Duncan awoke the next morning and had a pair of beautiful blue eyes looking into his. He smiled at Artica, already with his arms around her and his right leg over her waist. He was about to move his leg when she grabbed it by the thigh.
�Don�t, I like it there. It makes me feel like your claiming me.� Duncan propped himself on one elbow looking at her, running the free paw, the cybernetic one through her hair.
�I�m glad you approve. So do you wanna stay in bed all day or do you want to make an appearance?� She shrugged as a sound that was reminiscent of a low roar from the room next to them. Artica glanced at the opposing wall and wondered what was going on, but let it slide as she got out of bed, not bothering putting on a robe, letting Duncan enjoy the view.
Duncan lay back onto the bed as the low roar was cut off by the sound of Artica taking a shower. He looked at his cybernetic arm, just thinking. Then he got up and stood next to bathroom door. A lot of pleasant images ran through his mind, most of them being him helping her wash her back. He grinned evilly, but kept his instincts in check, barely.
Artica was done with her shower and stepped into the small dining area to get a cup of coffee. Alpha was there, her head down on the table. �Are you all right?�
�No, one of these days, I�m gonna plug his nostrils.� Artica thought for a second then smiled in realization.
�Knight�s a snorer, I presume.� Alpha nodded looking like she didn�t get as much sleep as she should have. �Want some coffee?� Alpha looked up with a smirk on her face.
�Nah, I�m more of a fan of frappuccino, if you wouldn�t mind?� Artica shook her head as she took Alpha�s mug from her and used her powers to make the drink. Alpha sipped down the cool liquid and smiled. �Now that�s good to the last drop.�
�I couldn�t agree more.� Duncan stepped into the room, and placed a lick on Artica�s cheek on his way to the fridge. He pulled out some orange juice, and poured a glass. As he walked past again he was about to give Artica another lick when she beat him too it and kissed him full on. He was surprised, but not as much as when he went to sit down and he had orange juice on the rocks. He looked over to Artica as she made like she was blowing smoke off the top of her index finger.
�Get a room you two.� Alpha said groggily.
�Already have one.� Duncan smiled at Artica.
�Not something I want to know about.� Alpha said sitting up and extending her hand to Duncan. �By the way, Alpha Raye Craven.�
Duncan shook it gently then released. �Duncan Alexander.� Alpha nodded, then got up.
�Well, I guess I better wake up the vulpine noise machine before everybody here looks like me. See you around.� Alpha walked down to her and Knight�s room, he was snoring when she entered. She had a theory that he could sleep through a nuclear bomb, but it wasn�t one she wanted to test. She kissed Knight on the cheek and he smiled as he opened his eyes and the snoring stopped. �Come on, you need a shower.�
Knight looked at her funny. �You always say that, are you alright? You don�t look like you got enough sleep?� She gave him an evil eye that clarified his predicament. �Ah.� Alpha lay back down while Knight got a shower and got dressed. He thought about his movements for the day and decided to give the gym a visit.
Phenix and Xenif were the next two up. They were greeted as Duncan and Artica walked out the door, about to walk around the complex. Phenix smiled at her other half, �What do you want to do today?� He smiled and licked her beak.
�Walk back into our room, get undressed and go back to bed.� She shook her head at him. So much had changed in him since she had come to him after the final battle. He had sworn his life only to her, but she had convinced him to actually listen to her. He had become a lot calmer, more at peace. She figured it was finally being with her that had changed him.
�How about we go out back and look and see whose out by the pool?� Xenif nodded. It was early but she had a hunch somebody might be out there. True to form she saw it was almost a bit crowded. Catrina and Katherine were sitting at a table playing a card game. Pandora and a black bear, Theo she remembered his name to be was sitting by the pool, Pandora getting a back rub from Theo. Then Phenix saw someone she hadn�t seen in a long while. �Alexis, is that you?�
Alexis was swimming with a black wolf when she looked up at the familiar voice. �Phenix?� She got out of the pool, the wolf not far behind. �I can�t believe it, when did you get here?�
Phenix smiled. �Yesterday, how come I didn�t notice you?� Alexis ran a paw nervously through her blond head fur, and the wolf smiled big and broad. �Oh, I see, well nice to see you still have that attractive personality.� The wolf did take initiative though, very well mannered, Phenix noticed.
