AN: There's no suicide warning because Crystal did not commit suicide. The implication is Marcus forced him to write a letter and then threw him off the roof as poetic justice for Buster.

Part 3

Out of respect, the cast left Nana and Eddie alone with Buster to grieve. Johnny and Nooshy went to the dance studio for no other reason than for something to do.

"Johnny, riffraff street dancer, good you are coming to class," Klaus Kickenklober, a proboscis monkey with a love for dance and sadistic teaching methods, greeted them.

Johnny wanted to confront his teacher about the night before but it just felt like such a minor inconvenience compared to the rest of the night. "Yes, Mr. Kickenklober…"

The monkey sighed. "Johnny… I need to say something. I was wrong to interfere in your performance last night. But you did very well. I was wrong to treat you like I did. I hope you can give me another chance."

"I don't know Mr. Kickenklober… I don't know what the future holds now," he wanted to say he would but would they even have jobs once all was said and done? "I don't even know if I care." His shoulders sagged.

The instructor wasn't stupid. He knew what happened. He'd seen it. "Your future is the dance floor. You will dance and you will make the name Kickenklober even bigger than it is now."

"I just don't know if I can dance right now," Johnny said. "How can I dance when I feel like this? Ow!" He shouted when Klaus' stick made contact with his head.

"Only when we suffer, can we be great," he repeated his mantra. Johnny heard the words differently this time. He was suffering. "Dance, when you are sad, you dance! When you are happy, you do not need to dance because you are already happy. You are sad, so dance!" He ordered. "Ryan, practice the climax with your partner. And you, riffraff street dancer!"

The Canadian lynx rolled her eyes. "My name is Nooshy!"

"Nooshy, you will be my assistant coach. Let's get to work. One, two, three…" He clapped and began dancing around the room.

Johnny joined Ryan in the middle of the room. The tiger had also seen the tragedy. Part of the show himself, he knew that was not part of the show. "You okay?" He asked Johnny.

Johnny held his staves. "If I'm being honest, no, I'm not. I'm so far from being okay." He blinked back tears. "He wasn't just my boss and my mentor, he was my friend. He took a chance on me and when my dad was arrested for robbing a cargo ship, he helped him get community service. Otherwise it would have been 5 years in prison." He wiped his eyes. "And I was powerless last night. Powerless to help him or protect him. I could do nothing but watch as Crystal….." he began shaking and was vaguely aware of a strong hand guiding him away to a secluded section of the classroom. Safely cloistered away from prying eyes, that big hand wrapped itself around Johnny's shoulders and pulled him close, giving him a safe place to cry for his friend, wrapping his arms around the figure holding him.

For several minutes, he sobbed while the figure rubbed his back, sometimes going to his hair. It felt nice, soothing. These arms felt safe.

It's okay to mourn," Ryan's voice confirmed he was the figure. "When you lose someone you care about, you can't help it. And it's okay to let someone who cares about you comfort you. Someone who loves you."

Johnny's eyes snapped open and he realized what was happening. "Love?" He asked. Ryan responded by getting closer and kissing his forehead.

The Tiger repeated. "Love…" He stroked the head of black hair.

Johnny still hurt but knowing Ryan loved him, knowing the tiger was there to hold and comfort him, well now he understood why Meena wanted Alphonso to stay. It was easier to mourn with someone who cared about you. He sighed and laid his head against Ryan's chest. The pain was still there but at least he was safe. He felt he would eventually be able to see the light again.

Ryan gently stood him up. "Come with me. I know where we can get the world's best chocolate." He let Johnny lean against him. "Chocolate is the best medicine."

—

Porsha accompanied Suki up to her father's opulent office. The Saluki offered her a folded letter. "What's this?"

"Your father left this for you. Before he jumped," Suki explained.

"But he called me…" she said.

Suki nodded. "Read it and keep it just in case. Do not throw it away. Whatever you do."

Porsha nodded, understanding, and unfolded it. "Porsha, I'm sorry but what I did tonight was unforgivable. I simply cannot live with myself. I must die in penance for the sins I have committed. The company is yours and Suki will help you learn how to run it. I love you, baby girl, and I am so proud of you. I'm sorry but I must do this." She clutched the letter with her father's final words to her and she began shaking and sobbing. "Why Daddy? Why? We had everything! Why did you hurt Mr. Moon? Why did you leave me?"

