A/N: Sorry for the delay. Got hit with low motivation and burnout, which turned into an unscheduled break. I was always chipping away that this chapter, though. Hopefully I'm back in my zone and can get back to regular updates.

Chapter 17 – The Son

Jimmy leaned against the windowsill, gazing out into the neighborhood as the warm breeze pushed the curtains against his suit and tickled his snout.

"So what do ya think the dream meant?" he asked.

"I was hoping you would tell me," Maxine answered from her chair.

"How should I know!? You're the therapist! That's why I came to you!"

The zebra was unmoved by Jimmy's outburst as she said, "I'm not the greatest dream interpreter, but we can try this together. Our subconscious influences our dreams, so that's something we can work with. Was there anything else significant that you can remember?"

Jimmy turned back to the window and took in a deep breath, the scent of cedar from the office mixing with the leafy smell of the pristine lawn. "Well... Jerry said I wasn't worth loving."

"Jerry is... your assistant? The one that got hurt at the concert?" she asked, and was met with a silent nod. "Is there any reason he would be the one to say that?"

"A while back, Jerry told me he loved me. Didn't think much of it at the time since it was happening while I was being arrested, but after I got out of jail he confirmed that he meant exactly what he said. How about that? My assistant's been in love with me for years. Sounds like a dumb cliché but I didn't have a clue."

Jimmy was relieved when Maxine didn't explore the issue any further by asking probing questions like she normally would. Questions like: how he felt about it, what was he going to do about it, and most absurd—did he feel the same way?

"Weird stuff like this didn't start happening until those empathy exercises," he complained.

"If you think this is connected to empathy, you must have some theory behind the meaning of the dream."

The wolf shifted a bit as he considered it. Some of the imagery wasn't quite as present in his mind as it was early in the morning, but the feelings they evoked were still raw. That was the strange power of dreams... the details may fade from memory, but you'd never forget how they made you feel.

"Maybe... maybe it's warning me that I might hurt people I care about. In the dream, the people I hurt on purpose had pissed me off. I've been told I lash out when I get angry."

"That's possible," Maxine said. "Alternatively, considering the presence of Buster Moon, this could be your conscience telling you about people you've already hurt without realizing it."

Jimmy threw Maxine a glare as if she was caught in a lie. That read on his dream was too good for someone claiming to not be a dream interpreter.

"But that's just speculation," Maxine added on. Another moment of silence passed between them before she said, "I feel like you're avoiding me, Jimmy."

"I went outta my way to schedule this emergency meeting with you. How am I avoiding you?"

"You're keeping your distance. Don't you want to join me over here?" she gestured to the couch across from her.

"I can talk just fine over here."

"I have snacks. I got these just for you." She revealed a plastic jar of savory snacks, shaking it to entice him.

"What am I, a pet?" Despite his complaints, Jimmy moved over to the couch, took the jar, and immediately dug in.

"How are things going between you and Porsha?"

Jimmy's heart spiked. Good thing he was already snacking. "They're going, I guess. I'm hoping this TV show helps smooth out things between us."

"Do you believe a TV show is really going to make your feelings more transparent?"

"It's a buffer 'til I figure out a way to say what I need to say."

"What do you want to say to her?"

"Sometimes I wonder if she actually loves me," Jimmy admitted with some difficulty. "You might think that's crazy, but you have to remember, she chose them over me. She threatened to cut me off if I didn't let Moon off the hook. It feels like she's using me to help... what she calls her 'theater family.' What happened to me? I'm her family."

"Feelings like that aren't going to sort themselves out," Maxine said. "You're going to have to have a serious conversation with your daughter about this and I don't feel that the chaos of a reality TV show is the best place to do it, even if it would make for good ratings."

"That show is absolutely happening," Jimmy retorted defensively. "But you might have a point. I just don't know how to bring this up, though. Do I take her out for dinner one night and say, 'Hey! Porsha, Baby. Remember that time you stabbed me in the back to help a bunch of con artists that kept screwing me over? Was that your way of telling me that you never loved me?'"

