This is a work of Fiction.  All Characters and related situations belong to J. L. Duff.  Any character resemblance to persons alive or dead, or any place likeness to any place existing is mere coincidence.  M/M situations can be found here.

 

Tag Mate: Part 4

Kaiel awoke to the first kiss of dawn.  Pale morning light sparkling through the gossamer bed curtain tickled his eyes.  He smiled sleepily at thinking about that bed curtain.  It was the first time it had ever been pulled—but then recalling yesterday he supposed that it had been a wise precaution.  This morning his groin and thighs were a bit achy, but then he had plenty of good reason for that, since he had exercised the muscles therein frequently.

His smiled broadened as he tried to remember how many times he needed to rely on those muscles during most of yesterday—then he frowned after a moment, recalling that the first part of the day hadn’t been at all pleasant and when Jaimz wouldn’t wake up that had been truly terrifying.  However now, hours later and with his Tag Mate slumbering contentedly against him Kaiel only knew peace and contentment.

How many times had they come together?  He tried to remember but yesterday afternoon and evening pretty much ran together into one long orgy of sensation.  They had stopped to eat supper in their room (just as Kang had predicted much to Jaimz’ chagrin) and also to rest in panting heaps, but Jaimz seemed particularly interested yesterday.  Kaiel doubted that he’d get such a boon again.  Yesterday had only happened because of a combination of the Tag demand and the accident and Kang’s advice that sex would heal.  Jaimz had taken to his medicine with enthusiasm even if initially he had been—briefly—reluctant.

Glancing at his Tag Mate who was sprawled on his back, and using one of Kaiel’s arms as a pillow for his head, with one leg bent up and the other stretched straight, Kaiel thought that Jaimz looked utterly splendid slumbering in the early morning light.  Of course he wasn’t surprised that Jaimz was so out of it, since he didn’t doubt that he was totally exhausted and he had all but collapsed from sensation overload last night.  He winced, recalling how he had hurt Jaimz, even though Jaimz had made little of it Kaiel was still bothered by the memory of Jaimz’ blood on his fingers and rod.  Jaimz was so small and tight and it was abhorrent that he had caused him to bleed at all, but the worst part of it was how that blood had actually excited him, brought out the primal beast in him and made him crave for more, even though he had successfully restrained that primitive urge.  He didn’t want to hurt Jaimz, and yet there was a side of him that made him worry that he was more like his brother than he’d ever suspected,. That side wanted to own and possess Jaimz so utterly that his little Tag Mate wouldn’t be able to think coherently without him.  He sighed, he didn’t like where this trail of thought was leading him.  He had promised Jaimz that he would ever follow his lead, and he meant to keep that promise no matter how hard he struggled against it. 

 Of course, thinking about the blood on his rod and hands, reminded him of what he had done immediately afterward and how the taste of the iron rich blood on his tongue, mingled with Jaimz’ delicious essence, made him crave to delve into dangerous dreams and fantasies.  Just thinking about licking his mate’s sweet anus made his groin clench and his rod peek out of its sheath.  However he sighed forlornly and eased his rod back into hiding.  First Jaimz wasn’t even awake and secondly he couldn’t hope that Jaimz would want to do it today—very likely he wouldn’t get such a romp out of him again until the next 72-hour demanded it, regardless of Kang’s helpful advice.  Recalling how Kang had insinuated that Jaimz would heal quicker if he had frequent sex with his Tag Mate Kaiel looked down along Jaimz’ graceful length but other then the closed gash and accompanying bruise on his high smooth forehead he could detect no sign of any trauma (if he didn’t know that Jaimz had been in an accident he wouldn’t have believed it).  

He lightly touched that bump on Jaimz’ forehead and received a sleepy murmur in response.   Jaimz shifted on him so that he cuddled into his side and exposed the long slope of his smooth back to the room.  Kaiel didn’t move as Jaimz bent one leg up over his thigh and then sleepily pushed at his legs until he parted them so that one foot could slide down in between.  Jaimz also slid one arm across him and splayed his fingers over his chest.  By the time Jaimz had resettled himself he was tilted slightly toward him so that Kaiel could see the long line of his shoulder and back, the seductive curve of his hip and the high lift of his pert bottom and finally, of course, the graceful length of his long legs.  For a being so small, Jaimz was perfectly proportioned, utterly perfect.

He tucked his arm up along Jaimz’ slender back even though he knew that with him Jaimz never felt chilled, but nonetheless his entire back was exposed to the coolness of the room.  But this also allowed his hand to stroke Jaimz’ lovely soft skin.  Of course stroking his back Kaiel was reminded of the four older scratches that marred the back of his shoulder.  He idly wondered how Jaimz had received them and from whom, which just brought him back to the accident.  He was definitely curious about what had happened there for he doubted that Kang was a reckless driver.  Still, it was very early and it was likely no one was awake but for him.

As he thought back, to moments not clouded by amazing sex, he realized that something significant had happened.  The way toward peace was being paved and somehow his bond with Jaimz had made it possible.  It seemed strange to him that the speaker had called Jaimz his queen, he understood what the term meant but looking at that small sensual body, even though there was an androgynous quality to it, he didn’t think of Jaimz as anything other than male.  He knew fully well what he was doing with Jaimz and as he had told him, when he mated with him he wasn’t looking to fuck a vagina.  Maybe he didn’t think of Jaimz as his queen, but he certainly thought of him as his mate.

Still, while stroking Jaimz’ back he was saddened by the simple realization that Jaimz didn’t feel the same way he did.  He liked him that was true, he felt safe and comfortable with him and more than content to sleep with him, but the only time he thought of Kaiel in a sense beyond friendship was when the Tag influenced him.  He smiled slightly as he knew that the Tag did have a lot of influence. Then his smile faded, for of course in many ways Jaimz was coerced and trapped by the same influence.  The Tag was something Jaimz had never asked for and being tied to Kaiel was also because of the Tag.  When he thought about it, if he were the one at the receiving end (the one addicted and needing him the way Jaimz needed him) he knew he wouldn’t like it either.  It was a dilemma, since he was grateful to the Tag and all that it had given him, especially since it had given him Jaimz.

Kaiel wasn’t certain what it was that alerted him, maybe a change in his breathing for his position didn’t change, but just as moments before Jaimz had been sleeping, he now knew he was awake.  He just lay there listening to Jaimz’ breathing and continuing to lightly stroke his back, and he was content to stay as he was, for he was certainly in no hurry to get up and apparently Jaimz was just as content to stay the same, just resting his head on his shoulder and sprawled halfway across him. 

After a time he tilted his head down again and asked lightly, “How do you feel?”

Jaimz remained silent for a moment then without shifting he admitted, “Like I should be covered in bruises.”

“A bit tender hmmm?” Kaiel acknowledged to which Jaimz lifted his head to look at him with those sea-foam eyes of his, but he didn’t say anything and he simply laid back down again a moment later, snuggling his head comfortably back onto Kaiel’s shoulder.

He smiled softly, letting his hand roam where it will while Jaimz was so quiet and peaceful. He lightly palmed Jaimz’ cheek, grazing his fingers and palm pads over that silky skin.  Jaimz didn’t shift or complain so he moved his hand a bit lower, but once he started stroking in the warm crease between Jaimz’ cheeks, Jaimz murmured a shaky, “Stop…please.”

He stopped, moving his hand up to just stroke those high pert cheeks, but he couldn’t quite stifle his sigh of disappointment. 

Jaimz turned his face right into his shoulder and achingly whispered, “Sorry.”

He smiled, he couldn’t help it, and Jaimz had sounded rather disappointed too, “It’s okay.”

Jaimz lifted his head, and groaned softly as he sat up, though he still snuggled against his side with Kaiel’s arm draped around his waist.  “I’m not being fair to you.  But,” he blushed, “how can you still want to do it?  I’m sore, and I’m not sure if I’m sore because of the—or the…” He blushed all the brighter and ducked his head.

Kaiel grinned contentedly and admitted slyly, “My groin and thigh muscles are a bit achy this morning.” To which Jaimz blushed from his chest to the roots of his hair.

“Well, I seem to ache…everywhere.” Jaimz complained primly.

Kaiel couldn’t resist teasing, “Surely not everywhere?”

Of course, Jaimz just couldn’t control his blushes as he smiled and ducked his head again, “Yes, even there…though I’m sure that can be explained.” He said boldly, and then, sighing, “But I really do ache, I feel like I should be covered in one whole body bruise…” He lightly lifted his hand to finger the edges of the bruise on his forehead and he hissed, “This does hurt too…mostly when I touch it though.” He glanced down at Kaiel and then leaned over whispering, “I guess I am lucky I have you.” He kissed him, it started out as just a light kiss, almost like a kiss between friends, but then Jaimz increased the pressure.  Kaiel of course was more than obliging, lying there with his arms lightly around Jaimz as his mate indulged in a nice deep kiss.  He moved his mouth against Jaimz, more than content to return the intensity of the kiss and he was admittedly a little breathless when Jaimz shifted away and lay against his shoulder again, though now most of his body lay on top of him.  Jaimz hugged him with his arms, which Kaiel noticed where trembling slightly, and suddenly he groaned very unhappily, “It’s not fair!”

Kaiel was surprised by the outburst and even more surprised when Jaimz sat up again and glared down at him as if whatever was bothering him was his fault.  He tried not to smile, since he had no idea what had Jaimz so agitated.

Jaimz satisfied his curiosity though when he muttered fiercely, “Just kissing you made me feel better!  It’s—just—not—fair!”

Kaiel did grin at that and Jaimz cussed, “It isn’t funny Kaiel!” but a few moments later Jaimz smiled sheepishly and muttered, “Well, maybe it is a little funny.” He sighed hugely then and said, “Oh, well I’m going to try my best to feel better…the normal way.”

Kaiel pouted, for which his reward was a light punch in the shoulder, then Jaimz backed from the bed, tried to stand up, and tripped in the tangle of gauze curtains.  Kaiel was there before he hit the floor, catching him up against him while Jaimz protested, “I tripped over the curtain!  I’m fine, really I am.”

Kaiel just hugged him against his big body and gasped anxiously, “Don’t scare me!  You scared me once… don’t scare me anymore.”

Jaimz relaxed in his mate’s big arms, with his head resting against his chest and murmured wonderingly, “I can feel your heartbeat…” He wanted to snuggle in against him but he knew that this closeness, which felt so nice, would only lead to other forms of closeness and he just wasn’t ready to go that far—not yet, not at this moment at any rate.  “You can put me down now, I think.”

Kaiel shook his head, “No, you were probably dizzy when you tried to stand up.  You did hit your head pretty hard.” Indeed, Kang had mentioned something about a hairline fracture.  He just cuddled Jaimz more thinking about how close he had come to losing him.

Jaimz stroked his big pelted chest and murmured smilingly, “Kaiel, you can’t carry me all day.  Put me down.”

“You weigh nothing, less than a cub.” Kaiel maintained with perfect stubbornness. “I can carry you forever if need be.  Toss you up over my shoulder and keep you there where you’d be safe!” To demonstrate exactly that he did toss Jaimz up onto his shoulder.

Jaimz laughed, pushing up against his back, “And wouldn’t you look very silly with me hanging over your shoulder like this Kaiel…looking like some kind of ornament.”

Kaiel caressed his bottom and grinned, “But a very pretty ornament.” He kissed his hip, and added slyly, “Besides, I can play with your bum this way.”

“Kaiel, put me down, you’re being idiotic.” Jaimz protested sternly, though he couldn’t quite keep the laughter out of his voice.  As he was struggling lightly, (not trying too hard since he trusted Kaiel) he arched up and that was when he noticed what he hadn’t seen before.  He stopped struggling and just pushed up against Kaiel’s back until he could see better, “Oh… is that the Mitraal Sea?”

Kaiel, who was facing away from the windows, turned to look, and Jaimz had to bend around to see the gold glittering azure sea.  It was azure because it was reflecting that rich morning sky.  Kaiel flipped him easily back down into his arms and then lowered him to his feet, “Do you want to see?” and he kept his hands on Jaimz’ shoulders, afraid that his stumble had not been because of a bit of curtain entanglement. “We can go out onto the porch and look; we have a good view of the Mitraal from here.”

He started to move Jaimz toward the big windows which opened out onto a deep patio or porch, but Jaimz balked with a shy protest, “Kaiel, I’m not wearing anything!”

Kaiel smiled and shook his head, saying, “You’re too body shy, cub.” And it was such an attractive body too.  Since Zarans had no concept for nudity, being naturally covered with a pelt, they were not body shy, still a Zaran could be considered vulgar if making sexual displays (there is a place and time for such activity and public spaces are never an appropriate place for such activity) and that was what Kaiel perceived to be Jaimz’ main protest, he wasn’t naturally concealed therefore his exposed sexuality must seem somehow vulgar.  By his very nature Jaimz was understandably different; if he wasn’t dressed then he was uncovered, for he didn’t have a pelt of fur or a sheath that conveniently kept everything neat and hidden.  Yet still he was too body shy, even the shutting of the curtain had merely been a precaution since he doubted that anyone could have seen anything from the nearest buildings since the distance and angle made it unlikely.  They were far more likely to have friends peer in on them from the patio that wrapped around the suite then they were to be spied on by strangers.  Still, he didn’t say that to Jaimz as instead he once again picked him up—and was more than happy to do so—in his arms and provided the necessary modesty his little mate seemed to crave, though Jaimz was still blushingly scandalized by his solution.  With Jaimz in his arms he still had no trouble pivoting the window open.

Unlike the windows back at home, the big central window (it was taller than Kaiel) split neatly down the middle and pivoted at both ends of it, gliding out effortlessly to frame Kaiel’s patio porch.  Since Kaiel had arrived he had only stepped out onto the tiled patio once, and that was so he could prepare Jaimz’ room for his arrival.  Now he stepped out into the cool of the early morning and hugged Jaimz closer as the morning breeze caused him to shiver. 

Jaimz looked all around, he could see a building off to the left which had a stepped design and wrap around patios at every floor.  Looking across at it he realized that they had to be on the top floor of this building for he was looking into the top floor of the other building without looking up or down.  The other building was beautiful in its design and he wondered if this one was similar.  Kaiel, nuzzling the top of his head, said that it was identical and that the highest houses of course had the upper floors as full suites.  The two buildings were connected by the council hall, which was far below though the hall alone took up several floors with its many rooms and audience chambers.  Kaiel strolled to the right, where an even better view of the Mitraal Sea was visible with absolutely nothing to detract from the view. 

Jaimz cuddled in his mate’s powerful arms, enjoying the warmth of his big body and though he felt cool caresses of morning air touch his body, sometimes in places that made him blush, he ignored all of that to gaze out at the sea and admire its shining beauty.  After a time he began to notice features and he asked breathlessly, “Is that an island?  Is that a pleasure craft?  Do Zaran’s have pleasure craft?”

Kaiel grinned, “The Mitraal has lots of islands. That is Royin Isle, which is one of the larger islands.” Then he smiled and added chidingly, “And yes we have pleasure craft; Zaran’s do enjoy fishing and sailing you know.”

Jaimz smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry, I’m still trying to get used to your people.  You’re actually very similar to us, except of course you’re cats and your really tall.”

Kaiel was a mere 7’9”, which was on the low side of average for a male of his species… when nearer to 8 feet, was the average; Jaimz at 6’1” was a foot and a half shorter.  It still amazed Kaiel how Jaimz, who was about the height of a twelve-year old cub could accept a full-grown Zaran’s rod.  But then he grimaced; recalling full-grown Zaran’s occasionally raped twelve-year old cubs (and younger) though such crimes were thankfully rare.

Jaimz was happily admiring the view, he was comfortable, and though the air still had its morning chill he was quite warm and content where he was cuddled in Kaiel’s big arms.  Kaiel was admiring a different view, one that had the morning breeze teasing his hair.  He looked down, watching Jaimz’ enchanting face as his mate gazed out at the vast gold flecked sea; it spread out in either direction and all the way to the horizon.  Even then it went far beyond what the eye could see, for the Mitraal was very large, more of a land locked ocean than a sea.  But he’d seen that scene many times in his life, and the sea didn’t have the temperamental breeze stubbornly teasing a single blond streaked strand of light reddish brown hair to hold his fascination.  He knew he was lost when Jaimz tipped his face up and murmured dreamily, “It’s so pretty.”

Kaiel shifted Jaimz up against him, hugging his arms around his back and letting his legs loose.  Jaimz might have protested that his bottom was suddenly exposed but Kaiel had claimed his mouth in an achingly demanding kiss and Jaimz… after a second melted into the kiss and rewarded Kaiel’s efforts by seeking him with his sweet tongue.  He sank down to his knees and then his haunches with Jaimz straddling him and deepened the hungry kiss as his blood pulsed and his rod unsheathed and everything got so hot he was dizzy with sensation. 

Jaimz couldn’t miss that muscular rod as it slid rigidly up between their bodies, with its slick texture kissing his skin, but all he did was tighten his hold about Kaiel’s shoulders and drag his fingers urgently through his sleep tangled golden mane. As he surrendered completely he knew that Kang had been right, every one of his myriad aches was fading with the pleasure of just the kiss alone.  While he analytically detached his mind from the sensations overwhelming his body, he knew that yesterday alone had been proof that sex with his tag mate did heal, for otherwise he seriously doubted he’d be up to even walking today.  No, more likely without Kaiel he should have been in the hospital under medical care and with a strong regiment of analgesics to control his pain.  But of all the bruises that he should have covering his body, only the one on his forehead had developed, and he knew without needing to look at it that it looked days rather than hours healed.

He sighed as he reluctantly drew back from the kiss, while Kaiel looked at him searchingly and rasped hoarsely, “I ache for you Jaimz.  Please let me…”

He moved his fingers down from Kaiel’s thick mane to the back of his strong neck and lightly caressed him there while he leaned his head against Kaiel’s massive shoulder and listened to his heart beat, after a moment he murmured softly, “This is what happens when we sleep together, Kaiel.”  Though that wasn’t entirely true, for one time they had awoken together and not had sex with each other in the morning.  But that was only once, of how many times now?  Jaimz sighed again as Kaiel brushed his cheek lightly over the top of his head.

“Jaimz…?” Kaiel asked again, waiting and hoping for Jaimz’ softly murmured yes.

As much as he wanted to cheer, Kaiel restrained his dignity.  Besides, he felt for certain such a response would have had Jaimz changing his mind, for he could sense his Tag Mate’s confusion and uncertainty about agreeing to his request.  He did claim his lips in another hungry kiss though, and reveled in how Jaimz responded.

Still pursuing the kiss, Kaiel gently carried Jaimz back into the bedroom and only released him when he let him down on the bed.  Jaimz moved toward the center of the bed and just looked at him, and Kaiel was definitely ready for him, even his flare had started to lift.  But he noticed that Jaimz wasn’t disinterested either, and even as he retrieved the oil from where he had placed it for safe keeping he gently wrapped his big hand around Jaimz’ semi-aroused penis and started to lightly stroke him.  Jaimz moaned and writhed; rolling and arching his head back against the pillow and exposing his throat.  That made Kaiel thirst to gnaw on his tender neck, too.  He dragged himself away from Jaimz’ tender meat while continuing to love him thoroughly with his fingers, while at the same time he lavished attention on the rest of his smooth sleek body as he worked his way up with mouth and tongue over shivering and sensitive skin. As he playfully chewed on that long silky column of throat Jaimz pulled him up and claimed his mouth for another of his breathtaking kisses, and Kaiel was quite happy to yield to his mate’s demanding lips even as he spilled a little oil onto his playful fingers and let them wander as they would.  Jaimz gasped and arched up against him, crying out softly in breathless delight as Kaiel’s fingers gently eased him open and readied him for even more loving.

Kaiel liked this sensual play, and though his flare was lifting to its limit and taking Jaimz in this state would hurt if he wasn’t properly prepared, however Kaiel was at the moment utterly interested in playing with Jaimz’ responsive body.

They separated from the kiss and Kaiel dragged his tongue down over Jaimz’ gorgeous neck, down to tease each erect nipple, playing with the bud while Jaimz cried and tugged at his ears and mane.  He growled playful and gently bit one of the sensitive buds and licked at the iron rich tang that his small nip delivered to his waiting tongue before continuing on his downward journey of exploring Jaimz’ sensual body with his tongue and mouth again.  He probed his navel, which had Jaimz gasping and laughing, but he wasn’t done and even though the brat pulled insistently on his mane he ducked his head down over Jaimz’ groin once more and replaced his hand to suck at his penis like a nursing cub.  He closed his eyes in utter bliss while Jaimz moaned and eased his legs open and writhed ecstatically to his loving fingers and mouth.

After a time Kaiel slid deeper down and drilled Jaimz with his tongue, tasking his essence combined with the smoky flavor of the oil.  Jaimz entire body quivered and shuddered for he utterly loved this play and Kaiel knew it as he leisurely licked and probed and loved that throbbing and welcoming passage.

Jaimz could feel all the little eddies of pleasure pooling into his groin as he moaned and sank his teeth helplessly into the side of his hand as he tried to contain his throbbing release.  But he felt the pulsing as all those little eddies surged together in a wave of pleasure that over swept him and had him crying, “Oh!  Oh Kaiel… I…!” That breathy plea was all the warning Kaiel needed to catch Jaimz in his mouth once more and swallow his hot cream as it bathed the back of his throat.  Jaimz squirmed and shuddered with pleasure as Kaiel sucked, squeezed and teased every last drop of him out and then, as always he lifted away in a long deliberate pull—half readying Jaimz for another round in the process—and leisurely licked his lips like a cat in the cream.

Jaimz laughed softly and pulled Kaiel down beside him and leaning into him he claimed Kaiel’s mouth in another deep kiss, in doing so he tasted his own essence on his lover’s velvety lips.  He licked Kaiel’s mouth and gasped laughingly when Kaiel’s oily fingers returned to renew their stretching and preparation.  Obligingly he bent his legs open and tilted his hips to allow full access and then, suddenly his face grew very serious and thoughtful. 

Kaiel sensed Jaimz’ sudden emotional dilemma and rose up to look at him with curiosity, though his fingers continued their play.  “What is it?  What’s wrong?” 

Jaimz looked at him with those sea-foam eyes of his shining like the truest of aquamarines as he whispered soulfully, “You love my body.”

Kaiel smiled and stroked his free hand along Jaimz’ hip, “I do love your body.  You are so beautiful…”

Jaimz blushed smilingly and softly clarified, “That isn’t what I mean.”  His blush deepened, though why he would be bothered by something he was thinking when his anus was being lovingly attended to Kaiel couldn’t understand.  Jaimz smiled and what he did next was startling and very erotic as he stroked his hand up the length of Kaiel’s rod.  “I mean—you make love to my body— to my whole body Kaiel.  You do wonderful things and all I ever do is… just take it.”

Kaiel gasped softly as Jaimz’ fingers stroked him, his eyes fluttered closed even as he wondered at Jaimz’ boldness and his combined melancholy.  Jaimz had touched him before—but this was different.  He opened his eyes and gazed wonderingly upon his mate and whispered achingly, “Jaimz…”

Jaimz looked at him, though his hand remained lightly stroking his length and fondling around his sensitive flare, finally he murmured, “You’re so big Kaiel.  I-I could never take all of you in my mouth…”

Kaiel thought someone had hit him when Jaimz uttered that astonishing statement, and he certainly exploded as if a great charge had surged through his body, which startled Jaimz as the warm sticky liquor splattered over his fingers.  But Jaimz showed no disgust at his release and again, seconds later Kaiel was in breathless shock as Jaimz tentatively licked his fingers and tasted Kaiel’s essence for the first time.  During this time Kaiel had stopped teasing Jaimz’ anus and Jaimz didn’t seem to mind the lack of attention as he wonderingly tasted and licked his fingers.  Kaiel hadn’t meant to come like that, he generally had much better control, but Jaimz touch and his words had fired like a shot through his whole body.  He shuddered again when Jaimz’ fingers once more returned to him, stroking along his length and then seeking to explore him between his legs.  Groaning, Kaiel obliged his mate and struggled to hold on as Jaimz’ fingers enclosed around the heavy fullness of his scrotum and gently, ever so gently massaged him until he thought he would explode.

“Jaimz…” He groaned in sheer sensual agony, and yet he couldn’t dream of stopping Jaimz in his exploration as his delicate mate turned halfway to face him.

Jaimz murmured softly, “I can’t lick you… your fur…” he sighed and shook his head, and smiling ruefully he added playfully, “I’d probably get hairballs.”

Kaiel had to smile at that, though he gasped and quivered as Jaimz leaned over and ever so experimentally kissed and tasted the peak of his rod.  Jaimz lifted his head away and licked his lips thoughtfully, tasting Kaiel’s essence once more.  Kaiel closed his in groaning amazement as Jaimz touched him again, stroking him and kissing his rod.

“Jaimz… you torture me…” He finally groaned as his mate tentatively licked along the expanded frill of his flare and then he became aware that something warm and wet was dripping onto him, he opened his eyes to watch as Jaimz squeezed drop after drop of the oil onto his fully engaged rod.  He whispered, “It will hurt you.”

Jaimz smiled, “I’m ready.” He promised contentedly as he stroked his fingers over Kaiel’s rod, spreading the oil.  “I want you inside me Kaiel.”

He held out his arms and whispered hoarsely, “Come here.”

Jaimz came to him, sliding happily into his embrace.  He kissed his small mate lightly upon his sweet mouth even as he slicked more oil between his cheeks and stretched him for a bit more.  Kaiel didn’t like taking Jaimz when his flare was fully engaged as it now was because he was afraid he would hurt him, but Jaimz had waited long enough and he was, as Jaimz had promised, ready for him.  Still, he knew that the first bit—getting past the flare—would be uncomfortable.

Kaiel rolled up onto his haunches, carrying Jaimz up with him in one smooth motion.  They moved so well together that in no time Jaimz was easing around his flare, though Kaiel slowed the descent and lifted him up and around him several times until Jaimz stretched enough to accommodate the width without making him flinch, though he did moan deliciously as the length of Kaiel slid within his snug body. 

Jaimz pressed upward with his legs, taking control for a moment as he laughingly breathed, “I love how you feel inside me.” Of course he blushed at that revelation. Having moved upward, drawing Kaiel’s length nearly out of him, he sighed with pleasure as he let that rod fill him up again.

Kaiel grinned as Jaimz enjoyed his moment of control then he finished his forward roll so that his mate rested on his back, and he was supporting him and holding his legs to either side of his big body as he started to oh-so-gently pummel Jaimz with his long strokes, angling his flare so that with every pass it would bump just right against that receptive gland within Jaimz’ passage.

Jaimz gripped at him with hands and legs, moaning raggedly with each long slow thrust.  As Kaiel bathed his innards with his release Jaimz tore as Kaiel’s shoulders with his digging nails.  Kaiel already bore fading scars and more recent wounds from Jaimz’ enthusiasm, but though he grunted he didn’t complain as Jaimz even drew blood, for he loved how he made Jaimz lose control of himself.

Between their own gyrating bodies he felt the throbbing hotness of Jaimz’ penis as he ejaculated, and he felt that warm cream smear into his pelt as he continued to grind away at Jaimz’ undulating hips.  He smiled and thought about how Jaimz had touched and tasted him and in recalling he blasted multiple jets—much to Jaimz’ delight. 

It seemed this morning that release came with more explosive force that left them both quivering and gasping as their bodies wound down afterward from the high they’d reached together.  The flare still tied them together and Jaimz was still cuddled right against him but all his responses now were those of the indolent and sated.  Kaiel felt wonderful, though equally lazy, but even the lingering ache in his groin and thighs had faded away, which was remarkable because he had just used the same muscles in the same manner that had caused the ache in the first place. 

“How do you feel?” Kaiel softly asked his languid mate, while idly stroking his back.

Jaimz sighed contentedly and murmured, “I feel good…”, and he then shivered deliciously and uttered a small moan as Kaiel’s rod released and slid free of his body.  After that sensation, all he wanted to do was lay there, dozing in the warmth of Kaiel’s big body while his body quieted and calmed down.  He did feel good, much better than the all over body ache that he had awoken too, as a scientist he knew that sex released endorphins that could make the body feel relaxed and good afterwards, but he somewhat doubted that without the sexual healing that he would not have been up to having any sex in the first place.  Which was kind of a very round about reasoning, he thought with a smile.  He didn’t doubt Kang’s assessment now, actually he felt well enough that he was proof that sex between Tagged Pairs did making healing quicker than normal.  Actually, as he considered it, maybe he had subconsciously known that he healed faster now since being Tagged (especially with Kaiel), then before he’d been tagged, and there was all that touching to consider, not sexual touching, but simple touching that had always made him feel better too.  Kang was right; he did know that touching made him feel better, so now, he thought with a suddenly glum sigh, was he also to acknowledge that sex itself was healing?

Jaimz sat up, avoiding answering his own question and looked down at Kaiel.  He smiled softly as Kaiel’s stroking hand moved to his hip and said, “I’m hungry.”  His belly chose that moment to grumble rather loudly in complaint.

Kaiel chuckled and added, “Ummm…  I guess I could use a little sustenance to keep up my stamina.”  He grinned cheekily at Jaimz’ answering blush and indignant eyes.   He flopped over onto his back, though he kept his hand stroking up over the middle of Jaimz’ back, occasionally moving upward to his shoulders or down to palm his bottom.

Jaimz, despite his grumbling belly, was content to rest as he was for a few minutes longer, just sitting there beside Kaiel and feeling his big hand moving lightly over his back, but finally he turned toward the curtain, and being more careful he slid through it and stepped away from the bed, though Kaiel wasn’t long in following him.  It was still very early… though not as early as it had first been when they had woken, and through the open window he could now hear the sounds of the city starting to wake up too.  “Do you think we’ll be able to get breakfast this early?”

Kaiel shrugged and mused, “If I know Kang he probably placed an early order for us, assuming that we would need to eat fairly early.”  He rubbed his furred, washboard abdomen, “I am starting to feel a bit hungry too.” He laughed softly then and said, “I think you burned all my reserves off Jaimz.” 

He had to chuckle at Jaimz’ stiffened shoulders and insulted sounding, “Hmmmf!”, but seeing Jaimz’ back, its graceful smoothness now marred by those scratches high up on the shoulder he asked, “What happened, how did you get those scratches?”

Jaimz half turned to face him, looking surprised, then he nodded remembering and curled his hand around to touch the upper most of the nicely healing scratches…indeed since just yesterday and other than a few still stubbornly clinging scabs, the scratches now looked weeks rather than just a few days healed.  He shrugged and said, “Nothing really, just a little mishap in my lab.”

Kaiel raised a brow but didn’t press any deeper; if and when Jaimz was ready to tell him more he would be waiting. Though he sensed that Jaimz’ explanation barely edged along the truth he did sense that it was the truth, just a much skimmed down version.   Then he thought about something else and said contritely, “I’m sorry about Ham.  I hoped for your sake that he wouldn’t come near the Pridelands.”

Jaimz shuddered at that, and both his arms went around hugging his body as he recalled the horror of that brief meeting.  “He touched me.” He whispered huskily.   Kaiel was there, pressing against his back and offering him the simple comfort of his presence.  He turned into his body and shivered, “He scared me.”

“Shhhh…  I know.” Kaiel murmured, bending over his mate.

Jaimz clung to him, and whispered, “I feel like such a coward.   I mean I fainted… and… and—.” He pressed his forehead against Kaiel’s solid chest, heedless of the slight twinge of pain he felt and added achingly, “He used to hurt me so much…”

Kaiel growled softly, “You should have been warned about him.  I’m sorry; I thought that my father would have told you.” He’d had harsh words with his father the night Ham had so rudely reappeared in Jaimz’ life, and it had infuriated him that even Kang hadn’t known about the possible risk of Ham showing up to sniff after Jaimz again since he’d specifically asked for Kang to be told. 

But Jaimz surprised him, pushing away from him and looking up into his face and smiling suddenly, “I’m glad I didn’t know that he was back on Z’Rarla, I would have been watching every shadow for him without you there… and I had enough things to worry about without adding him to the list.” Not when the list already included being raped by Kaiel’s father, which was something he planned to never reveal to his Tag Mate.  “Besides I did enjoy myself sometimes; I got to go to the Market in Moro and I saw the Cultural Faire and almost enjoyed another Market at the faire…” He suddenly canted his head, and reached up, tugging Kaiel down by his ears.  “Have you ever thought about piercing your ears Kaiel?”

Kaiel smiled in amusement, “My father wouldn’t approve.” He licked the bruise on Jaimz’ forehead and added slyly, “But lately I’ve been doing a lot of things my father wouldn’t approve of.”

Jaimz laughed softly, though if it was in response to Kaiel’s quip, or his reaction to the pleasurable stroke of Kaiel’s tongue against that bruise he really wasn’t certain, maybe the laugh was a response to both.  Still stroking Kaiel’s velvety textured ears he murmured, “I found these red-gem ear-studs at the Moro Market that would look great in your ears.”

Still amused by the thought of wearing ear-studs, but rather distracted with pleasure at having his ears stroked, Kaiel bent forward and lightly kissed Jaimz’ smiling mouth.  In reply Jaimz stood on tiptoe and happily melted into the kiss, though even as his fingers were threading through Kaiel’s mane he was drawing back reluctantly and murmuring breathlessly, “We can’t give in again Kaiel… not so soon anyway.”

Kaiel said nothing, for he could see the worry in Jaimz’ eyes, the worry that he would give in and say yes, so instead he decided that he wouldn’t pressure him, but rather wait to see if Jaimz would eventually initiate the love play on his own.  All he did was stroke his lover’s cheek, lick his bruise again and very gently release him as he promised, “When we get home I will have my ears pierced.”

