

Marie narrowed her eyes a bit as she took in the scene. She had noted how Colton's grip had immediately tightened around Greer, almost possessively, but to her surprise, he stopped upon realizing it was just well... Marie. He instead just gave her nod before going back to closing his eyes and Marie couldn't help but smile at how gently he was running his large hand through the fur along Greer's back.

Letting her hands fall back to her sides, Marie broke her own rule and shut the door. She was pretty sure Colton was respectful enough to not commit any "hanky pankey" as her mother would put it. And ... strange as all of this was ... she could almost swear she was starting to really trust that giant panther.

...

Marie was still typing away when she suddenly felt herself being suffocated by two orange furry arms ... and that's when the purring started again.

"Oh God Greer ... Greer STOP!" she begged as her daughter started nuzzling her, mussing her hair and knocking her glasses before suddenly lowering her ears at her's mother's tone. Marie rolled her eyes before kissing her daughter on the forehead.

"There. Now will you please stop?" and Greer shook her head, this time nuzzling at a slightly gentler pace. She had just intended to come in and give her mom a hug but ... this just felt right.

"Ugh what's with the love fest all of the sudden?" Marie asked skeptically. The tigress pulled back a little to give her mom a smile.

"Um mum it's already like 4. Colton and I sort of have to get going. That 'love fest' was supposed to be my tearful goodbye."
Marie blinked.

"Goodbye? What are you talking abou-" and she caught Colton walking past her door to get to the stairs, two GIGANTIC suitcases perched on his shoulders.

"Hey you! YES YOU! STOP!" and the giant panther paused in confusion, looking at a surprised Greer and then a now standing Marie before lowering his ears ... What was the matter now?

"Who said you two were leaving?" Marie demanded, one hand resting dangerously on her hip and Colton shifted on his feet slightly.

"Greer," he rumbled.

"Well ignore her and go put them back down. Right now Colton! Go."

The giant panther paused. On one hand, he knew disobeying Greer would invite dire consequences but it was fairly obvious Marie was Greer's alpha ... and disobeying her could be similarly disastrous. With another low rumble, Colton shifted the suitcases slightly before proceeding to turn back around only to stop when Greer addressed him.

"Colton don't be silly. Mum … We have to go or we'll be back too late. I've got classes tomorrow." Colton knew that tone ... that was his clue to go down the stairs but froze when Marie spoke again.

"But Greer, I thought you were staying longer ... I mean, I had a dinner planned and everything."

"Well I'm sorry but we really have to go-"

"Even if Gabriel's coming over?" and Colton rolled his eyes at Greer's contained shriek.

"Wait. Gabe is coming?!" and that's when Greer started asking a string of questions regarding Gabriel. Colton bared his teeth a little ...

He let the two go on for another minute before giving a shrug, deciding that if putting these bags in the car got them out faster ... he'd take it. All he wanted to do was get back to the Mansion ... get out of all these clothes ... and disappear into the woods with Greer for a week. The giant panther focused on that pleasant thought and made his way down the stairs and getting to the ground floor, he froze when Greer suddenly called out to him.

"Colton! What are you doing?". The tigress sounded confused.

"Putting the suitcases in the car." he said simply.

"In the car? What for?"

Colton blinked, now it was his turn to be confused.

"Because we're leaving ..." he rumbled a little hopefully.

"Leaving? No! Not yet. I mean not if Gabe's coming, I have to introduce you two. Trust me, you'll love it."

Colton seriously doubted that and cringed when Greer continued.

"And can you please bring the suitcases back up? If we're staying longer I think I might want to unpack ..." And Colton audibly released the closest thing to a groan he could get. Irritated, he hauled the two suitcases back onto his shoulders and made another long journey back up stairs.


"I don't believe this," Colton muttered as he found himself once again suffocated. Greer had tried stuffing him into a sweater but a growl had gotten her to settle on a plain grey t-shirt ... small victories.

"I know right! I mean, I haven't seen Gabe in the longest ... Aw man, wait till you meet him. I think you two are really going to like each other," the tigress grinned, finishing up her lipstick before turning to show off her outfit, making sure to put enough into her turn to make her skirt twirl just a bit.

"What do you think?" She asked with a grin. But she only ended up pouting a little as all she got was a rumble from the panther sitting rather dejectedly on her bed. She knew all of this was for her ... the trip, the city, the shopping ... her mother ... but that didn't make seeing Colton like this any better.

She had been trying to make this a fun weekend for the both of them and at the moment ... it seemed she was failing rather spectacularly. Greer took a breath and came to stand right in front of the dour feral, slipping her hands into his.