"Well, you've certainly discovered what not to say to her."

Jimmy snorted at the audacity. He was beginning to like this woman. Disappointment surged through him when he heard the soft alarm that signaled the end of their truncated session.

Maxine turned the alarm off. "That's all the time I can squeeze in with you today before our next scheduled session."

"I feel like it's getting easier to talk to you."

"I'm glad to hear that. We didn't have much time to talk about it, but I want you to keep working on your empathy."

Jimmy had to stop himself from turning his nose up. "What? I already told you about Gunter."

"And I'm proud of you for making that connection, but this wasn't a one and done thing. You should be working more empathy into your daily life. I think that's the key to speaking to your daughter. Remember, it's not just about other people's feelings, but being aware enough of your own feelings to convey them in a productive manner."

"I'll work on that," Jimmy said, and he meant it. The mention of conveying his own feelings productively made him think of Jerry sitting in the other room, and how he'd treated him after the kiss.

And how he'd treated everyone else that ever cared for him over the years.

Buster nested himself in a makeshift work station backstage, a copy of the Out of This World script sitting in front of him, marked up in a rainbow of highlighters. Next to that was his laptop with the script document open, a blinking cursor beckoning him to no avail.

A whirlwind of voices tormented him. He could hear the echoes of 'super, silly fun' that permeated his Alice in Wonderland show. But the loudest one was Aiden's. Was he right? Was his work really that shallow? Normally he could ignore such criticism, but a competition was looming, and he couldn't risk Celeste Cassidy reaching the same conclusion. He had to start addressing his weaknesses before they became a liability.

His concentration was rudely interrupted by the riotous laughter of Gunter and especially Jimmy. Buster traded a glance with Ash, who was cleaning and restringing her guitar nearby, and knew that she found the situation just as bizarre as he did. He'd urged his troupe to make peace with the wolf, but he never imagined Jimmy would build such rapport with Gunter. Something about it rubbed him the wrong way. Gunter was friendly and trusting, and he imagined how easily Jimmy could sink his claws into him if he wanted to manipulate him.

Considering the lack of productivity, Buster let his curiosity get the better of him. He left his desk and started making his way over to the duo, who seemed like they were reciting something together.

"Liver? Worst!" they said in unison before bursting into laughter. Before Buster could reach them, Jimmy peeled off and was heading in his direction.

"What was that about?" Buster asked.

Jimmy was broken out of residual amusement by that question and eyed Buster as if trying to remember why the koala was even there. "Gunter was telling me the cannibal story again," the wolf said. He swayed on his feet with barely restrained energy, a sign that he had no intention of sitting and chatting for too long.

"The... what?"

"You know, when he was a cook. You've known him longer than I have, how do you not know this story?"

"I guess it never came up."

"Anyways, the employees were doing a survey on what their least favorite organ was. Gunter said he thought liver was the worst, but the customers thought they heard him serving up liverwurst, it caused a big ruckus and..." Jimmy trailed off into a chuckle. "Look, it's funnier when he tells it. I'm gonna go check on Roxy and make sure she's ready before they get here."

"Alright," Buster said, though he realized his answer was moot. Jimmy had already left.

Making his way over to Gunter, he noticed the pig was glowing with positive energy more than usual.

"Hey, Gunter!" Buster greeted him. "You two have, uh... you've really hit it off, huh?"

"Jah!" Gunter replied enthusiastically. "Mr. Crystal can be very entertaining! Plenty of stories zat will bust ze gut, like ze zhieving of his underpants."

Buster gawked. "Wait, you know about underwaregate? How?"

"He told me."

"He voluntarily told you an embarrassing story? Was he drunk?"

"No, no."

Buster scratched his head. "Am... am I drunk?"

"Maybe!" Gunter sang with a shrug.