�I�m Blazer, Alexis has told me a great deal about you, and her modeling career, before� you know.� Phenix nodded. He didn�t need to say anymore. She thought for a moment, and then perked up with an idea as Xenif and Blazer talked pulled Alexis aside for a moment.
�Would you be interested in modeling again?� Alexis smiled broadly.
�Absolutely, but I don�t think I�d make Lady Alpha�s cut.� Alpha walked past taking a glance at Alexis�s suit.
�Alexis, is it?� Alexis turns to look at Alpha.
�Yes, Mrs. Craven?� Alpha takes off her sunglasses smiling.
�You just did, I�ll speak with Conrad about transferring you to me.� Alexis almost squealed as she ran over to Blazer. Blazer smiled for her, and then she ran back to Phenix and Alpha. Alpha noticed how Blazer looked at her longingly, his ears low, closing his eyes and shaking his head. �Although the modeling circuit can get quite treacherous, I would advise you to find a bodyguard and send him to me for approval.� Blazer earned his name when he was in front of her in only a few moments.
�I will defend her with my life.� Alpha smiled, looking to Alexis. She nodded, and stepped next to Blazer.
�I�ll have to talk to Conrad, Blaze, you�re one of his better guards, but I�m sure he won�t have any problems.� It was about this time, Knight stepped out into the pool area, with a blue and white Hawaiian shirt, a pair of khaki shorts, some sunglasses, a straw hat, some flip-flops, and a pina coloda in each paw. Not to mention one of the biggest grins stretching across his muzzle. Alpha strode over looking at him with one eyebrow cocked.
�And you might be doing what?� Knight gives her a lick on the cheek as he went over and took as seat on a reclining chair, putting a straw from each drink into his muzzle.
�Enjoying myself, would you expect any less?� he said to her as she took one of the drinks from him.
�If you�re going to be enjoying yourself, I�m going to need one of these thanks.� Knight pouted but when he realized she was serious he took out a smoke, and lit it.
�Oh well.� He sat out by the pool, enjoying himself, as did the others.
Redford was pulling his guitar out of its case, more to look at then play. He knew he probably wouldn�t be able to manage playing just yet. His paws were healing well, mostly because the pain had ceased. He got up and looked out the window, watching Artica and Duncan, paw in paw walking around the complex. �This must�ve been what she felt like watching Scarlet and I.� a lot of things became clear, in that moment. Artica looked up and waved at Red from his room. Red returned it, smiling at her. He sighed turned to find Erica watching him from his open door. �Hey Red, I was just wondering if you were gonna come by poolside?� Red was already in some shorts and Erica was in a one piece with a rubber knee brace over her cybernetics so swimming wasn�t impossible. Red pulled a towel around his shoulders, and took Erica�s arm.
�The water waits.� Erica smiled at him, as the walked to the pool.
Elaine stepped out into the pool area to see almost everyone there. She stepped over to Knight Fox, whom had just started to smoke a cigarette and blew the plume away from the approaching vixen. �Excuse me, Knight. Have you seen Conrad?� Knight pushed up the straw hat and smiled.
�I believe I saw him walking into the hangar, this morning.� Elaine knew the complex, so she thanked Knight and walked over. Before she opened the door, from inside the hangar she heard.
�Watch it, Rad.� Then a bang that was reminiscent of bone hitting metal.
�Cock-sucking, mother-fucking, son of a mother fucking whore!� Elaine stepped in to see Conrad underneath what appeared to be the arm of a kneeling Hunter. Usually seeing one of these would un-nerve her but she had become accustomed to the sight. The Hunters had been reprogrammed to take care of the harder farm work. Gwyn, whom had given the warning, was standing nearby with a folder in her paw. Elaine stepped over as Conrad rolled out from under the arm.
�My, my sailor, you kiss your mother with that mouth.� Conrad smiled at her then extended his hand to Gwyn for the report.