Jaimz smiled and then remembering something else he added, “Oh yes, at the Faire Market there was a vendor from Moro and he was offering this great spice and herb cold tea he called Miaki.  I meant to get his name so that you could help him market the brew and maybe so we could have the recipe for the house… but that was when Ham—.” He shrugged and shook his head stubbornly and continued, “But I’m sure Pridemother Nerell will know who he is and help us track him down.  I think I might really like it…” 

Kaiel rolled his eyes at having to deal with Pridemother Nerell, but he only chuckled and agreed that he would look into the matter.  With that Jaimz once again stepped free of him and looked around the room for a moment before looking wide eyed at Kaiel and asking, “Where are my clothes?”

Recalling the accident, which he still had no answers for, he could only hope that Jaimz’ travel case had been recovered from the scene of the crash, “In your room hopefully?” he said.

Jaimz looked at him in pure surprise and murmured wonderingly, “I thought I would be sleeping with you?”

Kaiel felt his pelt ripple and smiled slyly, “I certainly wouldn’t say no to that.”

Jaimz blushed then looking down at himself he said, “But how do I get to my room like this?”

Kaiel tossed him his robe; though it was much too large for his small frame it at least answered Jaimz’ need for modesty.  “I’ll show you where you’re room is.” He offered as Jaimz simply used the robe like a blanket and wrapped it around his winsome body.  Not so body shy and fairly sure that they were the first ones awake in the suite he led Jaimz into the outer suite, which was a large sitting room from which all the available rooms could be reached as well as the Lift exit.  As Kaiel had predicted the sitting room was empty, it was a simple matter of reaching the next-door room and opening the door for Jaimz and then following him in.  Jaimz saw quickly that his travel satchel had made it, and he quickly found his own robe and a change of clothes though he murmured absently, “I think I’d like a shower first.”

Kaiel had been thinking that a shower would be welcome, especially since his pelt was more than a little sticky and oily and he undoubtedly smelled strongly of sex too.  He wondered how Jaimz would feel about sharing the shower with him, but it was Jaimz who casually suggested that they should shower together.  He thought his ears would never stop flicking his pleasure at that revelation, though he could assume nothing in Jaimz’ suggestion and was perfectly willing to simply enjoy the shower for what it was.  With his own robe loosely in hand now he led Jaimz from the bedroom to the suite’s bathing room.  Like the main house it was a full bath, complete with the big sunken tiled tub (which was like a small wading pool to Jaimz) and the large open shower stall complete with benches within and without the space.  Towels had already been stacked on the outer benches, waiting to be used.  Jaimz set his clothing on an open area of the bench and slid his robe off with one smooth shrug of his shoulders, letting it rumple at his feet where he left it as he stepped over the sill and into the shower.  Kaiel stood a moment just watching all that water pouring over Jaimz, gently pelting his head as he lifted his face into the downpour and streaming through his hair and over his body and he felt his mouth… go dry.  Jaimz turned toward him and looked out through the streaming water with those remarkable green eyes of his and extended his hand… though he laughed softly when Kaiel stepped into the shower, robe and all.

“Silly, your robe is soaked now!” Jaimz laughingly admonished, pushing the saturated robe off Kaiel’s big shoulders and kicking it out onto the floor beyond the tiled rim.

Kaiel tried to concentrate, as it seemed that Jaimz was serious about having a shower and not playing, but though he tried to distract himself by lathering his own pelt watching Jaimz’ own lathering and happy gyrations were too much of a distraction.  It got worse when Jaimz presented his back and asked lightly, “Will you wash my back please?”

If Kaiel’s mouth had been dry before, it felt positively parched now as he wordlessly retrieved the soft soap and started stroking it into a lather over Jaimz’ shoulders and back.  Some of the scab still clinging to the scratches came off then, revealing thin pink lines that he knew would never detract from Jaimz’ flawlessness, in fact as he bent and licked those pink lines he knew that they would fade away and in time maybe even disappear completely.  Jaimz of course responded to the lick by arching back slightly and lilting his head back so that his streaming hair rippled nearly to his shoulder blades.  Kaiel, seeing that long expanse of throat exposed, cupped his sudsy hands on Jaimz’ shoulders and bent forward to ever so gently close his mouth over that curve of neck.  Jaimz moaned softly as Kaiel’s mouth moved up to claim his softly swollen lips and Jaimz arms slid up and back to encircle him. 

Like the walk in shower back at the main house, this one too had a window on its far wall, but unlike at the main house, this window looked directly over the Mitraal and there was nothing close to allow a view into the stall.  Still, Jaimz murmured as he reluctantly broke contact, “Someone might come in.”

Kaiel sighed regretfully as his sudsy hands slid down from Jaimz’ shoulders and around over his smooth well shaped chest and gradually down lower, over his belly and finally to his hips.  He didn’t move lower though his fingers were entwined by the curls found at the juncture of Jaimz’ thighs.  He leaned against Jaimz’ shoulder and sighed again while Jaimz just stood there content to have his arms around him and his hands so intimately close to such sensitive areas.  Jaimz slid his hands down to stroke along his arms and finally rested his smaller hands right over Kaiel’s. 

It was true that the bathing room door did not lock, and though Kaiel knew of some signals that could be used to let others know that privacy was desired he had not thought about hanging anything over the door latch upon entering the room with Jaimz.  He silently cursed himself, for he could sense that his wasn’t the only overheated body enjoying this shower.  Jaimz was being inhibited by his morals, but he was not unwilling to play, he simply didn’t want any unwitting witnesses.  But it was Jaimz who surprised him again, guiding his big hand down to touch him while he murmured, “We can’t have sex…”

Kaiel understood that for Jaimz having sex meant mating.  Kaiel was okay with that and he would keep his rod stubbornly sheathed even if it did want to peak out and play too, but since there was no oil amongst the selection of items on the inner bench and with the shower already washing his body Jaimz would be ill prepared for mating anyway.  Still, as he moved his hand down willingly to massage Jaimz’ penis, mating wasn’t everything and there was plenty of love play that could be done without joining.

Jaimz’ hands slid back up along his pelt and locked behind his neck as he rose on tiptoe and pulled his head down to lock lips with him again.  He hungrily sank into the kiss, stroking his tongue around in a dance with Jaimz’ even as his hands continued to massage Jaimz’ firming penis and tightening scrotum.  He slid his hand deeper between Jaimz’ thighs, and gently worked a finger against his small mate’s wet and still greasy anus, and that responsively swollen pucker opened and sucked up his finger, pulsing around him as if it were breathing.  Jaimz shuddered and gasped, breaking contact with his mouth to just look up at him as his finger stroked him internally, reaching deep enough to caress that sensitive gland that always—always got him so hot. “Oh God… ooh…” Jaimz groaned softly, clinging to him as his quivering legs threatened to fold under.

Kaiel thought nothing of swinging Jaimz around to face him, and lifted him up so that he could straddle his shoulders, which let him have full access to his penis, which he sucked into his mouth.  Jaimz bent over his head, shuddering and laughing softly at the dizzying height, though for a moment he thought of another that had also lifted him over his head though that time he had been unwilling and the position had been uncomfortable.  This time he felt perfectly safe as he wrapped his arms about Kaiel and clung to him as bliss sparkled through his body and melted into his groin with every long pull of Kaiel’s mouth.  Of course, he also squirmed and shuddered as Kaiel’s supportive hands, gripping his bottom, also managed to sink into him and play with him there too.  It became even more deliriously interesting when Kaiel shifted him, using the tile wall as support for his back and tilted his hips up to allow access for his mouth and tongue.  He still clung to Kaiel, crying out in sensual pleasure as Kaiel’s tongue drilled him, and he squirmed all the fiercer even as he clawed at Kaiel’s back and arched up against the wall too.   There was no warning this time, Kaiel was drilling his anus and he suddenly just came, while black stars and bright lights spangled his vision and he knew that he was falling, but Kaiel caught him in his big arms which was where Jaimz seemed to come awake a few seconds later though he was still seeing stars. 

Dazedly Jaimz whispered as he pushed a straggle of wet hair back from his face, “What happened?”

Kaiel stroked his face gently and whispered smilingly, “I think you fainted.”

Jaimz blinked up at him in surprise and blushingly denied, “I did not.”

Kaiel’s grin expanded, though all he said was, “If you say so…”

Jaimz grinned sheepishly after a moment and admonished, “Well if I did… it’s your fault.  You just… just…”

Kaiel leaned down and lightly kissed him, grinning he withdrew and teased, “I just make you swoon with pleasure?”

Jaimz smiled at that and wriggled free of Kaiel’s protective grasp while saying, “Let’s finish our shower before someone does come in and see if we’ve drowned in here.”

Which was exactly what they did, though there were still moments of breathless laughter and deep sighing, which would have been very tantalizing to anyone who might have been listening from beyond the bathing room door?

 

CH2

Upon exiting the bathing room Jaimz felt his cheeks warm slightly when he found not only Kang and Heron’s eyes upon him but also the eyes of a complete unknown.  He had yet to properly meet Heron, who was Kaiel’s aide in the diplomatic corps but though he was more than willing to formally greet the male it was the third individual in the room that caught and held his attention.  Jaimz of course knew of the Chai situation, how could he not when the FSJS had blundered right into the middle of the conflict between Chai and Z’Rarla?  Still he had never actually seen a Chai except in pictures and pictures hardly did them justice.  The Chai visitor was insectoid, it was man sized, meaning that it was slightly smaller than a Zaran and seemed somewhat of a cross between an ant and a preying mantis.  Her (he thought that was the proper term to describe her) carapace of solid black shown so brilliantly that it gave off an adamantine luster.  Because she was in truth a drone she had no need for garments to disguise or otherwise hide her sex (for she appeared sexless). Therefore all she was wearing, and quite comfortably too, were jewels in chains and belts and collars and anklets and bracelets that pretty much draped her every joint.  She fairly sparkled and to be perfectly honest Jaimz thought that she was actually quite lovely. 

Before he could say anything her heart-shaped head turned toward him, and even as he noted the diadem she wore he felt her multifaceted eyes lock upon him.  She dipped her head slightly and her small mandibles clacked creating a burring sound, which was followed by a computerized voice, and for all that the words were emotionless she still managed to convey gentle amusement, “I thank you K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan, long has it been that any other than Chai found us beautiful.”

Nonplussed Jaimz stepped back and he just stared for an uncertain moment, for he certainly hadn’t spoken even though that was what he’d been thinking.  Then after a moment he relaxed and stepping forward he bowed slightly as he said, “Speaker…I understand that you helped us.” He was thinking that the Chai must have some sort of telepathy for her to have read his surface thoughts so easily. 

The Speaker nodded her heart shaped head and again her mandibles clacked before the translator clicked in, “A disorder I sensed between you and he,” she nodded again and Jaimz glanced back to see that Kaiel had joined him, “this disorder caused you not to heal.  Better now you are.”  She tilted her head slightly and added, “I knew that comfortable would you be with us, for like ours your mind is.  To offer Chai hospitality to you we did want but is agreed that such could not be.  Though more like your mind his now is, for Kaiel Ni Chai not be comfortable.  Too dense it is, humidity high, oxygen high, uncomfortable would he be.”

Again Jaimz glanced at Kaiel; he wasn’t clear on what the Chai speaker was talking about.  Kaiel flicked his ears back and gave him a worried look in return before saying, “The Chai had proposed to offer you permanent residency on Chai.  They said that if you came to live with them that they would agree to peace with us… it was part of their compromise deal.”

Jaimz could see that Kaiel was a bit worried about his reaction to this news. Kaiel had learned, thanks to Vreda that he didn’t like surprises but he didn’t see when Kaiel would have told him about this, though he supposed at some point yesterday it might have come up.  He felt himself blushing at just recalling yesterday, but he couldn’t fault Kaiel for not bringing it up, nor could he censure him today either, since it was still early and Kaiel probably hadn’t expected the Chai to be here.  It was more the other stuff that had Jaimz baffled, what was it about his mind that was more like a Chai’s?  Surely the speaker wasn’t suggesting that he could in any way be telepathic?  The very idea was nonsense…even though he had to admit that she herself probably was, as he’d already speculated, telepathic or something similar to it anyway.  Moreover she had also suggested that Kaiel’s mind was now more like his, meaning that it hadn’t been before… before what?  When had Kaiel’s mind changed and how did she know?

“Confused you are?  Explain I can.” The Speaker offered, somehow managing to convey concern with that computerized voice.

Almost Jaimz took her up on that offer, but after a moment he shook his head and said, “No.  I’m fine.  I think I understand.  And I thank you… for what you did.”  He didn’t want to doubt her, but he put little faith in anything that wasn’t pure science.  He reached back and lightly squeezed Kaiel’s arm to let him know that everything was fine and then smiled toward Kang while asking, “How are you Doc?”

V’Ran Kang was a semi-retired medic who at Kaiel’s request had attached himself to K’Lan pride and now lived at the pride manner house.  Jaimz was quite happy for that since he was very fond of the old cat and having lost, probably for the rest of his life, his own family Jaimz had pretty much adopted Kang as a surrogate grandfather.  Recalling the accident, though he felt pretty good right now, he had to wonder how Kang was feeling, Kang was a lot older and he didn’t have the kind of help dealing with pain as Jaimz did.  Again Jaimz felt his cheeks warming and he silently cursed his blush response.  Thankfully Kang saved him any further blushes by replying.

“I’m well cub, a little stiff and sore but nothing an analgesic can’t fix.”

Reminded of the accident Kaiel stepped over to the old cat and demanded, “Yes, what happened anyway Kang?”

Kang shrugged and reached for a flaky breakfast roll popping it into his mouth and chewing blissfully, even sighing and rubbing his proud paunch before replying, “As to that Kaiel Ni I’m afraid L’Teran Vreda tried… rather she succeeded in running us off the road.  That was rather unexpected.”

Kaiel just stared at him in stunned silence, it took a moment before he could think to say anything at all, and that came when he looked at Jaimz, “I’m sorry.  I expected her to be irritated with the betrothal being cancelled… but I never expected her to retaliate like that.”  He’d been certain that she would have come after him, and not with violence but rather with her sharp tongue and cruel humor.  He had expected her to do everything in her power to stain his name and embarrass him, and he’d even been prepared to face a legal challenge from her…but for her to try to kill Jaimz (he didn’t doubt that had been her aim) was astonishing.

Jaimz sighed, “Nothing about her surprises me.”

“She is a disturbed young female.” Kang added almost as an afterthought, and then reaching for another pastry he said, “She’s at Central Medicenter of course; her attempt to hurt us caused her a good deal of grief as well.  Hopefully this will be a lesson well learned for her… though I fear she will have to be watched.”  Then before he popped the buttery pastry into his mouth he gave Jaimz a thoughtful look and added, “You really should hear the Speaker out cub; she has information regarding the Tag.”

Jaimz returned his look with one of puzzlement, mouthing the word, “Tag.” Before recalling that there was another in the room and he looked in horror at Heron while exclaiming in a straggled voice, “Kang!”

Kang negligently waved his hand and said, “Heron knows Jaimz, I told him when you arrived.”

Jaimz stared at his mentor and bitterly muttered, “Then exactly five people know the truth about Kaiel and I?  Why Doc?  Why does he need to know?” He could understand Rica, Kang’s nurse, needing the knowledge since she worked closely with the doctor, but why did Kaiel’s assistant need the information?

“Because Heron was privy to some strange sights when I brought you to Kaiel.  With you being injured and Kaiel being so effected by the TWS and your injury Heron was the unfortunate witness to some of the needs of a TWS sufferer.  Specifically the need for physical contact during the 72-hour.” Kang explained

Jaimz felt his face flame with livid embarrassment as he imagined what Tag physical contact usually entailed.  His scalp practically crawled at the horrifying thought of what Heron might have witnessed, namely something sexual and graphic in nature.

Jaimz was never so grateful to be disabused of a notion as he was when Kang, seeing his distress, hastened to assure, “No no cubling, not that.” He smiled and shook his leonine gray head adding, “What he witnessed was my putting you in Kaiel’s bed, and Kaiel licking the bruise on your forehead.  Surely cub you would have wanted me to explain the logic behind all of that rather than let Heron come up with his own ideas…knowing how rumors start and everything.”

Now it was Kang’s turn to sooth Heron’s injured sensibilities as he left Jaimz feeling relieved but still puzzled at Kang’s decision to reveal his and Kaiel’s secret.  Surely he could have made up some plausible excuse couldn’t he?  Surely Doc hadn’t needed to reveal the actual truth of the Tag to Kaiel’s assistant.  He sighed and thought gloomily on the truism, the more people who know a secret the harder it is to keep it a secret.

Recalling though what Kang had said about the Chai Speaker having information regarding the Tag for him he turned to look at the Chai again, wondering what she could possibly tell him that would have any baring on helping him deal with the syndrome.  Knowing that he might have seemed impolite for having disregarded her offer to help him understand earlier he felt his cheeks flushing once again as he took a seat opposite her and respectfully murmured, “I’m sorry…”

Before he could add any thing more she nodded and as her mandibles clacked she said (and the translator translated monotonously), “Understand I do.  Scientist is you.  Need tangible evidence you do.  What this Tag condition is I not be knowing, exist the Tag does not on Chai, but similarities nonetheless there be.”

Jaimz nodded, grateful that she hadn’t been insulted by his earlier dismissive attitude.  Carefully she outlined the living conditions of Chai, how they lived in hive-like communities (indeed she said they lived in hives) and that each community was ruled or managed by a Queen.  She went on to describe how she herself was a drone and that almost all Chai were drones with the exception being the hive queens, including the Chai Ruler and their consorts or harem, which were all fertile.  “There be a connection between the Queen and her consorts.  A psychic bond that allows them to always know how the other is feeling or thinking and whether the other is well or unwell.”  Her black eyes sparked like a many facetted diamond, reflecting his own image back at him as she leaned closer to him.  “Similar bond with Kaiel Ni you share.” Jaimz pushed back and shook his head in denial, “That’s not possible.”

“Possible or not cub, it’s in all probability true.” Kang interjected.  Jaimz stared at him helplessly, unable to face the possibility that there might be a psychic component to the Tag.  Gently Kang continued, “Remember how I told you that you and Kaiel resonate?  You’re like two finely tuned instruments sharing one string between you.” To the side the Chai nodded in agreement and Kang dipped his head acknowledging her.

Jaimz still didn’t want to consider the possibility and stammered weakly, “But…there’s no such thing as physic ability.  My people have studied it for generations without finding any hard evidence.”  Once more he looked at the Chai speaker; how she had known what he’d been thinking of her appearance was first and foremost on his mind.  It made him humbly aware of the fact that simply because something wasn’t proven in fact, that it didn’t mean it didn’t in fact exist for he was quite certain that she most likely was telepathic and had read his appreciation for her aesthetically attractive form right out of his mind.

“On Chai studied we have of this bond between the Queens and their consorts, how it forms and why, we have documented.  This information I can get for you Jaimz Ni.”  Yet again she managed to convey sympathy for his plight, and he was forced to wonder bitterly if she was able to emote the emotion to match the situation since the computerized translator could not communicate emotion.

Jaimz stubbornly shook his head, still unwilling to accept the possibility, “I don’t need—I can’t do what—it’s not possible…”

Kang sighed, having expected this reaction, his young human was very much fixated on what he could see and touch; so anything esoteric or intangible was unreal to him and therefore not scientifically plausible.  “Cub I am willing to bet that you are so hyperaware of Kaiel that you can find him in this room without even looking for him.”

Kaiel gaped at Kang for a moment; he was still behind Jaimz where he’d been standing all along listening to this incredible conversation.  However at seeing his slightest wink Kaiel understood what Kang wanted him to do and the young male moved back and to Jaimz’ other side.  While Jaimz stared at him incredulously, wondering what he was getting at Kang prompted, “Well, go ahead.  Where is Kaiel?  No don’t look for him, just point him out.”

It was a stupid test; Kaiel was behind him where he’d been all along.   Then he felt himself paling when he realized that he knew exactly where Kaiel was and that he’d known instantly when Kaiel had moved to his other side.  He hunched down in the chair and whispered, “It’s not possible.”  When Kaiel lightly squeezed his shoulder he instantly felt better which only made him feel more defensive and a deeper resolve to argue the point.  Recharged, perhaps by Kaiel’s touch Jaimz retorted; “Wait—wait a minute!  I never felt this with Lorz!”

Kang frowned and demurred, “Cub, you know he corrupted the whole meaning of the Tag…”

Jaimz scoffed, “That wouldn’t have mattered though would it?  If I could have felt him before—before he came to me all those times I would have had warning and not—not been—argh!  Whatever!  But I mean I never felt Lorz in the way you’re suggesting.  Never!  And surely whatever he did, however he perverted the Tag, it wouldn’t have mattered, right?  So this is all just… happenstance, coincidence and there’s nothing more going on between Kaiel and I than the Tag as we know it.”

Jaimz glanced up when Kaiel squeezed his shoulder again, and his sure smile faltered when Kaiel shook his head and said, “I just thought of something Jaimz.  If there is nothing to this—this connection business… how then did I see your accident?”

Jaimz felt his mouth drop open, and around him the others in the room shifted into high alert.  Heron helpfully added, “That’s right, I was there when Kaiel suddenly said you needed him.  That was right before he collapsed in the Council chamber.”

Jaimz wanted to just shake his head again, he knew he was being stubborn, even stupid about this whole thing, but if Kaiel and he were aware of each other in some psychic sense then maybe even a simple dream wasn’t so simple a dream?  He blushed recalling Kaiel’s vivid recollection of the dream he’d had, the one that had occurred on the night Kaiel’s father had raped him.  Kaiel had indicated he’d dreamed of Jaimz lying on his bed, uncomfortable from the heat and how he’d even stripped off his clothing all thanks to the drug Terrill had given him which had effected his entire system and made him so horny that as Kang had later explained he would have happily humped a gar (a plains cat) and not minded in the least.  God what if Kaiel had been made aware of the actual rape?  Could he even now take the memory from Jaimz’ surface thoughts?  Jaimz shuddered uncomfortably, for he never wanted Kaiel to know what Terrill had done to him, those two didn’t get on all that well as it was, and he didn’t need to add to the tension between father and son.

Seeing Jaimz’ growing distress and sensing what the youngling had to be worrying about Kang enlightened, “I don’t think your connection works that way.  I mean I don’t think it works like an open COM between you two.  It’s more a subconscious link, continuously communicating but not actively keeping you updated except perhaps if your under great stress or maybe…if you are thinking of each other at the same time.”  There that should absolve Jaimz growing sense of unease and guilt over the whole episode and hopefully resolve in his mind that Kaiel couldn’t find out inadvertently by scanning his surface thoughts.

“Indeed,” the Speaker added, “Such an open link uncomfortable would be and also hindering it might be.”

Jaimz felt immense relief at that and Kaiel looked at him in growing puzzlement which only made him hunker deeper down into the chair and curse his stupid blush response, for even if he didn’t say something his reactions surely could give him away if he wasn’t careful.  After a moment though Kaiel decided that it was this situation that was bothering him and didn’t think to look deeper into the problem, which made Jaimz feel grateful and glad that Kaiel didn’t have a suspicious nature.  Feeling Kaiel’s hand resting comfortably on his shoulder and comforted by his presence he faced Kang and the Speaker and said, “So then there’s nothing to be done about it anyway.  That is if I believe it even exists.”  He smiled gently at Kang’s exasperated expression, “Ok, okay I’ll allow for the possibility of some kind of… link between Kaiel and I… but I won’t believe that it affects the Tag until I have evidence to the fact.”

Of course he had to wonder, if the link isn’t a direct result of the Tag, then what caused it?  Looking at Kang he was pretty sure the doctor was pretty much thinking the same thing.  What fun, another mystery to solve.

“Uh, Jaimz Ni?” Heron murmured, encroaching into the moment and drawing everyone’s eye to him.  He dipped his head formally, though he looked terribly nervous and Jaimz had to remind himself that Var Heron was actually a little older than Kaiel since he looked so young and eager at the moment.  He was all brown; brown maned, brown eyed and even had a light brown pelt.  He was taller than Kaiel but also very slender and somehow managed to look extremely bookish.  He managed to project the very image of an efficient and effective assistant though.  Right now he practically quivered as he said enthusiastically, “I look forward to working with you Jaimz Ni… and—and you can trust me to keep your secret!”

Jaimz tried not to smile; it seemed to him that Heron was as young and as excitable as Drey, the cub who was his assistant.  He didn’t want to hurt Heron’s feelings and besides he knew that the male was being honest in his offer, “I will gladly accept any help you can give me… and I believe you.”

Heron smiled and enthused, “I was so taken with your drawings Jaimz Ni, it will be a great thing to help with such advances.”

“Familiar with Jaimz’ Ni work you are?” the Speaker carefully enquired.

Heron turned toward the Chai Speaker and said, “Only in that I helped sort his papers before he left the Kattaf.  I couldn’t understand his writings, but the drawings were extraordinary and very innovative.”

Something in the Chai’s posture (she was sitting in a chair and sipping tea from a wide mouthed delicate cup – and doing so quite proficiently despite her mandibles) drew Jaimz’ eyes back to her.  Earlier she had mentioned the Chai had intended to offer him residency on their planet, and he remembered that the Chai had stolen onto the SFJS and taken Data from it and how both Kaiel and he had realized that the Chai were after his technology.  “Your people have had time to review my Data haven’t they Speaker?”

She looked at him, and though as always it was hard to read her near featureless face (with only eyes and a mouth) still he could sense the tension in her, which made him wonder glumly if she was projecting or if he was reading her.  She lowered her head after a moment and with her mandibles clacking and chirring she said, “Determined we have that very dangerous your knowledge could be.”

“It is not intended to be.” He replied, noticing the others watching them, “It is just technology, intended for harmless purposes.”

“And yet put you into the middle of battle it did.  Fly you didn’t into that battle simply appeared you did and from somewhere far outside our space we have determined.  Dangerous this technology is.  Dangerous what inside your head is.  Dangerous is who gets it and to what purpose it is put.” She said succinctly.

“That could be said of any technology Speaker.” Tersely interjected Kaiel, “The Zaran are willing to take responsibility for the gradual release of this technology to the allies…” he looked at Jaimz who seemed about to protest, saying; “It is necessary Jaimz.   Once you start to manufacture the gates the technology will get out, better to release it in controlled amounts rather than suffer sabotage that might damage the gates or worse theft of those gates so that they can be studied and broken down.” He gave Jaimz a darkly worried look, “Not to mention there is the very real risk to you Jaimz.  Zaran’s are already starting to squabble over who should benefit from your knowledge.  Houses have offered up their resources to guard you and one House has already cited a class action protection suit against K’Lan because of you.”

Jaimz knew that House K’Ilo had served notice against K’Lan to move him under the protection of K’Ilo, but he knew that the real reason behind the action was to give K’Ilo Ham unrestricted access to him once more… he growled bitterly, “K’Ilo doesn’t want me, that’s just Ham’s way of getting into my…to possess me.”

Kaiel squeezed his Tag-Mate’s shoulder and thought how it was the Tag itself that would ultimately protect Jaimz from being taken by any House, and whether Jaimz wished to keep the Tag a secret or not, use it he would if it meant keeping Jaimz safe.

“Nonetheless, control release you say, however still threat exists.  Appear Jaimz did, how this accomplished determined we have not, but if replicated this manner of flight is, safe no one would be.” The Speaker alleged.

Jaimz laughed derisively though he tried not too, as she looked askance at him he said, “You’re worrying about an accident.  My ship appeared in the middle of that battle by mistake, I don’t know how it happened and I doubt even I can duplicate the events that brought me here.  Trust me; I don’t think they can be accidentally replicated.”

She tilted her head, “And yet some idea you have of what happened do you not?”

His harsh humor faded and after a moment he nodded, “I have some idea of what happened.”

Her multifaceted eyes remained fixed upon him.  “Believe Chai do that you, Jaimz Gingko can replicate means that brought you here.  Dangerous are you Jaimz Gingko.”

“What would you have me do?” he retorted angrily, “Give up ever finding my people again?” He glanced briefly at Kaiel and added bitterly, “Even if I can never go home again I still want to see my people again.  Is that too much to ask?  Should I stop trying because what I find might be too dangerous?  Should I just walk away from the knowledge I carry because someone might misuse it?  Would you ask me to give up what I know?  Stop being what I am all for concern that someone might abuse the technology?  Am I already at fault if someone takes what I create and turns it into a weapon?”

The Speaker looked away first, “Understand… Chai do of this desire to find ones home.  Long we have sought the first home of our ancestors.  Understand hard it is to give up such a craving, permeates it does into the shell until all one thinks, all one breaths, all one dreams is of home…Try to find ones home you K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan must, prepared to help Chai is.”

Jaimz gaped at her and then laughed acerbically, “A moment ago you were worrying about how dangerous I am, and now you’re willing to help me in my dangerous endeavors?”

“Still are you dangerous.  Always you will dangerous be.” She tilted her elegant heart-shaped head, “Decide advance with you Chai must or behind Chai falls.  Chai believes more dangerous to fall behind is.”

On Earth in the past when the world had many governments there was a time when the military powers constantly built up their powers to stay in sync with other powers so that neither front could risk attacking, since to do so was to risk equal annihilation.  This was the same concern the Chai had here; they understood that so long as they kept up with the technology that they could protect themselves from any aggressor because they should have the same level of technology.  Jaimz wasn’t so sure of that, it was a known fact that just because the same Technology was to be had by all that it didn’t mean the technology couldn’t lead to other ideas or uses, what might be benign to some could be a weapon to others; for instance a wondrous new energy source could be turned into a terrible weapon and dropped onto a city of thousands.

Just such a thing had happened back on Earth before the mid 1900’s and Jaimz could only hope it would never again happen, but change also brought about new ideas and new ways of thinking which could invariably lead to new and terrible discoveries.  That was the risk every inventor took, that his invention or discovery could be turned into something horrendous.  It was a risk that Jaimz at 15 had struggled with and now 7 years later he still wondered if someone could take his ideas and turn them into uses he’d never intended them for.

Finally all laughter aside he faced the Chai Speaker and said, “Then if you are willing to face the risks inherent with my ideas than I am willing to work with you.”  He knew that he was speaking to more than just one individual even though only she was present, for he knew that she had the well-being of her entire people in mind when she spoke.

She nodded acknowledging his unspoken assessment, “You will our help have.” She tilted her head again and said, “Resources we have, scientists we have, mean to work with you we do.” She tipped her head up; so that she was looking fully at Kaiel, “Offer we do in conjunction with release of technology of scientists and resources.  Work in—partnership to build Gates with Jaimz, to be on Z’Rarla first Gates acknowledged; request we do for Chai next Gates.  Space Gates to bring together Z’Rarla and Chai first to be built?  This be what Chai ask for in council…pre-ask now?”

Jaimz murmured cautiously, “Once the prototype Land Gate has been thoroughly tested they can be built on both Chai and Z’Rarla at about the same time, and I see no reason not to build the first Space Gates to link Chai and Z’Rarla.   However before that I-I want to study the area of space where my ship emerged, because I am sure that the answer is there.”

Again she nodded, though she said nothing for a long moment and simply looked from him to Kaiel and then back again.  At last she said, “This too issue be resolved in council…”

He leaned forward with a sudden insight, “You know something? Tell me!” after a moment he added plaintively, “Please it’s important to me.”

She looked away, “Understand you must, concerned we were in how you arrived Jaimz Ni.  Unexpected was that.  Studied anomaly we did, found occurrence suspect source we do.”

“What?  What did you find?” he asked excitedly, pressing his hand over Kaiel’s when the big male clasped his shoulder again.

“Found we did of singularity, undetected in region before.”

It was as he had speculated, a wormhole could have been the only logical answer for the distance traveled even though wormholes up to this point were only speculative science and there was no hard evidence on what if anything they could do or even if they truly existed, he had wrote a theoretical paper on the subject back in his university days (around age 12) and hazarded that they did exist due to an number of anomalies he’d noticed, but he’d certainly never expected to study one nor for that matter be pulled into one.  “Where is it?  Did the Chai chart its address?”

If she could have looked uncomfortable she would have, for certainly he picked up discomfort from her as the Speaker relayed, “Unfortunately not able to chart it were we.  Tried but could not lock on location accurately.  Is out there we know, but unstable it is.”

“Drifting…” he murmured thoughtfully, “It has no anchor on this side.  I bet that it’s anchored on the Gate back home…but at this end it has nothing to anchor to so it’s just drifting.” He had some ideas about how to anchor it, just as he had other ideas of how to use it once it was anchored but first he had to find it and that wasn’t now.

“Ah…” Kang interrupted while looking puzzled, “I don’t know much of what you’re talking about but could this Singularity thing happen again?  Isn’t that dangerous?  I mean what if some ship were going through that Gate back where you came from and the singularity brought them too?”

“It is unlikely.  My guess is the wormhole is keyed to a specific frequency, which my ship might have emitted prior to entering the wormhole; it might be a frequency specific to entering Jump Space for all I know…that—I really don’t know the answer for yet.  But it should be safe at that end.” He felt a happy glow settle over him, to be able to make sense of how he had ended up here was incredibly important to him, and to think that maybe finding the answer wasn’t as complicated as first assumed was a relief.

“There still the matter is of how to keep you and Kaiel Ni safe.” The Speaker interjected.

“What?”

“Almost die you did, at risk both of you still are.” She tipped her head down, “This Tag be unknown to us.  Understand it we do not.  When consort sick or die, Queen not die, this is true also if Queen die, consorts not.  This Tag make very dependant on health of other and is dangerous unhealthy burden to carry.”

Not to mention the need to come together sexually every 72-hours, Jaimz silently added.  The Tag was a weakness and it was a burden to those living with it yet it had to have a logical purpose for existing because otherwise evolution would have never found a need for it in the first place.  “Kaiel and I do okay.  We’ll figure it out.”  Besides circumstances had been extraordinary this time, it couldn’t be expected that every time they reached the cusp of a 72-hour that something would interfere with their need to be together.  There wouldn’t always be council meetings to get in the way, and there wouldn’t be unexpected accidents to injure him either, this time the events had been unusual, next time they should be normal again.

