Luna: *I could feel my forehead wrinkle in confusion. I licked my lips and in a hoarse voice asked.* I'm not dead?

Noah: *Voice harsh with concern.* 'Fraid not Wonder Woman

Luna: *I should have known I wouldn't be that lucky. But some part of me had hoped that I wouldn't have to make a decision. Life always has a way of screwing us in the end. Voice still weak.* I hurt. Hurt like hell. If it was a dream then why do I hurt?

 

 

Maggie’s POV:

 

While Noah was talking to a now conscious Luna, I ran to grab my first aid supplies and disposable gloves. Re-entering the room, I motioned Zane away from Luna and removed the towels. There was a lot more blood here than I would expect from a were. The metallic scent of it was strong in the room. This close to the full moon, I hoped it didn't cause any of my friends to shift.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Noah motion for Zane to go stand guard in the hallway. Well that was on less were to worry about. I wasn't too worried about the Tore shifting. I had seen him in bloody situations before and I knew Noah would not shift with me in the room under any circumstances. Luna looked too weak to, and it was her blood so I figured I was safe.

Examining the claw marks, I told my friend, "It hurts because you've got a nasty wound here. The outer claw marks are pretty superficial but the inner ones are gonna need a few stitches. As for what did this, hopefully the security monitoring tapes will have picked it up. I'm sure Noah will check later."

Pulling out the supplies, I began to stitch the wounds closed. I think Luna was too tired to talk while I was working and I was concentrating on getting the wounds closed as quickly as possible.

I could feel Noah and Lija behind me watching but didn't have time to spare them a glance. Finishing the stitches, I cleaned up, put the supplies away and then surveyed my work. The stitches would help, but her body needed to do its part too.

Looking up at my boyfriend and our good friend, the Tore, I felt the heat rising on my cheeks. "Well I've closed the wounds as best I can but what she really needs is the kind of healing she can get from pard. I really think both of you surrounding her with your warmth and power would be the best medicine at this point."
Noah nodded, reached up to gently stroke my cheek, and jokingly told Luna, "Ya know, if you wanted to get me in bed with you, there are easier ways, Wonder Woman." Turning back to me he quietly added, "you know it has to be skin to skin. You wanna help her off with her sweatpants at least?"

I helped Luna strip down to her fire engine red panties then turned to look at the boys. Noah had stripped down to his gray silk boxer shorts and looked good enough to lick.

I couldn't tell what if any underwear the Tore was wearing. I didn't get any further than his chiseled chest before I had to turn away. I didn't need Noah to realize not ALL the lust I was emitting at that moment was directed at him.

It was clear both men were as worried about Luna as I was and they quickly headed over to the bed climbing in on either side of her. As they settled in to comfort and help heal her, I was again reminded that they shared something I could never really be a part of.

Turning so they wouldn't see the hurt in my eyes, I took a deep breath and tried to put on my best bedside Doctor voice. "Get some rest and I will check on you in a few hours."

Turning off the overhead light, I headed out the door.

 

Gigs: "sauntering into the lab to ask Maggie if she wanted some breakfast, suddenly I pick up the scent of blood and violence" MAGGIE!?!  Are you in here? Everything ok?


Maggie: *I had headed out of the padded room, leaving the door cracked open in case Luna or the boys needed something. I was on my way back to my office, trying to see where Zane had left the pins he pulled out of my hair the night before. I didn't like to work with my hair down. Not seeing them I decided to search my desk for a rubber band, but the lab door opened before I got there. Hearing Gigs yell out from near the door, I wiped the tears from my eyes and went to greet her.* Hey Gigs. I'm here. There was a problem with a patient but it's under control now. What's up?

Gigs: "sniffs again" smells like QUITE a problem. "cocking my head sideways" And you smell like you've been crying. Why don't you tell ME what's up, love? "looks very concerned, eyes darting, looking for trouble"

 

Noah: *laying next to Luna in the padded room, I heard Maggie's conversation with Gigs. Did Gigs say she had been crying? I knew she was probably upset about Luna's attack but what else was going on? Getting out of bed I motioned for Lija to stay with the resting Luna, he was completely naked after all and headed out to find the pair, grabbing my jeans on the way. Walking up to Gigs and Maggie, I pulled Maggie into my arms* Are you okay Angel? *Kissing her on the forehead, I looked over at Gigs* Hey Tigger. Good to see ya. We've got everything under control.

Maggie: *falling into Noah's powerful embrace, I fought not to show the tears threatening to overwhelm me* I'll be okay. Just everything going on you know. I think I'd like to talk to Gigs for a few minutes if you don't mind. *reaching up, I stroked his cheek to reassure him it wasn’t exactly him I was upset with*

Noah: *Unsure what to make of Maggie's mood, I decided to let her come to me when she was ready. I needed to check the tapes, call Micah and get back to Luna before she woke up wondering why she was in alone in bed with the Tore. Kissing Maggie, I moved away to head to the door* Okay, I want to check something out in the security office anyway. I'll be back in a few.

Maggie: *smiling despite myself* Hey Sexy. Your jeans will cover more area if you wear them rather than carry them in your hands. *He gave Gigs an apologetic smile, and stopped to put them on, then headed out the door. I watched him leave. Glanced at the needles in the box on the counter and the leopard blood from a recent draw sitting out to be processed, then turned to ask Gigs* What made you decide to become a were? Do you regret doing it?

