Chapter 20: How do you feel about Jack?

It Skye was more than eager to get the spotlight off of her after having to reveal her relationship and she knew just how to do it. She gave a glance to Vivian, a glance Vivian saw, and promptly ordered another drink, a stronger one. It was right about when the drink arrived in front of her when Skye innocently asked "so Viv, have you learned anything new about your Jack?"

Vivian wished she could turn invisible as the entire table shifted their attention to her excitedly. It Made her squirm in her seat as she quickly replied "one he's not MY Jack, and for one his full name is Jackson, so to keep it less confusing refer to him as that."

Skye hummed and said "oh, cool. But fine, keep lying. So?"

Sarah but in at this point. "Hold on a minute Skye, I for one would like to hear just how she met Jackson. It has to be a heck of a story!"

Cassandra nodded at that. "I have to agree, especially given his recommendation letter for Nicholas."

Anna agreed with the rest. "I have to admit, I wish to know as well. Given what I know of him it has to be a captivating tale."

Vivian groaned a little, she knew eventually they would get to the topic of Jack. It was the whole reason they were all here after all, but it didn't mean she had to be ecstatic about it. "Fine fine, so it all started with the doorbell ringing."

*one story on how they met later*

Once she finished the story there was a mixed bag of reactions from around the table. None of them bad of course, but there were some tears, tears for Nick and for Jack, for what they went through. What happened next was a lot of questions about their first meeting, clarifications and such, things she'd already gone through with Skye three times over. But, it was needed to get the rest caught up up it. Once the last of those questions were answered Vivian decided she needed a break before Skye continued to grill her for details having known she was trying to find out more about Jack, and had. So Vivian took this opportunity to ask some questions of the others and learn more about Jack in the process.

"So, know you know how I met Jackson Hunter, but I'm curious. How did you meet him Anna, and Sarah I know you've seen him but had you had and real interactions with him?"

Anna hummed and thought for a moment before saying. "Well I met him officially for the first time after he bought the building. The deal had been finalized and my husband had just given him the apartment we had planned to keep, I was only slightly miffed simply because I planned the apartment. Jackson was due to take a tour of the place and my husband was busy, so he left it to me to do. I was waiting outside the building when he pulled up in that classic challenger of his and stepped out, my husband had told me about him of course but it's different when you experience it for yourself. He was dressed in an all black suit, dress shoes inclined, with black sunglasses affixed on his muzzle. He was also armed, and the second he stepped out and looked at me I felt just…intimidated. He gave off this feeling that he could just flick me and I would straight up die, and that getting on his bad side would be a fatal mistake. I didn't know what to make of him honestly besides he had to be dangerous and wealthy. He walked over to me, took off his sunglasses, and introduced himself as Mr. NightOwl. Why he didn't use his real name I have no idea, and didn't learn it until six months later."

She paused to take a sip of her drink before continuing. "When he took off his glasses and saw his unique eyes for the first time I found them captivating, deep pools of dark sea foam green. His eyes danced with intelligence and understanding, but nothing else. I introduced myself and we began the tour, the entire time he kept quiet and kept a neutral face, never betraying a single emotion or thought within his head. His tail and ears gave up nothing as well, one would think he had no emotions at all. But, I knew they were there, somewhere buried deep, waiting for someone to come in and draw them out. When the tour was over, he thanked me for my time, then he said something very considerate. 'I know MO gave me the apartment he had planned on living in, and at the time I did not know he was married. Had I known I would be making you downgrade as well I would have said no. If you wish to stay in that apartment over what you have, simply say the word. There's no need to lie and say you are fine with it if you aren't.' It surprised me, it was the most he had spoken and it was so thoughtful. At that moment I said it was completely fine and I meant it, I saw for the briefest of moments behind the walls he had and has up. I saw who really was behind it all, and I couldn't deny that mammal something good. Because I realized in that moment he was someone who hadn't gotten very much in their life, nothing real at least. Turns out I was right in my hunch."