"I'm sorry you have to get all dressed up," she said with a little smile as she slid her hands around his waist. "And I'm sorry you're cooped up. But you've been wonderful this whole trip ... heck I think my mom is even kinda sorta starting to like you. A little." Greer teased with a little purr as she lightly bumped foreheads.

Colton wrapped his arms around her waist to bring her a little closer as he took a deep breath of her scent, his head resting against her chest as the tigress gently rubbed her claws through the fur on his neck.

Colton just rumbled.

"Let's just get through one more night ... OK?" Apex took in another breath before letting it out slowly.

"Must I?" Greer slipped her hand around to his muzzle to get him to look at her properly.

"Just one more night ... for me. When we get back to the Mansion I'll be all yours." Greer was sure to keep her eyes locked on Colton's until she finally saw him smirk a little.

"Alright."

"Alright what?"

"One more night." Apex rumbled before pulling her down to nuzzle her behind the ear, earning a deep purr.

"We better enjoy this while we can," Greer sounded a bit out of breath, "You have to promise me you won't do this at the table ... Or growl, or-" the tigress stopped and picked her head up slightly, tilting her head to the side ... as she heard a car pull into the driveway.

"Gabe!" Greer looked down at Colton with a huge smile and giving him a kiss hurried downstairs. Apex meanwhile was going to savor every quite moment he got ... though something outside caught his attention. He heard a car door open ... but instead of hearing footsteps heading towards the door, instead he heard them moving around to the other side of the car ... followed by another door opening. Taking a short breath Apex caught the scents coming through the open bedroom window.

"Uh oh ..."

Greer sped down the stairs despite her heels, her mother making a not so small hint to dress up for the family dinner, and rushed to meet her brother at the door. God it had been too long and the thought of being reunited with her twin after more than two years had her more excited than she had felt in some time.

"Gabe! Welcome ... home ..." Greer had almost ripped the doorhandle off in her excitement at seeing her brother and had been in the process of jumping him for a hug when she realized ... her brother was not alone.

Apex had gotten down the stairs as fast as he could without breaking anything ... but not fast enough. He slowed before the landing and checking the reflection in the hall mirror could see what was happening at the front door ... and Gabe's guest. She was 5 ft 3, waifish with tousled blonde hair, medium length, cut right above the shoulders. She wore 'professional' clothes and had an air of formality about her ... which was clearly cracking from the look on her face as she took in the stunned tigress.

Colton curled his lip slightly. He didn't like how this Lauren was staring at Greer from behind her spectacles.

"Greer!" All of this had passed in seconds and Gabe finished his sisters welcome, wrapping her in a hug and forcing Greer to refocus, distractedly hugging her brother back without taking her eyes off of ...

"Umm ... Gabe, who is that?" Greer whispered.

"Oh! Sorry, Greer," Gabe took a step back to wrap an arm around the girl, "This is Lauren. My girlfriend. Lauren, this is my twin sister Greer."

"Hi." Greer smiled but couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable as this tiny woman stared at her from behind those glasses.

"Of course. Your twin. I can ... really see the resemblance."

It took a moment for Greer to digest that what this woman just said. For a moment she swore that this Lauren woman was insulting her… However the sweet smile on Lauren's face seemed to be indicating she wasn't. Greer furrowed her brows slightly and shook her head, 'Stop being paranoid', before smiling back and reaching out her hand.

"I'm sorry, forgive my manners. I just didn't expect … * sigh * … It's nice to meet you Lauren." The shorter blonde looked at it for a moment before giving Gabe a quick look and finally giving her the briefest of shakes with an unnaturally tight smile in place.

"Charmed, I'm sure." Greer felt Lauren retract her hand as if afraid Greer would crush it and quickly slipped behind Gabe ... though did she … did she just wipe her hand on her pants?

"When mom told me you were coming in to visit there was no way I was going to miss seeing you. Oh, and let you meet Lauren. But … from the look on your face I'm guessing mom didn't tell you that huh?"

Greer shook her head a little and looked back at Gabe blinking a few times before letting out a chuckle as cover.

"Yea … so it seems." Internally Greer was snarling … all this just to keep her from wearing an inducer. Ohhh … she was going to –

"Gabe … Lauren!" Greer took a step back to make way as the deceiver herself emerged from the kitchen to welcome her son home … and give Lauren a very familiar hug. Greer raised a small eyebrow at that.