"Okay, okay," the koala conceded. "There was something I wanted to ask you. I heard some criticism about Out of This World that suggested that it's a bit... thin."

"What? Total nonsense! It is bursting from ze seams with music and action!"

"No, I meant thin as in shallow."

"Shallow?"

"As a kiddie pool. That maybe the themes could be a little stronger, a little deeper. I wanted your help going over the script to see if we can punch up some of the dialogue and events."

"But... ze show will be ending soon?"

"It's nothing too drastic, but I think addressing some of the... weaknesses can gives us some momentum for the next show."

Gunter's eyes sparkled. "Next show?"

"But I understand if you're too busy helping Mr. Crystal with his pitch," Buster said, giving Gunter's shoulder a pat. "I could always get someone else around here to help. Maybe Darius..."

"Darius?" the pig repeated, his snout wrinkled.

"He's won awards, you know."

"Not for ziss."

"Are you sure you can spare the time? He's pretty demanding."

"I am helping but Mr. Crystal said he's ze main draw for ze pitch."

Buster nearly rolled his eyes. "That does sound like something he'd say. Well, if you're sure you can make the time..."

"Yes!" Gunter was hopping up and down.

"Alright, then. Let's make sure Out of This World goes out with the bang it deserves."

Cleo and Taiga arrived at the Crystal Tower Theater from the back entrance. Taiga swiveled as he marveled at all props and sets stored and waiting for their time to shine during the next showing.

"I thought we were getting ice cream," Taiga said, though from the sound of his voice, his interest in said ice cream was rapidly waning.

"There's an elephant outside that sells ice cream," Cleo told him. "I just have some business I need to see to first, then we can go to his truck. Is that okay, Sweetie?"

"Mmhmm."

"There they are!" Jimmy exclaimed once he spotted the pair of snow leopards.

With a tap from Cleo, Taiga stepped forward and did a quick bow. "Hello there, Mr. Crystal. It's good to see you again. I hope your day has been pleasant, sir."

Jimmy furrowed his brows. "Who replaced the kid with this android?"

Taiga was quick to point at his mother. "She made me practice saying that!"

"You need to practice your manners," Cleo said, giving her son an unrelenting look.

Jimmy leaned down and whispered, "Don't mind your mother too much. She's kind of a joykill." He held out a fist which Taiga met with a fistbump. "Hey, Cleo. I wanna talk to the kid for a quick minute." He ushered Taiga along before waiting for an answer.

They passed by the dormant Planet of War set, its war torn terrain mesmerizing Taiga up close. It took a lot of effort for him not to climb onto it and see just how real it was.

Jimmy stopped and gestured to the empty space next to him. "Step into my office."

"There's nothing here," Taiga said.

"Humor me, kid," Jimmy said with a chuckle. "Let me ask you something. Let's say some people were about to do something you know would hurt your mom."

Taiga looked around in alarm. "Wait, is somebody trying to hurt mom?"

"No, this is a hypothetical. Your mom loves those." Jimmy noticed the almost blank expression on the kid's face. "It's pretend. Something that's not happening but maybe could."

"Okay."

"So, these people really want to do something but if they do it it'll hurt your mom."

"Why would they do something that'll hurt her?"

"Because they're entitled and don't care that she's gonna get hurt. And they want you to help them do it."

"I'm not gonna help somebody hurt my mom."

"Even if you're mad at her?"

"Why would I be mad at her?"

"I don't know, pick a reason!" Jimmy massaged the bridge of his snout. The kid was asking a lot of questions, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. "Okay, so let's say you're mad at her for whatever reason, and someone gives you the opportunity to profit at her expense. Do you do it?"

Taiga fidgeted in frustration and confusion. "I don't like talking about this."

"That's fine, kid," Jimmy said, patting the young leopard on the back before pushing him along. "We can forget this whole conversation."

They found their way back to Cleo, who was chatting with Porsha. Taiga raced over to them.