“But already Zarans do contest who is best to safeguard Jaimz. This is truth no?”  The Speaker reiterated.

Kaiel growled heatedly, “K’Lan has things well in hand.”

“I won’t live under some stupid military state.  Jesus I’m just one person, besides I’ll simply refuse to let anyone decide what is best for me.”  Jaimz stated just as heatedly.

“Point that not is… others do contest point is.  From legal court actions how protect you?”

“Well…” Kaiel murmured, glancing down at Jaimz as the smaller human looked up at him, “there are resources available… the usage of the Tag itself if necessary… other things as well.” He wasn’t ready yet to mention the life-bonding contract, which irrevocably tied Jaimz and him together for he was fairly certain Jaimz would react adversely to such information.

”This you must not do.” The Speaker interjected, “To reveal the Tag dependency is to reveal a weakness which used against you could be.  Safer will you both be the fewer who know of this Tag.”  She tipped her head again and added succinctly, “If you can break it you must, only way to protect you both.”

Both Kaiel and Jaimz stared at her, it was Kang who saw the obvious, “Yes, indeed she is right.  Kaiel you’re in the Diplomatic corps, you are on the front line for alien contact, and you work on the councils and within the corps to deal with situations and trade and other factors of Alien Relations.  Jaimz with your knowledge and skills and unfamiliar sciences you’re an unknown and desirable factor.  Jaimz you could be taken for your own knowledge or be held to force Kaiel’s hand, and the same for Kaiel.  Either way you are both vulnerable if the Tag is revealed, and I dare say it’s a risk that you should not take if there is any other option.”

“But that’s true no matter what,” Kaiel observed, pressing hard enough on Jaimz’ shoulder to make the smaller male scowl at him.   “We’ll just have to be careful, that’s all.”

Regardless of the discomfort to his shoulder Jaimz had to agree with Kaiel for he was certain they were worrying over nothing anyway and even where House K’Ilo was concerned he trusted Kaiel to have everything well in hand.

Kang, having grown to understand the youngling quite well in the short time that he’d know him, saw that Jaimz was going to be stubborn about this too.  He also noted that Kaiel had an equally determined stubbornness to his demeanor and realized that these two cubs would decide for themselves how best to deal with this latest concern.

Still observing the pair who were now sharing a breakfast pastry between them—or rather Jaimz had snatched one of the buttery treats right from Kaiel’s fingers and was laughing cheekily at his affronted expression—Kang mused on the potential psychic link between the pair.  Nothing like it had come up in the database, though he had to admit Tag information was scant, however there was also nothing mentioned of it (or similar) in the Tag lore—that is there was nothing in the historical notes and writings on the Tag that seemed to indicate such a link—still as the information was so spotty and the Tag really hadn’t been studied in generations he couldn’t say definitively that the link hadn’t existed prior to Kaiel and Jaimz’ situation.  As he reached for a bowl of thin sliced pale meat and thin sliced vegetables all in a clear rich broth he wondered at one other possibility that simply hadn’t occurred to him before.  Jaimz was Alien, so it was likely that the Tag was enacting upon his system differently, or at least differently enough to cause this mental link to form between him and Kaiel.  Satisfied for now that he may have found a possible answer for this link to form between the cubs Kang settled in to enjoy the rest of his breakfast.

Though he smiled softly as a very puzzled looking Var Heron turned toward Jaimz, his own flaky breakfast roll all but forgotten and scattering bits of itself on the carpeted floor as he asked diffidently, “Uh… Jaimz Ni, what is a wormhole?” and Kang settled in to enjoy a very enlightening breakfast indeed.

CH3

Kaiel adjusted the collar of his formal dress robe again and glanced anxiously toward Jaimz who was standing with Kang just inside the doorway, and out of sight of those in the council hall.  The council hall was raucous with commotion and even though the session hadn’t even opened yet all the assembled parties were in appearance and every seat was occupied — in fact today’s council session was unusually full with individuals actually standing behind the last bank of seats on the upper ring of the semi-circular chamber.

It appeared that all the allies were represented this time, which seemed unusual to him since only the Ghan, Harben and Delran had been involved in the session when it had originally opened.  That most of the other allies were now present was odd to him, since by not attending the opening day of the session it appeared as if they were uninterested in the proceedings, however something had changed their opinions if they were in attendance now.  Well, they were permitted to attend but since they hadn’t been involved from the beginning they should have no voice in the proceedings, which was the general rule in a situation like this.

As he glanced again at Jaimz and was rewarded with a faint smile he tried not to look worried, for Jaimz was sensitive to his expressions and he would wonder what was bothering him, so he glanced toward the Chai contingent instead.  The Speaker had her sisters gathered around her and they must have had their translators turned off for though they were conversing in their own language in a series of clicks, burrs and clacks, nothing they were saying to each other was being interpreted.  Still, looking at them he felt with certainty that today the Chai situation would be resolved, and he also had some idea that many of the Allies would ask to be allowed in on the same lucrative deal that the Chai were asking for.  That, he speculated, was the reason for the rest of the Allies to have shown up today on this most likely last day of deliberations.  He sighed, looking from the Chai to the representatives of several of the strongest or oldest Houses on Z’Rarla, and he had an additional sense of dread that though the Chai situation might be resolved today, that the Houses would soon be bickering over other matters; not the least the disposition of Jaimz within Z’Rarla proper.  He was amazed that his own father was not in attendance, for as the Head of K’Lan he too had some say in Jaimz’ future situation, and if the Houses were going to debate on such a situation than he should really be here.  However as K’Lan Terrill, Head of K’Lan Pride, oldest Pride on Z’Rarla was not in attendance, Kaiel had to believe that today at least the Houses would hold their peace and most likely if Jaimz’ situation was broached it would only be to set a date for the predicted debate.  He hoped he was wrong about the reasoning for so many Houses to be represented, but as they returned his gaze with hard stares of their own he did not think he was wrong.

There were a lot of concerns; what the Houses wanted, what the Allies wanted and probably other concerns that he hadn’t even considered yet, but as he glanced yet again toward Jaimz he had to admit glumly that none of those concerns worried him half so much as Jaimz himself did.  It was Jaimz’ desire to find his home that worried him the most, and it was made all the worse by the fact that he could understand that drive which impelled Jaimz.  He felt Jaimz’ longing to find his people as if it was his own longing and he understood that need which so consumed Jaimz, but it also worried him— no, if he were honest it terrified him.  He knew that Jaimz was still uneasy with the Tag, and he also knew that what the Tag required of Jaimz was still a struggle for him despite how good he might feel when answering that requirement.  Jaimz wouldn’t give up on finding a cure for the Tag— at least not until he had exhausted every possibility.  Kaiel worried not so much about Jaimz breaking the Tag— in some ways if Jaimz would pick him without the Tag there to make his choice for him then he knew he’d be the most fortunate Zaran on Z’Rarla— but rather at Jaimz finding his people and choosing them over him even with the Tag still forcing them together every 72 hours.  He could see Jaimz make that kind of choice, for Jaimz was very practical that way.  It was that practicality of Jaimz, which had him so concerned, and yet at the same time, despite his own concerns he knew that he’d do whatever he could to help Jaimz and not stand in the way of his desires or dreams.  Again he sighed as he wondered miserably why he couldn’t be as dispassionate about Jaimz as Jaimz could be about him, for outside of the Tag’s demand Jaimz was able to treat him simply like a friend.   Jaimz liked him, but that wouldn’t be enough to make Jaimz stay with him if he had a choice.   Looking achingly down at the heavy council table before him he thought morosely of one simple truth, that he would be happy to take Jaimz however he could, even if it was only once every 72 hours, and that realization only made him feel more sick at heart.

It took a light touch from Heron to remind him of his duty as Speaker for the council.  The Speaker’s Stone had been replaced and was sitting in its cradle waiting for him to claim it.  Dismissing his current worries from his mind and murmuring his thanks to Heron he curled his fingers around the heavy round stone.  He swept his gaze over the filled tiers of council chamber and he noted that while the hall was still clamorous with noise that the Chai Speaker and her party, at least, were waiting patiently for the proceedings to commence.  He noted that his taking the stone had been observed by others and he waited in hopes that the ruckus would settle but as the babble continued and did not seem likely to abate this side of the session he finally rapped the stone against the marble plate set into the table.  Though he had refrained from using it before it was customary to rap the stone three times to signal the session, it took all three for the rabble to settle down and take their positions.

He let the silence settle around the echo of the final rap of the stone before announcing, “This session is now in order.  We resume where we left off last day.”  He carefully kept his ears still, since yesterday the session had been ostensibly held up to allow him time to recuperate from whatever had caused him to collapse the day before.  Kang had dealt with all inquiries even to taking a call from his father and not passing it along to him or even telling him about the call until just before he’d entered the chamber.  He could well imagine his father’s take on his collapse and then his all day need to be cloistered in his suite, oh yes, he could easily image what his father would have thought about that, seeing how his father seemed to think all he did with Jaimz was bang him… and though it took some effort to keep his ears steady, yesterday at least his father would not have been wrong in his estimation.  Glad that he could not blush… he pushed on, “In keeping with the discussion interrupted prematurely last session this council calls the Speaker for the Chai to formally enter the Chai proposal.”

With great dignity the Chai Speaker approached the raised podium and stepping up she faced him as she spoke (and her translator clicked in), “Formally Chai withdraws its previous proposal and enters new compromise that Chai believes beneficial will be both to Z’Rarla and Chai.  Pursuant to this agrees Chai to work with Z’Rarla in tandem over sector in dispute.  Chai does ask for Planet with Chai remains to be respected as Chai Territory and one third all resources within disputed territory to belong to or be split with Chai…as agreed upon in earlier session.”  She paused there to allow for agreement.

Kaiel swept a look around the council hall and approved, “The Chai proposal is so entered and agreed upon.”

She nodded, and serenely continued, “Further to this submits Chai in resources and scientists to share in aid of and pursuant to the gain of new knowledge and technology.  Further it is Chai’s determination to work with one Jaimz Ryordan Gingko otherwise known as K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan in aid of his designs and goal to find his Home, understand Chai does of such a need.” That was clearly her own insight added there, she continued after a pause, “Acknowledge Chai does of rights and freedoms of one K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan and pursuant to said proposals Chai requests inclusion of said individual in all further talks.”

This of course was the signal that he had been waiting for, as Jaimz was not a member of the council, not a recognized ally and for that matter not yet even a recognized citizen of Z’Rarla his presence in the council would have to be requested, just as the Speaker had done, for him to be allowed into the proceedings, and as he expected there were shouts of denial and recriminations from all around the chamber.  Again he rapped the stone until the shouting settled to a dull roar.  “The Speaker for the Chai has requested the presence of K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan in these further proceedings.  Understood that peace between Chai and Z’Rarla has already been decided and agreements will be drawn up accordingly.  These further talks though related to the matter between Z’Rarla and the Chai does not affect the peace treaty now agreed upon.”

Several old cats got up from their seats and shouted how improper this was, the blustering shark-like Delran Ambassador denounced the proceedings, the tall serene Ghan Ambassador asked in a most dignified manner about precedent.  Kaiel had to clap the speaker’s stone again to bring order once more to the crowd and just as the last echo of the stone faded and the final shouts began to diminish a shout from the crowd resounded, “Jaimz Ryordan Gingko is an honorary member of K’Lan pride!  Doesn’t this stink of partiality?”

Kaiel looked hard at the assemblage of Zaran councilors, and while most were nodding in emphatic agreement, only one gave him a hard look in return.  The Head of K’Ilo Pride.

It was Heron who rose to the challenge.  “As Speaker K’Lan Kaiel of K’Lan Pride has no vote in the proceedings… As you know K’Ilo Dunai.” Then appearing to shift some papers, Heron continued in the same vein, “It could be construed that your involvement in these further talks is suspect…seeing as how House K’Ilo has lodged a class action suit against House K’Lan regarding disposition of said K’Lan Jaimz.”            

The esteemed head of House K’Ilo briefly flipped his ears back in acknowledgement then conceded reluctantly, “I have no complaint against Jaimz Ryordan Gingko attending these proceedings.”

Of course not, Kaiel thought bitterly, for whatever is discussed here can only serve to further your ambition to take him away from K’Lan Pride and me.  He had not failed to miss how K’Ilo Dunai referred to Jaimz, not with his pride status as was Jaimz’ right and belonged to him due to his status as Lorz’ legal mate—and his own he thought after a moment—but rather by his purely human name, thereby attempting to strip away Jaimz’ protection.  He reminded, “K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan has the right— no the requirement of being addressed to properly within this assemblage.  It is acceptable to name him K’Lan Jaimz but more accurately his name is K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan… I would request that all members of this audience remember that and respect it as such.”

“House K’Ilo does not recognize such a position.” K’Ilo Dunai blustered.

Again Var Heron stepped forth, in matters regarding K’Lan; Kaiel could not refute them, so Heron was acting as the mediary here.  It occurred to Kaiel that his father should be here to represent House K’Lan.  “It is however a fact that K’Lan Jaimz is a legal member of K’Lan Pride.”

K’Ilo Dunai looked flustered as he protested, “There has been no petition as such set before the courts, no documentation to this fact.”

Kaiel tried not to smile, for it was difficult to contain his amusement as Heron continued, “There is verification of K’Lan Jaimz’ status.  He is a registered member of K’Lan Pride.”

“How… how is this so?” Dunai queried mulishly.

“K’Lan Jaimz’ status is not at issue here, your question is disregarded Councilor K’Ilo.” Kaiel interjected, reminding, “The issue here is the Chai Speaker asking for K’Lan Jaimz’ presence at these further procedures.  Council K’Ilo has expressed his agreement.  How does the rest of the house find?”

“What’s going on out there?” Jaimz queried while rubbing his forehead, he was careful to avoid the bruised area.

Kang glanced away from the chamber to take in the guard that would keep them out until they were expressly called upon.  It was by tacit agreement that he was here and would attend, as Jaimz’ medic it was his place to ensure that his young human charge didn’t suffer any additional relapses due to stress or mental exhaustion.  He already noted that Jaimz looked pale and tired, and he had out of the corner of his eye caught sight of Jaimz rubbing his forehead so he knew that a headache was developing.  “They are voting now about whether to let you into the proceedings.”

Jaimz sighed, “I still don’t understand why the Chai Speaker wants me here?  What do I have to do with the situation between Chai and Z’Rarla?”

Kang wasn’t certain, he had wondered at the Speaker’s requesting of only one third of the disputed sector. Why not demand one half?  Of course he had been present during this morning’s conversation and it was obvious that the Chai Speaker wanted the new knowledge and technology that Jaimz specifically represented, but he had also thought she wasn’t saying everything she was after.  The Chai were a cunning people and they rarely played all their cards at once.  “She has her reasons, and all you can do youngling is remember what you spoke of with her this morning and try not to be surprised by any… red herring questions.”  He smiled lightly at the young human who grinned at his use of the Terran metaphor.

After a moment of thought Jaimz frowned and mused, “Do you think she’d try to mislead me?  She seemed nice this morning.”  He had liked the Chai speaker, though he was still uncertain why she considered him a threat or for that matter why she considered him to be under threat at the same time.  He was still just one person, and as much as he wanted to find his people and rebuild his technology he knew that he was hostage to Z’Rarla’s goodwill.  The Zaran’s could simply decide not to help him, though that did seem unlikely since Terrill had already indicated how the government was ready to back his projects and how other Houses wanted in on the action.  Maybe that was simply what she wanted too, to have the Chai people be fully involved in the development of his projects.  He sighed again thinking how nice it would be if he was just a simple person with out this burden of excessive intelligence that made him so desirable to powers greater than he was.  On Earth he had just graduated from university, a feat accomplished at age 12, when the local government had pretty much conscripted him into their service.  He didn’t remember accepting employment with the Science Advancement and Exploration department of the North American Coalition; he’d simply found himself working for them.  He had definitely been the odd man in the crew, so much younger than any one else on the staff, and yet all to quickly he’d proven he belonged there and then he was all but running the lab and most ideas and discoveries coming out of it were his. 

Looking out toward Kaiel at the same moment that Kaiel glanced his way, Jaimz thought of how he was sought after for his intelligence, how it seemed that everyone wanted something from him, though these Zaran’s seemed divided in what they wanted from him.  Yes they wanted his intelligence but they also seemed fascinated with his body, his small, delicate and fuckable body.  It made him want to shout in frustration for he was tall, he was better than average height for his own kind, sure he was handsome—okay even amongst humans he was better than merely handsome—but he did the fucking… it had never been the other way around.  Since he’d been unwillingly tossed into the middle of this dispute, which by the way he had no part of, everything had been turned on its head and here instead of being the dominate species in the galaxy he was the weaker, all alone and unrecognized even as a species, he was unique and so far from his home and people that no Zaran ally had ever seen anything like him, and no wonder since in his galaxy there were only humans and no human had seen an alien and many now doubted that aliens actually existed.  He noticed Kaiel’s slight frown and he moaned softly while hunching in on himself.  Well, Kaiel was proof that Aliens existed at least. 

He jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder, bringing him out of his troubled thoughts, and twisted around to see Kang withdrawing though the big old cat gave him a worried look and cautioned, “You’re working yourself into a fine snarl, cub.”

Jaimz felt the tension in his shoulders loosen as he leaned against Kang and denied, “I— I’m fine.”

Kang snorted, “You are not fine.  I can see that you’re developing a headache and that what the Chai is after worries you.  You shouldn’t try to take so much upon your shoulders, cub.”

Jaimz smiled against his tunic and sighed, “It’s so hard sometimes… everyone seems to want something from me.”

“Kaiel…”

Jaimz looked out toward Kaiel again, who had his attention once more upon the council members and he sighed, “Him too… though he seems to only want my body.”

Kang smiled, “Is that so bad?  A better release of tension I have yet to discover.”  While Jaimz stood blushing at his forthrightness Kang was silent, then while lightly rubbing Jaimz’ slender shoulders he added, “Kaiel does truly care about you and he worries after you, too.”

He knew that, he knew that Kaiel cared for him.  He knew because he wouldn’t hurt Kaiel’s feelings as he often did if Kaiel didn’t care for him.  He closed his eyes. This power that he had over the big male was somewhat frightening, he could never have imagined being in such a relationship, it wasn’t natural, it wasn’t normal.  In Human society he would do the chasing and catching, it was only normal.  There was nothing normal about this, for here he was the caught, Tagged and bedded, and here he was the damsel in distress, but in a strange way he still had power over that big male.

Kang sighed, it wasn’t as if he’d expected Jaimz to acknowledge his statement, but it was discouraging since he knew the truth in how both cubs cared deeply for each other.  With Kaiel he wore his heart pretty much right out there to be seen, if one knew what to look for; it was a little deeper with Jaimz, he was still so conflicted and tied up by his morals and rigid society that he didn’t easily surrender his feelings, at least not where Kaiel was concerned.  And yet, two souls more perfectly matched Kang had never seen in his lifetime.  He’d heard of course of great life-bondings where the mates had been fated to join by the Gods, they permeated some of Z’Rarla’s most ancient and time honored stories and he didn’t doubt that Kaiel and Jaimz were such a bonding.  It was perhaps a sad twist of fate that had made them two different species while at the same time the same sex, and yet lore had it the soul had no boundaries, it recognized no species and knew no gender.

Kang was brought out of his reverie by the guard clearing his throat to gain his attention.  He stepped wordlessly back from Jaimz while the guard, a big ruddy maned lion in his middle years struggled to keep his ears erect and portray no emotion as Jaimz waited expectantly for him to speak. 

Finally, while carefully not looking at Jaimz who despite seeming pale and a bit strained still managed to be both winsome and delicate, the guard intoned, “You have been summoned K’Lan Ni.” 

This was the signal they had been waiting for, with a decisive nod and the firming of his slender shoulders Jaimz strode past the council guard and into the hall with Kang following sedately at his heels.

Immediately, and as could be expected, a murmur of sound swept through the tiers of the chamber at Jaimz’ appearance.  His image had been made known through the COM CAST news and the daily periodicals so it wasn’t as if he was completely unknown, but it was still something else to see him in person, with his fair skin glowing faintly luminescent, his sun-streaked fawn locks streaming softly and his sea-foam green-eyes glinting with challenge at the assembly.  His appearance was undeniably alien, and yet his cubling stature and delicate build was at once vulnerable and fascinating… at least to the Zaran’s.

His breather hissing vapor, Ambassador Huirlic of the Delran rose up in challenge, directing his brusque question not to Jaimz but rather to Kang, “Who be you?  Dis council has allowed da— irregular — presenz of da ‘uman… but no referenz be made to you.”

Calmly Kang stated, “V’Ran Kang, personal Medic to K’Lan Jaimz and for K’Lan Pride.  I am here on behalf of Jaimz to supervise him and ensure that he doesn’t overstress himself…”

This caused another murmur to ripple through the chamber, but the Delran Ambassador didn’t challenge Kang’s presence again.  News of the mishap had hit the news broadcast and the periodicals both on the night of the accident.  Since neither Jaimz nor Kaiel had been interviewed, it had been K’Lan Terrill who had told the News cast that Jaimz and Kaiel were stable and in fair condition after he’d solicited (actually demanded) information from Kang.  Kang sighed softly; in reality Kaiel’s collapse had also caused quite a stir and it was very likely that reporters from the Local media station, as well as perhaps from global COM CAST stations, were waiting for their chance to interview one if not both of the K’Lan Pride members.  After all, Kaiel was heir to Z’Rarla’s oldest House, and Jaimz was a new and engaging alien, and any story involving them was newsworthy.  To hear Terrill tell it, thanks to Kaiel the Pride was more in the news lately than ever; what with his Betrothal to L’Teran Vreda falling through and L’Teran challenging it, and House K’Ilo challenging House K’Lan over the status of Jaimz, and L’Teran Vreda ending up being injured after running Jaimz’ transport off the road and L’Teran Zhion up in arms about that too… when it was his own daughter’s fault that she was injured in the first place.  Oh yes, things were very interesting for K’Lan Pride, Kang mused smilingly as he followed Jaimz deeper into the chamber.

Kaiel kept his face very still as he faced Jaimz and said coolly, “State your name for the record.”

“Jaimz Ryordan Gingko.” Jaimz answered at once, than at noticing the flicking of Kaiel’s ear he added, “Also K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan… that’s my Zaran name.”

Kaiel faintly smiled then continued, “You understand that these proceedings do not in any way determine your status, that these proceedings are merely a continuation of the Zaran and Chai situation, of which the issue has been resolved, but the Chai Speaker wishes to direct a few questions toward you.  The choice to answer any or all of her questions is entirely up to you.”

“I understand.” Jaimz answered softly and turned to face the Chai Speaker who was waiting.  She was resplendent as usual and again he felt her gentle amusement and appreciation before something about her appearance hardened and he sensed that she was about to get down to business.

“Jaimz Ryordan Gingko determine this council must if your appearance in the disputed Sector construed can be as forerunner to larger invasion or if in reality was nothing more than, as implied you have, a bizarre accident.” If Jaimz seemed a bit taken aback it was because he had not expected such a statement, yet as he wondered what she was getting at he also sensed that she felt it necessary that his ship’s appearance on that day had to be clarified before she proceeded to other matters.  Of course her statement had the same effect on the rest of the council, as clearly they had not considered the possibility that he was not here by chance, despite his claims.

Her chains chiming softly she continued, “Jaimz Ryordan Gingko your stance it is that prototype your Space Fold Jump Ship is and that appeared you did by chance in the disputed sector?”

“Yes.”

“No chance there is that animosity toward us—the Zaran and the Chai—your people hold?  No chance that added claim on disputed sector your people make by sending you as forerunner to stake said claim?” she asked succinctly, her translator of course conveying no hint of her emotions. 

Yet Jaimz had the sense that she was trying to sooth him even as he replied, “No, there is no chance in either case.  My people do not even know of the existence of Z’Rarla or Chai, so then how could they harbor any animosity towards either?” he smiled faintly, “And no one sent me here, I arrived completely by accident.”  Of which he was still trying to determine.

“Perhaps no knowledge have you, perhaps reprogrammed your ship was and sent you were without consent?”

“Not possible, there is no way to program in an unknown trajectory!  The distances involved—the unknown variables— at any time the ship could have and should have been ripped apart.  And no one would have reprogrammed that ship.”  His voice was hard as he concluded.

“So certain are you?”

“Yes.” He replied curtly.

“Then it is your position that by accident… by unknown event did you arrive within disputed sector?”

“Yes.”

“Retrace you can how occurred this event?”  She tipped her head inquiringly.

Here he hesitated, then after a moment he said, “Yes… I believe I can.”

“How accomplish this, if as you claim appearance in disputed sector was unintentional?”

He just stared at the Chai Speaker for a long moment and then took in the rest of the watchful council chamber before leveling a calm look upon her once more, “I believe that data contained within the SFJS will reveal how my ship was drawn to that sector.”

“So important it is that regain your ship you must?  Say anything to accomplish this would you not?” She asked bluntly.

“It was an accident.” He bristled, “People died on that ship, had I planned an invasion I would have sent an Unmanned Gunship through first and not risked any human lives.”

“Perhaps acceptable losses they were?  Perhaps errors occur and rest of advance warships left behind?  Perhaps lucky for you that you alone survived—could garner sympathy—gain time to discover error—attack from within?  Weaken from within?”

“It wasn’t like that!”  He growled, “It was an accident, we weren’t meant to come here!  My crew’s deaths were NOT an acceptable l-loss!  I-I-It was not acceptable for me to—to…” He shook his head fiercely, shaking with memory at the horror of waking up while being raped by a leonine alien— how terrifying it had been, how excruciatingly painful it had been; those were memories he could never forget.  Hugging himself he repeated achingly, “It wasn’t like that.”

The Chai Speaker looked at the distressed young human for a long moment, it was easy to read him, easy to sense the trauma he’d suffered not only at the deaths of his crew but also in the personal pain he’d suffered when he’d been exposed to aliens for the first time and been so savagely abused at that same time.  And yet, looking toward Kaiel, another young being who was every bit as agitated as the human even if he was able to hide his feelings from everyone else, she knew that Jaimz seemed to hold no animosity toward the Zaran people nor especially toward Kaiel, she did not think that she could have ever been so forgiving.  She softened her stance, “K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan, it is your position that accident it was but retrace you can unintentional appearance in disputed sector?”

Jaimz raised his head; he’d noted her change in manner.  “Yes, I can.”  At least he believed he could and he knew that she knew he believed.

She nodded, “Then it is Chai’s determination to help you with endeavor.  In exchange for Gate technology, Space Fold and Jump technology and other technologies as is discovered or created, Chai will commit scientists and resources.  Toward relocating your home Chai determined to offer assistance, ships if necessary, scientists and resources as proposed already.  For Chai to gain new Allies, with maybe other ideas and technologies to offer, such as Unmanned Gunships?”

“Ships and Resources he already has access too!” Shouted the Zaran Military Advisor, A’Kani Mar as he pounded his fist against the railing; “The Zaran government will support K’Lan Jaimz in this, his technologies and all further discoveries belong to Z’Rarla.”

“No, Delran must have stake in dis too.  Prepared we be to extend resoursez and scientists in exchange alzo for Gate technology and other technologiez az become available!” the Delran Ambassador heatedly interjected, breathing so harshly that his breather was casting a misting of vapor onto any nearby councilor.

As Kaiel had expected and worried this opened the entire chamber to a shouting debate of who had what resources to offer, who had better claim due to status or power, and even who had a better situation to offer to Jaimz, only the Chai stayed out of the debate for they already had stated what they wanted.  Not everyone descended into the shouting match, the diplomatic and wise Ghan tried instead to sooth and mediate the situation, a few of the Zaran councilors also tried to keep their fellows from entering the fray, but on the whole the entire chamber was in disarray and Kaiel felt that everything was going to fall to pieces if he didn’t restore order to this hall.

No one considered Jaimz though, the subject of this debate, as he stood incredulously watching the debate and growing more distressed and more angry with every shouted utterance from the councilors’ and ambassadors’ mouths (or whatever means they used to communicate their points).  Kang was there, offering what comfort he could but Jaimz’ ire was only growing stronger as the chamber exploded all around him, because of him.  Finally to the clap of the Speakers Stone Jaimz’ own voice rang out startlingly raw and resoundingly viscous as it echoed the stone.

“Shut the fuck up!  Goddammit, do you think you own me?  Do you think I haven’t a mind to think for myself, or the wits to make my own decisions?  You don’t own me!  My technologies belong to me!  My ship is mine!  My Gates are mine!  If I share my technologies with anyone it will be because I want to not because I am forced to!”

Both Kaiel and Kang winced, for Jaimz had used very improper language but it was unlikely that anyone other than they had any idea what those metaphors meant, since Jaimz hadn’t bothered to translate them into the Zaran equivalents, especially since one of those colorful metaphors didn’t have a Zaran equivalent anyway.  Still Jaimz looked spectacular all fired up and enraged; with his gem-like eyes flashing and his sun streaked hair flying and his clenched fists shaking.  Kaiel just wanted to take him into his arms and sooth him down until the angry heat suffusing his cheeks warmed to a flush of passion and his tense lips softened with desire.  Of course, Kaiel could allow only a moment’s distraction, since as Speaker for the assembly he had a job to do.  But before he could do anything Councilor K’Ilo rose up and glaring at Jaimz he growled, “What say have you in anything?  You should be simply grateful we took you in and cared for you.  Whatever you create you will do on our say so, with our full participation and we Zaran’s will control every aspect of it.”

Jaimz stared at the big cat, he was roughly around Terrill’s age though somewhat larger in height, he had the look of a northern Zaran with a more pronounced muzzle and he was also ruddy in appearance, though his mane and ruff were darker than his pelt.  Even his deep-set brown-eyes had a reddish cast to them, which Jaimz found instantly unsettling.  Though the big male’s appearance was disturbing in its familiarity Jaimz was too enraged to allow any distractions, “I should be grateful?  You… you people fired upon my ship!  Killed my crew!  And-and I was—was r-ra—trapped here!”  He pointed toward the Chai Speaker, “If I was given a choice I would have chosen to live with her people, but I can’t even choose that!   I’m trapped here, I’ll never be able to go home again and it’s your fault and you tell me I should be GRATEFUL?  Fuck you!”

The councilor had no idea what the last words spoken with such heat were, but he recognized the tone enough to know that they were meant for pure insult.  He flared back, “Yes you ungrateful little Skarll, clearly K’Lan has been pussy footing around too much with you, treating you like a delicate little cub when they should be teaching you manners!  When my pride has you the first thing I’ll do is teach you to respect your—”

Kaiel slammed the Speakers stone down, growling, “You’re out of line K’Ilo Ni!”

The councilor swung to face him, “I’m out of line?  This piece of Skarll-dung insults me and I’m out of line?  Clearly you have been coddling him too much K’Lan Ni!”

Unnoticed by all but Kang and the Chai Speaker Jaimz had swayed and paled when councilor K’Ilo’s name was revealed, Kang moved instantly, wrapping his arms around Jaimz when the youngling lunged toward the balconied tiers with his beautiful face contorted by pure hate and loathing, still though Kang was able to hold the young human, nothing could stop him from shouting, “You’re K’Ilo?  Are you Ham’s father or something?” when the big male, barely deigning to look upon him, gave a disdainful nod, Jaimz swore, “You bastard!” in the background he could hear Kaiel shouting at him, but he didn’t care.  He laughed derisively, “Would you teach me my manners the same way your fuckin son did?” He struggled in Kang’s powerful grip, while the councilor glared at him with his ears tipped all the way back into his ruddy mane and his reddish eyes burning with rage, “I’d rather die before letting you’re fuckin son lay his God dammed hands on me again!  Understand?  I’d die first before I let K’Ilo Pride or your fuckin son near me!” 

Then before either Jaimz or K’Ilo Dunai could escalate the tirade into something worse, Kaiel excused himself, whether anyone heard him or not he didn’t know nor did he care as he pulled Jaimz into his arms and dashed through to the side chamber where Kang and Jaimz had been waiting earlier.  He heard Kang soothing down the disruptive crowd, and especially Councilor K’Ilo who had to be feeling very irate at the moment, perhaps understandably, but as he lowered Jaimz to his feet he heard Kang explaining about the mishap and how Jaimz had suffered a head injury and that he was still recovering, as if that could excuse his outburst, which perhaps it might.

Jaimz wavered, and then he sagged so that Kaiel had to catch him to steady him, not that Jaimz seemed to notice as he covered his eyes with trembling hands and cried desolately, “He hurt me!  God he hurt me!”

Kaiel had been prepared to scold Jaimz for his uncivilized behavior, but as Jaimz leaned crying against him it was all he could do to lightly drape his arms around him and murmur soft assurances that Ham wouldn’t hurt him again.  He fumed at Ham for being such a source of recurrent nightmares and terror for Jaimz and he fumed at Lorz for letting Ham near him.  Jaimz at least only seemed to hate Lorz, but Ham— Ham he feared.

It took a bit; nevertheless Jaimz finally calmed down and simply stood quietly within Kaiel’s encircling arms.  It took a short while more before Jaimz said anything and that was a quavering apology.

“What?” Kaiel murmured in return, having barely listened to what he’d said.

Jaimz lifted his face and with his eyes dark in distress he stated, “I didn’t mean… what I said… about being trapped… I didn’t mean it.”

Kaiel leaned down and pressed his chin against the top of Jaimz’ head, “Yes you did cub… but I understand.  You are trapped; even with me you are still trapped.”

Jaimz released a shuddering sigh and laid his cheek against Kaiel’s tunic-clad chest.  “I chose you remember?”