Suki hugged the seventeen year old. "What your father did last night was beyond unforgivable. It was evil. I'm sorry, sweetheart."

She pulled away. "Aunt Suki, I can't run the company. I wouldn't know what to do."

Suki nodded. "I know, but that's why I'm here. I'll help you. It's going to be okay. You're not alone."

The teen wolf wept. "I have to go find my friends. I don't want to be alone." She really wanted to find Marcus. How much of this letter was his true feelings and how much was he forced to write?

Suki looked over at Linda who sat nearby, looking at the coffee table with a blank gaze. "So… are we on the same page?"

Linda looked up and nodded. "Protecting Porsha is our priority. I'll run the story tomorrow. I'm not ready. I'm so sorry, Suki. I didn't know. No… I did know… I knew how he'd react and I still ran the story. I'm so sorry."

The dog sighed. "You knew how he'd react. So did I. And I did nothing to stop you or him, then I just expected that little gray fluff ball to leave. I covered for Jimmy for far too long. I could have stopped it long ago."

Jerry came in. His entire body quaked with grief and anger. "I…. Took care of the arrangements… When are you going to call the cops?"

Suki looked at him with confusion. "Why would I call them? Jimmy can't be arrested for his crime now."

The cat growled. "That monster gorilla and the rest of the troupe deserve to be arrested. For killing Mr. Crystal."

Suki and Linda looked at each other. "Jerry, Jimmy committed suicide. They didn't kill him. He killed Mr. Moon and then himself out of guilt." Suki explained.

"That's a lie! Mr. Crystal would never take his own life!" He shouted.

"He would if it was the only way to protect his daughter," Linda countered. "And his reputation."

"Jerry, why don't you go home? Rest. It's been a long night and day for all of us," Suki told him.

He glared. "You might be willing to bury your head in the sand, but I'm not. I will prove they killed him. I swear. I'll avenge his death."

—

Nana sat in a chair while her grandson wept over his closest friend. She knew how much her grandson loved this koala. Fate could be so cruel sometimes.

"What am I going to do, Nana?" He asked softly, holding the koala he loved. "Without Buster, what do I do?"

She wanted to say it would all be okay but they both knew it wouldn't. Not for a long time. "You are going to have to try. It won't be easy, but you just need to ask yourself. Everyday. What would Mr. Moon want you to do? What can you do for him? To ensure that everything he worked for wasn't in vain."

Eddie knew what she was saying. He wasn't the only one in pain. But he never depended on Buster for a job either. The New Moon Troupe was without a friend and a leader. Someone to plan the shows and arrange contracts with other theaters. "Nana, I don't know how to do what Buster does. Did."

"Then you're going to have to learn," she rebutted. "I can help you. But you know what he wants and needs from you. It's time for your life to get a little more structured anyway. You can't live in the pool house your whole life."

The white-fleece sheep choked up a sob. "Buster… alright Nana… It's okay, Buster. It'll be okay. I… I'll take it from here." He kissed the cold mouth, wishing he had thought to do so when it was still warm. And breathing. And talking. "Why didn't I tell him how I felt? Why did I wait so long? I love you Buster. I have loved you since our youth." The tears began to flow again.

He felt Nana's trotter on his shoulder. "He knows…" She wasn't an affectionate ewe but she wasn't really heartless either.

—

Porsha ran from the office, her office now, she supposed. She didn't want it. She didn't want the company. She looked at the letter again. "I don't want any of it! I want you Daddy! All I ever wanted in the world was you! I want you back! I want to go back in time and stop you from hurting Mr. Moon! I hate you, Daddy! I hate you! I love you! I want you back!" She screamed. "Come back Daddy! Please Daddy! Come back! Wake me up from this nightmare please!" She began beating on the nearest wall in her agony. "Come back…" She felt herself sliding down the wall, sobbing.