"Hi, Porsha!"

Porsha gave him a quick hug. "Heyyy Tai-tai!"

"Mama, can we finally go get that ice cream now?"

"Very soon," Cleo said. Porsha gave her a thumbs up followed by a subtle signal upward. "There's just one more thing."

A song-like voice rolled across the theater. "Is there a special boy here named Taiga?"

Taiga's ears perked up, his fur fluffing just from the sound of the voice. "Mama, that's Roxy!"

Cleo rubbed her chin, feigning ignorance. "I guess it does sound like her."

"It is her! She knows my name!"

Taiga was witnessing an angel when Roxy descended from the darkness above, holding a melodic note the whole way down. She was wearing a black leotard and matching knee high boots—the same getup from the benefit concert—and studded all over with ruby red rhinestones so she glittered like a scarlet galaxy. When she touched down on the ground, Porsha helped disconnect her wire.

"I heard we just missed each other last time we were here," Roxy said, making her way over to Taiga. "That concert got a little crazy, didn't it?"

Taiga simply gawked, frozen like a statue as Roxy ruffled the fur on his head.

"I have an idea. Since things didn't go quite right last time, how about a do-over? We can have our own little concert right here. You can even be part of it! What do you say?"

"Taiga, breathe, Sweetie," Cleo said. "She's waiting for an answer."

Taiga took his first breath since laying eyes on Roxy, opened his mouth to speak, and instead nodded his head so vigorously it could have flown off his neck.

"Awesome. I can teach you the steps for the dance I did during the concert. How about it?"

"YES!" Taiga screamed. "I watched all your video and all your concerts and I can't believe I get to be in one and—"

"Whoa, slow down. You can tell me everything later, I promise. Right now, I want to teach you some of my steps so we can do this together. Are you ready?"

"Yeah! Let's do this!"

Slowly, Roxy broke down parts of her choreography into steps for Taiga, which he absorbed like a sponge. Cleo and Jimmy backed away to give them space, not that it mattered—Taiga was in another world entirely.

Cleo watched with a serene smile, but Jimmy rubbed his claws against the lapels of his suit in satisfaction.

"Gotta say, I do good work when I can," he said. "This is probably the best day of Taiga's life."

The corners of Cleo's mouth became taut as her smile vanished. "You're giving yourself credit? The reason he didn't get to meet Roxy before is because that feud you had with Moon spilled over onto the rest of us."

"Hey, things turned out for the best. This meeting is even better—he's got Roxy all to himself."

"And what? You want a pat on the back? Maybe a medal? We can even get it engraved: 'James Crystal – Not a complete screw up.'"

Jimmy stared at her, heavy with the weariness of age instead of the promise of hate and violence he was known for. "I can't keep doing this hot and cold thing with you, Cleo. I can't. Every time I think we're in a good place you bite my head off. And don't think I didn't notice you getting weird whenever I bring up the kid. I'm surprised you even let this happen. What the hell is your problem?"

"Do you know how hard it was for me to set up that original meeting with Roxy?" she shot back. "That was after all the favors and connections I racked up being a fixer over the years. And it all blew up because some revenge scheme against you went awry. Then you make this happen out of the blue with the snap of your fingers.

"I can't compete with you. You have more money, more resources, more clout. Any desire, any whim Taiga has, you can make it happen. I have to be sensible, I have to be stern, I have to make ends meet. But you get to swoop in, flaunting your wealth and connections, and make his dreams come true."

"This rant about being in competition with me might hold more weight if I was that kid's actual father." Jimmy was so close Cleo could feel his breath on the side of her face. "Unless there's something you're finally ready to confess."

Cleo bit her lower lip and did everything but meet his gaze. That was all the confirmation he needed.

"I knew it!" Jimmy hissed.