Kaiel was silent for a moment before sighing in return as he reminded, “Over death.”  Some choice that had been, choose him or die.  Damn Lorz for doing this to Jaimz… to both of them, and damn Lorz for somehow knowing that he would have offered himself up in Lorz’ place.  Gods how he wished he’d have met Jaimz first, then surely none of this would have happened and as much as he loved Jaimz, if Jaimz had only been able to be his friend he could have lived with that… though it pained his heart to think of Jaimz in that light.

Jaimz didn’t make any reply to that, what could he say when Kaiel was right even if he didn’t hate him for it.  The reality of it was that both of them were locked together neither of them able to ever escape the other and each would follow the other to the grave.  Oh yes, if he was trapped then so indeed was Kaiel.

Kaiel finally loosened his hold and asked carefully, “Do you feel like going back in there?”  The Chai Speaker’s proposal still needed to be answered and he had a feeling that it needed to be before he could release Jaimz to return to the quiet of the suite.

Shuddering, Jaimz wrapped his arms around himself again.  Yet after a moment he nodded, “I think I can, if—if I don’t see—”

“Try not to look at him Jaimz, just ignore Councilor K’Ilo if you can.” Kaiel advised, even though he knew that it might be difficult to follow through.

Still shuddering Jaimz nodded and stepped back from him, though Kaiel noticed he was rubbing his forehead as he turned back to the council chamber again.  Kaiel stepped up to the council guard who by the fact he couldn’t quite meet his gaze related how intrigued the older male was by what he had seen or heard while he’d been comforting Jaimz.  At least no Tag reference had come up in the conversation, though references to choices that included death had to be tantalizing, so hopefully the guard was bonded not to speak about things he overheard while on duty.  “I’ll go first, then allow a minute and let Jaimz Ni follow.” He instructed, the guard nodded and finally met his eye.  He turned back to Jaimz, “When you come in address yourself to the Chai Speaker, do your best to ignore everyone else, and then I will excuse you from the session.”

Glancing at him Jaimz gave a short nod to acknowledge Kaiel’s instruction and then watched as he strode back into the chamber to resume his position as the Council Speaker.  Jaimz chewed on his lip and shook his head as he replayed his reaction to K’Ilo and his overall uncivilized behavior within the chamber.  He felt his cheeks heat as he considered the real possibility that the senior K’Ilo had no idea what Ham had done to him.  But it was so hard to get past the fact that Ham who he’d thought never have to see again had come back into his life just a few days ago and now here he was confronting the big male’s father, and no matter what the senior K’Ilo knew regarding the matter between him and Ham, he had still insinuated using force when it came to teaching Jaimz his manners.  That had been enough to infuriate him, add any relation to Ham on top of that and he admittedly had seen red.  Still he hadn’t displayed any manners when he’d exploded like that and had maybe revealed more than he ought with what he’d said.  He sighed morosely while thinking if he were so damn intelligent, how was it that every so often he was so damn stupid.

He waited as Kaiel called order once again and the assembly settled themselves in watchful silence while waiting upon him to resume the session.  He noticed that Councilor K’Ilo still looked incensed with his ears flicking in irritation and his deep-set eyes still glinting with burnished fire.  He realized now why the older male had bothered him so much from the onset; he looked like an older, slightly darker version of Ham.  He looked at Kaiel, Kaiel didn’t remind him of Lorz, in fact Kaiel looked like no one except himself, or perhaps his mother, though Jaimz hadn’t seen any pictures of her just the memorial statue in the garden.  In addition, though Terrill shared his coloring with Lorz he didn’t so strongly remind him of the male, so that he seemed an older version of him.  That was not the case with the senior K’Ilo and Ham; as father and son they shared a real likeness.  Still that didn’t automatically mean that they shared a similarity in disposition for all that the older male had threatened him.

Zaran’s were fascinated by his appearance, his smaller stature and his smooth skin, so it wasn’t much of a stretch to imagine the type of lessons he might have received to teach him his manners from even K’Ilo senior.  Though he didn’t want to assume that all Zaran’s wanted to get him in their beds, so far he’d met enough to confirm his fears.  Would it be that way when the Zarans and Humans finally met for real?  Of course they would meet under different circumstances, and though Humans were of smaller stature that didn’t mean they would be helpless to defend themselves, even if when it came to sheer size and strength the Zaran’s were naturally unmatched.  And of course not all humans—especially males—were like him, smooth skinned and admittedly too pretty, still that did leave the entire female Human population in a vulnerable position, since naturally most were smooth skinned with delicate features that probably would appeal to the Zaran population, of course if he was as cubling small as a 12-year-old then any Human female would be worse than cubling small, rather they would be prepubescent and a true child in height so that a Zaran male might naturally shy away from them in fear of hurting them, which once again returned any pretty Human male into the unenviable position of being pursued.

CH4

“If you would K’Lan Ni?” the guard asked diffidently while sweeping his hand out toward the waiting council chamber.

Jaimz took in a deep breath to settle his nerves, squared his shoulders again and nodded as he strode forth to face the crowd once more.

The assembled councilors and ambassadors bore a bit of indignation toward him this time, which he supposed was understandable considering how he’d left the hall in disruption not to long ago.  Still, avoiding the senior K’Ilo, he bowed toward the assembly and said, “My apologies, my manners were not at their best.  I pray you can forgive me.”  With that said he straightened and walked toward Kang, well, actually he sauntered rather than hurry and give away that he was under any stress.  

Kang was watching him worriedly and he bent toward him as Jaimz reached his side saying, “I told them about your head injury and how you might possibly be a bit mentally confused still.”

Jaimz rolled his eyes and smilingly hissed, “Oh gee, thanks Doc.” Now they would think he was unstable and rude to boot, just great.  Oh well, he had to deal with the blows as they came.

The Chai speaker was also watching, and from her he felt an emoting of sympathy and understanding, so that he wondered as he looked back at her, exactly how much of his memories she had access to.  Still as if she understood what he was thinking she gave a slight shake of her heart-shaped head as if to assure him that he wasn’t exactly an open book to her.  It didn’t really make him feel a great deal better though, for he had still revealed too much as it was, like for instant his very real and nearly insane hatred of Ham.

Still she was a diplomat and she knew what she was meant to do, “How see you K’Lan Jaimz?”

He bowed toward her, and stated clearly, “It would be my pleasure to accept your aid in exchange for knowledge and technologies…” Kaiel stopped the protest before it could really begin, he continued, facing the rest of the audience, “I am willing to share my knowledge and technologies with everyone in aid of my own purpose of finding my home and people.  The Zaran of course as my benefactors are at the fore of helping me and thereby gaining in return all that I have to offer now and in the future.  The Chai as they offered first naturally stand to gain all that I offer and I trust they will share their resources as offered with Z’Rarla.  All other Ally worlds will also benefit from my knowledge with Z’Rarla’s collaboration, of course.  However, first and foremost before I start to work formally on any of my current projects it is my wish to investigate the manner in which I arrived in this galaxy.”

To his side the Chai Speaker acknowledged, “As pledged, our support Chai is prepared to provide this endeavor.”

Another Zaran rose, fortunately he was not K’Ilo Dunai.  He was perhaps ten or so years older than Kaiel with a brown pelt, brown mane and ruff but light yellow eyes, he was also a bit out of shape as if he was used to manning a desk though his uniform indicated that he was in Z’Rarla’s military forces, “V’Dra Manawa, adjutant to General D’Vray Hern of Zaran Forces, I am authorized to extend military support for K’Lan no Gingko Ni.” He nodded toward Jaimz and then with a slight dip of his chin acknowledged Councilor A’Kani Mar (the Military Advisor) as he resumed his seat.

The shark-like Delran Ambassador rose, his flat-black eyes glaring down the Ghan who was calmly unfolding her forelimbs, “Ahrmm, Delran be prepared to offer—”

Of course, it escalated from there, with Ambassadors and Councilors yelling at each other as each tried to gain a firmer foot on the matter, if this was even about the Chai and Zaran situation any longer Jaimz couldn’t tell, since it seemed to revolve completely around his technology and his knowledge.  He knew that his Gates seemed intriguing and that his Space Fold Jump Ship had was high-tech but really, it was all unproven here, and as it was since he’d arrived by mistake one would think his technologies should at least be suspect… nevertheless it appeared that everyone wanted to get in on some piece of the action.

Kaiel rolled his eyes at the argument continued to roar out of all control, finally he shared a grin and shrug with Jaimz and with a precise nod excused him from the rest of the session.  As Jaimz turned away with Kang in hovering attendance several of the councilors called out, trying to gain his attention.  However Kang draped a big arm around Jaimz’ shoulders and guided him out of the chamber thereby forestalling any further efforts to illicit Jaimz’ support, and Kaiel noticed a few of the Councilors and Ambassadors give Kang a very perceptive look as they wondered what the old Medics true position within the pride was.

However as Kaiel was about to sound the Speakers Stone in hopes of restoring order Heron leaned close to him and reminded through the clamor, “Perhaps you should announce a midday break Kaiel Ni?”

Kaiel glanced in surprise at the ornate timepiece mounted on the wall at his back and noted that the time was actually past midday, the morning session had rushed by with no one noticing.  He felt his stomach growl a reminder that breakfast had been a long time ago and nodded in agreement, flashing Heron a grateful smile.  He clapped the Speakers Stone into the marble plaque until the noisy chamber silenced.  While the members of the assemblage shot meaningful looks of enmity at him and each other he announced the cessation of the meeting with directives to return for the continuance (and hopeful closing) of the session in two hours.

He knew that Heron would want to tidy up before he excused himself, so he quickly bent to assisting his assistant, thinking the sooner they got out of here the sooner he could be with Jaimz again, but Heron forestalled him.  Looking at him the slightly older male smiled and said, “Go on, I can finish up on my own, I won’t be but a moment behind you.”

“You… sure?” he asked hesitantly.

Heron grinned, “Go on, I’m faster on my own.”

Kaiel smiled wryly and teased, “Ungrateful…” Before nodding and turning away.  He headed for the side chamber again, though a glance toward the tiers told him the council chamber was rapidly emptying.  Upon arrival to the chamber though, he found to his pleasant surprise that Kang and Jaimz hadn’t left yet.  In fact as he approached Kang lightly pushed Jaimz toward him and said, “I’ll wait for Heron.”

Jaimz fell in beside him and together they left the council chamber, the outer corridor was crowded, a few councilors even tried to detain Jaimz.  However with a hard look from Kaiel they acquiesced to his suggestion that they take what ever they wanted to talk about up with a government representative as it would be through the government that Jaimz’ technologies would be formally released as they came available.  Of course if it was a matter of scientific exchange or offer of assistance the Zaran Government would have to confer with Jaimz, since it should be up to Jaimz who he worked with, just as it would be up to Jaimz to ensure the right materials were used when it came to any construction.  Still, that was down the road.

Of course Jaimz incited notice wherever he went.  He simply couldn’t help it, but he pretended not to notice the turned head or gaped jaw or appraising eye as he strode past and Kaiel opted to follow suit.   Though as they reached the lift Kaiel did notice the faint pinkening of Jaimz’ cheeks and knew that even though Jaimz chose to ignore how his winsome appearance affected others nonetheless he was still uncomfortable with his notoriety.  Still, Kaiel had to believe even on his own world Jaimz had been a head turner and had a steady flock of admirers, too.

As the lift doors opened a Com Cast reporter tried to corner them.  Kaiel let Jaimz enter the lift while he stood at the doorway, blocking access as the reporter thrust his mike toward him, “K’Lan Kaiel Ni, what have you to say about the incident involving K’Lan Jaimz and L’Teran Vreda?”

“I have nothing to say, speak to my father about it.” He stated, as he moved back to let the doors close.   Still, as he keyed in the access code for the top floor he wondered how Vreda had learned what route Kang would be taking and in which vehicle so that she could lay in wait for them?  How had she even known that Jaimz was coming to him?

As the lift began its ascent Jaimz let out a relieved sigh and slumped back against the far wall as he asked, “Is it always like that?”

Assuming he was referring to the reporter cornering them at the lift Kaiel shrugged, “If a reporter scents a good story they won’t give up the chase until they’ve stalked it for all its worth.”

Jaimz gave him a quizzical look and then laughing softly he explained, “No, I meant the council session…  Though I have to agree with you on reporters… they can be pretty tenacious.”

Kaiel felt his ears flick as he was reminded of how the council session had pretty much disintegrated, maybe he was too young to handle such a complicated matter?  “Well, everyone had an interest in you— I mean in what you have to offer and no one wants to be left out.”

“But… the session wasn’t about me.  I mean it was a matter between Z’Rarla and Chai wasn’t it?  I still don’t understand why she even wanted me there.  We could have discussed my technology and other things, making formal arrangements and whatnot after the session had concluded.  I didn’t need to be there.” Jaimz said, rubbing his forehead again and grimacing as he bumped his hand against the bruise on it.

Kaiel, watching his Tag Mate, sighed softly as he said, “Actually I think you had to be there.  I think that The Speaker was being very clever in what she was doing.”

Jaimz gave him a bemused look and Kaiel explained, “I didn’t think of it, no one except the Chai did apparently, but by showing up the way you did, in the middle of the disputed space you sort of unintentionally established yourself as a third party interested in that sector.  I think that was what she was trying to establish.  My guess is we will deal with that matter in the closing session.”

Jaimz blinked and shook his head, “That wasn’t my intention at all… It was an accident that the SFJS showed up there at all.”

Kaiel moved to his side, lightly stroking his hair as once again Jaimz rubbed his forehead.  “Yeah, I know that, but I think that the Chai is going to suggest that 1/3 of the disputed sector go toward supporting your work, your bid to search for your world, and also to establish a Human, Chai and Zaran outpost in that area.  At least that is what I think the Speaker will ask for.”  Again he sighed, for he had his doubts now that the session would come to an easy conclusion.  Even if it did conclude, as he foresaw, he was pretty sure that it would merely lead to another council session to deal with any unfinished issues raised by this session.  Fortunately he wouldn’t have any reason to be called in as Speaker for it, and most likely his father could represent K’Lan interests in the session.

Still Jaimz was faintly scandalized and wryly amused at the notion of an outpost in the disputed sector, “I am but one lowly Terran.  Build a station for three distinctly different peoples when I’m the only one representing my people?”

“At the moment.” Kaiel reminded, lightly twisting a tendril of sun-streaked light reddish-brown hair around his finger.

His green eyes sparkling, Jaimz smirked, “Ok, at the moment.  But it could be a very long moment.”

Kaiel leaned smilingly closer, “Yes, perhaps… but I don’t doubt for a moment that you will find your people.”

Jaimz leaned back, openly amused.  It was easy to sense Kaiel’s interest even with the headache and the echoing body ache that was growing more pronounced with every passing moment.  He didn’t even need to ask, and yet the impudent words came anyway, “What are you doing?”

Again the bold smile as Kaiel rested his hands against the wall to either side of Jaimz’ face and bent down murmuring audaciously, “You’re head pains you.” 

Jaimz felt his smile broadening in mischievous reply though his response was a simple; “Mmmm.”

Kaiel knew well enough that response meant yes…in many ways.  He knew it, he could see the answering affirmation in Jaimz’ shining green eyes as he bent to press his lips softly against Jaimz’ shapely mouth, feeling a thrill of desire sparkle down his spine as Jaimz stretched up into the kiss and melted eagerly beneath him.  The strain of the morning, the rudeness of the councilors, the demands of the ambassadors, all was forgotten as he felt Jaimz’ soft lips parting beneath his.  He moved his hands down, sliding them over Jaimz’ shoulders and then along and around his slender body as he pressed closer.  Part of him remembered that Jaimz was so much smaller than he, more fragile and more delicate and thus part of him recalled he had to be careful even when the rest of him dragged Jaimz up and bent him back as he ravaged his sweet mouth and cupped his firm round cheeks in his demanding hands.  Jaimz groaned against him, eagerly returning his kiss with wanton finesse and wrapping his arms around his neck while raking his slender fingers through Kaiel’s thick mane with enough enthusiasm to make him grunt.

He drowned in the sheer pleasure of feeling his hands moving over that silken clad body. Stroking soft and yielding flesh made only more luxuriant by how the fabric moved beneath the pads of his fingers.  To stroll his fingers over that silken covered back; feeling the shuddering length of Jaimz’ spine as his thumb moved along it was to be lost in desire.  His fingers eased around the back of Jaimz’ neck, supporting him— feeling the divine texture of his skin which put even silk to shame— as he pulled away from Jaimz’ panting mouth to drag his lips down along his long lovely throat and bury it in the scant opening of his collar.  Jaimz clung to him, shaking and gasping as he was pressed up against the wall, while with his teeth Kaiel nipped off the buttons of his tunic until the fabric parted and Jaimz’ smooth, sculptured chest was laid bare before his lascivious gaze.

Beautiful, that was his thought as Kaiel paused a moment to simply admire all that luminous skin before he bent to lick one pert cinnamon-shaded nipple while Jaimz quivered and clung all the fiercer to him.  He could feel the heaving of Jaimz’ chest, hear the throbbing of his heart, smell the fragrance of his desire, and taste the essence of his passion.  He felt Jaimz tugging at his mane and the tightening of his long legs against his hips.  Gods the taste of him, so sweet yet salty against his tongue, never before had he experienced anything to compare to Jaimz, none of his other lovers had even come close.  Could it be the sheer alienness of him?  For with certainty he had never imagined anything quite like Jaimz, with all that silky skin, the scent of his skin, the satiny wave of his sun streaked hair and the warm regard of his enthralling sea-foam green-eyes.  However Kaiel was used to other aliens, he had been exposed to them since cubhood, he’d grown up around them and knew that it was their very alienness that made them unique and yet he had never been drawn to another alien.  Certainly the rubbery textured skin of the shark-like Delran held no interest, nor did the long sticklike limbs of the furry Ghan hold any temptation, and though Jaimz found the Chai strangely attractive he had no carnal interest in them at all, indeed no alien species so far met held any allure at all… accept for Jaimz who was alluring indeed and then some.

Jaimz never noticed when his feet touched the floor again; all he was aware of was the heat of Kaiel’s tongue and the velvety texture of his mouth moving against his skin.  He clutched at Kaiel’s shoulders as he tipped his head back willingly, groaning softly when Kaiel’s lips parted around the joint between neck and shoulder and his sharp teeth gently… oh so tenderly… pressed into the taut flesh there.  He felt intense passion suffuse his body as Kaiel’s lips moved upward caressingly over his throat and along his jaw line, and shuddered as Kaiel’s teeth gently seized his earlobe.  He felt so good, with every painful ache in his body forgotten as instead the new ache of desire warmed him through.

He felt a moment of lucidity come over him when Kaiel’s fingers loosed the ties to his silken breeches, but that lucidity went when those velvety fingers closed around him.  He moaned, feeling incredibly hot as Kaiel reclaimed his mouth while his fingers engulfed and stroked him. Then he was gasping softly, “Ah…ahh Kaiel,” as the big male went to his knees before him.  He sagged back against the wall, grateful for its support as Kaiel’s mouth enclosed him, sucking him into that soft wet heat.  He moaned, quivering all over as Kaiel’s tongue pressed against him and then while Kaiel’s fingers slid around his hips to squeeze at his bared cheeks and Kaiel’s mouth tugged along his length he leaned forward, pressing his hands against Kaiel’s shoulders to keep upright when what he wanted to do most was collapse and let Kaiel have his way… most deliciously with his body.

Another moment of lucidity briefly struggled to the surface as his body pulsed with sensation.  A moment of clarity that came stubbornly forth when Jaimz realized two things… one that he’d never had an encounter like this in an elevator… and two, that he was in an elevator and anyone could enter!   “K-Kaiel… wha— what if some— uhn! —so-someone comes in?” he rasped breathily jumping slightly when one of Kaiel’s fingers slid between his cheeks and pressed against his anus.

Kaiel massaged that enchanting little bud as it throbbed against the pad of his finger, and detached himself long enough to utter, “I keyed the lift to open only on K’Lan’s floor,” before slurping Jaimz quivering penis back into his mouth.

“Ahh…” Jaimz knew he could have said something appropriately witty to that explanation, something alluding to Kaiel finally using his family’s power and position as was his birthright, but it was really true that sex stole all reason, for his brain had long since stopped thinking logically and had melted into a puddle of seething desire instead.

Kaiel felt the tugging distraction of the lift doors sliding apart announcing their arrival, indeed the empty (of individuals) sitting room greeted his damning eyes as he reluctantly pulled back from Jaimz and flowed effortlessly to his feet.  He looked at Jaimz, noting the warmth of his cheeks and the aquamarine sheen of his eyes even as his shaking fingers tried to reorganize his disorderly attire.  A staggering step toward the room, and a soft shuddering sigh which echoed throughout Kaiel’s entire body had him grasping Jaimz’ hand and pulling him unerringly toward the bedroom, either bedroom would have done, though Kaiel doubted there was any accommodating oil to be found in Jaimz’ room.  He could feel his rod twitching to be free, aching under his tight control and it was true only one thought commanded his senses at that time, but he was certain that Jaimz was consumed with the same consideration.  So the tugging he felt against his hold surprised him. 

“Stop.  What are— what do you think you’re doing?” Jaimz demanded, pulling against his hold.

It would have been nothing to keep going, Jaimz couldn’t hope to stop him, he knew exactly how much stronger than his diminutive mate he was… but it was not his way to force Jaimz even though his body ached to finish what they had both began.  It was easy to see that having been given a moment to think… logic had risen up and once again Jaimz was thinking about the consequences of his actions, and that didn’t bode well for Kaiel.

He tried to recapture the mood by teasing Jaimz’ fingers and asking lightly, “What do you think we’re doing?”

Jaimz slid his fingers free and dragged in a steadying breath before saying bluntly, “I think you were all over me.”

Kaiel felt a shiver of anger tickle up his spine at that.  Of course it had been all him, oh no Jaimz hadn’t had his fingers in his mane, of course there wouldn’t be any fresh scratches on his aching shoulders.  Of course Jaimz hadn’t opened for him, burned for him and of course he hadn’t responded with wanton abandon… damn him to all the Gods and especially the Morality God that had Jaimz so twisted and fucked up over something that should be so simple and uncomplicated.  “Yeah… that wasn’t your mouth kissing me nor your fingers clawing at my shoulders?  Should I check to see if my hide is still intact?” he sharply griped.

Jaimz’ cheeks flamed with heat and since he was still pinkened all over with lingering sensation that extra color was a mean feat, “I-I just meant…” He slumped his shoulders and glanced away from Kaiel’s hotly angry eyes while trying to think of something plausible to say, since he was fully aware of how he’d been every bit as involved as Kaiel had been.  “I just meant… we didn’t need to go any… further.”  He knew at the incredulous expression on Kaiel’s handsome leonine face that his lame response hadn’t fooled him either. 

“Why not?  Gods Jaimz it’s just sex.” Kaiel snapped, “And in your case it makes you feel better.”

Jaimz blush deepened still, yet he had the wits to retort, “And that isn’t any excuse to have—have more sex, dammit!”

Feeling particularly brutal, probably because his rod was still twitchy for release, Kaiel sneered, “You had no such compunction yesterday… you enjoyed sex all day long… and then some!”

Taken aback Jaimz stammered a poor defense, “Th-that was… different.”

Kaiel’s brow arched as he leaned dangerously close so that Jaimz backed away slightly, roguishly he asked, “How so? Because you ached all over and you had an excuse to do what you shouldn’t need an excuse for?”  He softened and lightly squeezed his big hands around Jaimz’ slender shoulders, “Jaimz, I know that you’re still in pain, I know that your head still hurts you.  If I can help you feel better let me!”

But again Jaimz didn’t react as he expected (no, as he wanted) him to.  Instead he slapped his hand away and flared, “I don’t want to use you that way dammit.  You’re not a fuckin analgesic Kaiel; you shouldn’t let yourself be used for one so damn easily.”

Smiling Kaiel recaptured Jaimz’ hand and leaning close he purred, “But I like being used by you Jaimz.  Use me, I’m not complaining.”

“You just want to fuck me.” Jaimz groused.

Stroking his finger pads along Jaimz’ silky cheek Kaiel mused, “Is that so wrong?”

Jaimz swayed into the caress of his hand, until his body lay peacefully against Kaiel’s, but his words were troubled and expressed the battle he was under, “It is wrong Kaiel.  It isn’t natural.”

Kaiel heaved an exasperated sigh and pushed Jaimz from him, saying bitterly, “See that’s your problem Jaimz.  The moment you start to think you start by thinking about how bad what we do is.  You have a million excuses to let you do what you must do.  The 72-hour is one excuse.  The Tag is another.  The Tag addiction makes a fine excuse, which allows you to blame any slipped moments between the 72-hours on the addiction.  You’re so full of excuses of how to make this palatable to you.  Can’t you see that you shouldn’t need an excuse?  I want you and you want me, why isn’t that enough?”

“Because it’s not normal—why can’t you get that through your thick head?  Where I come from two men… well, two males don’t do what we do… at least they don’t if they are normal.  I was thrust into this situation Kaiel, I had no choice, your brother saw to that and I still have no choice, so why do you expect me to just accept it and rollover like a happy puppy for you?” Jaimz heatedly retorted.

Grinding his teeth in growing frustration Kaiel growled, “But you’re not where you come from anymore.  You can leave that all behind and embrace Zaran ways Jaimz.  We have no such restrictions; males and females share pleasures with whomever they like regardless of sex because that is exactly what it means, to share pleasure.  That is the way of the Zaran.  You could… embrace the Zaran way Jaimz; let it be your guide.”  He hopefully offered that last.

However Jaimz scoffed, “Well I am what I am and I can’t just dump the morals I was raised with by the wayside.  It just isn’t done!  Besides it isn’t my morals at issue here, you just want to have sex with me again because that is all you think about with me.  That’s all I am too you, a sexual novelty toy for you to play with.  Well you get to fuck me every 72-hrs because I need it to function so be happy with that!”

Jaimz’ heart ached to see the hurt expression on his friend’s proud handsome face, the way his ears tipped back to hide in his mane and how his golden eyes shimmered with grief told him exactly how much he had wounded Kaiel this time, he instantly regretted his cruel words and would have taken them back if he could but Kaiel straightened up instead, his beautiful face hardened and his broad mouth twisted into a cruel smirk as he growled, “I see, well then since I have no other purpose than to service you every 72-hours this walking rod will now depart… my Queen.”

He actually bowed, so precisely and so formally, with his hands behind his back and his head at just the precise angle, while all along the lump of anguish that had rose up in Jaimz’ throat now threatened to strangle him with grief.  He had hurt Kaiel terribly.

That was the tense scene that Kang and Heron arrived at just moments later and both tread very carefully into the room when neither of the other occupants spared them so much as a glance.  Kaiel straightened and turned sharply away from Jaimz to just as quickly pull open his door and enter the bedroom.  The silence of that door closing behind Kaiel was enough to make Kang wince.  Jaimz he noticed stood half poised as if he’d meant to touch or stop Kaiel, but now he watched as Jaimz’ hand lowered and that was followed by the slumping of his shoulders and the downcast turn of his eyes.  It was easy also to see that Jaimz’ attire was hardly in the condition it had been in when they had left the council session and he had gathered the evidence from the lift which would explain the condition of the heavy silk tunic of swirls of subdued blues and greens and cream meant to match his sea-foam green-eyes.  The tunic was missing most of its buttons.   It was clear that some action had begun, as he had hoped for since nothing was better for Jaimz’ headache and growing body pain than sex… but it would appear the cub had found a way to snarl things up once again if what he’d walked into was any indication.

“Well… isn’t this a fine mess.” Kang muttered, striding deeper into the room.  Var Heron was too shy probably and too overwhelmed by the situation to try to sooth it, but Kang was more than a little used to meddling where these two cubs were concerned, and this mood he’d walked into concerned him very much. 

Still as Kang approached Jaimz the youngling’s shoulders tensed and he got a crystalline glare for his mildly curious expression and a snapped, “I don’t need any help!” before Jaimz too fled for his own bedroom, though not nearly so quietly as Kaiel had done. 

The entire chamber shuddered with the resounding echo of the slamming door… and wonder of wonders Kaiel tore back into the main room to only shout, “Don’t slam the door!” while in the end slamming his own door when he returned to his room.

Kang snorted, “They’re both a pair of cubs,” as he decided which cub to talk to first.  After a moment’s deliberation it was Kaiel’s door that he opened.

Of course Kaiel knew he was there instantly, for he deigned to give him a single cold look before returning his gaze to the ceiling again.  He was lying on his bed with his arms folded behind his head, and though he should have looked relaxed he was anything but.  However before Kang could say a word Kaiel lunged up and stabbing an irate finger clearly towards Jaimz’ room he snarled, “He’s being impossible!”

Well that certainly explained nothing.  Kang could easily see the heartache on Kaiel’s angry young face.  The despair and worry that said he’d made another mistake and the outraged anger that warred with that assertion.  He sighed at the angry confusion on Kaiel’s handsome face as he eased down to the edge of the bed.

Hardly appearing to pay attention to Kang, and yet needing to vent anyway Kaiel growled, “Once again it’s all my fault.  He as much as said I jumped him!”  Kaiel’s mouth tightened and the golden fringe of lashes lowered to shadow his expressive golden eyes as regret swept over him, “Maybe… maybe I did jump him—but all the signals were there, Kang!  He wanted it as much as I did!  I know he did!”

Kang patted the young male’s tense shoulder, “You have to remember he’s still very young and today held a few unwelcome surprises for him.  Plus, he is still trying to come to terms with things in the only way he knows how.”

“He’s the same age as me!”  Kaiel snapped belligerently, “Besides he didn’t have any more shocks than I did.  I shared them remember?”

Kang sighed, really Kaiel was being unreasonable; for Jaimz had suffered quite a shock when K’Ilo senior had confronted him and Kaiel knew it.  Add to that the Chai allegations and all the disorder and yelling within the council chamber and Jaimz had indeed suffered pretty badly, bearing in mind the last few days he’d actually held together pretty good.  Still trying to ease Kaiel’s mood he smiled slightly and explained, “I think though that for all Jaimz’ intelligence and maturity that he is still younger than you.  I think in some ways he was never allowed to just be a cub.”  From the clues he’d been able to glean from Jaimz since he’d met the young human he’d had the impression that Jaimz, for all he loved and missed his parents, had spent most of his life in one kind of institution or another, first through advanced schooling and then being conscripted into his government’s science division. 

Still Kaiel scoffed, “I was running the pride as a cub, and I joined the diplomatic core while young too.  He hasn’t had it any rougher than I’ve had.”

Kang snapped just as belligerently, “Except you never lost your own home or people, been brutally raped, been tagged or mated against your will and he has.  Kaiel he is still trying to adapt to and accept all that he has to.  All the signals were there because he loves and cares for you, but he is still uncomfortable with his lot and you know this.  You need to give him more time, be patient with him.”

Kaiel scowled and looked away from him, it was a long moment before he murmured, “You don’t understand, he doesn’t love me, he just likes me and he doesn’t need me at all.  Not like I need him, if it wasn’t for the Tag—”

“You still would have found each other.” Kang interrupted.

Kaiel gaped at him, and shook his head, “No… he—”

Kang just looked at him for a long moment, until Kaiel had to fight to keep his ears erect.  Finally the old cat said soothingly, “Remember how you felt about him even before you tagged him Kaiel?  Do you remember what you felt?  Fear, desperate…”

“I thought he was going to die!  I couldn’t let Lorz do that to him.” Kaiel defended belligerently.

Kang raised a quizzical brow and asked simply, “Why did you care?  Why couldn’t you just let Jaimz die?  You didn’t know him and you certainly didn’t need to Tie your life to his, now did you?  And yet… that is exactly what you did, and for what?  Just because you couldn’t let him die?  That isn’t the reason and you know it!”

Kaiel looked away from the old medic cursing his insight and almost hating him for it, for sometimes Kang saw too clearly.  He being on the outside was able to deduce things that Kaiel knew he was still struggling to understand.  He remembered how desperate and concerned he had felt when he’d thought that Jaimz was going to die, for he’d felt as if a part of him was dying too.  That was exactly how he had felt.  Still that was then, this was now and once again Jaimz had succeeded in making him feel like shit.  His mouth tightened and he turned to glare at Kang, “I still won’t apologize to him.  I wasn’t in the wrong.”

Kang scowled and shook his head, “One of you has to be the grown-up here.  He’s every bit as stubborn as you and—”

“No… I’m not apologizing!  I did nothing wrong.  He can come to me this time!”

“You know that he won’t.” Kang growled, exasperated.

Kaiel laughed bitterly, “Well, I won’t either.”

Kang shot to his feet, he could still move pretty fast for all his age and considerable girth.  “Be a fool then, and when the 72-hour hits you come see me and I’ll remind you of this conversation.”  He stomped out of the room, growling under his breath about the stubbornness of cubs, he didn’t slam the door, though that would have been satisfying even if juvenile.  He sighed as he looked at Jaimz’ closed door, he could only hope the youngling wouldn’t be as stubborn as Kaiel was being, but he wouldn’t hold his breath.  Kaiel thought he could be stubborn (and in truth the young male was) but he hadn’t stubborned his way through the TWS to its near natural conclusion as Jaimz had already done once.  He wouldn’t put it past the young human to play that game again just to stick it to Kaiel.

 At that moment, pacing away in his bedroom Jaimz wasn’t thinking about playing any games at all instead he was thinking about something else altogether.  This time he knew that there had been no ambiguity on his part, he had invited Kaiel’s interest and responded fully to that, and it was only when he’d had time to think about what he was doing that he balked and then to defend himself he’d hurt Kaiel… once again.   He was good at that, he thought glumly, he seemed to have a real talent for hurting Kaiel, and he didn’t have to kick him in the nuts either, rather he seemed to go straight for Kaiel’s heart and his pride.