Gigs: "smiling amused" Tigger, huh? I don't remember "bouncing" him lately. LOL

"raises an eyebrow at your sudden question" What made me become a Were? "spots the bloody needles and towels. Frowns" Come on....lets have a talk in the office, love. "reaches an arm out to you and ushers you gently into the office, closing the door so MORE prying ears can't hear"

Oh...I suppose I was blinded by love when I made that decision. I thought I was doing what was best for Asher. Well, maybe that's not entirely true...I guess I was a little selfish and jealous too when you get right down to it. "sits on a lounge chair to start the story" You see....when Asher and I first fell in love, I was still human. But Asher already had a human servant in Tamara, so I was out of luck there.

I was already an anemic, so Asher couldn't feed from me very often. He had to turn to Tamara and Nathaniel a lot for sustinence. Plus, "pats belly" I wasn't in the best of shape, so my self-esteem really sucked. Ash can tell you those first few months I tried every diet I could think of to look better for him. I got contacts, so I could get rid of my glasses. I drove Jean nearly insane asking about clothes all the time.

Now mind you, Ash was always supportive of me. He loved me the way I was, but I just couldn't hear it over all my insecurities. SO...one day I watched Ash take Nathaniel down the hall to feed before he could come back to make love to me...and I decided right then and there I wanted to be a were...so I COULD BE the one who fed him...and still recover fast enough to be his lover. Since I couldn't be his human servant, I decided I would do whatever I had to in order to be his Pomme de Sang.

So...I sought out Christine...the other tiger in St. Louis "nods at you like you might have met her or at least heard of her before" Ash was furious at first, but eventually he gave in and was there when she did it. That was good because in her mauling of me, she nearly killed me. Actually she had, but I was allowed to come back. "smiles at heaven and the memory"

Then we discovered that Tigers were Ash's animal to call, and thus the Orlando triumverate was born. It HAS been wonderful...but its not been without its moments of terror. Because I'm a white tiger, the council will always dog me, wanting the power and blessing I can bestow on them. Lillith (the queen) wants re-entrance into the Garden of Eden, specifically to the tree of eternal life, which she believes will allow vampire-kind to walk in the sun again. As a result, I bring danger to anyone who is around me. "looks ashamed now"

That's a HUGE part of the reason Jean is so obsessed with security around here. Then my children are always in danger, particularly Anna who is also white tiger born. "looks almost ready to cry" AND I've been forced to be mate to the tiger pride's Paudun, Gideon. Yes, that's Padma's tiger, so you can imagine the trouble that stems from that. Gideon himself is ok. But you never quite know if he's himself...or if Padma is controlling him...so I can never trust him. Yet I'm tied to him...which is strenuous on my relationship with Asher. As you might imagine.

Then there was the whole learning to control my beast's strength. That was a nightmare. It was a long time before I could open a door without ripping the handle off. Or walk down a hall without putting a hole through the floor. Yeah, the lair's floors are steel re-inforced now as a result. "sheepish blush" Even with Asher helping me control my beast. And Jason instructing me how to use it...it was a long time before I didnt feel like a helpless child again.

"I lean forward and cover your hand with mine" I understand your desire to be with Noah in every way. But I would encourage you to thoroughly think out the consequences of your actions before you make that kind of decision. It may not be all that you think it will be. If you were to become a were, think of what it might do to your medical practice while you learned to control your bloodlust for starters. And the bloodlust never completely goes away...so you'll always be strained to even be IN this room. "nods around at the lab for emphasis"

And I KNOW Noah loves you just the way you are. You may not see it, but sometimes differences can be good. I won't tell you NOT to do it. In the end, only you can balance out the pros and cons to make the best decision for your life. Just think about it. That's all I ask.

(For the complete story on Gig’s transformation, see Worlds Apart fanfiction "The Lady or the Tiger"… note I’m note sure where this is now as WA has gone away L )

 

Maggie: *sighing* I know Noah loves me. It's just I feel like as a human I'm a liability to everyone. Noah, Luna, Lija, even you seems to waste time worrying about me. *biting lip* and I also feel left out sometimes because there is a part of your lives I can't really be a part of. *looking down at desk* I'll work it out. Thanks for being willing to explain though. I should probably get back to that patient and see what else needs to be done around here.

Gigs: "nods" Ok. "starts to get up" That brings me back to the reason I came in the first place which was to ask you if you wanted some of the left-overs from breakfast? Or I can make you a sandwich if you like.

Maggie: *just realizing she's been up all night and hasn't eaten
anything since dinner* Food sounds good. Sleep sounds even better but
I have too much work here to worry about either. The left overs
would be fine, although something warm and filling sounds more my
speed right now. I'm sure Noah will eat whatever I don't, not to
mention my patient and…… Anyway. If it wouldn't be too much trouble,
could you heat something up for us? Grab Zane on the way out and he
can bring it back.

Esther: (walks into room hearing what you just said)
Hey, being human doesn't mean you're a liability. I'm
human too...ok maybe I'm a bad example. (I wink at ya)
Seeing how the were's have the full moon together,
maybe us humans should have a girly night together. (I
hug Maggie) What do ya say? Spring and I'd love to
spend some more time with you. I'm not sure who else
around here is human. Are Sarah and Sarai?

Maggie: *smiles as Esther comes in and hugs her, rubs her belly then
steps away* I would love to spend some more time with both of you.
Thanks for the offer. I think Sarai is human. Sarah isn't right now
but I think a friend of mine is working on that. Okay, full moon  night, you, me and a pile of sappy sweet videos the guys hate to watch. We can have popcorn, plenty of strawberry ice cream for Spring and cry all evening. Unfortunately, I do have to get back to my
patient now. I bet you and Spring are hungry though. Why don't ya  head down to the kitchen and find you something. That's Doctors  orders. *looks at her sternly then smiles and winks. Reaches over and  gives her another hug. Gigs and Esther both head out into the lab and  out the door to the hallway. Zane can be seen in the hallway
greeting the pair as the door closes.*