Cleo pushed a finger against Jimmy's lips and grabbed a fistful of his lapel with her free hand, pushing him deeper backstage until they were obscured by the foliage from the dormant Planet of Love set. She glanced back to see that Jerry, Porsha and Gunter had joined in on learning the choreography while Buster and Ash filmed the scene with their phones. Music started to pump across the stage, loud enough to make their bones thrum to the beat. Cleo felt it was safe enough to continue the conversation. That, and she felt Jimmy's growling was a warning to move her finger before he nipped it.

And like an avalanche as white as his fur, Jimmy came down on her.

"I asked you! I asked you the first time I saw you carrying around a little bundle of fur and you said he wasn't mine!"

"You must've known on some level or you would've never asked. You certainly had the means to find out, but we both know why you didn't. We don't fit into your perfectly curated little world."

"You're blaming me for taking you at your word? And this has nothing to do with my image! Why would you lie to me about him!?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because of the toxic environment you generate around you? The insults, the violent outbursts, the lax parenting. The fact that Porsha went along with a group of practical strangers to get away from you."

"You're gonna throw something in my face that didn't even happen until years after the kid was born?"

"It's a symptom of the disease! You know I don't like how anyone handled that situation, but the truth is that Porsha found kin in Moon's group because they were giving her something you weren't. She was in a place where she didn't have to worry about being harmed."

"I've never laid a finger on Porsha and you know that!"

"There's more than one way to abuse a child!"

There was a micro-flinch, the smallest sign of a grimace on Jimmy's face to show the gut punch landed. But he kept his composure; if anything, the coldness emanating from his eyes and stiff body language was unsettling. When he spoke again, his voice was hollow, deprived of almost all emotion.

"Y'know, it's real easy these days to trace your lineage. All you gotta do is order one of those kits by mail. One day that kid will let curiosity get the better of him, and when he connects the dots and comes to me looking for answers... I won't cover for you. I'm tired of being everybody's villain."

Cleo refused to meet his eyes, turning and covering her muzzle with a hand. Then Jimmy saw something so alien on her he didn't recognize it at first. Her shoulders bobbed, a tear ran down her cheek, and she failed to choke back the first sob.

"Don't do that," he murmured. "You know I hate the sound of crying."

"You think I don't worry about this everyday?" Cleo wailed. "You don't think I'm scared that he's going to put two and two together and hate me? He could walk away from me like Porsha did with you, and he would be absolutely justified. I'm the reason he doesn't have a father."

Jimmy held out his arms, stiff and awkward at first. Cleo closed the distance, falling into his embrace.

"A parent always fears that we're making some mistake that's going to hurt our kids well into the future," she said, her voice settling into a strained calm. "Well, I already know I did, I just don't know if he'll believe that I did it to protect him. I was trying the best way I could, but that doesn't mean he'll see it the same way. And I know it's not fair to you to punish you for things you haven't done yet, but I couldn't take that chance. You go nuclear when you're upset. All it would take is one bad argument and you could've used your money and power to crush me in court and take sole custody of Taiga. But then what happens when you get arrested for trying to kill Moon? Porsha was old enough to go live with Moon and his people, but Taiga would end up in the system."

"Do you really think I would try to take sole..." Even through the tears, the look Cleo gave Jimmy was fierce enough to shut him down. "Okay, maybe I do go a little crazy sometimes."

"Some days I feel like I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to being a mother."

"Every parent feels like that," Jimmy said. "Mercy was always better with Porsha. She connected with her on a level I still don't think I ever can. Mercy will always be the perfect mother in Porsha's memories. It's me that's the screw up."

Jimmy fetched his pocket square with his trademark "C" emblazoned on it and handed it to Cleo.

"And... you were right," he admitted, watching her clean her face. "Deep down on some level, I knew he was mine. But I was so wrapped up in my own world. Maybe I didn't give Porsha enough affection or attention after her mother died. Maybe I dedicated too much of myself to the company. Maybe I can't control my anger. And then to throw another kid into that mix..."

"We need to come together and tell him," Cleo said. "He deserves to know."