He had led Kaiel on, he knew it for he recalled well his come hither smile when Kaiel had started to get a little frisky, he’d known then what Kaiel was after and he could have made it clear to Kaiel that he wasn’t interested, but that absolutely hadn’t been the case.  He had been interested.  He had completely welcomed Kaiel’s attention and only balked when he’d had a moment to think about what he was doing!  Aside from feeling guilty about hurting Kaiel’s feelings again, he noticed that he felt pretty good.  His headache, which had been growing during the meeting had faded to a mild, easily ignored ache and most of his body aches were completely gone so even without consummated sex just touching and doing some serious fooling around had been enough to ease his discomfort for now.  It just wasn’t fair; he had completely taken advantage of Kaiel’s ability to ease his pain and done nothing for Kaiel except accuse him of practically jumping him.  Damn, what was wrong with him?

Of course, to be perfectly fair he knew what was wrong with him, he wouldn’t be involved with Kaiel at all if the Tag wasn’t influencing his needs and making him helplessly addicted to the big male.  In less than 72 hours from now that addiction would become so unshakable that if he didn’t get his fix of Kaiel he’d eventually become sick enough that his addiction could kill him.  He scowled, if he wasn’t being fair to Kaiel well it wasn’t fair for him to be this way either.  He certainly hadn’t asked to be tagged, and he hadn’t deserved what Lorz had done to him either.  Kaiel should have simply understood and backed off when he’d said no.  But instead Kaiel had gotten all defensive and angry and that had only made his reaction to Kaiel’s childishness even worse.   Clearly he’d given way to Kaiel’s demands too easily in the last couple of days and set a precedent where Kaiel seemed to assume he would come at his beckoning; well Kaiel would learn that wasn’t how it would be.

Then again, he thought guiltily, Kaiel had saved his life again for he didn’t doubt the stupid Tag would have killed him if Kaiel hadn’t taken upon himself to answer its demands when he had been incapable of participating.  He had Kaiel to thank for his life again and here he was… hurting the male’s feelings again instead.  Damn, he really was stupid.

“Still,” he muttered to himself, “that doesn’t change the fact that Kaiel should have been more understanding.”

“What was that cub?”

Jaimz jumped and even yelped before he realized that it was only Kang entering the room.  Somehow, for all his ponderous size and massive height the big old cat managed to be very light on his feet, and Jaimz was certain that in a fight Kang could still handle things if he had too. 

Now, as he watched the big graying lion pace toward him he was pretty sure he was in for a lecture.  He sighed and snapped before Kang could say anything.  “I don’t want to hear it.”

Kang drew up and gave him a thoughtful look before shaking his head and complaining dismally, “I’m surrounded by foolish cubs.”

Jaimz bristled and retorted heatedly, “I’m not a cub!”

Kang drew himself to his full height, which was rather impressive, and responded bitingly, “No?  Sometimes you act like one!”

Jaimz spun away from him and stomped toward the massive windows while growling, “I suppose you’re going to tell me that I should embrace Zaran ways and forget all about my culture and morals, too?”

“I’m not going to tell you anything Jaimz, but do I have to remind you that the best medicine for you right now is Kaiel?” Kang rejoined.

Jaimz glared out the window and refused to say anything at all.  Just like Kaiel, Kang simply didn’t understand how hard it was for him to turn his back on everything he knew as right and proper.  Maybe he would never find his home or people again, but he had to hope and he had to hold on to that at least.    Despite everything that had happened to him and not the least of it being forced to have sex with Kaiel once every 72 hours, he couldn’t give up on what he was could he?  It was exactly how he’d been raised that made him who he was, his morals were a part of him and…who was he kidding?  He’d turned tail and ran because he’d realized that he was enjoying himself and he didn’t have the 72-hour as an excuse, not really, he’d had aches and pains but he could have handled that with an analgesic. What he’d been doing with Kaiel had had nothing to do with healing and everything to do with simply enjoying pleasure for pleasure’s sake, and that was why he’d reacted like that.  He leaned against the cool glass and stared out at the city vista spread before him; his window didn’t show even a hint of the sea that was visible from Kaiel’s room.  He regretted not seeing that view now for looking at all that sparkling water probably would have soothed his conflicted mind.

Finally he glanced back at Kang and whispered forlornly, “Doc, what am I supposed to do?  If I give in to Kaiel do I give up what I was raised to be?”

Feeling that this might take a few moments Kang settled his ponderous girth upon the edge of the bed and looked thoughtfully at Jaimz.  He didn’t answer the cub’s question immediately, rather he considered it for a moment, taking into account all the myriad experiences of the last few days that Jaimz had dealt with and concluded that Jaimz had been tossed into a storm of sensation and events that had left him physically and emotionally bruised.  Fully aware of how sensitive Jaimz was he decided that the best way to help him was to make him answer his own question.  “And what do you give up by giving in to Kaiel?”

Jaimz sighed glumly, glancing away to once more stare at the city vista, but though he was looking at it he wasn’t really admiring the alien beauty of it as he worried over the question.  Finally he answered, “I feel like I’m going to give up myself—lose myself I mean.  He—he expects me to just toss everything aside—everything that I am aside—and embrace Zaran ways.  But I’m not Zaran.”

Physically no, but the tag was causing some kind of genetic shift in both Kaiel and Jaimz so who could possibly know what the final result might be.  Certainly as the Chai speaker had indicated their minds were beginning to synchronize and if he were to scan Kaiel’s brain now Kang suspected that he might find it patterning after the human configuration.   The clues for Jaimz were in his eyes, humans did not have good night vision, but Jaimz’ eyes were changing, modifying to see better in the dark and the nightglow he’d occasionally witnessed shining out of them was evidence that something wondrous strange was going on within them.  Jaimz probably didn’t even recognize the change since it was happening gradually enough, but one night he’d realize that evenings were a lot brighter than they had originally been and he too would start to realize that the tag was doing more than make him sexually compatible and ready for Kaiel.  “He doesn’t want you to give up everything you believe in, he only asks that you consider giving Zaran ideals a chance.  You live here now Jaimz and you may indeed be with us for a very long time.  You need to allow for the reality that for all your desires you may never find a way to completely eliminate the Tag, if that case you would have to live here wouldn’t you?”

Jaimz faced him, looking annoyed, “Really?  That’s a given?  Kaiel couldn’t live on my world with me?”

Actually Kang hadn’t thought of that, and yet after a moment he shrugged, “He’s a diplomat; I imagine Kaiel could manage to find a comfortable situation wherever he was stationed.”

Jaimz laughed weakly, “Yeah, maybe, but I don’t imagine he’d be all that comfortable having to duck through every doorway.  His height would definitely be a problem on Earth.”

Kang had to smile back, “And here he’s barely average height for a male.  Mind his beauty makes up for that minor defect.”

A faint blush colored Jaimz’ fair cheeks and the look in his eyes acknowledged the truth of Kang’s statement.  Kaiel was indeed beautiful to look at. 

Kang offered helpfully, “Nonetheless cub do you realize that you are talking about living together? That has to mean something.  You see yourself with Kaiel, whether your stubborn brain or your morals get in the way or not.”

Jaimz shook his head, “No, it was—I was only…” he sighed, and turned back to stare out the window again, but Kang was pretty sure that Jaimz wasn’t admiring the view.  Finally the young human turned and walked toward the bed, slumping down and leaning over against Kang’s side.  “Doc, what am I going to do?”

Kang slid his arm around the smaller being’s slender shoulders, having Jaimz tucked against him was like comforting a young cub.   Seeing an opportunity to broach a new (but old) subject he gently queried, “Are you certain you wouldn’t like to talk about what happened this afternoon?”

Jaimz sighed, “So we are back to what I—what happened earlier.”

Kang withdrew a handful of iridescent shell buttons from one of his pockets and he let the shimmering objects fall into Jaimz’ lap while watching the blush stain those satiny cheeks. 

“Oh.” Was all Jaimz was able to utter as he caught up the buttons and in holding them he recalled each button being nipped off and his tunic opening beneath the onslaught of Kaiel’s playful mouth.

Jaimz’ cheeks mottled with shame as he admitted, “I hurt him.”

Kang wondered, “What really happened cub?  Did he... try to force you?”  Of course he knew the answer to that question already.

Jaimz gasped and glared at him, “Of course not!  I initiated—er—I-I—that is I knew what he wanted and I-I l-let him do it.”  He ducked his head, clutching the buttons in his hand so hard that they dug into his palm.  “I changed my tunic.” He admitted glumly.

Kang nodded taking a quick glance at the solid aqua tunic Jaimz now wore, it was without the softer swirls that seemed to reflect the color of his eyes, now it was a simple crepe silk with no sleeves, open sides and stiff high color though the throat was open, and all of it was edged with rich gold piping, “I noticed.  You look very nice.”  He tipped Jaimz head up and stroked his hot cheek as he murmured, “You did nothing wrong cub.”

His cheeks flared even hotter, “But I did, I-I accused him of jumping me.  But…Kang he didn’t.”  He absently rubbed his fingers over his forehead, not even hissing as his fingers came in contact with the bruise.  “My head was hurting and I was feeling…I used him.”

“You simply took your medicine cub.” Kang chided.

Jaimz flinched and growled, “Kaiel isn’t that!  I can’t just use him like—like an analgesic, that’s not right!”

Kang sighed, and lamented, “Cub… cub… cub, when you going to stop beating yourself up over what your body needs.  Kaiel is good for you and I daresay that Kaiel didn’t mind being USED in such a manner.” He added that last with a slyly playful smile.

Jaimz bit his lower lip, his blush making his cheeks a lovely hot pink color.  Jaimz hated how easily he blushed, but it certainly was entertaining to watch that color mantling and to know why it occurred.  After a moment Jaimz smiled bleakly, “No…Kaiel didn’t mind.”

“Then what was the problem cub?”

Jaimz lifted his lovely eyes to meet Kang’s and said glumly, “It bothered me—I’m n-not supposed to like it.”

Kang rolled his eyes, “Here we go again.  Your morals rise up and start to shout that nonsense at you every time you have a little time to think about it.”

“But I’ve met the 72-hour!  The tag is quiet right now.  I don’t have a-an-any r-reason to do that with Kaiel.  There wasn’t a good reason to do that!”  Jaimz defended.

Kang shook his head, “Cub you could try the patience of a Stoic.  You had and still have every reason to do that; your body needs Kaiel, even if you refuse to believe it.  You are still healing.  In case you forgot you very nearly died just a few hours ago.  Or do you feel so good now you’ve decided you that were never injured to begin with?”

Jaimz looked stubborn, “Well, look at me.  I hardly have a bruise on me.  And look at you, you are more hurt than I and you don’t have to have sex with someone to make you feel better!”

Kang couldn’t resist, he gave Jaimz a little shake; “You fool.  I would welcome having sex with someone right now if I would gain as much benefit as you do when you couple with Kaiel.  I am not and never was as hurt as you.  You came so close to dying that it makes me sick to remember it and there was nothing I could do to help you!  If the Speaker hadn’t spoke up when she did you and Kaiel would both be dead now!”  Frustrated he put Jaimz off his lap and stomped over to the window, grousing further as he glared out at the city vista.  “I never hit my head!  I wasn’t bleeding into my brain!  Sex with Kaiel saved your sanctimonious ass and every time you deign to have sex with him you further heal yourself.  Everyone should be so lucky as to have what you have Jaimz.”

Jaimz was lying on his side on the oversized bed, thinking about how fortunate his life was.  If not for Lorz he would never have been in this fix and neither would Kaiel.  It was all Lorz’ fault and he was supposed to feel fortunate for that?  Still, he sighed and rolled over onto his back, that doesn’t make it Kaiel’s fault and I treated him like shit.  He closed his eyes, recalling how nice it had been before he’d let his brain interrupt what his body was feeling.  He had definitely known what he was doing and he really didn’t have an excuse for his behavior.  And that, he thought, is the whole problem. 

“I liked it.” He admitted softly, knowing that with a Zaran’s keen hearing that Kang would have heard his declaration.

For once Kang didn’t chasten him again, he turned, leaning his massive girth against the window and while looking perfectly relaxed he still looked thoughtful.  He really was a giant, Jaimz mused; watching the big old cat who he knew was slightly on the tall side for a Zaran, 8-foot being the average.  Kang crossed his trunk-like arms and stated lightly, “And you don’t want to like it.”

Jaimz turned his face away, sighing glumly, “I—no…I don’t want to like it, Doc.”

“And that lies at the cusp of your problem Jaimz.” Kang acknowledged, moving back to the bedside and pulling Jaimz up into his arms again.  Jaimz settled like a cub against his shoulder, tucking his face into his neck while clinging to him.  “It isn’t that you’re afraid you’ll disappoint your family, it isn’t that it’s morally wrong, it isn’t even the Tag.  It’s that you’re afraid that you like—no that you are starting to love—loving Kaiel.”

“God,” Jaimz half sobbed, “What am I going to do?”

“What is so bad about loving Kaiel Jaimz?  He’s a terrific young male, and if you say that its wrong because you’re the same sex I’ll—well I don’t know what I’ll do but think of something.”

“You could probably dose me with something unpleasant.” Jaimz helpfully offered, smiling lightly against his neck.

Kang nodded perfunctorily, “Exactly.  So now that we have admitted that we are in love Jaimz, what is the problem?”

Jaimz sent him a perfectly sour look and retorted, “I haven’t admitted anything!”

Kang snorted, “Of course not.” He smiled then and mused gently, “Possibly you protest too much?”

Feeling a bit affronted at first Jaimz pulled away from Kang and sat beside the old cat, grimly convinced of his declaration.  But as he thought about the Kang’s assertion, a classic idiom, which seemed tailor made for his situation, came to mind.  He was quick to deny the pleasure he found with Kaiel, he was quick to blame the Tag addiction for any of his slips, and he was quick to let his morals act as a barrier when facing truths that made him uncomfortable.  Certainly he liked Kaiel so much that when separated from him he literally ached for him to return and somehow that separation left him feeling sensitive and vulnerable.  He ached to blame his weakness upon the Tag addiction since it was easier than accepting his feelings as real and not forced.  Yes, the Tag did force him to share himself sexually with Kaiel and it was inexorable that a certain amount of his feelings would be tied up in sensation, it was simply natural.  But he couldn’t blame the Tag for the full extents of his feelings, which ranged from being jealous of Zuzu to wanting to protect Kaiel.  He had feelings that just couldn’t be excused away and he couldn’t just keep pretending that the Tag was at the heart of everything.  Indeed the Lady doth protest too much, he realized with a scalp-tightening shiver of shock.

Kang watched as Jaimz went through a myriad of emotions revolving, he knew, around his feelings for Kaiel.  Utter denial battled with total acceptance until finally reluctant accord was reached, at least that was what the answer seemed to be as the shocked paler of Jaimz’ cheeks restored to near normal and his eyes shifted from the troubled crystalline aqua they had been to the softly calm sea-foam they normally were.  It was obvious that Jaimz had reached some kind of resolution and realization and that he was content within himself now, whether he was ready to take a definitive step though was still to be seen.

Still Jaimz turned back to look at him, his pretty lips curled up in a slightly sheepish smile.  “Thanks Doc.”

Kang tried not to smile, he sat back and let a feeling of contentment settle upon him as he watched Jaimz slide off the bed and head toward the door.  He couldn’t help asking though, “What are you up too?”

Jaimz sent him a sly smirk and laughingly said, “Well, at least I can apologize.”

Kang felt like cheering, the one he’d least expected to come around had in entirely surprised him, he flopped back onto the bed and he laid looking up at the faint patterning on the domed ceiling he allowed himself a faint chuckle of success.

CH5

For an instance the peaceful sitting room was a quiet haven.  The design of the space was central to the suites floor plan with the lift anchoring the layout.  The entire suite had a faintly golden shimmer on the walls, floor and ceiling, which added to the overall warmth and comfort of the room.  All rooms including the bathing room and the adjoined lavatory facilities were entered through the room.  Jaimz approved of the natural contours and shapes the Zaran’s incorporated into their designs, from the arched doorways to the smooth but slightly concaved walls, which sloped into the floors and ceilings.  The ceiling was domed here, with a huge spiral turning ever inward toward the lift.  And finally along the opposite wall (from where he was standing) there was a single long oval window; as that was the only area of the suite that wasn’t an inside wall. 

A quick glance out the window would have showed the wrap-around deck and a view of the city beyond that at some other time Jaimz might have stopped to admire for a few minutes.  Now however he had a goal and a purpose and though he felt better for having decided he would make the first move toward repairing the damage he’d caused he knew if he hesitated at all that he’d find a reason to wait a little longer and the longer he held off the harder it would be to take this step.  Yet even as he crossed the short distance to Kaiel’s room Heron exited from his own chamber just as the chimes from the lift started to ring, announcing a visitor.

Surprised by the sudden appearance, and a little shy to make his apology public Jaimz hesitated, watching as Heron went to wait at the lift doors, stepping forward to offer the visitor his helpful hand.  Jaimz frowned as Zuzu stepped into the room, though he wasn’t upset to see her since he did like her quite a lot…even if he did admit to feeling a bit of jealousy where she was concerned in relation to Kaiel, though as far as he knew their relationship was still little more than friendship.

Zuzu looked glorious, her ivory pelt contrasted beautifully with her rich burgundy mane, which she had gathered in what was at once a business-like and yet somehow feminine up-do that framed her pretty face while still cascading softly about her shoulders.   The amber of her sparkling eyes was reflected in her sleeveless amber tunic, and all of it was offset by the deep blackish burgundy color of her silk pantaloons.  Dark and heavy embroidery encrusted the open neck of the collarless tunic too.  She wore a stylized black torque around her neck and matching bracelets at each wrist.  He knew that she’d been at the council hall assisting High Councilor P’Var but he had hardly noticed her in the crowd and admittedly he had been quickly distracted by the barrage of questions thrown at him and of course by his own loss of temper at meeting Councilor K’Ilo Dunai.  He felt his cheeks flushing at the memory of that encounter.  Before he could dwell overlong on the memory Zuzu was gliding toward him.

“Jaimz.” She exclaimed, catching his hands up in hers, “How are you?  I saw you earlier in Council and you looked tired.  You look much better now.”

All this came at once, in a gush and he noticed that she looked a bit panicked and a touch contrite.  He wondered why.  “I’m fine.  Thank you.”

Zuzu continued holding his hands, and he couldn’t help but notice that her hands while delicate in comparison to a male Zaran’s were of a size with his own.  She nodded and taking in a deep breath stated, “I saw Vreda earlier today; she’s going to go home tomorrow.  Her arm is broken.  Of course she blames the accident all on you.”  She shrugged, and then giving him a searching look continued in the same vein, “Of course that’s absurd since she forced you off the road.  You do look very well Jaimz.”  That last bit almost had a hint of a question to it, since he really didn’t look as if he’d been involved in any accident just a few days ago.  He didn’t flinch as Zuzu moved her hand to stroke her fingers lightly over the bruise on his forehead.

As her fingers lingered he looked up and they made eye contact and Jaimz felt an instant sparkle of interest shiver down his spine, and he recognized the same look of suppressed longing in her amber eyes.  He felt his whole body warm with pleasure since he liked Zuzu a lot and it made him feel very like a man to find that he was attracted to her and that she seemed to reciprocate his interest.  Still after a second she seemed to realize that her fingers were still stroking his forehead and her reaction was one of shy embarrassment as her ears tipped back and she quickly dropped her hand, stammering, “Y-you really do look very nice Jaimz Ni.”

“Thank you.” He replied softly, still secretly pleased that her interest in him was that of a female for a male and that he had responded naturally to her.  Still he wasn’t sure why she had arrived, was it to see him or for some other reason?  Before he could ask though Heron returned, he had left them nearly as soon as he’d let Zuzu into the suite, now he was back, looking a bit harried as usual, with stains of ink on his furred fingers, his nondescript brown mane had the look of someone dragging frantic fingers through it and his eyes looked a bit wild.  What had upset him, Jaimz wondered, trying to catch his eyes.  When the young male (though he was older than both he and Kaiel) avoided meeting his eyes Jaimz realized that Heron was still upset from walking into the earlier argument.  Trying not to smile he couldn’t help thinking that Heron was very young, though brilliant in many ways and an extremely efficient assistant, however he was also excitable and insatiably curious and at the same time very shy and diffident.  Witnessing the argument disturbed his sensibilities because though he was loyal to Kaiel he had also expressed his interest in working with Jaimz and now he was torn because Kaiel and he had yet to make peace with each other and thus restore the balance Heron sought so that he could happily continue his job while offering assistance to Jaimz with Kaiel’s blessing.

Recalling his purpose Jaimz turned back to the matter at hand only to find Kaiel already in the main suite, looking at him.  He felt a greet thrill of recognition surge along his spine at the sight of his Tag Mate, seeing him in all his golden beauty excited his blood and warmed his entire body, the small attraction he’d felt for Zuzu was nothing compared to the flood of sensation he felt just looking at his mate.  He resisted the urge to leap to his side and fling his arms around him, and though it was a struggle to suppress his surging feelings the coolness in Kaiel’s eyes did make it a bit easier.  Still he did step toward him, stretching a hand out only to have Kaiel flick a cold glance at it and than brush past him to join Zuzu at the lift.

Jaimz froze for a moment, startled and adrift, and admittedly a bit hurt by Kaiel’s cold reception, well actually there had been no reception at all; rather he’d been given the brush off.  Still he wasn’t quite ready to give up; he turned back and felt an uncomfortable rush of jealousy at seeing Kaiel standing so close to Zuzu with his hand lightly cupped under her arm.  Heron was talking to him and he was nodding in agreement but Jaimz couldn’t hear the words over the buzzing in his ears.  He had to give his head a slight shake to clear the noise and then all he managed was, “Kaiel, where are you going?” as Kaiel and Zuzu moved toward the lift.

Kaiel was facing the lift doors, waiting for them to slide apart when Jaimz addressed him, he turned back stiffly, and tipping his head upward he cooly explained, “I’m taking Zuzu out to luncheon.”

“Oh…” Jaimz felt small standing before the tall male, especially with Kaiel looking down on him with an expression that made it seem as if he smelled bad or something.  He knew Kaiel was still smarting from what he’d said earlier, but he was trying to fix that; so why was he being so difficult?  Still he wasn’t ready to quit yet.  He squared his shoulders and offered a slight smile while saying, “Well…she could eat with us Kaiel.  I would enjoy her company.”

Kaiel sensed how troubled Jaimz was and was even able to detect the slight hint of jealousy in his delectable scent, but his hurt feelings still ran too deep to forgive easily.  He still wanted to hurt Jaimz and felt a thrill of his own as his next words cut with knifelike precision.  “Unless you require my services my time is precious and I will spend it how I choose.” 

Jaimz’ cheeks flushed white then mottled red and his eyes took on a gimlet gleam as Kaiel tried his temper. But Jaimz was determined even if Kaiel refused to cooperate.  Squaring his shoulders again and reaffirming his purpose Jaimz stepped forward and caught Kaiel’s arm saying, “Please don’t be this way Kaiel, I want—no! I need to speak with you.”

Uncharacteristically Kaiel shook Jaimz’ hand off and turned away, gently pushing a bewildered Zuzu toward the now open lift.  Over his shoulder he scoffed, “I’m taking Zuzu to luncheon now; if you need to talk to me you can do so later.”

Jaimz felt his eyes sting with sudden tears, he stomped toward the closing lift, slamming his hands against the sliding doors and snarled, “Don’t be such an ass Kaiel!”

Kaiel just stared at him, maintaining his coldness even though the tears flooding Jaimz’ lovely eyes made him want to listen.  Being called an ass though firmed his own resolve to hold to his pride and his conviction that Jaimz needed to learn that he wasn’t just a toy to use and easily cast aside.  He would talk to Jaimz, but on his terms.  “Make an appointment, Heron will be able to find time for you after the Council closes.”

Jaimz’ tearing eyes snapped to outright rage.   He stepped back, letting the doors close while exclaiming, “What do you want me to do?  Beg!”  He laughed sharply, “In your dreams shit head!”

Standing at the doorway, watching everything unfold and seeing poor Heron looking ready to flee the scene Kang could only shake his head and sigh.  All his hard work, for not, now Jaimz was furious and maybe rightly so.

Zuzu stared uncomfortably at Kaiel, watching him as he stared at the closed lift doors, she could see how his eyes darkened with pain at hearing Jaimz’ angry shout.  She felt uncomfortable for unintentionally coming between the two knowing that they were lovers.  She remembered well the one time she’d witnessed Kaiel kissing Jaimz and how stirringly erotic the scene had been and she knew that the pair was very good together.  Yet it was clear that something had upset there harmony and that somehow she had become involved in it.  She didn’t like that one bit.  She liked it even less that she felt as if Kaiel had used her to hurt Jaimz.

“Was that a bit of posturing Kaiel Ni?”  She asked candidly.

Kaiel glanced at her, and then he sighed, “No, I’m sorry you witnessed that.  Jaimz and I…we had an argument.”

She furrowed a brow and canted her head, looking very adorable as she did; she wasn’t the same type of pretty as her cousin.  Vreda was like an ice sculpture, all-perfect and untouchable, Zuzu in contrast was definitely warm and approachable.  Her attractiveness was softer and more endearing too.  He wondered why he’d never noticed her before.  “Than maybe you should talk to him now?”

Kaiel shook his head, “No, Jaimz needs to learn that I’m not his pet.”

The image of Jaimz keeping Kaiel in such a manner brought a smile to her pretty face, “I know he likes you Kaiel.  I’ve never heard him refer to you as a—pet.”

Kaiel snorted, “Yeah?  Well you haven’t seen how he plays with me.” or how he hurts me, he added silently, not able to share his pain with her.

“I don’t know that I like being caught in the middle of this though.” Zuzu continued, still feeling uncertain about what if anything she had to do with the argument.  Maybe it had nothing to do with her and she’d simply been unlucky enough to enter into the middle of it, yet still it felt as if Kaiel had used her which only made her feel more uncomfortable.

“Please Zuzu, don’t feel like that.  The argument is between Jaimz and me; I merely couldn’t face him over luncheon so I asked you to share the meal with me instead.  I promise there is nothing else going on here…except that I would like to get to know you better.”  He added the last in a hopeful tone coupled with begging eyes and a sheepish smile. 

Zuzu couldn’t help herself she let herself be swayed.  She liked Kaiel, she also liked Jaimz, she liked them together but she also dreamed she might have a place with them even if it was only with Kaiel, still Jaimz she knew would always be her friend no matter what else happened.  Looking at Kaiel she knew that she hoped for more than mere friendship with him.  “Ok, lets Luncheon.  But afterwards you really must go and talk to Jaimz.  Don’t let an argument destroy what you have Kaiel.  You are so good together.”

Kaiel cupped her arm again as the lift doors opened on the public level where the restaurants were located.  He smiled as he considered her astute assessment and nodded, knowing that he’d talk with Jaimz before the final session commenced again this afternoon. 

“I want to go home!” Jaimz stormed, turning away from the lift.  He was furious and rightly so, he’d tried and Kaiel had treated him like crap.  He could remember the coldness of Kaiel’s attitude and though admittedly he’d angered Kaiel, he had been trying to apologize damn it and Kaiel had acted like a shit.  “Did you see that?  I’m not going to stick around here and let him treat me like that!  I-Want-To-Go-Home!”  He actually stomped his feet and realized that he was acting just like a child, but it was all he could do not to burst into tears and fling himself into Kang’s arms.

Kang reached the distraught youngling quickly enough, for despite his mass he was light and quick on his feet, he tried to soothe Jaimz, saying, “Now calm down cub, Kaiel is just trying to show that he’s proud too.”

“I don’t want to calm down!  I know exactly what he’s trying to do!  He wants me to beg his forgiveness!  Well I won’t!  I’m not in this situation because I want to be God damn it!  This isn’t my fault!”  Jaimz yelled, evading Kang while ignoring the very alarmed Heron who was standing helplessly by without a clue what to do or how to help or even if he should get involved.  Kang would just as well Heron stay back and let Jaimz vent freely until he felt better.

“It’s not Kaiel’s fault either,” Kang rejoined quietly, hoping to defuse some of Jaimz’ anger.

Jaimz rounded on him, “No body forced him! He could have walked away!”

Unwittingly included in this argument was Heron, trying to disappear and yet paying certain attention to every word he heard with his ears cupped fully forward.

“And let you die?” Kang queried with a furrowed brow, “He could no sooner have done that than he could stop breathing.”

Jaimz just gaped at him, he started to say something else, but then his shoulders sagged and he repeated achingly, “I want to go home.”

Kang wrapped his arms about the smaller male and he lifted him up so that Jaimz’ head could rest against his shoulder.  “Later, we’ll all go home after the session closes tonight.”

“No, I want to go now.” Jaimz mulishly insisted, “I don’t want to see Kaiel again today.”

“Of course you do,” Kang argued mildly, “You just want this whole argument to go away.”

“Yes…but he better apologize first.” Jaimz grumbled tiredly, turning away from the comfort of Kang’s embrace only to stop and stare at Heron as if seeing him for the first time.  The youngling’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment and Kang heard him groan under his breath, “Oh god.” And then with a forced smile he said, “I’m sorry you had to witness that Heron Ni.”

His ears flicking back helplessly Heron gulped and anxiously scrubbed at his mane before stammering, “Oh…oh that’s all right Jaimz Ni, I-I didn’t see—hear anything…r-really,” he lamely trailed off and cast his gaze down as his ears flattened right against his skull.

Jaimz sighed, he could understand Heron’s discomfort, it was no fun being caught in a lovers’ quarrel even if you weren’t one of the lovers, and maybe it was even harder since he was caught in it for no other reason than that he was there when it happened.  It embarrassed Jaimz to be one of the lovers quarrelling; never in his wildest dreams would he have ever thought he’d end up in a situation like this.  It was ridiculous.   It was sad, he realized, as a mood of deep unhappiness settled over him.  Maybe he should have tried harder in the face of Kaiel’s obstinacy, but he was proud too and he wasn’t about to beg.

About to return to his room to nurse his newest wounds Jaimz was delayed by the trilling of the COM system, he turned his head toward the noise though he didn’t anticipate that the call was meant for him still as he made for his room to sulk in private Heron beckoned him.

“Of course K’Lan Ni,” Heron exclaimed, after touching the small earpiece he wore against his ear, he waved his hand toward to COM unit sitting on a low table in a small seating arrangement and queried uncertainly, “Jaimz Ni, would you accept a call from Terrill Ni?”

The young male looked worried, and probably rightly so, considering the tumult of the last few minutes.  He was uncertain how Jaimz would react since he didn’t really know his employer’s companion that well yet, though he suspected that he had a stormy personality (HAH!).  He could see the bafflement in Jaimz’ remarkable eyes and wondered if he would take the call, and as he continued to wait he worried that he’d have to deal with Terrill’s difficult nature too if Jaimz refused, but soon enough he felt a wave of relief as Jaimz gave a slight nod of consent.

Kang watched with avid curiosity as Jaimz made for the COM unit and selected the option to receive the call.  He said nothing as Terrill’s robust voice filled the room, though he quickly grew dismayed by the subject of the call.  At first Terrill made light conversation, he mostly enquired after Jaimz’ health and whether he found Rydani pleasant but as Terrill requested his presence at Lorz’ funeral it was obvious by the whitening of Jaimz’ cheeks and the shock in his eyes that the subject was painful. Watching the youngling’s expression shift from denial to acceptance Kang knew that Jaimz was having a hard time dealing with the call. 

It was amazing to witness Jaimz struggle with the whole idea, to see the conflict in him as he strove to balance his need for personal vengeance against Terrill’s need to deal with his personal loss, since Lorz was still a source of pain for Jaimz yet finally good manners won out and acceptance smoothed his face and released his tensed shoulders even though when he replied his voice sounded utterly lifeless, “Yes Terrill Ni, I understand.” Jaimz’ eyes locked pleadingly with Kang’s though whether the youngling sought to escape his obligation or not, Kang couldn’t guess, since Jaimz continued on tonelessly, “I will be there, of course.”

“I grateful Jaimz, truly,” was Terrill’s response, and from the hesitation in his own voice it was clear that he hadn’t been certain of Jaimz’ response either, “I know how you feel about Lorz, but as his mate it is proper for you to attend.  If you would, please pass this information on to Kaiel.”

With that Terrill severed the connection and Jaimz stood there for a long moment just staring at the COM unit as if it were some kind of torture device.  Finally he looked back at Kang and stammered, “W-when is Azoree rising on the 68^th of Savin?” 

“That would be this coming eighth-day.”  Kang explained, knowing that Jaimz was still uncertain how the Zaran calendar worked.  Z’Rarla did not have months and weeks as Jaimz was used to, the Zaran year was divided into 4 cycles (or seasons) Savin was the equal of Earth’s Spring season.   The 68^th day of Savin was well into the 88 day cycle.  The Zaran year could also be divided into 42 Eighth-Days, which was comparable to an Earth week.  Of course Kang hadn’t really discussed funeral practices for humans, though Jaimz had fretted a few times about the rites or if any had been given for his dead teammates.  By Zaran custom it was proper to send the deceased to meet their ancestors on Azoree’s (the little moon) rising.

“Oh,” Jaimz replied in a small voice, looking at once lost and over stressed, he touched his hand to his forehead and grimaced before nodding gravely and adding, “I see.”  He moved away then to look out the windows at the overview of the city in the early afternoon light.  The sky was as ever the rich azure blue of a late spring day, not a single cloud marred the perfect hue or offered any shade as the heat of the day began to shimmer along the visible rooftops.  Of course the suite was comfortable, almost cave-like in how it always retained a near perfect temperature no matter the season, even in the heat of summer or the muggy days of rainy season this room, like most buildings, was designed to allow for little fluctuation in the ambient temperature and humidity. 