Everyone digested what they had heard, especially Vivian. It was a very similar story to the one Mr. MO had told her about their first meeting, and once again was nowhere near her first meeting story. She tuned back in when Sarah began to speak, "yeah honestly my first meeting is about the same in what he was wearing and the pure..feeling that emanated from him. I had seen him a few times before I actually met him, and even then I didn't even get his fake name when I did. It was the third time he had come into Sparrowtail Headquarters, and I may have been in the office with my wolf kissing him furiously. Well next thing I know Demetri's secretary says over the intercom 'The Fox is here to see you.' Naturally we ended our make out session and I made my way over to the door to let him in. I open the door, he steps in, looks me up and down, looks over at Demetri, looks back at me, and says 'you're good for him.' Then he promptly walks past me and takes a seat. When he left I came in and asked my wolf if he had told him about our relationship, he shook his head and said 'no, I'm as surprised as you were we never speak personal, not in years. So I have no idea how the heck he knew about us, I haven't marked you, you don't smell like me, I don't smell like you..I don't know.' To be honest, I still don't know to this day."

Once Abakan Vivian held onto every word said about Jack, and once again the meeting was nowhere near her first meeting. She was so lost in thought trying to find any similarities between her first meeting and theirs she almost missed the question asked in a "innocent" tone by Skye. "So Viv…just what have you learned about Jackson?"

That snapped her back into focus. "Uhh…I don't know if I should…"

Cassandra chucked at Vivian and said "look, we all came here with the primary goal of sorting out your feeling on the tod that is Jackson Hunter, allowing you to share all your info, thoughts, and feelings about him to us. To air it all all so we can help you wrap your brain around things regarding him. We can't do that unless we know everything, and I mean everything you learned about him and such. So, that means you gotta spill."

Vivian promptly ordered another drink. What they said made sense of course, but a lot of this information was incredibly sensitive. If it reached Jack that she knew these things and then shared them, it would be bad. Really really really bad. Vivian pinched the bridge of her snout and said "okay look, yes I have learned quite a bit about Jack, but it's EXTREMELY private stuff. Stuff even I shouldn't exactly know. So if I'm going to tell you this you all have to swear not to divulge this to ANYONE. So Cassandra you need to swear on your pack, Sarah you need to swear on Demetri's daughter, Anna you need to swear on your husband, and Skye you simply spill and I shave you head to tail. So go ahead and swear."

Everyone looked at each-other and said their swears and Vivian took a deep breath. "Okay, first I'll start with what I learned while at Sparrowtail Industries."

*knowledge later*

Naturally everyone was floored with the information she had learned from Demetri. Especially Sarah. "You're saying Jack FOUNDED Sparrowtail Industries!? At 14!? He founded it!? On top of technically being the CEO because he's the majority stock holder!?

Vivian nodded, "yes, I thought Demetri would have told you all of this?"

Sarah shook her head. "No, I mean he planned to soon. But….I mean…he founded the company…wait…that's why it's named Sparrowtail. For that little bunny kit that was killed at Honorhall while trying to defend him. It's a memento. Jack made it a memento to him, Sparrowtail helped and saved him so he created Sparrowtail Industries to help and save others…wow. My mate had always said the company was named Sparrowtail because he dreamed once he was drowning in a vast ocean, and a giant sparrow dipped its tail in the water to save him. Which now that I know….I can see the symbolism."

There was a collective sound of agreement for the rest and Anna put her input in. "Let's not forget that condition of his hyperthymesia…and his IQ..I mean he has a supercomputer for a brain almost literally. I can't even imagine….I have always found brain conditions fascinating but this one, I can't figure out if this one is more of a blessing or a curse."

That got Vivian's attention. "Anna why do you say that?"

"Well look at the life he's had, the trauma of his childhood. I'd be shocked if he doesn't have some form of PTSD from it, and considering he remembers everything he experiences with 100% clarity…if he has nightmares he'd remember them, every single detail of his trauma played over and over again. Unable to forget it…it would be torture, give him a fear of closing his eyes. Every bad thing that has ever happened to him burned into his skull like a brand from a hot iron. One could only speculate how bad it could be for him."

