The Partnership

By Donna and Abs

After Lupe and Jonathon disappeared to go take care of her *needs*, the vet and his new friend sat on the cot in the corner, each holding a cougar kitten in their laps. The little guys were full and happy now, and wanting to play. As they entertained the lively little creatures, the two of them talked, getting to know other fairly well as the storm raged on outside the hut. Eventually, the kittens fell asleep, and were transferred to the basket. Lupe's babies were still sleeping soundly, so Tom suggested they grab a few winks themselves, offering Wyoming his lap for a pillow. She grinned at him, and took him up on his offer. Within a few moments, she was sound asleep.  

The new parents returned a short while later, and seeing that Wyoming was asleep, they were especially quiet while looking over their young.  Jonathan was understandably proud, and after hugging and kissing the mother of his children, the entire family curled up on the one cot to sleep.  One might worry that they would crush the babies, but they curled up against their mother, like pups. 

The night passed. Other than frequent feedings of all the young, they stayed warm and dry. By the time the sun was rising, the storm was over, and as Wyoming and Lupe were trying to figure out what to cook for breakfast, the Mountie returned, with several horses in tow behind his own.  

Seeing this, Jonathan said, "Look, darling, you won't have to take us to Esperanza all yourself!"  Lupe made a face at him.  But when she snorted, horse-like, she triggered a change in her young!  It took some time to get them back into human form after that. 

After they had all eaten, the two horses were hitched to a wagon, and they all piled in. The water under the bridge was high, but it was still safe. Several hours later, they arrived at Esperanza.  

"Awful quiet town," Wyoming commented as she looked around.  

"That's because most of the residents of this town sleep during the day.  Including the man who is going to take care of your cougars," Lupe said.  She wanted to see him herself - mother pride dictated he get his opinnion of her little ones. 

Wyoming shrugged and yawned. None of them had gotten very much sleep during the storm. "We need some more stuff to make the formula up with then. And a bed would be great right about now." Tom couldn't help but agree.  

"Unfortunately," Jonathan said, "Benton said the Fuzzy Penguin was full.  When Asher called the horses they had some. . . unexpected guests.  But we can go on to the Cat's Eye anyway.  Julius will be asleep this time of day, but his woman is a faery, and the wereleopards will be up and around." 

"Faery? Wereleopards? What the hell?" Wyoming turned and looked at Tom, who just shrugged. Something told Wyoming that they weren't pulling her leg, as preposterous as it sounded.  

And everyone looked so serious.  It certainly was not a joke.  When they arrived at the Cat's Eye, Jonathan and Lupe each brought a child inside, and Cherry, who was on her way to the clinic, cooed and smiled over them.  "Maybe we should bring them in and check them out.  You, too, Lupe." 

"Lycines heal very quickly," Jonathan explained.  "But we will bring the babies over to have a check up when we can." 

While the new parents went to the clinic, the other guests were taken care of. Someone even offered to take over the cub feeding duties while Tom and Wyoming caught up on some much needed sleep. Wy, although loath to leave the baby cougars, was so tired she readily agreed to it. She raised an eyebrow though when they were only given one room, but did not complain.  

Tom was embarrassed.  "I'll sleep in the tub again," he said. 

Wy shook her head. "Plenty of room for us both on this bed," she chuckled softly. "Unless I scare you too, that is." Her tired eyes twinkled with mischief and Tom had a feeling that he was going to have a hard time living down what happened before Jonathon came and saved the day for him!  

"She didn't scare me," he said, a little annoyed.  "I didn't . . ."  He looked at her suddenly.  "Yesterday I would've been only too happy to have given her what she wanted." 

"Oh?" she said, sitting down on the bed, already unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing. "Does me being here now have anything to do with it?" Her pale, hazel colored eyes met his with a steady gaze.  

"Some," he said warmly.  "It's not like she isn't attractive, you know.  It's just . . . we've clicked.  At least, I feel we have."  He looked down at her hands meaningfully. 

"I think so too," she said honestly. They had known each other now for not even a full day, but somehow it seemed that they had been friends for years. Tom had learned over the hours that this new woman was extremely intelligent, with a dry wit much like his own. And like him, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind.  

"I think we'll make a great team," he went on.  "We should . . . become partners.  God knows I can use the help." 

"Sounds like a good plan to me," she said as she undid the last button and peeled off the shirt. Her skin was a light bronzed tan in color, reflecting her distant Native American heritage.  

"Are you going to take all your clothes off to sleep?" he asked, still watching. 

"Well," she chuckled. "I do prefer to sleep in the buff. How about you?"  

"I don't mind, but if I do . . . Hell, Wyoming, there is only so much a man can take!" 

She threw her head back and laughed. "Hell, Tom," she said, mimicking his accent and tone with a gleam in her eye. "If I didn't want you in bed with me, one of us would be in the tub! Now quit fooling around. Either strip and join me, or skedaddle!" She yawned as she quickly removed the rest of her clothes and then crawled into the bed. 

"If you want me to quit fooling around then I had better go in the tub!" he said, but he was smiling now, and there was a sparkle in his eye.   

And he started to undress.