She soon became aware of a large shadow sitting down beside her. A thick, strong arm pulled her to him. "Some people have a hard time seeing the wealth they have in front of them while they fight to accumulate more. And all too often they end up losing everything they already have in the course of that fight. I almost did too." Marcus said. "I thought crime was the best way to make a living. My boys and I tried to rob a cargo ship of 25 million in gold. Johnny was supposed to be the getaway driver but he went to rehearsal instead. I was so angry that I disowned him. Until I saw the error of my ways. I was lucky and got a second chance to be a good father because of Mr. Moon. My point is… your father made the same mistake. He was so intent on amassing more and more wealth that he didn't see the true treasure right in front him."

She nodded. "How much of this did he mean?" She held up the letter. "And he called me last night… Why the note?"

"That is evidence. You need to hold onto that. If his death is ever questioned, we need proof of his state of mind," he told her and she pocketed the note. "However, one thing he was firm on was that he did love you. He begged me to let him call you. So he could set the record straight."

Porsha's breath shook. "Then why? Why did he kill Mr. Moon? Why did he try and ruin our show? Why'd he… I mean was that really the only way?"

"Why he did what he did? I really can't answer that… but he would have been facing life in prison. A pretty wolf like him…" Marcus trailed off. "He never would have made it. But more than that, he was worried about you. He didn't want you going into the system and be left with nothing to your name."

She sighed. "Well, he's dead, that's going to happen anyway. I'll have the money but big deal. I'm still going to be put into foster care. And no one is going to adopt me because I'm too old. I'm 17. No one wants to adopt a kid who won't be a kid much longer. And no one wants a spoiled princess like me. And I know you don't want to, no matter what he said. I can't hold you to that."

He shook his head. "No, Porsha, you're wrong. I do want to adopt you. Of course, you should know that it'll be a huge change. I'm just a humble mechanic that also works security at the theater. All I have is a two bedroom flat above the garage where I work. And Johnny still lives with me. And I'm also adopting Nooshy. But I would like to adopt you, very much. If you'll let me."

Porsha nodded. "I'd like that…" she admitted, laying her head on him. His chest was so broad, it made a good pillow.

He picked her up, carrying her back to the suite. She'd be okay with time. He'd see to it.

—————

With the mid-morning rush approaching, Alphonso took Meena down to his truck in the plaza. There was a huge line. "Hey, Tyler." He greeted the orangutan who was serving ice cream to the many guests. "Meena, this is my best friend, my brother in all but blood, and co-founder of Big A's, Tyler Davis."

The auburn-haired primate smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you, Meena. Why did the ice cream van break down?" He asked with a goofy grin.

She shook her head. "I don't know. Why?"

"Because it was a Rocky Road," he quipped. Meena giggled involuntarily. "I thought you might like that. There is nothing like a good joke."

Alphonso shook his head. "And that was nothing like a good joke," he teased.

Tyler laughed. "But seriously, Alphie, the condenser in Freezer A is on the fritz again."

The bull sighed. "I'll fix it. Meena, get anything you want. No charge."

She shook her head. "Thanks, Alphonso… I'm not really hungry or anything."

He nodded and went onto the truck while she sat at one of the tables.

Alphonso got a wrench out of a toolbox and went to the broken freezer. Tyler asked softly, "So what do we know?"

The elephant sighed. "It was pretty bad. What happened was definitely not a part of the show. Mr. Crystal killed their producer last night. I feel awful for them." He looked out at Meena. "She told me how much he meant to her."

Tyler nodded. "That's awful. Maybe we should call Pastor Rick. Or invite her to church with us. It couldn't hurt."

"I was thinking about it but I wasn't sure if she'd accept or even appreciate the offer," he said. "It couldn't hurt to get her and her family put on the prayer list. And if she seems receptive, I'll ask." He sighed. "I really like her, Tyler."

His friend smiled. "Then don't miss your chance with her. You should ask her out while she's still in town."

The elephant blushed while he twisted something in the freezer and it began humming. "Okay. The freezer is fixed."

—————

Norman and Gunter convinced Rosita to accompany them to the pool with the kids. She sat on a lounge chair, watching her kids play in the pool with "Uncle" Gunter while her husband sat beside her.