That his everyone hard, Vivian especially. Her ears flattened straight to her skull as thoughts swirled through her head about what the implications of what Anna was saying meant for Jack. Those thoughts led her to say something, "you know…I got an opportunity to go into Jack's apartment, something I may elaborate on later. But…I was able to go into his bedroom and his bed….it looked like it had been barley used. No ruffled sheets, no broken in pillows, no body indentations on the bed, nothing. It looked almost like it was a set piece. The only thing that was on there was a small indentation right in the center, but it wasn't big enough for him to be sleeping curled up in a ball."

That led everyone to the same thought, that Anna's observation was right and Jack didn't spend much time sleeping. Skye though she believed the same thought everyone else was thinking tried to give a explanation that didn't have depressing implications. "Well hey he's a single bachelor, he probably just ends up sleeping on his couch!"

Vivian though she didn't really believe that shrugged a little and said, "yeah, you're probably right."

Sarah decided she to would help bring the conversation around again with a little jab. "Now Vivian I'm more interested in why you would ask my wolf if Jack has a condition that doesn't make him excrete pheromones. If you don't have a crush on him and all of that."

That question quickly worked as the entire table perked up. Well except for Vivian who wished she could turn invisible at this moment. "I mean….I don't know. I just found it odd that I smelled nothing from him that night, especially since it's nearing winter and the season is starting. I found it odd that I couldn't get anything off of him. Even if he wasn't interested in me I should have still smelled something other than his natural scent. So when I got nothing at all I was curious. It wasn't normal and I'm a nerd when it comes to medical stuff, so I asked someone who actually knew him."

Cassandra wasn't buying her explanation. "So it wasn't because you were disappointed you didn't smell any interest off of him and wanted to know if he simply didn't find you attractive?"

Vivian would be lying if she said that hadn't been a small reason she had asked the question…..So she was lying when she answered. "What, no! Medical curiosity and nothing more!"

No one at the table bought that, but they let it go for now as Cassandra said "fine fine. Now what about that advice Demetri gave you? Do you plan on using it?"

Vivian shrugged. "Yeah, I want to get to know him more. Preferably from his own mouth, but to quote Demetri I'd have an easier time trying to lift an elephant with a paw tied behind my back. So instead of digging for information I'd like to be able work towards him divulging it. It's…..I wanna help him, he's been in this shell for so long according to those who know him and they all for some reason think I'm the one that can bring him out of it. So yeah, I'd like to."

The whole table showed a knowing look at that. The verdict was becoming more and more clear, but before they made it final they needed some more data. It was Sarah that prodded next, "okay so I know you went to the ZPD after you got hired. How did that pan out by the way? And you said you learned stuff about Jack there too."

Vivian nodded and said "yes, here's how it went and what I learned."

*more knowledge later*

Naturally there was a lot more questions and observations this time around. The knowledge of what the ZPD knew about Jack and their personal accounts on how Jack acted the night of the scouts incident was…a lot to take in to say the least. Skye was straight flabbergasted at most of the information Vivian divulged, but the rest held more curious expressions and less surprise to The Fox angle as she did.

Anna was the first to ask a question. "So, was he really acting like how a protective fox dad would?"

Skye and Vivian nodded, and Skye answered. "Yeah pretty much. This is something that happens on a instinctual level, only supposed to be with family. The fact that he was exhibiting this behavior is…something. I know Nick is a special kit, but to effect Jack so much that he acts like a protective father…."

Sarah was the next to ask a question. "So Vivian, what do you think? Do you think Jack was going to kill that asshole?"

Vivian had been thinking about it for awhile, whether he had been or not and she made her conclusion. "No I don't think so. Nick was right there along with other kids, I don't think he would have gone that far. But, if it was just him and that piece of trash…absolutely. I don't think Jack would have let what he did go."