�This is great, the food we get from the fields this year should help feed everyone. Alright Gwyn, thanks go ahead and start your vacation. I�ll finish up here.� Gwyn smiled at Elaine as she stepped out of the hangar. Elaine was turned around and held in Conrad�s arms gently. He looked into her eyes. Her muzzle and his lips met, for the first time. He just hadn�t been able to help himself. When he pulled out of it, she had a smile on her face. �You don�t seem to mind.�
�Nah, I actually kind of like you all dirty.� He was definitely that. The Hunters needed to be checked up on daily, and since this was sort of his little secret, he preferred to do it himself. �Come on, you have guests that are expecting a host. This can wait can�t it?�
�Yeah, I guess disappearing this morning wasn�t too nice of me, was it?� He lifted her up into his arms and smiled. �But first we need a shower.� Elaine arched an eyebrow.
�We?� Conrad nods a grin starting to curl his lips.
As darkness started to fall, the entire group sat down for a nice dinner. Phenix, Alpha, Aeris, Erica, Catrina, and Cee Cee, had trouble keeping the males from taking bites here and there, but it most of it got to the table. Erica and Red had excused themselves early and had already got plates of their own. Duncan watched as everyone was about to dig in and stood up, tapping the side of his glass with his fork. When he had everyone�s attention, he spoke up.
�Well, I don�t want to interrupt for too long or Knight will start giving me the evil eye, but I couldn�t help but think that a toast was in order.� He lifted his glass, and the rest of the table joined him. �To the good friends still with us, and to the ones that fell so that we could experience peace. Cheers.� Duncan had sat back down, Artica�s paw in his as she squeezed it gently. He was about to start eating when one of the people who gave his own version of cheers was not one he was expecting.
�Da, Comrade.� Duncan knew he had heard it and when he looked up, the corsac fox was sitting there drinking some wine too.
�Kale?� The larger fox looked up. �I thought I was drunk.�
�You probably should be, amigo.� Duncan turned just in time to catch a bottle of beer from the fennec standing in front of him. Duncan got up, as did Elaine and looked at in awe the members of their team they thought had perished. Michael, still masked stared back. �You know esse`, it would probably be easier to take a picture.�
Katherine would have liked to have seen more but someone put their paws over her eyes. �Cat?� The paws didn�t move. �Knight?� Not an inch, and she was getting a little irritated. �Alright, who is it, I give up.� A low whisper and lick to her ear told her who it was.
�I�ll give you a hint.� Katherine turned around almost pouncing Maxwell. �Hello to you too, kitten.� They kissed each other gently.
�Maker, get a room.� Phenix turned slowly to see Warfare standing behind her. He did his best to smile. Phenix got up and hugged him gently.
�I had a feeling you weren�t gone yet.� Warfare�s smile changed to a smirk.
�It takes a little bit more to knock me from the picture completely.� Knight held up his paw as a human hand shook it gently.
�What took ya?� Swift smiled at his old friend.
�Traffic was horrible.� Cee Cee was watching the reunions and smiled, then sort of sighed, when a bouquet of white roses were placed into her arms. She turned to see Walice, he had actually grown out his head fur to about a curly shoulder length style and she liked it.
�You don�t think I�d forget you would I?� She smiled up at him placing the roses on the table and getting up crying into his shoulder.
�Don�t you ever do that again.� He chuckled and started to run his paw through her head fur, missing her scent greatly.
�Trust me, I won�t.� Micro walked in, Jade not too far behind when he was swept up as well.
�Well, nice to know I was missed.� He smiled at Phenix, and waved Jade over.
�Gosh, you got bigger.� Pandora noted scuffing his hair a little. Phenix sat down next to him, while Jade took the opposite one. Over all the introductions, all the happy reunions all of the sudden a squeal is heard from the back, everyone turns to see, a gold dragon anthro step up to the table picking up a bottle of champagne.
�Ooooo�. Alchy!� Draco started to drink but when he was finished, two blurs, one dark blue, one light blue, pounced him immediately.
�Draco!�
�Uncle Dwaky!� Alpha and Aeris had both said at once, as they had rushed the dragon. Draco smiled at both of them and nestled into their embraces a little before his wings started to get numb.
�Alright kids, let him up.� Knight helped Draco to his feet when the two were done cuddling with him. Then he turned to the rest of the group. �Well, this food ain�t gonna eat itself, and this liquor isn�t gonna get itself drunk. So, let�s party.� They all talked and laughed while doing just that.