Of course Jaimz wasn’t thinking about Zaran architecture or Z’Rarla’s deep blue sky or how the heat of the day was increasing with the height of the sun.  Rather he was lost in thought, bemused by the idea that soon he’d attend the funeral of one male he’d been unwillingly mated with while possibly still immersed in an lovers quarrel with who was the brother of that first mate.  It boggled his mind to dwell on his current situation for it seemed almost as a dream in many ways.  In the short time frame from the start of his experiment to this day only a matter of weeks had passed and yet so many things had happened that sometimes it seemed that an entire lifetime had already gone by.  He had done some much, made so many choices and had so many decisions taken out of his hands too and all of it in such a short number of weeks.  He’d started to think of his time not in terms of weeks or even the Zaran 8-day cycle, but rather by the more limited 72-hour cycle that had such control over his life.  What would the next 72-hour cycle bring he wondered, almost with a sense of dread.

He felt tears suddenly sting his eyes and didn’t even realize when they started to trickle down his cheeks.  Kang was there as he swayed back into his embrace, he hadn’t heard him come up behind him, but he was grateful that he was there as his knees gave out and next he was lifted up and cuddled against the old cat’s massive chest.  “I’m tired,” he sighed while letting his headrest against Kang’s shoulder.

“You need to rest.” Kang advised; his voice a soothing rumble.  Too much too soon had happened recently and Jaimz though much improved was still not tracking an even course.  He suspected that the headache was on the return and without Kaiel to help subdue it rest and analgesics was the best medicine for Jaimz now.  He noted Heron looking on, his earnest face a picture of worry and uncertainty.  He nodded to the young male, hoping to alleviate his tension and assure him that he could return to his own duties since he had the situation well in hand, but before he could take Jaimz to his room the lift chimed again. 

Jaimz straightened up hopefully, wondering if Kaiel was returning already, but Kang was doubtful since he felt that the male was going to continue on the stubborn course he’d set in motion.  Within a few moments, if Heron’s shocked expression was anything to go by, Kang knew that it wasn’t Kaiel returning.  Ultimately the answer was provided as Heron nervously explained, “Some of the Council are requesting a moment with Jaimz Ni, V’Ran Ni.”

Kang was shocked, this was totally unprecedented and somehow seemed improper though he didn’t know enough of politics to say exactly why this seemed wrong.  He only knew that Jaimz was in no condition to deal with visitors and that Kaiel wasn’t available to buffer him.  “Have them return at another time, tell them that Jaimz is currently indisposed.”

Jaimz groaned and laughed weakly, “That sounds appalling.”

“Whatever, it is the truth however.”  Kang rejoined candidly as he headed for Jaimz room.

“Uh, Kang Ni?” Heron’s anxious tone brought him back around.  As he bent a frown on the young male which made his narrow ears flick fretfully Heron exclaimed, “One of them must have an Access Key for they are on their way up now.”

“Ah,” well that changed matters certainly, Kang stared a moment at the still closed lift doors before turning to set Jaimz down in one of the nearby chairs.  Even as the youngling moved to get up, he waggled his finger under his nose and admonished briskly, “You will stay put.”

Jaimz flushed and protested, “I can’t greet them like this.”

Kang snorted, “Of course you can.  They are the ones arriving unannounced and thus they may expect no fine reception.  You need food and rest which they are denying you and you need to just sit quiet and try to let me handle this for you.”

At the mention of food Jaimz remarked idly “I am hungry.”

To which Kang merely snorted again before turning to the lift as it chimed arrival, “Let’s get this nonsense over.” He grumbled.

Heron took those words as his cue and welcomed the worthies into the suite.  At once Kang knew there would be trouble in this and as he put himself between Jaimz and the arrivals he motioned to Heron, instructing lightly, “Get Kaiel back here now.”

There were six visitors now in a room that though grand in scale suddenly seemed crowded by their unwanted presence.   Besides Councils P’Var Oran and K’Ilo Dunai, military Adjutant V’Dra Manawa and Military Advisor A’Kani Mar, the Delran ambassador Huirlic was also part of the group, but most surprising of all was the cloaked male bringing up the rear of the party.  Kang did not recognize the stranger but he knew the dark red cloak signified a follower of Z’Ullan.  Instinctively Kang knew that the Z’Ullan Aki (priest) boded ill for Jaimz’ wellbeing, and from the look of him K’Ilo Dunai seemed likely to simply add more grief to a potentially bad situation.

“Councillors, Ambassador, Aki.” Kang acknowledged each with a slight nod; and he noticed that though they all returned the greeting it was only the Aki who showed true respect in the gesture.  Also of the group the Z’Ullan priest seemed slightly out of place, as his order was concerned with spiritual and theological needs of the people rather than political needs of the bureaucracy.  Still as the Aki was with the group Kang assumed that they had included him rather than he’d included himself.

The four Zaran officials fanned out with the Delran Ambassador pushing his way between them, causing yet another shifting as the officials repositioned themselves; the Aki remained unperturbedly in the background, making no move to forward his cause. 

Seeing a Delran up close for the first time Jaimz found himself gawking with something akin to shocked dismay.  He flushed and glanced away when those flat black eyes fixed on him and was grateful he hadn’t met the Delran in his natural watery habitat, since he was more like a shark with stubby arms and legs than a man with shark-like features.  If evolution had taken a Mako shark, and made it humanoid with bipedal walking and wide splayed hands while altering the facial structure enough for the eyes to face forward on a head that was still mostly all snout the Delran would have been the result.  His body even had the classic color delineation, with the back being nearly black, from the tip of the snout and all the way down to the flare of the shrunken tail, while the underside (including beneath the snout) was a pale whitish grey in.  Of necessity the Delran wore a respirator which converted the dry air to something it could breathe.  Two ornate red bands crossed his upper torso with a large jewelled signet attached where the bands met.  He wore a long sleeveless crimson vest over that.  A broad gold sash, belting a loose pair of sapphire blue trousers, bound his lower torso.  He also had a pair of red leather shoes covering his wide paddle like feet.  His body was long while his legs were short and his arms were just long enough for his fingers to touch without any extra allowed for freedom of movement.  Jaimz had to believe that in the water the Delran’s body shape would still make him a predator to contend with.

The Zaran councillors were less brightly garbed, though Jaimz had noticed the role of robes in formal situations and was able to discern the quality and elegance of a Zaran House or position according to the cut and intricacy of the garment.  Fine embroidery was also a good indicator of status.   Of the five Zarans their robes said much about their status, though the one in the hooded cloak did puzzle him a bit, since his robe, though of fine quality bore little decoration even if the Zarans here wore purposely understated robes which were more like uniforms than anything to Jaimz who was more used to the more casual tunics and straight-legged pants most Zarans preferred.  Except for K’Ilo Jaimz didn’t know these Zarans, and his one encounter with K’Ilo had left him feeling resentful, and he truly hoped that this encounter would be less problematic.

One of the Zarans stepped forth; his dark blue robe had wide gold panels down the front, triple striped gold cuffs and three gold braids at both shoulders as well as a chain of medals hanging across his chest.  He tried to go around Kang, who blocked his access to Jaimz and after finding his path challenged he frowned warningly at the big old cat while asking, “Why do you interfere V’Ran Kang Ni?”  

“This meeting is extremely ill planned A’Kani Ni.  For Jaimz’ Ni sake I must request you revisit at a more appropriate time.” Kang stated, while thinking that a time of their choosing that included Kaiel would be much better.

K’Ilo scoffed, “The time is fine now.”

“Yes, this is the best opportunity we have to go over some matters with Jaimz Ni.” P’Var Oran insisted.

“Indeed, we be wanting a chanz to make deal with dis one too.  Da Chai and Zaran cannot be da only onez to benefit from hiz technology.”  The Delran rasped shifting from side to side in aggravation.

Kang shook his graying head, and rebutted; “Surely these matters can be dealt with at a more appropriate time P’Var Ni, Ambassador Huirlic?  It has been a trying day and Jaimz Ni needs rest.”  He nodded meaningfully toward K’Ilo.

Jaimz who remained sitting as ordered, flushed as the group peered around Kang and looked him over with varying degrees of deliberation and interest, his embarrassment cooled though as K’Ilo grunted belligerently, “He looks fine to me.” The ruddy maned older male gave him a sour look and continuing in the same tone, added; “He was certainly energetic enough during the meeting.”

Jaimz felt a flush of anger wash over him as he glared at the older version of his personal demon; however he managed to hold his tongue, if just barely.  He really didn’t like this older version of Ham though he was willing to admit his own personal experience did color his view of senior K’Ilo.  Still from the onset K’Ilo Dunai had done nothing but bate him and since he’d only see him twice, counting earlier in the council chamber as the first time, any future encounters didn’t bode well for him. 

“Yes, I promise V’Ran Kang we won’t keep him for very long.  It’s simply now seemed a good opportunity to actually meet him and discuss certain matters,” Stated V’Dra Manawa, the second male in blue robes, stepping forward, “My office is prepared to provide him with the resources and personal he requires—.”

“Here to!” Huirlic interrupted, shifting his whole body to peer at Jaimz, “Delran be prepared to offer whatever tings you needz so az to be part of da gaining.”

“Now see here,” V’Dra countered turning toward the Delran, “As K’Lan Jaimz is in our c-care we will see to his requirements, any help that Delran can offer in supplies and personal will be appreciated but Zaran interests must be dealt with first.”

Jaimz frowned at hearing the slight shift in the male’s voice and wondered grimly what instead of CARE he’d really meant to say.  He stubbornly held onto his sense of calm but it was getting more and more difficult to remain indifferent.

The Delran drew himself up belligerently, and turned his flat black eyes grimly upon Councillor P’Var; “By dat you mean Zaran control of his technology?  You want to keep all knowledge for Z’Rarla and upset the stability here achieved?  Delran and Z’Rarla be at peace; do you then crave conflict Councillor?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Huirlic,” V’Dra scoffed, “All I mean is that Z’Rarla will determine how to release the technology, it must be tested and it has been agreed that Chai would be first in order after Z’Rarla to study and adapt his technology for their use—.”

“Sa sa sa,” gratingly hissed the Delran while waving his flipper-esk hand dismissively; “Means da same ting.”

Before the males could devolve into a full out argument Jaimz bluntly interrupted them all, “Why does Z’Rarla think it has any say?  For my sake I decided the share my technology.  Who I work with is also my decision, I foresee no reason why Delran can’t help right alongside Z’Rarla and Chai, but whoever does work with me will be of my choosing...not Z’Rarla’s.”

They all turned to face him, each with different looks on their faces, from faint amusement through to shock on most of the Zaran faces, to mild curiosity (if he read him right) on the Delran’s faces to outrage on K’Ilo’s. Kang sighed deeply, worried of where this impromptu meeting was heading and turning to face Jaimz cautioned him with a waggle of his finger to mind his manners.  Jaimz smiled tightly in understanding but the crystalline brightness in his aqua eyes didn’t promise real cooperation.

K’Ilo Dunai braved the wall that was Kang to face the little human, who still remained impolitely seated through the meeting.  “You have some nerve Jaimz of Earth.  Instead of being grateful for your life and providing Z’Rarla with the technology it deserves for rescuing you, you act as is Z’Rarla owes you something.  I say K’Lan Pride has been far too lenient and easy with you, managing you with a soft paw when a firm hand would serve better in your case.  This arrogance of yours will be dealt with when you reside under K’Ilo’s roof.”

Kang knew that preventing an argument now was impossible, he signalled Heron and made sure the young aide understood exactly what he wanted, such as getting Kaiel back to the suite immediately, before turning back to try and act as a buffer between Jaimz and the overtly dogmatic K’Ilo Dunai.

Jaimz smiled bitterly and uttered a diamond sharp laugh of contempt as he growled, “What ever makes you think that?  I am a member of K’Lan Pride, though your own arrogance refuses to admit it.”

Hoping to head off an argument V’Dra Manawa explained; “Well, you see Jaimz Ni, we have to decide where you will be most safe.  K’Ilo is a Pride of warriors.  They have the training and expertise to protect you.”  P’Var and A’Kani nodded smartly in agreement, they seemed to be united today, which was understandable since P’Var and A’Kani worked for the Governor of Z’Rarla while V’Dra worked for the head General of Zaran’s military forces, and though there was occasion conflict between the Governor’s and the General’s offices in matter such as this they would be more in accord than not.  Only K’Ilo was the odd man out, as head of his House and a council member he had a lot to say about the running of Z’Rarla and even had a lot of influence especially with the Military head of Z’Rarla but still he had no power to implement change beyond the rather weighty power of his house.  And today he was pushing his weight in regards to Jaimz.

But Jaimz couldn’t be headed off though, “I’m perfectly safe at K’Lan.” He sent a fierce glare at K’Ilo and snarled, “K’Ilo has no say in any of this.”  He clutched his hands together to hide their shaking as the thought of being under Ham’s complete power filled him with horror.

“Well you see Jaimz Ni, there is no record of your being a member of K’Lan and though Lan Pride has done an admirable job protecting you thus far, you must be realistic and realize that they haven’t the expertise to continue protecting you in a manner of which you deserve.”  P’Var Oran stated mildly, of the Zarans in the room, his was the most peaceful personality.  Besides he worked with Zuzu and through her he’d learned of Jaimz and he knew that the young human had a temper that needed to be soothed just as he knew Jaimz was old beyond his years in many ways and could be made to see the truth in wisdom if he was led to it properly.  How he wished he’d come alone to Jaimz and talked with him before the council session wrapped up this afternoon.  He wanted to gain a better understanding of the young stranger to Z’Rarla before helping to decide his situation.  He certainly wanted Jaimz to be involved in his own settlement too, but his companions, especially K’Ilo were making this difficult.

Jaimz canted his silky head, his sun-kissed cinnamon locks framing an exquisite face and making his eyes all the more incredible, truly he was quite a becoming creature with features that definitely appealed to the Zaran psyche.  Still with a slight tightening of his mouth Jaimz reiterated, “I am a member of K’Lan Pride.  There is documented fact.”

K’Ilo scoffed, “If you mean Lorz registering you to his House when he had no right, we are contesting the validity of the document since you properly belong to Ham as a war prise and Ham never gave his consent for Lorz to claim you in such a manner.”

“Except I was never a war prise!” Jaimz snarled, thrusting to his feet though he retained a fierce grip on the seat arms, “My people were never at war with yours.  Ham had no right firing upon my ship or murdering my crew!  And it was Lorz who found me in the wreckage of my ship so don’t you go spouting your shit K’Ilo.  I am a legal member of K’Lan and there is nothing you can do to change that fact.”

“Ham did everything right!” K’Ilo Dunai roared, “Your vessel appeared in the middle of a warzone!  He was defending Zaran territory!  You are a war prise and you rightly belong to House K’Ilo!  House K’Lan has no grounds to hold you and when the council decides in K’Ilo’s favour the first thing I will do is ensure you know your master!”

Jaimz flinched but wasn’t about to back down, “According to all reports the JSFS appeared during a routine sweep, not during a battle!  Without provocation he opened fire on an UNARMED SHIP and he murdered my entire crew!  Besides you behave as if I’m property, I thought slavery was outlawed on Z’Rarla, yet from the sounds of it you would have me shackled and beaten into submission!  Just like—.” At a high cost to his lips he barely managed to bite back the rest of what he meant to say. 

He saw it, K’Ilo’s instant reaction to the sudden tang of blood scenting the air.  The older male’s nostrils flared and his pupils widened with rabid lust.  The hungry look lasted only for an second before K’Ilo Dunai suppressed it but to see that reaction appalled Jaimz, and suddenly the headache which had been threatening was upon him with eye-throbbing agony.  He keened, “Doc!” and all but fell back into the chair as the sudden overwhelming pain left him dazzled and sick.

Kang moved swiftly, shielding Jaimz as best he could while growling harshly at the uninvited guests, “Go!  You must all go now!”  Without even waiting to see if they obeyed him he snarled at Heron, “Where is Kaiel?  I told you to get him here now!”

“He’s coming.” Heron assured anxiously. 

Kang turned back to Jaimz, saying softly, “Try to relax Jaimz, I’ll have you feeling better soon.”

Blinking back tears of pain and barely able to speak from the nauseating side affect of a dazzle headache, which normally only struck during TWS he managed to gasp, “Hurry.”

“What is going on?” Councillor P’Var demanded, stepping up to Kang’s side.

Kang sent him a withering look but otherwise ignored him as he sent Heron to retrieve his medicine bag.  This reaction was exactly what he’d feared would happen, Jaimz had suffered a serious blow to his head and despite how well he’d healed the internal contusion would still take time to completely mend.  The cub had been over excited today what with the earlier council meeting, then the argument with Kaiel and now this, and it was all too much too soon.  He needed rest and more healing and even if Kaiel was proving to be obtuse on the healing side of his recovery at the very least Jaimz could lie down and get some real rest which his body needed, but no, these fool councillors and especially K’Ilo had to push and prod until this was the result.

“What nonsense is this?” K’Ilo Dunai asked scathingly.

Heron’s timely arrival saved Kang from retorting.  He nodded graciously at the harried young aide and took the case (the lovely satchel Jaimz had given him) and also a glass of water that Heron had thoughtfully provided.  He quickly located the medicine to alleviate the headache and pressed them to Jaimz’ pinched lips and followed quickly the tablets with the water.  “There,” he murmured soothingly, stroking his hand gently through Jaimz’ hair, “That should start helping.”

Jaimz let his head fall back against the padded seat and just concentrated on breathing.  Kang’s light touch didn’t bother him and so long as he didn’t move he thought he’d be okay.  It surprised him though how quickly the headache had come on and it warned him that what he saw in the mirror didn’t exactly tell the whole story.  He hadn’t actually realized until now that though he looked okay and felt fairly well (considering what he’d gone through) he wasn’t yet one hundred percent recovered and if he pushed to hard this could be the consequence.

After a few moments, where he floated alone barely aware of vague voices in the background, Kang very gently asked him, “Are you starting to feel better?  Would you like to lie down?”

Jaimz chanced opening his eyes, only to close them instantly as the room tilted rather alarmingly and his stomach lurched in protest, he gasped, “No…. Please don’t move me; I’ll be sick for sure.”

Understanding, Kang returned to just stroking his hair, knowing that a little patience was needed before the medicine take full affect, still he wondered what was taking Kaiel so long and found he had to force himself to stay calm as his own anger mounted against the absent young male, that of course was coupled with his anger at the visitors who had overstayed their at best dubious welcome.  Their ignorance only added to his irritation.

“What nonsense are you trying to pull here V’Ran Kang?” K’Ilo Dunai demanded rudely, stomping up so that Kang thought the councillor intended to pull Jaimz out of the chair.

Kang shifted his girth to discourage the male and growled, “I told you to leave.”

K’Ilo gave him a startled stare, than he disagreeably objected, “Who are you to order me—!”

“Who I am is Medic V’Ran Kang and Jaimz Ni is my concern!  Are you blind?  You can see that he isn’t well and your continued presence is just causing him unnecessary pain.  I want you to leave.” He swept his hand out to include all the visitors in the gesture, and repeated as politely as possible; “All of you, please leave.”

Insulted K’Ilo Dunai drew himself up to his full height, which put him at just about Kang’s height, and the big old cat being above average himself was unimpressed with the councillor’s show of indignation.  Unfazed K’Ilo pressed his argument, “He’s fine, he had ample energy earlier and now he’s trying to lay false paths to deceive us.”

“Really,” A’Kani Mar interjected somewhat more tentatively, he at least seemed uncertain of Jaimz’ condition, “We haven’t solved anything at all, and—.”

“Nor will you.” Kang interrupted gratingly, “These aren’t matters to be discussed now, but in full council, what do you really plan to accomplish here?  Do you wish to try to gain some advantage over the Chai or the Ghan or any other Allies not represented here?” He sent an arch look at the Delran, “Jaimz has already agreed to work with you, and I’m sure he will be willing to work out a schedule and discuss such formalities as staffing and materials, but now is clearly not the time.” He gestured demonstratively toward his charge in trying to make his point and Jaimz did look as strained as he indicated.

Most of the visitors winced and withdrew slightly, though the cloaked Aki had neither added to nor backed away from the problem.  The Delran looked properly chastened and Councillor P’Var Oran finally nodded and gestured to the others saying, “Perhaps you are right Medic V’Ran, we will schedule a proper meeting, perhaps tomorrow?” he aimed the question toward Jaimz though he seemed content to await an answer.  Only K’Ilo was unsatisfied and he refused to back down, after all he was head of the Warrior Pride.

“No, nothing has been resolved yet!  What about his status?  He belongs to K’Ilo; I demand proof of K’Lan’s claim.” The male blustered irately, glaring at the small but aggravating alien who had so embarrassed him earlier and now disturbed his senses in deeper far more upsetting ways.  He still thrummed with reaction to the blood scent in the air that had caused a surge of arousal to jolt through him and though he refused to admit to more primal urges he was willing to assume the blood smell had triggered his chase reflex.  Just being in the same room with it and forced to breathe in the rank taint of its furless skin made his lip curl in disdain.

Kang snarled at him, “You—Leave—Now!”

Jaimz looked up at hearing the raw anger in Kang’s voice, he’d never heard the old cat sound so fierce before and he realized that despite the extra girth and added years Kang was still a male to contend with when his ire was raised.  Feeling a flood of affection for the protective medic he looked past the wall of his broad back to see the stubborn ugliness of K’Ilo Dunai’s fierce face.  Truly the more he saw Dunai the more he was reminded of Ham, they both had the same pronounced muzzle, ruddy coloring and red-tinged eyes, couple that with similar height and body type and it was easy to see the awful family resemblance.  The cruelty of Dunai’s face was utterly reminiscent of Ham’s, so much so that just the expression alone recalled a memory that stabbed at him and almost made him cry out again.  He closed his eyes against the memory and rubbed his fingers over his temple and reinforced Kang’s order with his own, “Please leave.”

“No I will not.” K’Ilo Dunai challenged, brushing past Kang to confront Jaimz directly.  “V’Ran Kang hasn’t status enough to defy me and you, ugly hairless little runt, certainly have none.”

Even P’Var Oran was outraged by K’Ilo’s crude tirade, he yelled, “Enough with the slurs K’Ilo, not everyone is born to a House!”

“Being born to a House doesn’t automatically confer honour,” Kang sneered, “I earned mine...” what he didn’t say was far more eloquent than words.  Some titles were conferred to those who truly deserved it; as Kang had earned his title and bore it proudly and woe the unfortunate fool who scorned his hard earned honour.

Of course Jaimz felt his headache retreat as a wave of anger washed through him, chasing the dregs of pain away even as he flushed all over with heat and felt a wry smile twist his lips.   He didn’t even hear Kang speak as he tsked and said; “Liar.”

Everyone looked at him with shock clear in their eyes.  If K’Ilo Dunai could be likened to a rabid dog at that moment the resemblance would have fit as his ruff flexed, his mane lifted, his ears tucked back and his muzzle snarled like a dog with its hackles raised.  Jaimz was smiling at him, but it was not a friendly smile, Kang knew by the crystalline gleam in his eyes that Jaimz was furious.  “What?” K’Ilo rasped.

Again the smile, now twisting into a sneer though, “You are a liar.” Every word was perfectly enunciated, drawing the eyes of course to the exotic shapeliness of his pretty but oh so cruelly smiling mouth.

If not for the robe covering his back, it would have been possible to see the ripple of fur rising along K’Ilo’s spine as he reacted to Jaimz’ quietly voiced accusation.  “How dare you?”

Canting his head back against the seat Jaimz peered coldly at the irate cat, the faint twist of his mouth made his disdain all the more clear, “I dare...” he gestured vaguely seeming to take in all the visitors though the glacial glitter of his eyes remained upon K’Ilo.  “I’m tired of... people hounding me.  I’m tired of running.  I’m not some animal to chase down, entrap... ravage.  Ham wishes to consume me; did he confess all his ugly secrets to you?  Did he excite you with tales of his conquests?  Is that why you prate so much about my status and deny my right to stay with K’Lan?  Do you hunger after me too?”

If K’Ilo could have flushed undoubtedly he would have, nonetheless he bristled belligerently; “What rubbish are you bleating?  Of course you belong to K’Ilo, Ham claimed you first—!”

Jaimz laughed bitterly, the grim twist of his lips echoing his black mood, “Murdering my crew does not make him my master!”  He lunged to his feet, slapping his chest while growling as convincingly as any Zaran, “No one owns me.  I belong to myself!  No one in this room has to right to dictate my fate!  No one!”  He glared at the visitors, making certain each fully comprehended his declaration before finally confronting K’Ilo again. 

Incensed and insulted, K’Ilo Dunai blustered, “My son, K’Ilo Ham is a War Hero and how dare you speak of him in such an offensive manner!  You—you’re just a mewling ugly worm barely worthy of his notice.  He won you in fair battle and I refuse to listen to your scat anymore!”  Even as he raged his awareness was focused upon the sensual storm assailing him in the form of the very being he professed to loathe.  He was overwhelmed by the scent of him flooding his senses and mad with the heated urge to throw him down and rut until sated.  By the disdain in those incredible eyes it was obvious that Jaimz was aware of his need; just as he knew he had to re-establish his authority while diminishing his humiliation or else he’d lose face with his peers, something a male of his status could not bear.   A show of force was one way he knew with certainty to re-establish his authority, and surely that was something even this impudent creature would understand. 

He did foresee the consequences and yet his rage and desire forced his hand, he did not expect to be anticipated and certainly he would never have expected anyone to challenge him but even as Jaimz recoiled in alarm a larger body interposed between him and his small victim and suddenly it was he who had to retreat, as the bristling old male snarled at him so viciously Dunai wondered if his ears might tear for the low roar. 

“You will not touch him!” Kang roared, forcing Dunai back even more while he made sure Jaimz was out of his reach.

Others in the room also reacted, with A’Kani, V’Dra and P’Var and even Ambassador Huirlic and the Aki moving to stand between them.  P’Var looked as incensed as Kang as he hissed, “Are you insane?”

“Had your fist landed you might have killed him!” V’Dra admonished, his own gray eyes flashing with ire.

A’Kani Manawa shook his head, and scolded, “Threatening him is no way to act!  You’re an adult!”

“He insulted me!” K’Ilo Dunai snarled, waving his hand frantically toward Jaimz, who was still safely out of his reach, “He insulted my House!”

The Delran rolled his eyes and rasped, “Sa sa sa, dis be no way to do businez!”

“Shut up!” Dunai seethed, “you all heard the way he spoke to me, that scat talk of his.  He deserves more than a smack.  He needs to learn a civil tongue he does and when he comes under my jurisdiction I’ll see that he learns it well!”

“God!” Jaimz laughed bitterly, his headache was on its way back and it was bringing along friends or so it seemed if the thunderous pounding against his temples was any clue.  All he wanted to do was curl up in a quiet spot and whimper, but that fool K’Ilo just wouldn’t let him be, “I can just imagine the kind of lessons I’d learn from you!  You’re just as bad as Ham!”

Kang turned slightly toward Jaimz and chastened, “Don’t you know well enough to stop poking at the wound cub?”

Jaimz flashed him a startled look, bit his lip and even flushed contritely, but he couldn’t give in, “Make him to stop poking at me then.”

“I’ll stop when you learn to respect your betters!” K’Ilo retorted, shaking his fist.

Kang sighed and rolled his eyes in exasperation while muttering, “They’re both cubs.”

Jaimz didn’t respond, accept to bite his lip again, but K’Ilo just didn’t seem to know how to concede the point, “I want his status determined now!  Right now!  He comes to K’Ilo Pride now!”

The whole group seemed to start at his demand, Jaimz flinching back before he recovered, though his fingers were starting to press against his throbbing temples again showing a watchful Kang that all this excitement really wasn’t doing him any good.  Kang bent a fierce look upon K’Ilo and snarled, “Well he won’t be going to K’Ilo.  Lan is his Pride.”

“Skarll scat!” K’Ilo spat, “There’s no corroboration of his status with K’Lan; the whole notion is utter rot.  Show me proof!”

Kang glanced anxiously at Jaimz, he knew fully well there was undisputable proof of Jaimz’ status as a member of K’Lan, but he also know that Jaimz had no idea beyond the death wishes of his former mate.  He had promised Kaiel he’d keep the secret but K’Ilo was making it impossible.  “There is proof.” He hedged, watching Jaimz, while knowing that the youngling didn’t even suspect Lorz could have been consigned him to another soul.  In his world such contracts were not only criminal but they were also unimaginable to him.  Jaimz thinking he meant Lorz’ final testament, nodded sharply, though he groaned instantly as the movement only aggravated his headache.

“Prove it.” K’Ilo dared mulishly, for all appearances looking more akin to a pugnacious bulldog than a lion at that moment.

Glancing impatiently at the lift, Kang fervently prayed for Kaiel’s eminent arrival, preferring to dodge the matter entirely and let Kaiel handle it.  But Kaiel still had not showed and though he frowned at his stubborn tardiness he was thinking that he’d be the unfortunate one having to bear the brunt of Jaimz’ anger when he learned the whole truth of the Akibu contract, but a unexpected stir amongst the visitors made his heart hammer as the Aki finally entered into the fray.  In a compelling tone he announced; “I am all the proof required.  K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan is a true bond of Lan Pride.”

It seemed as if the very walls held their breath for an instance.  That pause ended with the overlooked chime of the lift and Kaiel entering into a pregnant silence.  The timing couldn’t have been more perfect but his expression held no guile, as it was clear he was completely unprepared for the silent chaos found within his suite.  Completely uncertain of what was going on and having only been told to return at once for Jaimz’ sake, interrupted his luncheon with Zuzu and returned as quickly as he could, only to find his quarters overrun with unexpected visitors and by the tangible tension in the room it was clear to him that they were unwelcome.  His gaze flitted from P’Var Oran, to A’Kani Mar and V’Dra Manawa.  From those councils his gaze swept past Delran Ambassador Huirlic, and the unknown Aki Priest in his hooded cloak to stop upon Councillor K’Ilo Dunai.  Recalling how this male had upset Jaimz so much he could guess why his meal had been interrupted. 

“What is going on here?” he asked, very cautiously.

“Ah, K’Lan Kaiel Ni,” P’Var Oran began affably, turning to greet him with a slight bow and a brief rubbing of cheeks before continuing, “I—we simply sought to meet this young male.  I’m afraid however our presence has distressed him.”

He could smell Jaimz’ anger and unease, so he knew they’d done more than simply distress Jaimz.  He was also aware of the seething emotions emanating from the group, with the focus spiralling around Jaimz, which was no surprise but what was surprising was that if Jaimz was the nexus of the emotions the Aki was the cause.  Since he didn’t know any Akibu Priests and he was certain Jaimz didn’t either he didn’t understand what was going on between them, and indeed the others had little bearing on the tension scintillating from Jaimz to the Aki and back again.  Then he thought of something that made his ears flatten in dismay, though he hoped his suspicion was wrong!

No, this can’t be happening!  He thought with sudden alarm, he needed to be the one to tell Jaimz about the Akibu Life Mating contract and how his bond had been passed to him as Lorz successor.  He had been waiting for the right time, believing that there was no need to hurry, especially with Jaimz being so unpredictable.  He prayed to all the Gods and even the Moons above that the Aki wasn’t here to confirm the bond, but what other reason could there be for his visit?

It was K’Ilo Dunai who broke the tension with a growled, “How do you mean, you are the proof Aki?”

Kaiel felt his heart hammering with dread as he pushed through the unexpected visitors to reach Jaimz’ side, he arched a significant look at Kang who managed a quick shake and a helpless shrug in reply and Kaiel turned back to see if his world was about to come crashing down upon his head.  With utter, nearly maddening calm the Aki lowered his hood, revealing a silvery gray pelt and cropped mane of nearly the same color, the refined features and unusual cool blue eyes related a southern heritage.  He turned his bland gaze upon K’Ilo and formally stated, “I am the proof, for I performed the bond.  K’Lan no Gingko Jaimz Ryordan is who he says he is.”

Jaimz stared at the unknown male, puzzled by both his words and his presence.  He had learned to gauge age well enough to know that this male was at least ten years Kaiel’s senior, handsome in a severe way, though if he hadn’t shorn his mane so close he might have looked less severe.  He also had small darker grey spots dappling his neck and the edge of his jaw under his cheek ruffs though the rest of his face and his mane didn’t show any of that dappling affect.  Still he guessed that the distinctive markings continued below the edge of his collar, but he still didn’t recognize the male and yet he’d claimed to have proof of his status. 

“Now R’Fram Aki Ni, I asked you to come with so that you could assist with the problem of his status and situation, we don’t need you to add more confusion to this matter.” A’Kani Mar chided, the edges of his thin mouth turned down in disapproval.

Turning toward the military advisor the Akibu priest sent him a look of mild rebuke and said with staid politeness, “And I have provided decisive evidence of his status and situation, how can that be confusing A’Kani Ni?”

“Where is this proof?  I haven’t seen any tangible evidence.” K’Ilo grunted, unwilling still to give in.

Those mildly disapproving eyes shifted now to K’Ilo.  “Do you doubt my word K’Ilo Ni?” So very carefully stated, and yet there was an implied threat in those simple words.  K’Ilo might be a warrior Pride, but a Z’Ullan priest was a brother of a much bigger army, an army of Warrior Priests who trained and breathed war while others only played at it.

K’Ilo Dunai heard the implicit threat and though his ears twitched violently he still bent his ruddy maned head and acquiesced with some slight gravity.  “Of course not Aki.  I was only concerned that—Jaimz Ni would not receive proper—protection.”  His ears flattened and his mouth tightened in a black snarl when Jaimz tsked in disbelief, but for once K’Ilo didn’t make any verbal retort.

With a hands-to-heart gesture, the Aki said, “His bond belongs to Z’Ullan.  Z’Ullan will provide.”

That really got Jaimz’ interest, at his guarded; “What?” Kaiel groaned in complete and utter dismay.

The Aki arched an urbane brow at Jaimz’ query, but fortunately for Kaiel all he said was, “What I must convey is confidential and not for the uninitiated.”