"I'm so glad you two could make it … oh Lauren you need to tell me how everything's going at your new firm! But first, Gabe have you met … Greer … where's Colton?" Marie took a step back from the couple to look around the small foyer for the missing panther before looking over at Greer.

"Colton?" Gabe raised an eyebrow of his own.

"That's right … Greer's boyfriend came for the weekend as well." Now Gabe's smile matched his mother's as the two looked expectantly at the suddenly on edge tigress who couldn't help but notice the very different look on Lauren's face. She didn't really appreciate that look …

"Greer?" Marie mock – whispered, clearly excited for Gabe to meet Colton.

"Oh .. ummm … I guess I'll … go get him?"

Greer turned on her heel and didn't even have to go up the stairs to find Colton, still standing on landing with his arms crossed and clearly content to stay exactly where he was.

"No." he growled low but firm when the tigress gave him an expectant look.

"C'mon Colton. You promised ..." she begged, feeling three sets of eyes watching her, but Apex just shook his head, bearing his teeth in Lauren's direction. To his surprise, Greer sighed and seemed to nod understandingly.

"I know, but I can't do this alone. Don't leave me out there alone with them … Please Colton?" and the way Greer's ears lowered made the giant panther release a low rumble of defeat before grudgingly letting Greer take his arm and following her down the stairs.

Time for Greer seemed to slow down when she led Colton into the room. Marie smiled widely, Gabe dropped the bagged he'd been holding and Lauren looked as if she was ready to pass out. Nervously, Greer looked at Colton for his reaction but the giant panther seemed oblivious.

"Sorry I'm late…" he rumbled coolly and Greer couldn't help but admire how nonchalant he was being about all this.

"Colton! Glad that you're able to join us!" Marie said cheerfully obviously trying to ease the tension in the room making her way to the panther while Gabe backed away slightly, Lauren right behind him.

"This is my son Gabriel, and his girlfriend Lauren."

Apex stared down at the shorter man who seemed to be subtely eyeing both his mother and his sister for guidance before nervously extending a hand, which Apex grudgingly shook. This was Greer's twin after all ... How bad could he be? And seemingly proving his point, Gabriel gave Apex quite the sincere grin. Lauren on the other hand ...

"Gabe can I … talk to you … for a moment … alone? Now … please." Lauren's voice sounded strained as it looked like the grip she had on Gabe's arm threatened to cut off circulation.

"Yea … sure babe." Gabe gave Colton another look before getting yanked into the bathroom of all places followed by a very audible click.

"Just give her a couple minutes. She'll come around ... I actually think you two should get along." Marie elbowed Greer before heading back to the kitchen to make the final preparations. Greer could practically feel the smile her mom was wearing with all her kids in one house with their ... dates.

"I'm sure. You couldn't have told me they were coming too? A little warning for the girl in fur?" Greer grumbled low enough for her mom not to hear before looking up to see how Colton was taking everything. If she had caught the stench of pure terror ... she knew Colton had also. But it was pretty obvious his attention was elsewhere, and taking a moment to listen, Greer understood why.

"Are you kidding me? You're telling me to calm down ... when there are monsters standing in your living room!" Lauren's harsh whispers might have been intended to keep her panicked conversation private, but to the felines, it was as if they were standing right next to them. Colton could feel Greer tighten her grip on his arm and freeze in place.

"Keep your voice down! And in case you forgot Lauren, one of those monsters out there happens to be my sister." Greer felt a bit of tension leave her chest.

"OK ... obviously you're not seeing this clearly. We need to call the MRD like right now. Did you see that ... that thing standing out there?" Now it was Greer's turn to feel Colton tense.

"Yes, I did. And in case you missed it he's dating my sister ... the same one you're telling me to throw to to the freakin' MRD. Do you have any idea what they do to mutants? Do you?"

"But Gabe ... you - you saw him! He's dangerous - he -"

"Looks like I did. Or did you forget that part?"

There was a pause ... and Colton looked to Greer for context to what Gabe was referring to but the tigress just kept her attention rapt on the door.

"Well… But - you don't look like that anymore! So-"

"So what Lauren? C'mon, we talked about this…" Greer heard Lauren give some kind of choked sound of surprise.

"No ... no you said slightly mutated Gabriel. You can't use the words 'slightly' to describe those two things out there."

"Lauren, say one more word and I swear to God…"

"What?! You can't possibly be OK with this?"

"No. What I'm saying Lauren is that you better be OK with this."