Norman didn't like how quiet his wife was. He knew how badly she was taking Moon's death. She was still inwardly blaming herself. He took her hand, and she looked into his eyes. She could see he was hurting too. When they were alone, they liked to joke that Buster was their 26th child. Heck, they'd practically adopted all of the New Moon troupe but Buster was the only reason they were a troupe anyway.

"I'm sorry honey. I tried. I couldn't get to him in time," she whispered. "I had the chance to save him and I missed."

"Honey, this is not your fault. You did everything you could for him. It just wasn't meant to be," he concluded. "At least he got to see the end. He got to see the show through."

Rosita nodded. "Performing for Redshore City was as much his dream as it was ours. And he got it. It's just… Why? I don't understand? Why did this have to happen? It's not right!" She shouted, shocking Gunter and the piglets and anyone else nearby. "It's not fair! He should be celebrating with us! He should be here!"

He rubbed her back. "He is… I believe he is with us. If we remember what he gave us, if you keep singing and dancing, he'll always be with us."

"Singing and dancing? How can I ever dance again? How can I sing?" She asked.

Norman shook his head. "You don't mean that. Is that what you think he'd want? That you never sing or dance again?" They both knew the answer. "It's hard now but it'll get better, easier. You have to keep singing and dancing. For him. For our 26th child." He smiled when she giggled despite the pain. "Remember what he always said before a show…"

"There's only way left to go and that's up," she quoted. Her husband was right. It looked so dark now, she didn't know how anything could get better but Mr. Moon was the most optimistic person she'd ever known. There was only one time, to her knowledge, he was ready to really give up. It was a moment that had broken her heart. But even that was a short moment for him. It took all of twelve hours for his resolve to wash cars for the rest of his life to dissolve like sugar in water. She needed to let his optimism infect her and find a way to see clearly again.

A little hand touched her and she looked into the faces of her dear children. Caspar hugged her. "It'll be okay, Mommy. Uncle Gunter said Mr. Moon is with his daddy and he's arranging shows for the angels."

Leave it to Gunter to handle the difficult topic. She never would have thought of that. "That's right, Caspar. That's exactly what he's doing. Let's just hope he doesn't try to build a squid tank. We don't need a biblical flood." She laughed at her own joke.

Norman smiled to hear her joking. Rosita was such a devoted mother. She'd be okay given enough time. With their love and support.

—

Clay didn't know why he was so troubled by the koala's passing. He didn't like the guy when he first met him. He was only just starting to like the guy.

"Oh Ruby…" he whispered, looking out the window. "Why didn't I just agree to do the show? If I had just pretended, I could have pretended to be in on it. I knew you would want me too. I ended up doing it anyway. What harm could it have done if I'd just played along?" He opened his guitar case and looked at the photograph. Buster should not have lied about knowing him but that was another matter. "He didn't deserve to die for it."

"You didn't know what would happen, Clay," Ash said as she walked up to him with a cup of tea. "Don't worry, there's no honey. None of us could have known what would happen last night. We didn't know Crystal was a lunatic."

"Our clue was he had already tried to kill him once before," the statement jarred Ash and he knew he'd said the wrong thing when she looked away. He was right. They'd seen and heard the red flags many times during production including the day before. "I'm sorry… that came out wrong."

She shook her head and sat down on the bench with him. "No, you're right. We should have left the first time Crystal started making threats and bullying Buster. We could have pitched our show to any of the theaters in the city." The things they could have done to prevent the night before were numerous.

He cupped her shoulder. "Don't. Don't go down the road of If Only. You'll find yourself stuck on that road until you're driven absolutely mad." She had a feeling he was speaking from experience.

She nodded and let him comfort her as best he could. "He knew I was better without Lance. I'd still be with that two-timing jerk if it weren't for Buster. I miss him so much."

His big paw rubbed her back. "And you will. You already know how long I've missed my Ruby. You will miss Mr. Moon. It's going to hurt for awhile. But everyday, the hurt will be a little less. As long as you don't nurse it by hiding away for fifteen years."

She didn't want to start crying again. She knew Moon would not want that. He was a koala who had never caused anyone an ounce of pain in his life. But she couldn't help it.

AN: okay I have got to try and get some sleep. Review please.