Cassandra was next to speak. "I'm more interested in the whole Jack was raised by The Fox thing. I mean…wow. Being raised by one of the deadliest assassins on the planet, what does that mean for him? I mean Sarah and Anna both described their meetings with Jack as him giving off a pure aura of danger, but you never mentioned you felt like that. Did you?"

Vivian shook her head. "No, not really. When I met him I felt it maybe a fraction of what you all described, it was barely noticeable. I felt that he might be a danger, but he didn't outright feel dangerous, and I only felt slightly intimidated. When I looked into his eyes I saw intelligence, but no danger, more…amusement and kindness. Amusement because oh how flustered I was in the moment, and kindness is self explanatory. I mean….he didn't act at all what I expected a mammal raised by the deadliest assassins on the planet, and it didn't seem like he was lying."

Anna hummed at that and gave her observation. "Well maybe just because he was raised by The Fox it doesn't mean he picked up on his tendencies. The Fox taught Jack how to defend himself, sheltered him, kept him safe, and from what you told us personally hunted down and killed the ones that murdered Jack's parents. We really have no way of knowing what The Fox instilled in Jack, but I don't think there's any malice inside him. I mean why would Jack join the military? He doesn't have to since he's filthy rich, but he chose to. Jack chose to fight for his country instead of blindly murdering hundreds of mammals. He chose an honorable route when he could have easily became an assassin like the one who raised him."

There was a collective agreement at that statement, but Vivian hadn't yet revealed what she learned while in a Jacks apartment. She suspected their tunes just might change once she told them, after all she was still having conflicting thoughts about it herself. His apartment after all did drum up to look like what she imagined an assassin's apartment would look like. Guns everywhere, cash, fake ids and passports, gadgets, explosives. All of that added up to Jack being more like The Fox than the initial assessments made him out to be, but she still couldn't shake that gut feeling that told her it wasn't the case, that he wasn't like the one who raised him at all. At least not anymore it seemed. Not according to what she was learning and being told. It was then Cassandra said something really interesting.

"Man…you know The Fox is kinda of an obsession of my husbands, and Lieutenant Bogo's. They tried to find the mammal that was The Fox for such a long time, and in the process my husband told me something. That even if they did and arrested them, The Fox could probably get away with it all."

Skye was quick on the draw to ask "how could that even be possible? The Fox killed hundreds of mammals! How could they get away with it?"

Cassandra shrugged before answering. "Think about it. Law enforcement entities globally still aren't even sure what mammal The Fox is, he could be a wolf or a coyote, or indeed a fox. Then theirs which species within he could be, his actual fur and eye color. Each killing The Fox is credited for is only credited to him because of the modus operandi. All black suit, scar on the neck similar to Jack's, suppressed 1911 pistol, and a strange weapon were a knife is attached to a chain, of which The Fox wields with amazing grace. Past that everything is different per kill in the fact that The Fox changed identities after every kill, and normally changed overall species, and genus. On top of the fact that he never left any DNA evidence whatsoever, or a paper trail, and every identity gets burned and never used again. So unless they got a confession out of him, or got the exact items like the gun and match the ballistics, or to be honest both. Because there's absolutely no way they could peg him for the murders otherwise. He would go to trial and walk because there'd be nothing but circumstantial evidence against him."

Skye blinked a few times and let out a simple "wow" at that, and it about summed up what everyone else was thinking. The fact that one of the deadliest assassins on the planet could pretty much get away with it scot free was a little jarring.

Sarah shook her head a bit and then said "what about Jack? He was raised by The Fox as you said, so that means he probably knows the real identity of him, who he is. Do you think Jack would ever take the stand on him? Turn him in?"

Vivian shook her head and vehemently said "no. Absolutely not. As I have said The Fox raised him after he fled from an orphanage were he was likely tortured at, he kept him safe, and got vengeance for Jack's parents. Why would Jack ever betray his identity? Maybe if The Fox started killing innocents, then he's maybe then. But when The Fox only kills criminals? No. There's a reason Jack hasn't been approached yet regarding this, it's out of respect. They know he'll never tell them because The Fox basically became a second father to him and saved him from a terrible fate."