There was a very long pause during which Greer silently hoped to see Lauren come rushing out of the bathroom and out into the night ... only to be surprised when she instead heard a sudden rush of tears and what could only be Lauren falling into her brother's arms. Greer rolled her eyes to herself and her head tipped back until she was staring at the ceiling. Oh no. She was one of those girls.

Greer had been a high school cheerleader ... hell she had been the high school cheerleader. And that meant she had known way too many girls that when faced with a tough situation ... when called out ... pulled out the water works.

"C'mon Gabe ... please don't ... c'mon be a rock ... don't fall for that ..." Apex glanced down at the low mutters Greer was letting out. His concern had been the mention of the MRD ... and now Lauren was crying. For some reason ...

"Shhhh ... it's alright babe. It's OK." Gabe was clearly comforting his whimpering girlfriend and Greer let out a low groan of disappointment.

"I'm - I'm sorry. I just ... I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready and he just came down and I - oh Gabe I'm sorry ..."

"It's alright ... C'mon Lauren don't cry."

"Oh no," Lauren pulled in a very dramatic breath, "you - your sister is going to hate me!" Lauren's traumatized whisper caught Greer off guard. Was she talking about her?

"What? No ... Greer's never hated anyone. Least of all you ... just give her a chance. Alright?"

"O - OK."

Greer shook herself and quickly turned Apex to the side in a hasty attempt to at least make it appear like the two of them hadn't just been listening in on Gabe and Lauren's private conversation as she heard the two of them getting ready to come out.

"Not a word ..." Greer silently hissed at Colton who honestly didn't see why him and Greer just went upstairs and left this headache behind.

"Greer?" The tigress feigned surprise and turned, arms crossed to find an apparently contrite Lauren staring at her, Gabe close behind with his hand on the small of her back in support.

"Could you ... would you like to show me around a bit? Maybe give Gabe and - and Colton a chance to get to know each other?" Lauren shot the towering feral the briefest of glances but managed to keep her composure this time.

"Ummm ... sure Lauren." Greer gave Colton a look for help but Lauren didn't seem want to wait for an answer and by some strange occurrence, Gabriel had already made his way to talk to Colton, the both of them walking out of the room. Leaving Greer and Lauren suddenly alone in the living room. A moment or two passed, both women guessing that neither was fooled by the other's act. Or at least Greer sure as hell wasn't.

"So ..." Greer really didn't know what to do here. She had just heard this chick seconds ago calling her and Colton monsters ... urging her brother to hand them over to the MRD. And now she was looking around living room and shooting Greer these smiles as if they were best friends ... it was all giving Greer some memories about the things she actually didn't miss about her old high school days ... all that fakeness. But ... at least for Gabe ... she could try.

"Oh don't tell me this was you?" Lauren had stopped in front of Greer's junior cheer photo. Looking at it got the tigress to smile a little and came to stand next to the shorter blond.

"Yea ... back when I was in high school."

"You know… You looked pretty good in that cheerleader outfit…" Lauren said with a slight giggle, getting Greer to relax a little.

"Thanks ... did - did you do any cheerleading?"

"Me? No ... no I was too busy prepping for college for something silly like that."

"Silly?" But Lauren didn't seem to hear her as she picked up the photo of Greer and gave it a thoughtful look as she glanced over at Greer again.

"You know it is such a pity that this ... change happened to you. I mean … I read somewhere about some mutants becoming so disfigured they could barely go outside. It's awful, really. But I think it's very ... brave of you to be trying to live life so normally. And wearing that dress with your … er ... current condition."

Greer actually felt her claws gauge into the couch she had been leaning against as her hackles raised.

"I AM NOT DISFIG -"

"Dinner! Oh Greer ... what happened?" Greer turned and looked at her mom in surprise, ears straight up, as she retracted her claws. Lauren let out a little laugh and came to stand by the stunned reporter who was looking forlornly at her shorn upholstery.

"Don't be mad Marie. With those claws ... I'm sure she just couldn't help it. Probably happens all the time ... I'll bet there's nothing they can do to ... well ... make it easier on her." Greer could only silently seethe for a moment as she watched Lauren put an arm around her mother's shoulders in consolation and guide her towards the kitchen ... the perfect picture of the caring girlfriend.

But Greer could just growl.

"Disfigured? I'll show you disfigured..."

...

Tension was high at the Nelson table. Well at least it was apparent to Apex that it was. Even if no one else had heightened senses, it was hard to miss Greer leaning forward, silently glaring at Lauren while her tailed swayed from side to side dangerously behind her, almost tripping Marie who was bringing food back and forth from the kitchen, the latter throwing her daughter a warning look before sitting down and addressing the blonde opposite Greer who was politely picking at her plate.

Apex glanced around the table ... was no one else really picking up on this?

"Lauren, are you sure I can't get you with something else?" Lauren had been slowly working her way through a salad and the few vegetable sides Marie had prepared for dinner, not touching any of the roasted chickens or meatballs.

"Oh don't worry about me Marie. Besides, being a vegetarian has it's advantages ... not all of us have the same metabolism as Greer does obviously." Greer had been in the middle of bringing up her fork before freezing and noting the differences between their plates. Greer's completely covered with meat and sides ... with Lauren's looking like a garden.

Greer very slowly put her fork back down ... she wasn't feeling particularly hungry at the moment.

"So," Marie finally tucked herself in, "Gabe was just telling me last week that you started at a new firm?" Lauren nodded her head.

"Well you know how law school is ... doesn't really matter unless you have some place to go afterwards. But it's nothing ... McGrergor and Hall were my top choice though." Lauren said humbly but Gabe nudged her a little and smiled at his mother.

"Lauren's just being modest. It's one of the top law firms in the city."

"Lauren, that's wonderful!" Marie shouted excitedly as Lauren waved her off.

"It's nothing ... really. I didn't even know I was the youngest woman to clerk there till after I started."

Greer wanted to gag. Lauren somehow seemed to sense it and turned back to her with a smile.

"How about you Greer? Gabe's always going on about some mysterious, awesome job and frankly, I'm dying to know what that is..." Apex stopped eating at the question and noted how Greer's expression quickly turned into a pleasant smile, though the hard look in her eyes didn't seem to want to dissipate.

"Me? Nothing much … I just work as a senior teacher at the Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters. Don't know if you've heard of it."

"Oh I absolutely have! How wonderful … What do you teach?" Lauren exclaimed though again, Apex noted the hint of hardness in her enthusiasm.

"Greer's the gymnast instructor. She helps new students pass their physicals…" Marie interrupted quite proudly despite Greer's horrified look. She had a better answer prepared. The tigress's brow twitched slightly as Lauren exploded into laughter.

"Why that - that's just perfect isn't it? For someone like you I mean." Lauren gestured at the still smiling and silently growling tigress, "From cheerleader to gym teacher… That's quite a progression. And teaching in such a high profile school like that ..."

"It is isn't it?" Marie was beaming from the head of the table.

"I admire your resourcefulness Greer ... I mean what with you not being able to go to college. But you sure showed them didn't you?"

"Yup ... sure did ..." Apex looked up in alarm as he heard Greer dig her claws into the underside of the table, while her lip curled back into what was best described as a bared smile. For the first time it was Apex putting a calming hand on Greer's thigh. He knew she'd regret having to dispose of a body in her mother's house.

Lauren meanwhile seemed to have accomplished what she was aiming for and let a few minutes pass ... before turning her attention at the as of yet silent panther. She gave him a quick up and down with a sideways glance before speaking.

"So ... Colton," Greer had been grudgingly taking a few bites of her food at a look from her mother before dropping her fork and looking up between Colton and the infuriating blond. Her brows quickly dropping at the thought of Lauren attempting to belittle the unaware feline. Colton might have been a highly trained assassin ... but she doubted he was versed in this particular brand of warfare. Greer bared her teeth ... If Lauren slips the slightest indication of contempt ... the tigress would be ready to chase her out of the house.

"What is it that you do with your time?" Greer didn't hold the growl in this time, though it was low enough that only Apex heard it. She knew what Lauren was implying ... that there was no chance that Colton was employed. That if he looked like - like himself he couldn't possibly do anything.

The comment Lauren had made about mutants being disfigured and being locked away was running through her head.

"Colton doesn't -" Greer had been prepared to snarl out an answer but not bothering to stop eating Apex actually answered the question is his typical rumble.

"I work at the school."

"Doing what exactly?"

"Protecting the students." Lauren shot Greer a look of barely contained glee.

"Like ... a security guard?"

"That's a pretty important job Colton. Protecting all those students." Greer recognized her brother's tone when he was trying to be helpful and almost smacked her forehead in frustration. These two worked in offices all day long like a couple of drones while Colton was out risking his life protecting people.

"He's not just a security guard." Greer seethed. "He's -"

"Greer! There's nothing wrong with Colton's job." Marie sounded offended for the quietly eating panther but Lauren wasn't about to let this drop.