"Sooner rather than later. But not right this moment. Things need to settle down a bit, but... Cleo, I lost eight years with the kid. I can't lose another."

"You won't. I want you to start reintegrating into his life so you won't feel like a stranger when we tell him. So you can be more than that guy his mom used to date."

Before Jimmy could reply, some of the wind was knocked out of his lungs when the young snow leopard torpedoed into him and hugged him tightly.

"Mr. Crystal, thank you!" Taiga said against Jimmy's stomach. "Roxy told me you made this happen!"

Jimmy ruffled the fur on Taiga's head. "Aw, think nothing of it, kid." He flashed a boastful grin at Cleo.

"Sweetie, what are you doing all the way back here?" Cleo asked. "It's not over already, is it?"

"It's just getting started!" Taiga exclaimed, fists balled as he tried to control his excitement. "We need more people for our show!"

Jimmy scratched his chin. "You want us to be in it?"

"Don't worry. Roxy taught me all the steps and now I can teach you. C'mon!"

"We'll be right there, Sweetie," Cleo assured him. Once Taiga had dashed back to the front, she gazed at Jimmy and said, "So much for being a stranger." She tried to return the pocket square, but Jimmy refused.

"Keep it," he said. "I've got a million of those."

Cleo gazed at the pocket square in contemplation before she put it away. "I just want him to have an ordinary life just a bit longer."

"You know there's nothing ordinary about a Crystal."

"I know," she responded, a knowing smile in her eyes.

"I promise, when we cross that bridge, I'll do everything to protect him just like I did with Porsha."

"You can't always be there. I remember a certain scandal when Hot News turned Porsha's 'firing' into a televised embarrassment."

"Don't remind me," Jimmy growled, smacking his lips in distaste. He was taken by surprise when Cleo initiated a second embrace.

"I'm sorry I kept you in the dark," she said, sliding her head under his chin.

"And I'm... sorry... for making you feel like you couldn't trust me with him."

"I think that's the second time I've ever heard you apologize."

"First Jerry, now you. Don't make this into a big thing," Jimmy retorted. "It's just... once you make the effort to do better, you start to think about how you used to make your way through the world."

They pulled apart, only to feel a burning gaze set on them. When they turned to the source, Taiga was tapping his foot in impatience.

"What are you guys waiting for!? Hurry up!" Taiga grabbed them both by the hand a tried to pull them along, then realized the futility in trying to drag two adults. He switched strategies and started pushing Jimmy from behind.

Jimmy laughed. "We're coming! We're coming!"

Taiga broke off and led the way. As they chased after him to the private concert-turned-party, Jimmy felt lighter on his feet than ever, as if gravity was merely a suggestion. There was a sense of pride and promise within, a realization of a second chance in more ways than one. Watching Taiga, it all seemed so obvious, and yet in that moment of bliss he couldn't help but remind himself, his whisper like a light breeze.

"I have a son."

A/N

Did you figure out who Taiga's dad was before this? I've been leaving clues since Operation: Moonfall, both in how Cleo reacted whenever Jimmy brought him up (as well as the fact that Jimmy was even interested in the kid at all), and in the description of his physical appearance. I actually had to delete some clues because I felt like they were too on the nose. I usually use "arctic" or some similar description for Jimmy's eyes and did the same for Taiga when he was introduced but tossed it. I figured his fur color was enough of a clue on its own. Capitalizing on that, interspecies couples seem to be mostly a background detail in the Sing movies, so something like a hybrid never comes up. For the sake of the story, hybrids mostly come out looking like one parent (probably the mom) but can have traits of the other parent.

This was actually one of the hardest chapters for me to write. I agonized over the dialogue because I didn't want Cleo or Jimmy to come off as the bad guy here. They're just two parents in a messy situation. There's truth in what they say about each other and themselves. Now they need to figure out what to do from here on. There is no quick or easy solution here.