Sarah nodded at that. "I see, hmm."

Skye as much as she found this conversation interesting felt they were going off topic. "You know Viv, what I'm more concerned about is your thoughts on what you learned, how you feel about all of this."

Vivian gestured her paws a bit as she answered. "I don't know honestly. Can I say I'm scared of Jack, scared of what he can do? Worry that he was raised by a assassin? No, not when I think about it. If there's one thing that's universally known about The Fox, The Fox never killed innocents, not once and from the research I've gathered none of his hits have had collateral damage from him. The Fox, while a mass murderer and criminal still had a code, and he instilled that code in Jack. Never harm the innocent, and just maybe he instilled in him that the innocent is also to be protected. Jack has a high sense of honor, and I know me and especially my kit would never be in danger from him. As far as I feel about how he acted like a protective father towards my Nick…it's still something I'm trying to process. But..at the same time I know something in Jack's mind just…clicked when he saw my boy. A reminder of his younger self, innocent, and in dire need of help. Seeing that just…triggered something within him, and since Jack has a hard time with emotions and has probably pent everything up for so long, it simply just exploded out. The main question would be if that was a one off moment, or would it be a behavior that continued. I certainly wouldn't mind if it did, Nick needs a father figure in his life, desperately. There's certain things only a male tod could ever teach him and I don't want him trying to figure things out on his own."

The rest of the table gave each other looks and Cassandra leaned forward and said "honey, it sounds like you do know how you feel about what we've gone over. You're not scared of Jack, and you wouldn't have a problem leaving Nick alone with him despite knowing The Fox raised him. You also like the fact that Jack acted like a protective father towards Nicholas."

Vivian as she had been speaking thoughts aloud for the first time since she thought them had been realizing she did indeed know how she felt about what she learned at the ZPD, and with Cassandras observation she confirmed it. "You know what? You're right."

The table fell silent for a few minutes as everyone sipped their drinks. Finally Skye asked the question, "so Viv, are you going to tell us what you found out about Jack by snooping around in his apartment?"

Vivian thought about it for a moment before she shook her head. "No, I don't think I will. That's too private, way to private. It's his home and I had no business being in there in the first place, the stuff I learned from the other places wasn't to intrusive, and some of it I deserved to know. The rest on the other paw while private wasn't too invasive, for the most part. Him being raised by The Fox was something that the entire ZPD knew, and they openly told me. The stuff Demetri told me was stuff he thought I deserved to know. But his apartment…no I shouldn't have gone in there, I had no business sniffing around there…the only thing I'll divulge is that I learned he had a drinking problem, and thats because Mr. MO told me."

No one spoke at that, and Vivian looked about the table at everyone's stunned expressions and started to get a little frustrated. "Okay look I get it! Being an alcoholic isn't a big plus! But again, what did we learn about Jack already!? The things hes gone through! Who raised him! I mean he's probably so afraid to get hurt again he made sure he wouldn't in anyway ever again! He even went so far as to shut himself away emotionally cause he's so TERRIFIED he'll just get more emotional scars to keep him up at night! Hell that's probably why there's no sleep indentations on his bed, because he has to drink himself blind just to not be plagued by nightmares and passes out on his couch, or on the floor! And by the fucking gods me and my kit affected him so much everyone who knows him tells me we snapped him out of it! And that I am the only mammal they believe that can actually help him come out from behind the walls he's built and actually start living! That we are the reason he dumped every single bottle of alcohol he owned! How the hell am I supposed to process that when I can't even process how I fucking feel about him! I mean I've known him for a day and I can't stop thinking about him! What does that say!?"

At the end at that rant Vivian was breathing deeply as she looked at the shocked gazes from the rest of the table and a couple of tears dropped to the table. None of them had been expecting Vivian to snap on them and they certainly weren't expecting her to so vehemently defend him. On top of the revelation she just laid out, the super depressing and sad revelation about Jack. The table went silent for a few minutes after that, only interrupted by an occasional sniffle from Vivian as everyone nursed their drinks. Vivian didn't know why she was so upset on Jack's behalf, but when she made the connection between Anna's brain observation, Jack's bed looking like a set piece, and his alcoholism she felt such dread, sadness, and pity for him. So much so it hurt her heart.