Erica stood looking at herself nude in the full length mirror. She did it on occasion to make sure she was maintaining her modeling figure. She had done well in doing so. She stepped over to the dresser and pulled out her wedding collar from Sly. She put it on and then stepped back in front of the mirror. She touched the center stone gently, tears coming down her muzzle, her body starting to quiver. �I miss you so much.� She whispered to herself. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, and a head found a spot in the crook of her shoulder.
�I missed you too.� Erica didn�t open her eyes at first. She wanted to inhale his scent first. The same musk he usually let off was there. It was slightly dark in the room save a few candles she had lit, more for the fragrance of them then for their light. She opened her eyes to see Sly looking at her reflection as well, a smile creeping to his muzzle. She turned in his arms, kissing him fully, body and soul, on the muzzle. He took her up into his arms with out breaking the kiss, and walked over to the bed. Laying her down on it, his eyes had never left hers. It was a couple of moments, before either of them spoke.
�Well, stranger, enjoying the view?� She stated a coy smile curling her muzzle. Sly nodded kissing her again. Erica felt his paw slide to her breast and he broke from the kiss, his muzzle licking at the erect nipple, while his free paw teased the other. �Someone�s in a hurry.�
Sly smiled at her and switched breasts but his left paw went down between her legs. She quivered and moaned as his fingers touched her moist folds for the first time in a long time. �Looks like I�m not the only one.� He continued to rub inside her and lick at her breast till she pulled him up to her and kissed him again.
�Please, don�t wait anymore. I think we�ve both been doing that long enough.� Sly got her point. She noticed some where along the way he had already undressed himself. He gently slid into her, his eyes looking into hers. He started a pace but it wasn�t to long before they both hit their climaxes. He pulled the covers around the both of them as she nestled into his embrace. He slid a paw through her head fur gently. �I�m complete again, finally. Thank you, Maker.� They both fell asleep, dreaming of the dream they were living.
Red sat on the edge of his bed. He wasn�t tired or sleepy, he just needed to do something to kill time until he got that way. He cleared his throat, hummed a few chords. Then started to sing a song off his new album. �Living my life in a slow Hell, different girl at the hotel. I ain�t the sunshine in three damn days. Been fueling up on cigarettes and whiskey, wish I had a good girl to miss me. Lord, I wonder if I�ll ever change my ways. I put your picture away, sat down and cried today. I can�t look at you, while I�m lying next to her. I put your picture away, sat down and cried today. I can�t look at you, while I�m lying next to her.� When the song was recorded, Alpha had hired someone to sing the female lead part, but it had never felt right to Red. Just as he was about to start humming the part so he could get through it, a beautiful voice came from behind him, strumming on his guitar with the song. �I called you last night at the hotel, everyone knows but they won�t tell, but their half-hearted smiles tell me something just ain�t right. I�ve been waiting on you for a long time. Fueling up on heartaches and cheap wine, I ain�t heard from you in three damn nights. I put your picture away, I wonder where you�ve been, I can�t look at you while I�m lying next to him. I put your picture away, I wonder where you�ve been, I can�t look at you while I�m lying next to him.� Scarlet sat down next to Red smiling while he was just still recovering from the shock of her being there. He returned her smile as her part came up. �I saw you yesterday with an old friend.� His part next, a tear streaming across his muzzle. �It was the same old same, how have you been?� Then they combined again, making a beautiful sound. �Since you�ve been gone my world�s been dark and grey.� Red was first in the next part. �You reminded me of brighter days.� Scarlet was looking like she was about to cry. �I hoped you�d be coming home to stay. I was headed to church.� Then Red popped in his part. �I was off to drink you away!� Which got Scarlet shaking her head, as they combined again. �I thought about you for a long time. Can�t seem to get you off mind. I can�t understand living life this way. I found your picture today. I swear I�ll change my ways. I just called to say I want you to come back home. I found your picture today. I swear I�ll change my ways I just called to say I want to come back home. I just called to say I love you, come back home.�
When Scarlet put down the guitar, Red pulled her down onto the bed with him, and pulled up the covers around him. He smiled at her and she yawned. No words were needed, as they held each other tight. Just missing one another, and just before Red fell asleep, he couldn�t help but think to himself. �Home�s finally come back to me.