Clearly it was a dismissal, whether the councillors’ and ambassador liked it or not they actually obeyed and allowed themselves to be meekly herded to the lift.  K’Ilo still looked annoyed with whole event and the look he gave Jaimz was rife with promise.  

Huirlic, the Delran Ambassador, looking puzzled and disgruntled turned to P’Var Oran while asking, “Does dis mean we have no’ting resolved?”

P’Var Oran shook his head and peered thoughtfully back at the small group remaining in the suite, he called, “We will talk soon yes, K’Lan Jaimz.”

It wasn’t really a question Jaimz noted as he watched the five individuals enter the lift.  As the doors slid closed he heard Kang let out a deep pent up sigh and managed to catch Kaiel ask Heron, “Who let them up?” even as he turned his inquisitive gaze back upon the stranger.

The Aki smiled enigmatically, showing a hint of sharp fang.  He did something many Zaran seemed loath to do, he went crouched down so that he was more at a level with Jaimz who was sitting now that some peace had been restored to the room.  He looked at the smooth cheeked young alien, noting the glow of his pearly skin and the bright curiosity in his exquisitely rare green-eyes and just barely suppressed a frown as he realized that the this healthy and clear eyed being was not what he’d seen the first time he’d laid eyes on him.  His only consolation was that he hadn’t known what he was looking at then, he’d had no reason to suspect the wild madness then evident in his eyes and pale dullness of his skin at the time was not normal for him, his species unknown.  Even with a faint bruise on his forehead and a lingering hint of pain in his eyes, he could see that was what he should have seen back then when he’d performed the mating ceremony.  The only conciliation he had for what he’d done then was that the deed had cemented Jaimz to his true mate.  He shifted his eyes briefly to the golden young male who completed the soul’s bond and felt his heart warm with satisfaction in knowing even if the young one had suffered at first he’d found his way properly to his destined partner. 

“They had a key, Kaiel Ni.” Jaimz heard Heron explain anxiously, thinking idly that Heron needed to calm down a bit even as his own attention riveted upon the Aki in the very next instant.

“You don’t remember me.” It was again a statement of fact, but it was enough to remind Jaimz of the only possible time he could have met this male, and he recalled that meeting with a shuddering gasp even as his head pounded with renewed pain, probably brought on by the punishing staccato of his pulse.

“You!” A torrent of memories flooded him; memories of his arm being brutally twisted to the task of signing that strange document, memories of this male coldly watching as Lorz raped him, memories of his crying out in pain and shame.  “You!  You let—!” he bit his lip in an attempt to stifle his sobs but they broke through his defences anyway, “You let him—aw aw—R-rape me!”

“Jaimz!”

Kaiel was suddenly kneeling there beside him, his arms wrapped around him, his big body warm against his, his golden scent enveloping and soothing his senses, but he was so upset that he struggled, wailing into his mane; “Let me go Kaiel!” even as he clung to him in conflict of his own words.

“I am sorry.” R’Fram Merrim; Akibu of Z’Ullan, stated while bowing his head; “I did not understand.”

Sobbing Jaimz yelled, “You’re sorry!  H-how could you l-let him—aw aw—let him d-do that—!” he bit his lip and pressed his face into Kaiel’s mane in an attempt to silence his embarrassing crying.  It took a few moments since it felt nice and Kaiel smelled so good and he almost forgot that he was angry at him for earlier, but suddenly suspicion clicked and Jaimz pulled back, scrubbing at his face and glared at the Aki as he demanded, “Why are you here?”

He felt Kaiel tense, and his head started to pound again, even though touching Kaiel had helped initially.  His suspicions only deepened when the Aki plainly stated, “I am here to verify the true bond for my Order.”

Pushing slightly away from Kaiel, he frowned at the Aki and cautiously asked, “W-what do you mean? Lorz is dead.”

The Aki gave a quick negative shake in response to his question and then nodded significantly at Kaiel before saying, “K’Lan Lorz was only the proxy.  Kaiel Ni is your true bond.”

Jaimz clutched frantically at Kaiel’s shoulder as the whole room tilted again, he pressed his other hand against his throbbing head and exclaimed dazedly, “No...Lorz was...he mated me.  I didn’t want too, but he forced me.” His lips twisted into a grim semblance of a smile, “You were there.  He made me sign in blood.  My blood dammit.”

“He was only the proxy.” R’Fram Aki repeated patiently, “I would not have allowed it otherwise since I knew your soul belonged to another.  I only preformed the rite because he was the bridge to bring you two together.”

“Jaimz.” Kaiel murmured worriedly, but Jaimz only shook his head and even avoided Kaiel’s attempt to meet his eyes.

“But I saw the document.  Kaiel said it saved him from having to marry—mate Vreda; since the contract was written before the betrothal was.”  He was confused and more than a little alarmed; his heart and his head were both pounding so hard he was amazed nothing had exploded yet.

The Aki nodded, indicated that he agreed with Jaimz’ statement.  Jaimz swallowed tightly, “But the contract died with Lorz….”

In this the Aki shook his head and explained solemnly, “No, Lorz’ was a special exemption contract.  It had to be so that the bond could be properly passed.”  Seeing the growing confusion in Jaimz’ eyes, he tried to clarify.  “You see Lorz had always known that he was going to die, he simply didn’t know when.  That is until you came.”

Suddenly feeling overwhelmingly tired Jaimz rubbed his temples and mused, “That sounds like I was prophesied.  I thought you Zaran’s didn’t have any psi abilities.”

There was a moment of silence, which stretched as not only Jaimz’ but every pair of eyes turned to stare at the Aki.  His ears remained remarkably steady as he said, “That is not entirely true.  There are some Zaran with...psi abilities, if you would like.  Lorz had gifts that would have made him a worthy Brother, but he could not reconcile himself to his fate.  It is never an easy burden to bear, knowing how one is to die.  In Lorz’ case his foreknowledge made him intractable and wild.  His gifts were limited mostly to his own blood ties; I tried to council him several times during his younger years but he refused any help.”

“That sounds like Lorz.” Kaiel murmured, feeling a stirring of pity for his elder brother now that he had some vague understanding of why he’d changed so much, though he certainly couldn’t profess to comprehend much of what the Aki was saying with his talk of foreknowledge and gifts.  Such ideas belonged in grand sagas and stories and had no place in a society built upon the principles of culture and science.  Though he felt his ears flick as he recalled seeing Jaimz’ accident but that had merely been a side effect of the TWS, hadn’t it?

Jaimz didn’t feel the least bit of pity for Lorz, in the short time he’d known the male he’d only known him to be a brutal beast, and having no memory of Lorz ever being anything but brutal he didn’t know that he could have been different.  Certainly he didn’t remember Lorz being a loving big brother or wonder why he’d changed like he had.  Jaimz fisted a handful of Kaiel’s mane and tugged hard enough to make the male grunt as he snapped, “Like I’m going to forgive—hey!” suddenly he yanked even harder at Kaiel’s mane and yelled, “You lied to me!”

Kaiel winced in response to Jaimz’ angry accusation and the painful tug on his mane; but still hoping to avoid a major incident he averred, “I never did.”

“Don’t lie to me Kaiel!  To many of you lie too easily!  I don’t like it!” He was of course referring to his encounter with K’Ilo and how his physical responses had made false his verbal ones.  The male had definitely displayed a sexual interest in him, even though he pretended otherwise.  He wondered frantically if Ham had shared all the sordid details of their times together and if having that on his mind had somehow fixed senior K’Ilo’s attention.  He was frankly sick of the unwanted notice he received from so many males since he couldn’t understand what was so fascinating about him.  He was a male for God’s sake, what was wrong with these people?  With Kaiel he knew that the attraction was encouraged by the Tag, but what had caused Lorz and Ham abuse of him, the physical mauling by that strange male he’d encountered while helping Kang’s move; even Terrill had assaulted him and now it looked like he had to be on his guard with K’Ilo Dunai too.  He was alarmed by the unwelcome attention he kept receiving and finding out that Kaiel had withheld the full facts about the life-mating contract only added to his feelings of helpless. 

Sitting in the chair, with Kaiel partially wrapped around him, and his headache having receded thanks in part to his tag-mate’s presence Jaimz just didn’t want anything to do with him.  He pushed at the bigger male, punching at his chest and yelled, “Get away from me!  I’m tired of you always touching me!  I don’t want or need your help!”  Of course Kaiel outweighed him a good deal, plus his extra height and the strength of his big body made Jaimz’ attack seem like the tantrum of a small cub in comparison.  When Kaiel wouldn’t be shoved or bullied away Jaimz gave in to the tears that were threatening and even as he despondently struck at his mate he caved to the comfort he offered and sagged against him while sobbing, “How could you lie to me?”

Kaiel curled around Jaimz and just held him for a moment as he cried; it was obvious that Jaimz was simply exhausted and fighting a relapse caused by an abundance of stress, which he had to admit that he’d added to.  He still felt a stirring of the resentment as he recalled some of the things Jaimz had said earlier, but this time his mate’s heated words had only made him want to comfort him even more.  Determining what Jaimz needed most and deciding that the closing of the session could wait upon him he stood up and smoothly shifted Jaimz so that he was cuddled against him.  Though he was interested in what the Aki had to say, since it was clear he had some insight into Lorz’ psyche which he’d never even suspected, he decided that could wait for later too.

He didn’t really care what Kang, Heron or the Aki thought as he rumbled; “If you will excuse us?”

Jaimz cared, since he wasn’t feeling all that accommodating; even crying as he was he instantly started to struggle against his embrace and alternately punched and yanked at Kaiel as he yelled, “Put me down Kaiel!  I don’t want to be with you!  Dammit you lied to me!”

Kaiel ignored him completely.

The audience of three watched it all with varying degrees of interest, each of course thinking their own thoughts.  Kang was satisfied with the outcome, Heron was anxious and bit intrigued, and neither of them could read the Aki’s silence, as Kaiel, with an agile flick of his foot, softly shut Jaimz’ bedroom door behind them.

CH6

Kang turned away from the closed door, satisfied with Kaiel’s decision.  He hoped that Jaimz would emerge from this feeling contented and secure and that Kaiel would have his own worries settled.  Those two would have enough challenges to overcome without having strife between them.  He hoped that they would have a good talk (besides other things) and finally come to an understanding.   He glanced at Heron, whose ears were still flicking in agitation and cast a discrete look over him to see if he was otherwise agitated, but he readily saw that Heron’s agitation was more due to confusion than any feelings of unrequited lust, though a hint of that emotion was there, but he had a feeling that Heron’s needs focused upon Kaiel and not Jaimz, which undoubtedly would be a relief to the youngling, though perhaps embarrassing for this worshipful young male to admit anytime soon.  Feeling that Heron would be fine he bent his thoughtful gaze upon the Aki and saw that the stillness of his expression had clearly given way to bafflement.

Seeing the interest in the old cats soothing gaze R’Fram Aki said, “I don’t understand what is happening, why is Jaimz Ni resisting the bond?”

Instead of answering the question directly, Kang folded his big arms and asked, “If I may be so bold, what did you see when you presided over the mating?”

Such a formal way of asking what he’d witnessed during the consummation of the mating contract.  Now though he understood what he hadn’t suspected then and he felt his ears tip back in shame as he admitted, “I thought it was a dominance play.  When I saw him... Jaimz seemed like a feral for all his small size.  I assumed that he sought to be dominated.  I did not understand how badly I misjudged the situation.”

“It seems to be a common problem for him.” Kang murmured, doing nothing to absolve the Aki of his grievous mistake, but also choosing to not add to his burden of remorse.  Mistakes with Jaimz happened, hopefully with his and Kaiel’s help (and possibly others too) Jaimz’ life would become more secure and stable and such “mistakes” would end.  Still he didn’t expect the road to be easy for Jaimz, as the youngling had a lot of baggage in the way of personal demons and suppressed trauma yet to deal with. 

The Aki nodded, accepting Kang’s analysis without comment, though he was still puzzled by what he’d witnessed and he hoped the elder Zaran could help.  “Their auras should be harmonious and yet I saw...it is not so.  Jaimz Ni resists.”

Kang sighed, “Jaimz is not Zaran, and he doesn’t have the same beliefs and values as we.  He has trouble accepting his connection with Kaiel and of course the stronger the bond the harder he struggles against it.  Jaimz can only see the truth when it’s real and wrapped up in science, anything else is just a folktale fantasy to him and impossible to believe.”

“That is...a great tragedy.” R’Fram Aki murmured, “Miracles occur when the souls of Z’Ulgars harmonize.”

Kang smiled lightly, glancing toward the bedroom as he said, “Oh, Jaimz and Kaiel harmonize just fine in bed; it is just the rest of the time Jaimz resists.” He didn’t bother to ask what Z’Ulgar meant even though the term was unfamiliar, Z’Ul was a derivative of Z’Ullan and gar was the masculine title for the Gar (which was Z’Ullan’s animal representative) just as garine was the feminine for the species, and so it was simple enough to guess that Z’Ulgar referred to a God sanctioned male pairing.  He knew that the War God claimed Soul Mates as well as Life Mates as his own, and that for a God of Chaos, destruction and blood, the unity achieved by Life Mating or the harmony attained in Soul Bonding seemed at odds, but as in all things it was the struggle to gain balance that the God of Chaos identified with.  All could not be chaos; even Z’Ullan had his balancing factor in the mother goddess M’Rtroro, she who governed life, fertility and order.

“Well, then there is hope for them.” The Aki proclaimed, meeting the elder’s wise old eyes.  He understood that they at least were in agreement regarding helping the young pair reach full harmony even though he didn’t understand Jaimz’ reticence, but then he had to admit he didn’t know what to expect of the young alien since he was the first of his species that any Zaran had ever met and whether he was typical or not for his species would only be revealed when his people were found.

Kang, knowing that for now matters were proceeding without his assistance, queried, “Will you be staying Aki?”

“I should like to speak more with them.  I have information that may benefit each of them….” he glanced toward the closed door and wondered, “How long do you think they might be?”

Kang laughed softly, “Well if Kaiel decides to attend the Closing of the Session which as Speaker he really should, then I expect less than an hour...” he gave an eloquent shrug however and continued, “however as I said, they harmonize very well in bed and it could take literally all night.”

The Aki’s light blue eyes widened at that statement and his ears even threatened to tip over into his cropped gray mane, still he managed to still the reaction and say lightly, “Well, I do have a room.  Perhaps I could come back later, or arrange to visit them at Lan Pride?”

“Perhaps,” Kang demurred, he was a good host though and said, “but for now, why don’t you stay and have some tea?”

“Kaiel!  No!” Jaimz yelped as he bounced slightly upon the bed surface after Kaiel dropped him.  He immediately tried to roll off the bed but Kaiel moved quickly to straddle him, trapping his smaller body easily.  He pushed at him, yelling, “No Kaiel, I don’t want to!”

Kaiel positioned one hand so that even as he trapped Jaimz he was able to stroke his fingers over the silken locks that fanned out over the coverlet.  He didn’t do anything to actually hold Jaimz, except for the fact that his limbs caged him in.  Jaimz could slip free if he really wanted to but other than push at him and yell, his mate didn’t put any real physical effort into escaping.  Had Jaimz been truly determined to fight Kaiel would not have tried to hold him. 

Jerking his hair free of Kaiel’s fingers Jaimz snapped, “You lied to me!”

Unperturbed Kaiel brushed a fringe of hair out of heated Jaimz’ eyes and said mildly, “No.”

Laughing crossly Jaimz slapped at his hand and retorted coldly, “Yes you did.  You lied.”  He squirmed to avoid the fingers trailing over his face and gasped angrily when Kaiel dared to rub his thumb along his lips.  Feeling a spiteful urge he bit down on the fleshy pad even as his lips tingled responsively.

Kaiel winced, but couldn’t suppress a faint smile at his mate’s frustrated attack and his smile only grew when Jaimz growled, “This isn’t funny Kaiel.  I can’t trust you if you’re going to lie to me!”

He bent down to lick the rainbow hued bruise on his forehead, purring contentedly as he felt Jaimz shudder deliciously and the subsequent shove was weaker, with Jaimz’ hand lingering on his shoulder for a moment and his voice breathy as he protested, “No Kaiel.  I don’t want to!  This isn’t the answer for everything!”

“You need this.” His murmured as he stroked his fingers through his lover’s silky mane again, “You’re in pain.”

“No!” Jaimz protested hotly, snatching at his playful fingers before continuing, “I don’t need this.  I don’t want it.  Why aren’t you listening to me?”

He slipped his fingers free and pressed Jaimz’ hand gently down to the coverlet, “Yes, you do.  I am listening.” At least he was listening to his body, which he had no trouble “hearing”.

Jaimz shot up, only to be pressed fully against him, he struggled, squirming to get free which only made his heart beat faster and his breathing even more raspy.  “Stop it Kaiel.  You lied to me!”

Stroking a hand up under Jaimz’ tunic to span his supple back Kaiel responded, “No, I simply avoided telling the truth.” He bent to nuzzle the soft skin under his jaw, rumbling with pleasure at Jaimz gasping response.

“H-how is that any different?” Jaimz rasped, frantically pushing away from Kaiel even as his body flushed with radiating heat.

Stroking his lips along the edge of Jaimz’ jaw he paused and hung over his parted and waiting lips to say, “Because I knew how you’d react, I knew that you’d be angry.”

Jaimz turned his face away, avoiding the kiss as he retorted, “That still isn’t any reason to keep something like this from me!”

“You always talk about having your choices taken away,” he murmured while cupping Jaimz’ cheek and tipping his face back toward him.  He kissed him lightly, and smiled softly as he drew back, “I didn’t want you to know another choice had been made for you.” He bent and kissed him again, noting the tremulous response of Jaimz’ lips moving against his.  He slid his tongue between those succulent lips, shivering with pleasure as Jaimz’ tongue danced with his.  Feeling a bit breathless he moved back again and whispered, “I want you to be able to make your own choices too Jaimz.”

Jaimz was definitely feeling his choices slip away under Kaiel’s gentle onslaught.  He tried to focus on why he was so angry, which was difficult as the warmth of pleasure spread throughout his body.  Thinking about how Kaiel’s sensual assault was softening his resistance he knew that if he gave in he’d quickly forget why he’d been so outraged in the first place.  Kaiel’s duplicity still hurt and he used that righteous indignation to focus his resolve.  Clinging to Kaiel’s words he cleared his senses and retorted, “But your chose for me by assuming I’d be angry, you didn’t even give me a chance, you didn’t even tell me!” 

Kaiel smiled instead and merely leaned forward to gently drop a kiss on Jaimz’ bruised forehead.  Jaimz sighed faintly at his touch, though he still tried to hold onto his anger, even becoming a bit desperate as the onslaught continued to overwhelm and arouse his senses. 

“Noooo….  Kaiel please, you’re not listening to me!” he wailed, pulling at Kaiel’s hands while he tried to lift his tunic.  He squirmed and panted, rasping!  “You promised you’d always follow my lead!  I-is this how you keep your promises?”

Kaiel paused a moment, with the fabric bunched up in his hands and much of Jaimz’ skin lying bare beneath his fingers.  He couldn’t resist touching all that lovely warm silky skin and he started moving his thumbs in lightly caressing circles that just grazed over that sensitive surface, nor could he resist the smile that curved his lips as he felt Jaimz’ corresponding shudders and gasps, he lifted his gaze to meet Jaimz’, easily reading the conflicted emotions swirling around in those green gems.  He leaned forward again, hovering over Jaimz’ trembling lips as he whispered, “I am listening to you, I was hoping to never have to tell you about the Mating Contract, I was hoping I never needed to.”  He bent and kissed the tip of his nose, adding, “It is just a piece of paper Jaimz, you don’t have to honor it, you can choose to run away from it.”

Jaimz, flushing a charming shade of crimson while pushing his splayed hands against Kaiel’s shoulders, gasped, “But I can’t choose to run away from you!  So it doesn’t matter what I think about the contract.”

Kaiel merely smiled, and though allowing Jaimz’ to push him away, bent nimbly around his resistance and captured his quivering lips in a long plundering assault.  He felt and heard Jaimz’ moan against him as he glided his tongue between Jaimz’ lips and was met in a sweet dance.  He knew when Jaimz stopped fighting and began to clutch at him instead.  Only when Jaimz gave in did he purr, “Exactly.”

The tone of his voice was just self assured enough to irk and feeling a new flush of anger surge through him, Jaimz pounded Kaiel’s shoulders and yelled, “Which is exactly why you should have told me about it and not left it for some stranger to bring up in some awful meeting!  A meeting that by the way, I had no damn say in!”

Wincing mildly at the pounding his shoulders took, Kaiel captured both of Jaimz’ hands in one of his and pressed them back to the bed.  He looked at his lover, lying all flushed and angry yet excited beneath him and he sighed, “I had nothing to do with that Jaimz.  They came uninvited.”

Jaimz relaxed with a shuddering sigh, “I know that…it’s just…being told by a stranger instead of by the one I—.” To silence his confession he bit his lip, which was of course completely captivating.

What remained unsaid was intriguing, but it was the action of teeth sinking into supple flesh that was utterly enthralling.  Enslaved by a succulent entrapment Kaiel swiped his tongue over those wounded lips, washing away any hint of blood and soothing them of any lingering ache.  Knowing as he did that even his kiss was healing, he felt a rumble of laughter shudder through him as he rasped, “I’m sorry for that, but I’m very happy to serve you.”  However at feeling his lover suddenly tense Kaiel quickly regretted his poor choice of words as he sensed they reminded Jaimz of words spoken earlier in anger. 

He glanced up to see Jaimz looking at him searchingly and heard him ask, “Are you still mad at me?”

With a sigh Kaiel stroked a stray strand of hair back from Jaimz’ winsome face and once again bent to lick that bruise.  Rather than say words that might hurt even if he didn’t intent it he let his actions speak for him as he slipped the side fasteners of Jaimz’ tunic open and released the closure at the shoulder and pretty much had to tunic off though Jaimz was still in truth partially wearing the garment, since the other side was still fastened, it could however be slid out of this way, as was the usual method of removing these open sided tunics.  He stroked the sensitive pads of his fingers across Jaimz’ nipples, and smiled as he felt each tighten delightfully in response.  He trapped one nipple gently between his thumb and index finger.  He bent and teased the tip of his tongue against that bit of tender trapped flesh while Jaimz gasped and frantically tugged at him.  Enjoying the reaction he slid across to the as yet unloved nipple and circled his tongue around the whorl of crinkled flesh before catching the delicate cinnamon toned nub between his teeth. 

“Ahhm…. Kaiel…please d-don’t tease me….” Jaimz whispered, with his suspicion filled voice suggesting that this was all a cruel trick being played on him.

Surprised Kaiel pulled back, he looked at Jaimz, taking in the uncertainty and sudden doubt that played across his features.  He knew what Jaimz was thinking, but even though he still had some lingering resentment from earlier, just as Jaimz harbored his own anger too, he also knew that Jaimz needed him now and he could not let him continue in such pain (oh yes—he was aware of Jaimz’ headache) when he was the cure for it.  Still he recalled Jaimz’ anger at his suggestion to use him like medicine and so was careful to avoid upsetting his lover again, all he said was; “Never.”

“But…but what about—!” Jaimz tried to protest, though Kaiel’s lips put an abrupt end to any remaining thoughts of sanity.  Of course what Jaimz was trying to bring up was their shared anger, which though muted for now was hardly quiet for either of them, but Kaiel’s clever mouth and his pleasing fingers made it impossible to hold onto negative thoughts, at least for the moment.  But even as Jaimz melted into the kiss and slid his arms around Kaiel’s neck so that he could spread his fingers through his mane and stroke the velvety rim of his ears he still clung to the thought that this was a choice being made for him too.

He felt that notion stir up the resentment in him, every choice that had been taken away from him filled him with such anger that he wanted to hit something, but even as the outrage again built up and he tried to wriggle free of Kaiel he was chased down, his struggles were overwhelmed with quivering pleasure and his protests were swallowed up by delirious kisses.  It wasn’t that he didn’t want to keep fighting; it wasn’t that he was any less irked about his lost choices; it was just that being with Kaiel swept all his cohesive thoughts away and left him thinking of only one thing, his aching need for Kaiel.  The more his mate touched him and claimed him for wit stealing kisses the greater his need grew, until with tears swimming in his eyes he finally surrendered and gave in to pure sensation.

Kaiel felt the change in his mate, and swelled with wonder as Jaimz cupped his face and held him firm as he kissed him.  He sighed with delight as Jaimz pulled a reversal on him, letting his smaller mate push him back and follow through to straddle him instead.  With a graceful roll of his shoulders Jaimz shrugged off of his tunic as Kaiel’s hands slid up over his bare back.  His hands roamed freely over that silky skin before coming to rest at his hips, he slipped his fingers under the waist band and splayed them around the exquisite mounds of Jaimz’ cheeks. 

Jaimz sat up, easing Kaiel’s tunic open as he slid his fingers along his chest.  Once the big male’s chest was exposed he just sat there (settling his hips a little more firmly into Kaiel’s groin) and admired him from the strong column of his neck to the washboard ripples of his flat abdomen which was covered by a pettable pelt of velvety gold fur.  “Ummm…” Jaimz purred as he traced his fingers through the thick fur that covered Kaiel’ chest to meet in a tight whorl around each nipple.  He caressed the dense tuft of velvety fur, parting it so that he could find each little nub with the playful tip of his questing fingers.

With a throaty groan Kaiel rolled his hips beneath Jaimz’ tantalizing bottom and grinned as Jaimz gave an equally throaty laugh as his body danced in response.  He caught his breath as Jaimz wriggled back until he was straddling his hips again and he even sent him a cheeky look that seemed to ask, “What are you going to do about it?”  His answer was to grasp Jaimz’ supple hips firmly between his big hands and massage his straining groin up against his silk clad bottom in such a way that Jaimz couldn’t mistake his growing excitement.  The expression on Jaimz’ winsome face was a priceless marriage of wide eyed innocence and open mouthed sensuality.  He laughed unabashedly, so relieved to see Jaimz being both relaxed and playful, of course it was also breathtaking to be the object of that playful attention, and it was all he could do bear that delicious play as stroking fingers brushed over his pelt, followed the fur softened lines of his muscles, traced the ridges of his hard belly, played along the edge of his waistband before roaming over to his navel before starting back up at his chest again.  He inhaled shakily as Jaimz slipped a finger between his own sensual lips, moistening it with his tongue and gasped as the tip of that wetted finger teased one of his nipples, he heaved panting as Jaimz repeated the treatment to his other nipple, only this time his lover bent over him and licked his sensitive nipple through the tuff of fur sheltering it.  “Ahhhh…. Ummm…that feels s-so good.” He groaned brokenly as he cupped one hand around the back of Jaimz’ silky head.

Jaimz smiled, he was content to lie there with his cheek resting against Kaiel’s chest while he thought how his fur made his hard bodied friend such a pleasure to touch.  He almost wished that he could lick more than Kaiel’s nipples, but since his friend was pretty much completely covered with fur it was pretty impossible to find an area large enough where he wouldn’t end up with hairballs…he closed his eyes as Kaiel reminded him about one area large enough that he could lick to his hearts content if only he were brave enough to indulge.  He pictured again the moment he’d touched and kissed with his lover’s rod for the first time, and though his cheeks heated at the memory he own groin tightened at the imagery.  The taste and feel of Kaiel still filling his memories Jaimz suddenly became aware of something hard against the edge of his cheek and rose up a bit to see what was the culprit.  He saw it then, nestled into the fur around his neck and the hollow at his throat, a fine gold cable chain and a small pendant.  Puzzled for he hadn’t seen any sign of the necklace earlier today he cradled the pendant in his hand and wondered how he could have missed it just moments ago.  The pendant seemed to be made out of crystal with a golden bail head, which the chain ran through, and a golden tail.  The shape seemed serpentine but it had small wings and some of the carving on the head and the crystal body suggested claws and horns bringing to mind a dragon, though Jaimz didn’t know that the Zaran’s had dragon like creatures in their lore or for that matter they could exist in there fauna, since he was still unfamiliar with most of Z’Rarla’s wildlife.  The entire pendant was barely as long as his little finger and not even as thick though the wings did provide a bit of width.  The crystal dragon body seemed to shimmer with golden warmth that Jaimz couldn’t determine the source of.  Still holding the small pendant he bent a curious look at Kaiel, “Where did this come from?” he felt a sudden unreasonable stir of resentment as he wondered if Zuzu had bought Kaiel a present and though he tried to suppress his reaction he had to admit glumly that he was jealous after all.

Kaiel smiled, cupping his hand around Jaimz’ as he cradled the pendant.  “I bought it on the way to lunch, for you.”

His eyes widening Jaimz canted his head and repeated, “For me?”

Kaiel eased the pendant out of Jaimz’ hand and let it nestle back into his fur, he stroked his fingers over Jaimz’ parted lips and smiled, “So I would never be unprepared for you.”

Jaimz looked at the nestled pendant, its color blending well with the shimmery pale gold of Kaiel’s fur that it almost seemed to fade into his pelt.  Now he looked at the golden core in the crystal body and felt his cheeks warm, as he understood what that warm shimmer was.  His eyes sparkled with tears as he whispered, “Oh Kaiel...you thought about me…even when you were mad at me?”

Kaiel bent and kissed away the tears that gathered along Jaimz’ trembling eyelashes while he stretched down to hug him.  In the first moment the embrace was pure innocence, just the pair of them laying together and holding each other, the very next instance the innocence was swept aside for a seeking kiss that refocused their attentions.

Kaiel slid his hand along Jaimz’ back; hooked his fingers in his pants waistband and pushed them down to expose the creamy mounds of his bottom.  For a heartbeat he cupped both mounds in his hands allowing the heat and softness to fill him and then, with Jaimz’ cooperation, he removed the silky bottoms completely and felt his heart swell at the sight of Jaimz sitting astride him gloriously clothed in nothing more than his lovely silky hair which flowed about his shoulders and his equally lovely silken skin that he knew no fabric could ever improve upon as he stroked his hands along his lovers sleek thighs.

“Your turn.” Jaimz reminded with a soft smile as he unfastened the ties to Kaiel’s pants.  As Jaimz worked on that Kaiel reluctantly left of his devotion with his lover’s thighs so that he could finish removing his tunic; that piece of formal wear joined Jaimz’ aqua tunic and near matching pants on the floor beside the bed.  They were both laughing and joking as they worked companionably to remove the last of Kaiel’s clothes and only when he was a bare as he’d ever get did a comfortable silence settle over them as Jaimz found himself lying alongside Kaiel’s hips with his head resting on his leg and one hand lazily brushing the fur of his thigh.  Kaiel was equally content to rest with Jaimz lying relaxed beside him, he lazily met Jaimz’ eyes across the distance of their bodies as his own hand stroked up along the back of his silky thighs and caressed between them.

Jaimz closed his eyes as a shudder of pleasure rippled through his body; it began at his core with the subtlest of touches and spread swiftly from curling toes to shivering scalp.  “Ooooh….” He groaned anxiously while tilting his hips into the caress and parting his legs willingly to give Kaiel better access.  And Kaiel took the offering graciously, easing Jaimz’ thighs more open and bending between them to drill his tongue deep into Jaimz rose-bud anus until Jaimz was writhing and gasping in delirious delight and then had Kaiel tensing in shocked fascination as he felt a hand enclose his sheathed rod and release it.  He reluctantly pulled away, though his fingers found the throbbing wetness his tongue had just left and continued with the loving that had Jaimz squirming and lifting his hips eagerly for more.  He had to grit his teeth to contain a yell as fingers pulled along his hot flesh, and he couldn’t help but watch Jaimz’ slender hand encircle his ruddy head, squeeze, (which made his toes curl too) rub back and around the thickness of him before sliding back along his length.  Stroke, stroke, stroke went Jaimz’ hand, over and over, down and along him until he was shaken and panting with the effort of keeping his frill from lifting.  His gut clenched with the tightening of his balls and his desire to release was all he could bear as Jaimz unwitting brought him to the brink again and again.  To interrupt the waves of pleasure consuming him and keep his frill restive before he even got to use it (he didn’t want to hurt Jaimz with a fully engorged crown) he reasserted his mastery of Jaimz’ body by reinserting his tongue deep inside with enough force and vigor to cause Jaimz to falter at his efforts.

“Ahhh. Kaiel…” Jaimz cried, still clinging to his mate, but now he was holding onto him like one would a life preserver in the middle of a vast ocean!  His entire body lifted off the bed, so that only his heels and his shoulders were still on the surface, the rest of him was stretched in a taut arc as he yelled in helpless delight.  His remained fast to his anchor with Kaiel though, and his shuddering squeeze was answered by the delirious laving of Kaiel’s tongue deep inside him.  Each reflective pull had an impossibly deep probing reply that had him dancing and Kaiel groaning until exhausted Jaimz relaxed in an open legged sprawl and breathed, “Oh God…I think you broke me.”

Kaiel felt the pressure ease around his rod, but remained aware that Jaimz still held him.  He enjoyed the taste of Jaimz on his tongue, but while his little mate had such a hold on him such encounters could prove delightfully torturous.  He left Jaimz’ bud with a final lick, knowing that in another position he’d have unlimited access without Jaimz being able to do much except cling to the bedding and wail his delight, he looked forward to that as he stopped to show a little interest to Jaimz’ excited penis but as soon as he touched him the reflective gripping returned.  He groaned, breaking away and sat up, pulling Jaimz up onto his lap as he did, hoping this movement would disable that grip on him.  It worked as he hoped it would and the very next thing he did, seeing as Jaimz was still backed toward him, was lift his hips and start at him again which had Jaimz crying and clutching even as he pressed back anxiously to receive the deepest delving of tongue.