Skye quickly focused on comforting her friend, side hugging her and rubbing her back. Meanwhile the rest of the table shared knowing looks. They figured out how Vivian felt about Jackson, it was kinda obvious. But, she had to come to the conclusion herself, and right now felt like they couldn't really push her towards it. Not with her mood like this, so instead they held their tongues and drank their drinks, they could broach it another time. It took a solid minute but once Vivian reigned in her emotions and then promptly downed the rest of her drink. She then ordered a double shot of tequila and downed it it one gulp before saying "I need to do…something else, anything else. So I'm going dancing." And with that she promptly stood up and left the table, heading for the dance floor.

*Vince at the party*

Vince had been watching Vivian for awhile now. He had spotted her early on at the party but noted she was hanging with her friends, one of them being the COO of where they worked interestingly enough. He knew approaching her while she was with the group would be a bad call, he could be blocked and besides he had manners. She was with friends he had no right to interject, and besides it looked like they were in some deep discussions. As he mingled with his friends and family,(his brother and brother in law) he kept his eye on her and the group and noted the facial expressions and emotions that happened at their table. Whatever it was they were talking about, it was really intense.

It took every fiber of his being though to not approach and demand to know what the hell was going on when he saw Vivian severely emotionally distressed and crying. He didn't know what caused it but he had wanted to comfort her desperately. So when he saw her get up and leave the table, heading toward the dance floor, he saw an opportunity to approach her. He liked her, he really did, and he wanted to see if there was anything, any potential that she could be his, his mate, any chance that they could work together.

Unfortunately, other mammals noted his ogling. A sharp jab to his abdomen from an elbow sent by his brother in-law had him glancing at the offender while rubbing the sore spot. "Ow. Why Ben?"

Ben simply chuckled as he folded his arms. "And you say I have problems with acknowledging other mammals presences in rooms. I called your name like three times bro."

Vince folded his ears down in shame and replied "oh, I'm sorry. I just…."

Ben finished the sentence with am amused smile on his muzzle. "Was to busy watching Vivian like a hawk to notice your soon to be brother in law's presence."

Vince rubbed the back of his neck as he said "yeah, I was doing that. And hey you're already my brothers mate, in fox culture that makes you my brother in law already."

Ben clapped Vince on the shoulder and replied "thanks Vince. Anyways, what I was going to tell you is that Jimmy isn't feeling to good, so he went downstairs to lay down. So naturally I'm heading down as well to take care of him."

Vince nodded. "Okay, I'll come check on you two tomorrow, and hey if he's getting sick no getting frisky okay?"

Ben chuckled and replied "I'll try and fend him off..but that damn pouty face he makes….it should be criminal. The things it makes me do."

Vince made a fake nose of disgust as he jokingly said "ew gross." He then gave Ben a hug and said "take it easy Ben, go make sure you're mate is okay."

Ben patted Vince's back a couple of times and said "I plan on it, oh and Vince…play it subtle with the girl. Bump into her on the dance floor, don't just straight up approach her like the eager kit you are. Make it seem like you haven't been watching her like a hawk all night."

Vince awkwardly chuckled and started the back of his head as Ben headed towards the elevator. Vince shook his head and downed the rest of his beer before heading for the dance floor.

*Vivian*

Vivian was losing herself in the music, the dj was very good and she just needed to get out of her head. So she was dancing her heart out, swaying her hips and swishing her tail as she danced and danced. This went on for about ten minutes with her managing not to bump into any mammals. But after those ten minutes someone bumped into her. She would have fallen over if the mammal that bumped into her hadn't caught her.

Truth be told Vince had meant to bump into Vivian on the dance floor, but what he hadn't planned on was getting bumped into as well and almost knocking her over. So he scrambled and caught her just before she hit the ground. "Ah jeez Vivian, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to almost knock you on your butt."

Vivian, was shocked when she was so suddenly caught and turned to see just who had. She was pleasantly surprised to see it was Vincent, who then apologized. In her inebriated state she couldn't care less that she was almost put on her rear, and in her state it made her a tab bit more friendly than usual. She gave him a huge dopey grin and pulled him into big hug her tail swishing with drunken happiness as she said "Vince! Hi!"

Vince was surprised when Vivian hugged him, but he noted the slight slur in her voice. "Okay, no buying her drinks, don't want to ask her out while she's not in her right mind. Also want her to remember me asking her out, because otherwise it be awkward."

Quickly giving her a hug back he gently peeled her off of him and said "Hey Vivian. Enjoying the party?"

With a big grin still on her face she replied "hell yeah! This dj is awesome! Come on, dance with me!"

Vince's eyes widened a bit at that, this wasn't part of the plan. Vince wasn't much of a dancer, and he was about to say as much. But before he could Vivian started giving him puppy eyes, so apparently no wasn't going to be an answer for him. Vince rubbed the back of his neck and said "Vivian I don't know if you want me as a dancing partner, I'm not much of a dancer."

Vivian gave him a smirk and said "don't worry, I'll lead."

*one hour later*

Vivian left the dance floor panting hard and dragging a half dead Vince behind her. They had danced, well Vivian danced and Vince floundered around, non stop for an entire hour. So they needed desperately cool down, Vince especially, It took every bit of his endurance to keep up Vivian on the dance floor, and he barely managed. Hence while Vivian was literally dragging him off towards the bar as he tried not to fall over from a heart attack. For that reason Vivian couldn't resist poking fun at him, "what's the point of being in the gym all the time if you can't even do a little bit of dancing?"

Vince between breaths responded "the..gym…doesn't..involve…keeping..up..with….a…hyper…vixen."

Vivian giggled at that and said "come on silly. Let's get some hydration."

Before they and even reached the bar one of the bartenders had noticed them coming, especially Vince that looked like he was about to keel over, poured two ice waters and left them at open spots. Vince upon seeing the waiting glass of water mustered up the strength to walk by Vivian and reach the bar. Taking his seat he quickly downed the entire glass in a matter of seconds before asking for another one. Vivian took the seat next to him and began to sip on her ice water, allowing her body to cool down and light panting to subside.

As she drank she looked around the party, she saw her group of friends just now heading to the dance floor with the exception of Anna. Mr. MO was busy entertaining a group of party goers, Anna having rejoined her husband. Blake she saw chatting with a very pretty albino vixen, Blake clearly captivated with her. But there was a pair of mammals she noticed were missing. "Hey where's your brother and his mate?"

Vince, now not feeling like he was gonna die replied "well Jimmy wasn't feeling to good, so he headed to his apartment to lay down. Ben being the ever attentive mate left to go take care of him."

Vivian's face took a look of concern and she let out an "oh."

Vince shrugged and said "with Ben watching over him he'll be fine. I'm more concerned about Blake over there, that vixen is way out of his league. But alas he has a weakness for vixens with white fur."

Vivian giggled at that but shook her head. "No he actually has a chance, she likes him."

Vince tilted his head, "what? How do you figure that?"

Vivian gestured to the girl. "Oh it's obvious, she's giving off clear signs and signals."

Vince gave her a look. "Maybe to you, I can't see it."

"Most males can't."

(Vince sighs) "you're not going to tell me are you?"

"No, no I am not."

*half hour later*

Vivian and Vince had been chatting for about half an hour now and Vince felt now was the right time to ask her out. "So..Vivian forgive me for being so forward but I just like being around you..so would you like to go out with me sometime?"

Vivian was a little shocked to be asked out by Vincent. Her initial reaction was say no, to gently turns him down. But, then what would her friends say? Vince was very suitable relationship material, and she needed to get Jackson out of her damn head. So maybe giving Vince a chance would do just that, "you know what Vince? Sure."