"No ... no that's fine. I'm sure Greer didn't mean anything by it. So ... if you're not a security guard Colton, what would you call -"

"A hunter." Colton calmly took the last bite of his chicken.

"A hunter?" Lauren shared a confused look with Marie, "what does hunting innocent animals have to do with protecting students?" Lauren asked self-rightously.

"Because I don't hunt innocent animals." Apex finally looked up and leveled Lauren with a dead on stare, the thus far antagonist taking on the sudden appearance of a deer in headlights.

"What?" Lauren's voice suddenly sounded very small as a quiet fell over the table.

"Dessert anyone?" Marie said a little too loudly, getting Lauren to blink a few times and buying Marie a chance to shoot Colton a dirty look which he pointedly ignored, his focus still on the now squirming Lauren. Greer mouthed a sorry at her mother as she started clearing the table ... though her tail snaked around Colton's as she smirked at the finally silent Lauren.

Leave it to Colton to fight her battles anywhere and the tigress laughed a little before sliding herself next to her boyfriend. Giving Lauren a candid look as Colton wrapped his arm protectively around her.

"Told you he wasn't a security guard ..." Greer practically purred to the now uncomfortable Lauren who scoffed and excused herself from the table. Greer watched her go with a content smile as the two felines wrapped themselves a little closer together.


After that … eventful dinner ... Greer and Gabe decided to do some well needed catching up. Colton had given Greer a quick nuzzle and slipped outside for some air while Lauren was downstairs likely worming her way closer to Marie. Greer fought the urge to growl as she saw Lauren offered to do the dishes with her mom ... something she used to do.

"Vindictive little harpy…" Greer huffed before following Gabriel up the stairs.

But before the tigress could even start a conversation with Gabe he had turned to face her, a look of contained, Greer blinked… She didn't know the expression on her brother's face at the moment actually.

"So ... what do you think?"

Greer blinked "Think?" she asked as she took a seat on her bed as Gabe leaned against the desk, running his had through his black hair.

"You know ... what do you think of Lauren?" Gabe sounded a bit apprehensive ... and Greer couldn't help but pick up on his heart beat and see the light beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Greer had a very clear opinion of the jackal downstairs. And while she hated to break her brother's heart ... better a little pain now then him making the mistake of spending one more second with that ... girl.

"Well ... I -"

"I'm gonna ask her to marry me!" Gabe suddenly exploded, quickly scrunching his shoulders and looking towards the door as Greer just felt the ground fall out from under her while a meteirote struck her from above.

"Wha - You - what?"

"I know ... I know ... We're young but - but Greer she's the one. I know it. She's smart and driven and beautiful and - well I just wanted you to get to meet her first. I was gonna tell mom soon but ... well I want to get your reaction first."

"Wait, wait wait hold up…How do you know she's the one?" Greer couldn't help but ask and Gabe couldn't help but look slightly insulted.

"Like I said she's smart and driven and beautiful… Also… She helped me through a pretty rough time…

Greer snorted.

"What kind of rough time?"

"Well when I first attended university… It was then and only then I realised I was alone… Like truly alone… Greer, we've always done everything together and when you weren't there because…Well y'know… I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to say , I had no one to back me up or keep me company… I hated it…"

Greer lowered her ears… Gabe was always a little awkward when it came to socialising… and she did know how awful it always made him feel…

"Oh… I'm sorry…"

"Nah, not you're fault… More mine than anything… You know if I hadn't…" there was an awkward pause before Gabriel continued.

"So yeah… Harvard was hell… Until I met Lauren… She basically you know, turned my life around, listened to me, helped me with my inability to talk to people… She makes me happy… Like really happy and…. and I can't imagine life without her." and from his pocked Gabriel pulled out a little box.

"So big sis… Should I?" and Greer couldn't help but feel extremely conflicted… It was obvious that her life was going to be once again changed for presumably the worse… All because Gabriel wanted something… Greer sighed before making her way to her twin.

"So let me ask you a few questions…" she growled lightly.

"Does she treat you well?" and Gabriel nodded.

"Does she take advantage of you?" and Gabriel shook his head.

"Are you absolutely certain you can spend the rest of your life with her."

"Yes. Yes I can…" and Greer cursed internally… God Dammit…

"Well, then what are you still waiting for? Go pop the question before she grows tired of you…." and Greer really wished that was the case but her brother's bear hug made her forget that for a moment… Until he had travelled down the stairs and approximately three minutes later… The loudest, most annoying "I DO!" echoed around the house, causing the tigress to groan and take a seat…

"Heaven help me…"