“Ahhhh! Ahhhh Kaiel, ummm that feels….” He couldn’t find the words to describe just how incredible that felt or to express how much he loved having his anus treated in this manner.  He arched his back and lifted his hips, crying at the torturous pleasure of it as he wondered if this was anything like what it might be like to have sex with a normal, human sized male.  That fullness, so hot and moist strumming inside him like that, driving him practically insane with the need for it and so much more, and making his cheeks heat as he realized that as much as he liked this, and he really, really liked it, this fullness was only a hint of what he received when he took Kaiel’s massive rod inside him and he already ached to be filled up with his mate’s sex.

In this position it was more difficult for him to do anything gratifying to Kaiel, but finally he let himself sprawl down his front, and while his hips were firmly held and his legs were wrapped around Kaiel his hands and mouth were free to play if he could find a comfortable angle for himself.  Kaiel was too distracted by his full attention on Jaimz’ sweet treats to do more than feel Jaimz shifting against him, thus his reaction as he froze with his tongue still probing Jaimz’ throbbing pink bud was all the more gratifying.

Kaiel sucked in a shaky breath and hung his head back for a brief moment as the heat of Jaimz’ mouth enveloped the crown of his rod.  He knew that Jaimz’ lips were unable to stretch enough to encircle the full thickness of him, but still to feel his crown sink into his warm wet mouth and the rest of his rod being stroked by those warm playful fingers was something he’d only dreamed about.  Oh Jaimz had started to touch him there, and he remembered that tentative kiss to the rods tip, but he had never hoped for more.  Now he was getting more, and he groaned, shivering as Jaimz suckled and licked at his crown.  He cupped the back of Jaimz’ silky head, holding him with burgeoning love and affection as he raptly purred, “You torture me cub.” 

He settled back to the pleasure he enjoyed giving, while receiving pleasure he’d only dreamed of.  They set a playful rhythm, giving each in turn what they received.  He could not say which received more pleasure from the act, but as he felt his frill threaten again he gently pulled Jaimz off and rolled him, momentarily protesting, onto his belly.  The protest died though as Kaiel parted his legs, spread his sweet cheeks to expose his swollen and throbbing anus, and settled in to eat him a bit more as Jaimz wriggled and writhed against the bedding crying as his penis lurched now with every thrust of Kaiel’s tongue. 

“Oh God…Oh God, Kaiel, I’m going to…ummm…I’m going to come…Please….”  He wanted to be fucked, he needed the fullness of Kaiel filling him up; he hated begging for what outside of the bedroom he would have denied.  But everything was always crystal clear during sex, he understood exactly what he wanted and needed, it was only after that he got confused and let himself pretend.  He tried to push up, but every drill of Kaiel’s tongue and now accompanying pull at his penis sent him sliding on his face.  “Ahhhh…Please Kaiel.  F-fuck me.” He demanded boldly, reaching behind him in search of Kaiel’s rod, which he knew had to be near ready.  Kaiel would be resisting the frills urge to rise, the fullness of that crown in its engorged state could be so torturous to take, but his seeking fingers found what they sough, fully extended but masterfully un-engorged, at his grip Kaiel paused and Jaimz let himself fall forward hoping that Kaiel understood what he wanted now.

Kaiel did understand perfectly, he continued to hold onto Jaimz’ slender hips, maintaining his position face down.  He straightened away from him only long enough to push the tail of the pendant to the side so that several drops of precious oil could fall onto his waiting fingers.  The tail closed on its own without wasting any more of the vital liquid.  The smell of it was slightly floral, with a hint of spice that he knew would add a bit of heat to the mix.  He rubbed the oil between his fingers, coating them well in preparation and then turned his attention upon Jaimz.

Jaimz gasped and once again tried to straighten up, he wanted to turn around and face Kaiel the normal way, he wanted to take Kaiel as he usually did, but unlike those other times Kaiel kept him in place, holding him lovingly but firmly as first one long finger stretched him, then another…and another well oiled digit joined the first two.  Stretching him to bursting as he shuddered and strained, gasping not with pain but overwhelming pleasure, though he was still unhappy with his position and still trying to correct it as the forth finger joined the other three and he all but collapsed, even letting his head hang over the edge of the bed as wave after wave of pleasure gathered and pooled in his balls and lurching penis.  “Aaah…” was all he could even cry as those fingers moved deep inside him, stretching and preparing his yielding flesh for a rod that was still wider and far longer.  He wanted more and pushed his hips greedily back; trying to take it all, Kaiel had to push his bottom away before Jaimz could hurt himself.

“Give it to me!” Jaimz demanded, thrusting his hips back again, “Give it to me Kaiel; you know I can take it.  I can take your engorged frill!”

Kaiel looked at his fingers enveloped inside Jaimz body, looked at how that delicate pink skin was stretched surely beyond capacity, looked at Jaimz heaving cheeks straining for more penetration and he surrendered.  He dribbled a bit more oil onto his thumb, spreading it over the fur and then tucked it up and presented it to Jaimz’ gapping, throbbing anus.

Jaimz groaned as the pressure increased, but the addition of Kaiel’s thumb didn’t really add much to the overall width he’d already accepted.  He rocked his hips to ease the fullness, the oil helped, slipping the digits in and out as his body adjusted to accommodate the new.  He still wanted to roll over so that he could face Kaiel when they came together properly, but Kaiel was still resisting his efforts, telling him to wait and be patient.  He argued, “I don’t want to do it this way Kaiel. Let me around.”

Being as how Jaimz craved as much depth as he could receive, Kaiel knew that this position would serve to provide that bit of extra depth Jaimz desired.  The problem was the memories attached to this which hung over them both like a shadow, he couldn’t escape them and Jaimz was still plagued with nightmares because of them, but Kaiel knew if he could just get Jaimz to try it that this would be one more position to explore.  It’s just that he had to get past his reluctance first.  Just doing it and taking the consequences afterwards seemed the best way to give Jaimz what he needed even if he said he didn’t.  Thinking about taking Jaimz in such a manner, which was almost like forcing him, made his frill twitch with warning.  Kaiel had to admit that forcing Kaiel could be a fantasy of his, though playful force that ended in pleasure for both was the only kind permitted, in time Jaimz might be game for a bit of dominance play, but now, this was enough.  He slid his fingers free and coated his rod with the oil off them, as Jaimz’ pink bud had closed up tight but still swollen and glistening, and even as Jaimz yelled that he wanted to change position, Kaiel spread him open once more which forced Jaimz to clutch at the bed again, he shifted his own position as he angled himself best to pin those trapped hips and with the crown kissing the sweet spot he thrust for home.

“Ah!  Ah Kaiel, uhm, n-not this way!  Let me up!” Jaimz wailed, scrambling madly to shift himself into a more acceptable position. 

Kaiel grit his teeth to force himself to ignore Jaimz sobs as memories overwhelmed him and he started to cry.  He knew that if he could give Jaimz what he needed before he was completely overcome with emotion that Jaimz would surrender and enjoy himself, they had tried this before and he’d capitulated quickly when he’d seen how it had upset Jaimz, who had initiated it in the first place.  Well now, with his arms wrapped around him and his lips nuzzling the back of his neck and his own thighs rubbing against the back of Jaimz’ legs Kaiel took charge as with each long stroke of his thick rod he seated himself deeper and deeper inside Jaimz’ welcoming warmth until Jaimz began to relax and his sobs started to become drawn out gasps instead.  Kaiel leaned around and kissed Jaimz’ ear, he cupped Jaimz face and turned him to meet him so that with the next thrust as Jaimz moaned his delight Kaiel was ready to take his mouth.  They remained kissing, with tongues dancing around each other and Jaimz arching around with his arms wrapped around Kaiel’s neck as Kaiel continued to plumb his mate’s depths.  When they broke apart Jaimz was the first to settle back onto his hand and knees and lean into the next thrust with a deep soul-searing groan.

Kaiel leaned lightly against his lover’s slender back kissing him eagerly when Jaimz turned to meet him, as they parted he asked softly, “Forgive me?”

Silence met his question, but the way Jaimz eagerly pressed back to take his thrust spoke louder than any words could.  Knowing that Jaimz was slick and ready to take him in one thrust he withdrew to the crown, even watched as his anus snugged back to a tiny whorl of glistening pink flesh.  As Jaimz let out a shuddering breath and tilted his hips to accommodate him he rocketed home.  He thrust hard, stabbing his slick rod through that muscular ring which stretched marvelously around his thickness, he filled him fast, grinding his groin against Jaimz’ pinkening pert bottom as Jaimz howled in delight, with his entire body arched and his head thrown back.  Then Jaimz’ body relaxed and his head drooped with a sigh as Kaiel withdrew again, and as before Jaimz was howling with the very next thrust which filled him to the hilt.

“Aah…aah God Kaiel.  Oh that feels…so good.” Jaimz sighed, tightening his anus muscles deliberately to hold on to Kaiel for a moment, and making him work all the harder to pull free.  Jaimz nursed his mate’s rod for all it was worth, if he was a cow he would have given up milk right then; as it was he was still controlling his frill since once it rose he’d been locked for a long time to Jaimz and he wasn’t done loving him yet.

During the next separation Jaimz reached behind and grasped him as he prepared to ride him again.  He gasped at the pleasure of being simply held by Jaimz, and placing his hand over Jaimz’ he helped guide his rod back into Jaimz’ waiting passage.  Jaimz groaned for the entire length of the thrust, then pulled Kaiel’s hand down around and between his legs as his penis reached its first release.  Kaiel was happy to share Jaimz’ first orgasm, he knew by the re-firming of his mate’s silky member that it was but the beginning for him.  He licked his sticky fingers and realized that this would be his last full thrust as his frill asserted its own dominance and lifted quite effectively locking them together until he was through pumping his fluid, until he was certain he’d bred his mate.

Now that the immediate urgency of mating had passed and the long task of impregnation had begun (regardless of the fact the Jaimz wasn’t breeding receptive) Kaiel settled back onto his heels and brought Jaimz with him (locked together the way they were, he didn’t have any choice).  Jaimz cooed and relaxed against him as they got comfortable, his slight weight helping to seat Kaiel’s rod a bit deeper inside.  Kaiel groaned as Jaimz wiggled his hips, and gnashed his teeth at his mates stimulating gyrations, to get his own back he dropped his hand between Jaimz’ parted legs and started to stroke his member, which had been restive a moment ago but sprang to attention pretty much as soon as Kaiel touched it.

Jaimz groaned, covering Kaiel’s big hands with his own, though he did nothing to stop the male from strumming him or cupping and massaging his tight balls either.  He rocked his hips and moaned as pulsing jet after pulsing jet bathed his innards.  He was so firmly plugged into Kaiel that every burst of his rod felt like it fed the spurts of his own penis.  He shouldn’t have such capacity, as a human it just wasn’t natural for his sack to be so full of semen, but with every thrusting jet he took internally he followed with an answering spasm of sticky fluid that in his curiosity didn’t even feel right any more.  Looking at his sticky fingers and with the amazing ability to divide his attention he asked wonderingly, “Am I changing?”

It only made sense but Kaiel didn’t know what to say or even if he should, instead he caught Jaimz’ hand and sucked each finger clean, then he shifted, murmuring, “I want to fuck you still.”

Locked together this way it took more effort to thrust and certainly pulling the engorged crown free would hurt (it also took real effort to do), but Kaiel had the powerful thighs and abs to make it work and since Jaimz was willing, deliriously so they positioned themselves again and Jaimz didn’t argue being on his hands and knees though he quickly found he needed to hold onto something so that a rhythm could build otherwise he just rocked with Kaiel’s thrusts.  He clung to a bedpost and Kaiel held to both him and the post and with that they got a rhythm started that had Jaimz gasping and crying in delight as Kaiel power thrust and pulled the engorged crown back and forth, to tug deliciously on his throbbing anus to stroke past his sweet spot and to finally plug him deep inside, over and over again.  “Ah! Ah!  Oh God…God Kaiel.” He wailed, thrusting his hips back into Kaiel’s powerful groin.  “Feels so good.”

Kaiel was growling softly, desperate to breed his mate and knowing by his scent that Jaimz was ready to be bred.  He leaned over, sliding one hand down around to catch Jaimz’ pretty penis and jack it from one endless spurt to another while as instinct took over he gently grasped the back of his neck in his teeth, and just like a Gar in the wild would he impregnated his willing mate.

They remained like that, with Jaimz hips tilted into Kaiel’s groin, Kaiel’s hand nursing him and his teeth actually lightly clamped around the joint of muscle between his neck and his shoulder while Jaimz’ arched back against Kaiel’s shoulder.  They were so completely wrapped up in each other that time seemed to lose all meaning, what mattered now was only them and the purpose of the tag being satisfied even if Jaimz wasn’t really pregnable.  Jaimz came aware first as Kaiel’s rod slipped slightly, warning him that the frill had receded.  He felt deeply tired and deeply satiated and almost didn’t want to break the embrace but for him sanity was returning with the memory that he’d been angry when this had started.  He wasn’t angry now, what he was now was fulfilled but not full.  Even as his body felt wonderful his belly grumbled faintly, reminding him that he hadn’t had lunch yet.  He shifted, moaning a bit at the wonderful sensation of Kaiel’s rod sliding a bit more.  He knew that his anus was all wet and swollen and that it would be easy now for the rod to slide free, but he was reluctant to give up the fullness so he tightened his muscles, causing Kaiel to stir from his own stupor and free his shoulder.  That was the first Jaimz realized that Kaiel had bit him, but it didn’t hurt and as he trace his fingers over the impressions left by his mate’s teeth he realized that his skin was intact too.  He shivered as Kaiel massaged that joint and sighed breathily when Kaiel bent to lick the bite impressions, further soothing them. 

“I think I lost myself for a moment.” Kaiel admitted shyly, his ears tucking into his golden mane, “I treated you like a breeding garine.”

Jaimz brow wrinkled at the unfamiliar word, but he quickly deduced, “A female Gar?”

Kaiel nodded sheepishly and gave him a searching look before asking, “Did I hurt you?”

Jaimz felt great, and that made his cheeks redden with embarrassment, but he couldn’t deny how he felt, “No…I feel wonderful.”

Kaiel’s eyes widened at Jaimz admission, he settled back, and Jaimz shivered, moaning softly as his rod finally slid completely free.  Even more embarrassed now Jaimz blushed a becoming shade of pink all over his body and couldn’t bear to meet his lover’s wondering eyes as he settled on the bed beside him.  He winced as the usual tenderness after-the-fact set in, but he tried to ignore it as he thought how sticky and messy he was and murmured, “I must stink.”

Kaiel leaned over and breathed in Jaimz’ delicious scent, it filled him up and made him growl again this time with an added snarl of jealousy at the thought of anyone else breeding with him.  Trying to suppress those strange emotions he pressed his nose into Jaimz’ silky fawn-brown tresses, but instead of calming him the delicate scent just made him feel more possessive.  Puzzled he pulled back and the jealousy diminished though it didn’t subside completely.  Experimentally he shifted close enough to catch Jaimz’ scent and the emotion rose again and he realized what was going on though it was strange to him that the tag would work this way, but it was clear to him at least that Jaimz’ scent indicated he was ripe for breeding and until it faded he’d have to be careful with him.  He would have to talk to Kang about this newest development and he certainly hoped for Jaimz’ sake that the scent was only attractive for him, as his tagged mate.  “I think you smell good.”

Jaimz laughed softly, “Well maybe, but I am a mess.”

Kaiel had to agree for Jaimz’ fluids matted his pelt too, but Jaimz he was sticky on his thighs and belly and of course between his legs.  He looked delectable; sitting there beside him while coming down off the high sex always was for them.  He was still a bit flushed too, with his cheeks quite lovely and pink, and of course his mouth was soft and swollen and an even deeper pink than usual.  His half cast eyes were soft and dreamy, with those sweeping eyelashes casting long shadows over his cheeks.  Much of his soft sun-kissed hair had fallen forward and Kaiel couldn’t resist brushing the trailing locks back, only to stop and stare at his forehead.

Jaimz didn’t understand what had caught his attention so firmly at first, then he remembered and raised his fingers to lightly probe at the edges of his bruise, which have been still tender to touch, but his questing fingers discovered no pain.  “What happened to it?” he wondered aloud as Kaiel continued to stare.

Kaiel gave himself a slight shake and stroking his fingers over the faint mark he said, “It’s practically gone Jaimz.”

“Really?” Jaimz mused, sliding off the bed and padding nude to a Zaran sized mirror set next a tall chest of drawers.  He didn’t look at himself except to study the faint bruise that remained of his serious head injury.  He touched it while wondering if the healing went all the way through to the dangerous contusion that was the real worry.  He didn’t feel any lingering headache which might warn of continuing injury, but he wasn’t about to believe he was completely recovered simply because he looked better.  He tsked unhappily next when a quick glance down revealed just how much of a mess he was.  He didn’t see his beauty, even though he knew he was good looking, his looks had never had much value to him before and now how he looked seemed more of a curse than a blessing to him, so he didn’t dwell on his physical attributes, but Kaiel did see them as he came to stand behind him, reflected in the mirror too. 

Jaimz had no trouble appreciating Kaiel’s beauty, his golden Godlike perfection easily crossed species boundaries and for all his height he’d be damn popular with the women back on earth, actually his size in some certain areas might make him very popular indeed.  Feeling a twinge of jealousy Jaimz turned toward Kaiel and poked him lightly while chiding resentfully, “You’re beautiful.”

Kaiel had to laugh at the tone of his voice and chided, “You don’t sound happy about that.”

Jaimz just gave him a dirty look and sauntered away but intrigued Kaiel caught him up and carried him back to the bed, holding him easily as he struggled to get away, “Tell me what you meant?”

Refusing to admit to his jealousy and frustrated by his inability to free himself, Jaimz yelled, “Let me down!”

Kaiel shook his head and grinned playfully, “I will when you tell me.”

“Idiot.  Let me go.” Jaimz tried not to smile in response, but in squirming to get free he kept rubbing against Kaiel’s leg and his velvety pelt suddenly didn’t feel so soft to his sore bottom.  Embarrassed by the pain, which was so personal, he tensed on Kaiel’s lap and tried to pretend indifference by saying, “I don’t care; I’ll just sit here until you get tired.” He recalled that Kaiel had the closing of the session to preside over and smiled knowingly, “Or until you have to leave.”

But Kaiel had noticed his slight wince and knew well enough from other times what the problem one.  It amazed him that sex could heal yet leave some areas still so tender afterwards.  Feeling playful he teased one pert nipple as Jaimz gasped and tried to shelter his handsome chest from further assault, he smiled and leaning forward to nibble on his earlobe he whispered, “You will tell me…I know exactly what to do to make you talk.”

Jaimz gave him a wide-eyed look, and Kaiel was amazed he could still be so naďve when he enjoyed what was about to happen so much.  He promised, “Oh yes, you will squeal soon enough cub.”

He was right, Jaimz squealed the moment Kaiel toppled him to the mattress and flipped him over onto his face.  As he realized what was about to occur he shot up and tried to scuttle away from him, but Kaiel grabbed and pulled him back while spreading his legs apart.  Jaimz tried to be firm with Kaiel, telling him to let go, but his body was already alive with excitement and his anus was already pulsing in response and Kaiel hadn’t even started yet.

“No! N-no Kaiel.  Y-you don’t have t-time to play with me now.  Oh God, I—ahhh w-won’t tell…” his voice trailed off to a shaky groan as Kaiel spread his cheeks open and then his toes were curling helplessly and he was gasping as Kaiel’s tongue teased him, swirling around his throbbing anus.  “Mmmm.  Mmmm…Oh.” Jaimz moaned, wriggling his hips in helpless abandon as once again his body was swamped with pleasure.

He just tastes so good.  Kaiel thought dimly as this time he played gently with the tender flesh being manipulated by the tip of his tongue.  Last time he’d been forceful in readying Jaimz for mating, this time his gentleness soothed even as it aroused; he licked and probed and danced his tongue all around while his fingers massaged and eased Jaimz’ cheeks and he even kissed him there, making Jaimz squirm and coo in delirious delight.  He didn’t struggle, but then Kaiel would have been very surprised if Jaimz had made more than the initial somewhat obligatory protest, since this was without a doubt something he enjoyed very much.  Kaiel liked it too, he loved the taste of Jaimz though that wasn’t as important to him as Jaimz’ pure enjoyment in it was.  His mate was just so sensitive and oh so delightfully responsive too, that it was all he could do to control his own excitement since he didn’t plan to do more than ease Jaimz’ after-sex-discomfort, besides he garnered real enjoyment doing this and seeing Jaimz peaceful and satiated was nearly as pleasurable as the consummate act was.  That at least was what he firmly told his rod as it tried to get a bit of attention too.

Jaimz just could not think a coherent thought as Kaiel concentrated so devotedly upon the sweet spot between his cheeks.  He could see out the window, and should have been terribly embarrassed since here he was lying on his bed having his ass thoroughly plundered, and it seemed awfully public even if no one should have been able to see in, but if he was concerned about someone seeing him now he certainly hadn’t given a thought to witnesses getting an eyeful when he was being most thoroughly fucked.  He felt his cheeks heat at the memory, since it hadn’t been more than a few minutes ago that he and Kaiel had separated, and now, here he was growing more and more aroused by the renewed sweet torture of Kaiel’s clever tongue.  He just couldn’t have sex with the male and stay angry with him at the same time.  He even managed to say as much, “How am I—ooh—supposed toooh s-stay—mad at youoooh!” with every groan a helpless response to each plunging stroke of Kaiel tongue.

Kaiel ignored him except to turn him over, part his unresisting legs once again and go at him from yet another angle, though with the added advantage of being able to reach all Jaimz’ sensitive flesh more easily.  He held Jaimz’ legs up and open, and paused for a moment just to look at him splayed out all relaxed and aroused, in deed he didn’t doubt that if he wanted to right now Jaimz would be ready and willing to go again, though his lingering soreness would have to be considered.  He fingered Jaimz still wet and swollen anus, watching keenly as the bud opened under the slightest pressure of his finger and how with the rocking of Jaimz’ slender hips his finger was sucked inside.  Jaimz moaned and pressed his fist against his mouth as his hips continued to rock and Kaiel’s finger willingly rode the sensation, being eased in and out with each roll.  He wondered for a moment how late it was getting and if the session had started yet, a glance out the window convinced him that there was still time and that was all the conversation he had with himself before he climbed up onto the bed, rolled Jaimz hips up a bit more and leaned into him even as his rod sprung free, so that as it slid from one sheath it nestled into another, one that throbbed and pulsed responsively all around his rod, the remaining oil easing the passage way.

Jaimz was plenty surprised though, to go from the soothing pleasure of having his ass licked to being fucked again…without a simple may I even being proposed.  He felt a sparkle of anger course through him, quickly followed by a flush of pleasure that spread out from his core and settled deep, it made his anger quiet but didn’t completely suppress it as he growled, “You didn’t even ask….”

Kaiel had nothing to say, he’d made the decision for them and he’d bear the consequences too.  He could see that Jaimz was simmering a bit, but there was also pleasure evident in his seething green-eyes, which were tempering his ire, and he played upon that to overcome his resentment. Because he’d bred him so thoroughly already Kaiel did not have enough time to build up his reserves yet but that didn’t matter since he didn’t want his normal tag instinct to take over, he wanted to take it long and slow instead and drive every last vestige of annoyance away and leave Jaimz so utterly satiated that all he could think about was how good he felt.

The one thing he did that Jaimz couldn’t help but notice was how gentle he was, from the way he touched and kissed him, to the long deliberate strokes of his rod as he pressed in and pulled out.  Jaimz had to admit that his body was ready for this second go too, as with him still so swollen and wet from earlier he opened easily to each slow thrust.  The deeper Kaiel probed and the wider he slowly stretched to accommodate the slick width of him the more Jaimz wanted of him.  He hated how simmering with anger and being virtually taken by force…if very gentle force at that…he could surrender with barely a whimper.  If it had been Ham or Lorz doing this to him he knew he would be crying and fighting, but with Kaiel, not only had his protest been minimal at best he was already pleading for more of him.  Why, why was it so right with Kaiel and so wrong with anyone else?

That was a question he’d have to consider at another time Jaimz thought as he clutched Kaiel against him and sighed, as his slow rhythm grew bolder though it remained gentle at its core. This time, because of the passion shared such a short time before this time the joining was finished faster though Kaiel managed to keep it gentle and Jaimz was no tenderer at its conclusion though certainly what had ached before was no less sore now.  When it was done and Kaiel lay resting against Jaimz’ sublime body, held in his quivering embrace while feeling his final spasms as his rod slipped free of his receptive body Kaiel sensed the edge of something he’d hoped he would have quelled with his lovemaking.  But it was there, even though Jaimz held him willingly and made no effort to push him away now that it was truly finished, Kaiel could taste his simmering resentment as if it were a drop of sharp oil on his tongue. 

Kaiel sighed and pulled back to look at him, and Jaimz was so relaxed and content that he still didn’t make any effort to remove his arms from around his neck but despite how sexually satisfied his mate was, there could be no mistaking the crystalline shine in his eyes which spoke better than words ever could of the anger simmering just beneath that lovely surface.  “You’re angry.” He noted needlessly, stroking back a fall of hair out of those hot eyes.

Jaimz’ sensual and sleepy expression belied the mood in his eyes, as, with he swollen lips turning down at the edges, he said, “You didn’t ask.  Both times, you just took and didn’t ask me.”

“You wanted me.” Kaiel defended, feeling his ears tip back in response.

Jaimz cupped his face and then with a twist of his hand tugged at his ruff hard enough to make Kaiel grunt in surprise.  “It doesn’t matter that I wanted you!  What matters is you—didn’t—ask!  You talk about giving me choices and than arbitrarily make them for me!”

“But you liked what I did!  You liked it very much, I know your body Jaimz, and it can’t lie to me!”

Jaimz dropped back with a bitter laugh, “Oh Kaiel, you’re right.  I won’t deny it I enjoy you.   But even so, you gave me about as much choice as Lorz did.”

Even though Kaiel was thrilled by Jaimz’ confession, he still sucked in a shocked breath and rasped, “That’s harsh!  I’ve never raped you.  Never!”

Jaimz ran his fingers through his agitated lover’s mane and whispered, “The fact you refuse to see the similarities worry me Kaiel.  I’m not as strong as you; if you want to force me I can’t stop you.  All I have is the right to say yes—or no.” he pulled his hand away and felt his anger fade as a well of sadness rose instead; he looked at Kaiel and made sure his lover understood how hurt he was as he explained, “All you ever have to do is ask Kaiel.”

Kaiel shifted back to sit on his heels and stare unhappily at Jaimz.  His little tag mate remained lying where he was, still evidently relaxed and satiated, and his body certainly looked delectable like that too, but though his expression seemed content, it was his eyes that told the full story.  Gone was the bitter anger he’d seen only moments ago, now instead those eyes were soft and swirly in their sea foam glow and so terribly sad.  He hated the disappointment brimming in those eyes, for it made him feel small and clumsy like a little cub and not an accomplished and confident adult who could handle any situation with calm and poise.  Jaimz it seemed knew how to manipulate him better than anyone; even his own father had never made him feel so insignificant.  The way Jaimz made him feel renewed his own resentment and what he did next left him feeling even lower than a worm, once he came back to his senses.

At first Kaiel didn’t even seem aware, his anger was all he felt and it consumed him.  Being more or less accused of rape made him want to show Jaimz just what rape was, though part of him knew that Jaimz was already familiar with such brutality.  Still he couldn’t think past the red haze that blinded him, nor could he hear past the angry buzz in his ears.  “You don’t know what you’re saying!  I never raped you!”  He yelled, as he ground his fingers brutally hard into Jaimz’ tender thighs and wrenched them apart.  He was spent, he should have had nothing left, but a Zaran rod was not the same as a humans; it merely needed to unsheathe to be ready.  Jaimz didn’t resist, for he was a spent as Kaiel, also part of him couldn’t believe that Kaiel would really hurt him, force him yes, but hurt him, never.  With his body having been so well used he was certainly ready even if not truly prepared, but Kaiel’s forcefulness was still surprising and the brutal swiftness of it all left Jaimz gasping and stunned.  Even as ready as his body might be, the sudden vicious intrusion still made him cry out.  There was no pleasure here, just the raw consummate act of Kaiel taking swift and utter possession with all the finesse of a ramrod.  Kaiel froze as Jaimz cry finally broke through his red rage but by then it was too late and the damage was done.  Jaimz lay under him, impaled upon his rod, panting softly in reaction.  He wasn’t crying for which Kaiel was glad, but his eyes—oh how his eyes condemned him for this violation.

“I…” Kaiel uttered, startled and sickened by him actions and horrified that he could have reacted to Jaimz’ statement in such a way.  He swallowed and tried again, “I’m…”

His hands trembling as he pushed Kaiel back, Jaimz turned his face away and said tonelessly, “Get out.”

His ears tipped back all the way as Kaiel slipped free, he hesitantly reached for Jaimz, let his hand drop away as shame filled him.  Jaimz sat up and shifted away from him.  He noticed a faint grimace mar his winsome face and recognized the same after-sex-tenderness expression.  Guilt flushed him and he felt sick to his heart as he realized what he’d done.  “I…Jaimz.” He cried achingly, trying once again to touch him, though his shame held him back from closing with his wounded lover, “I’m sorry.  Gods please, I’m sorry.  There’s no excuse—.”

Jaimz sent him a black look and repeated, “Get out!”

This time Kaiel pushed through his guilt and grasped Jaimz by his upper arms, pulling him into his shaking embrace.  “Please…please forgive me.”

Jaimz huddled tensely in his arms for a few heartbeats, but finally he felt him relax.  He curled around him whispering, “I’m sorry…I’m sorry Jaimz.  You unhinge me…you…no…no, it was my fault.  I’m sorry.”

Jaimz sighed and because Kaiel’s remorse was real he was able to say quietly, “You didn’t really hurt me…much.”

Kaiel nodded, aware that Jaimz had been ready for him.  He closed his eyes as he thought how it could have been if Jaimz hadn’t been so ready.  He ground his teeth just agonizing over what he’d done, in recalling promises he had made that he’d failed to keep, at betraying Jaimz’ trust.  He had been amazingly fortunate that he’d lost his control after Jaimz had been very well prepared, he’d forced a path that had been well plowed and thoroughly seeded already and caused little physical damage though the emotional damage might be incredible.  Thinking of all the ground he had regained in this short span of time (surely he hadn’t been more than an hour, if even that) he fretted over how to repair what he’d broken, if indeed he had broken Jaimz in his spirit.  But Jaimz was handling his betrayal very well, maybe too well; he worried since he knew that for him being raped meant he had utterly no control at all.  He gnashed his teeth, remembering how he’d spoken grandly of wanting Jaimz to have choices, and even though Jaimz claimed he hadn’t given him any choice on joining earlier (which he didn’t believe since Jaimz would have fought to a state of traumatic exhaustion if he really didn’t want to be with him) in this final joining he really hadn’t given Jaimz any choice at all.  Aching with dizzying guilt he pressed Jaimz against him and again rasped, “Oh Gods I’m sorry.”

Jaimz sat very quiet in his mate’s arms and took some comfort in his very real regret for there was nothing feigned in Kaiel’s reaction; what he was projecting was as real as his touch and smell.  His anger had faded quickly and now he was just too tired to think.  So much had happened today that he was full to the brim yet unable to process.  He needed some downtime to just put everything in proper perspective.  “Kaiel... I….” he pulled back and looked at his anxious lover, and at seeing his expression he drew in a calming breath and tried again, “you have a session to wrap up.”

Kaiel’s ears flicked and his expression cleared, his eyes though still relayed his fears; “You want me to go?”

Fully cognizant of his uncertainty Jaimz cupped his cheeks between both hands and nodded as he said gravely, “I’m not punishing you Kaiel, so please don’t take this wrong—but yes, I want you to go.”

Kaiel sighed, sagging a little as he refuted, “Yes, you are punishing me,” he wrapped his own hands around Jaimz, drawing both away from his face and curling them gently against his chest instead, “I understand…God I understand.  I was wrong to—to…” he shook his head and anxiously bit his lip as he sent a dread filled look at his small lover.

Jaimz sighed, shaking his own head as he repeated, “I’m not punishing you.  I’m not angry…really I’m not.” He spread his trapped hands across Kaiel’s chest and whispered, “I don’t know why I’m not angry, maybe that will come later.  But I’m really not angry.”

“But you still want me to go.” Kaiel mourned solemnly.

“Yes.” Jaimz agreed, “You need to finish the session Kaiel…and I need to think.  A lot has happened today and I just…I just can’t think with you around.” He admitted truthfully.

That got him a little smile; also Kaiel’s ears flicked forward and remained at a more optimistic slant after.  Of course being told he had to power to render Jaimz witless had to help his wounded ego; though lifting his mate’s mood had not been his intention, certainly seeing Kaiel’s expression lighten and his golden eyes glow once again with a hint of humor helped ease his own spirits a bit. 

Kaiel nodded finally and allowed, “I do need to wrap the session.”

He let him go, though the worry showed in his beautiful golden eyes, he did let him go.  Jaimz just sat and watched him, making no comment at all as he wiped down his pelt as best he could without a shower immediately handy and pulled his formal (if a bit wrinkled) outfit back on, his robe was in his own room, so he’d have to grab that on his way out.  He finger combed his hair and sent another anxious look at Jaimz, this one filled with all his worries and doubts.  Jaimz motioned him over and he went willingly to him.  Jaimz rose up to his knees and hugged him tightly, resting his face against the heavy silk of his tunic.  Kaiel, still beset by his worries held him just as tightly and rasped, “We’ll talk after the session okay?”

Jaimz closed his eyes, breathing in the heady scent of him and crushed him with his next words, “I’m going home Kaiel.”

 

This story is dedicated to Brett (you know who you are), who helped me see through the mountain blocking my path.  Kaiel and Jaimz story will continue in Part 5, coming (hopefully) in Spring ‘09

 

 

 

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws