Mark finished dressing himself and slipped from the room to snag some breakfast. As Mark poured himself some coffee, his mother approached saying casually. "You should drink orange juice". Mark turned slightly, taking a quick sip before replying a little confused. "What"? His mom leaned against the kitchen counter, snatching a warm biscuit, answering lightly casual. "I said you should drink some juice after... Well, after a workout like that. Helps to restore-". Mark raised a hand to stop her as he realized what she was implying. Quickly cutting in awkwardly. "No. I'm good. I didn't... It doesn't matter. I understand". His mom didn't look at him as she buttered a biscuit, stating unfazed and still so casual. "Than you should make sure that HE drinks juice". Mark cleared his throat, watching his mom finally meet his eyes with a smirk on her face. 

Mark shook his head at her, answering with a light chuckle. "Mom... Please, don't". His mom chuckled softly, taking a bite of her biscuit. Jack slowly peeked into the kitchen, looking a little nervous. So, Mark raised an empty plate, telling him happily. "Come on in. Get something to eat. You want something to drink"? Right then, his mom chimed in happily. "You should drink some juice". Mark lowered the plate, pointing a finger at her in warning as his eyes narrowed in on her. She chuckled, but Jack didn't get the joke. As Jack shuffled around the corner, Mark's attention followed his mom's eyes to him. Jack was wearing sweat pants... but instead of a shirt... he had a blanket tightly around his bare shoulders. Mark shrugged it off, asking him sweetly. "What are you hungry for? I'll make your plate". His mom moved into the kitchen, placing a hand on his shoulder tenderly, asking Jack in a soft voice. "Jack... Honey, what's wrong"?

Mark looked back over at Jack. Was something wrong? Jack didn't look upset... just nervous. Jack shuffled his feet, shrinking back out of the room as he mumbled out. "I'm fine. I just... I just want to stay in the bedroom. Is that ok"? Mark passed his mom to approach Jack, asking with sudden concern. "Jack? What is wrong"? Jack avoided his eyes and reluctantly opened the blanket to reveal his stomach briefly. Mark inhaled discreetly in relief. He had noticed that Jack's stomach had gotten bigger already. Reaching out for him, Mark comfortingly said. "Jack, It's not that bad". Jack's eyes shot up to meet his, his voice cracking as he snapped back. "Not that bad? Mark... I...". Jack trailed off, turning away as his eyes started to well up with tears. Mark moved closer to him, but Jack shrank away, grumbling out to him. "I can't wear my shirts... Not even my sweater anymore...".

Mark handed the plate to his mom, before rushing to Jack. Wrapping his arms around Jack's shoulders, he pulled him into a tight embrace against his chest. Jack buried his head, starting to cry and even shake. Mark felt so helpless. He was afraid to say anything and hurt him more. His mom came to his rescue though, telling them with a warm motherly voice. "Don't wear a shirt then. You're a guy. You can do that". Jack sniffled, while Mark smiled at his mother. His mom approached then, rubbing Jack's arm as she added in sweetly. "Come with me, Jack. You should get off your feet and I'll have Mark fetch you something to eat". Jack resisted, snuggling deeper into Mark's chest. She was about to try again, when Mark raised a finger, before telling Jack sweetly. "Jack... She made chocolate chip pancakes..."? Jack lifted his head to stare up at him with big glistening blue eyes. Mark smiled, kissing his cheek and whispering to him lovingly. "Go sit on the couch and I'll get you some".

Jack smiled, letting his mom take his arm. His mom handed him the plate back, walking Jack to the couch, chuckling out. "Does your back hurt? I've got this great heating pad that I got when I was pregnant with Thomas. Wanna try it"? Mark smiled to himself. He was really glad that he had taken Jack here. His mom was a life saver at times like this. Heading into the kitchen, Mark froze. The back door was wide open and Chica was standing in the doorway looking uneasily into the house. Mark stepped farther into the kitchen, asking his mom seriously. "Mom... Did you open the back door"? From the living room, his mom answered. "Earlier this morning to let the dogs out. Why"? Mark turned around about to set the plate on the counter, but missed as his eyes locked with bright green feline eyes.

The plate slipped from his hand and smashed against the floor. From the living room, his mom called out. "Mark?! What happened"?! Mark watched Nico close the refrigerator door, pouring milk into a glass cup as he asked him sharply. "What the fuck are you doing in my house"! Nico rolled his eyes, answering bluntly. "It's not YOUR house. It's your mothers. I tried staying out, but pickings was slim outside. Doesn't help that your mutts scare everything away". Nico drank down his glass and started to pour another, when Mark snapped out. "Why are you here"?! Nico licked his lips and pointed toward the living room were Jack was. Then in a dry voice, Nico stated out. "To check on him. He's gotten HUGE by the way". Mark lost his temper in that moment and punched Nico to the floor. His mom rushed into the kitchen at the sound of more smashing glass.

Nico laid across the floor rubbing his jaw as his mom yelled at Mark in shock. "What is going on"?! Mark grabbed Nico by the scruff of his neck, dragging him toward the door as he yelled back. "I'm putting this nosy feline outside were he belongs"! Nico thrashed in Mark's grip, grabbing the doorframe to keep himself from being pushed out as he snapped back. "I come to apologize and you throw me out? That's fair"! Mark stopped fighting to push him out, asking bitterly. "What is that suppose to mean"?! Nico looked over his shoulder to stare Mark in the eyes as he rushed out. "You were right... I tampered with the potions... But I didn't know this would happen! I thought it would just make him sick"! Mark squeezed the back of Nico's neck, growling out. "WHY"?! Nico lowered his eyes to the floor, mumbling out regrettably. "Because... Because I'm selfish! I wanted Rosemary to myself... but she liked a man that she knew she couldn't have. Then you show up and all she talks about is you two! I got jealous, because she was my friend first! So, I thought if I messed up the potions that you two would stop coming back! I'm sorry"!

His mom put a hand on Mark's shoulder, asking concerned. "What's going on, Mark"? Mark loosened his grip about to explain, when Nico changed into a sleek black cat. Mark dropped him in shock, while his mom screamed in surprise. Nico trotted over to a chair to jump up on it, then onto the kitchen counter. Nico than sat down, telling them regrettably. "Sorry about that. When I get stressed... My transformation gets too hard to stay in. Do you except my apology or not"? His mom pointed a shaky finger toward the counter, saying cautiously. "There's a talking cat on my counter...". Nico sighed, flicking his long tail in unsettlement as he told Mark. "Look. Rosemary already screamed at me until her throat was raw. I feel terrible and I'd like to move passed this... Please"? Mark crossed his arms over his chest, asking. "Why should I trust you"?

Nico's ears fell back across his head and his voice shook a bit as he said. "I understand your concern, but please... Rosemary is the only friend I've got. I don't want to loose her. I want to help". Mark shook his head, still unsure if he should trust him. He had Jack to worry about. He couldn't keep his attention on Nico too. Nico scooted closer to the edge of the counter, raising a paw like he was trying to touch his arm, pleading out. "Please? I can't go home and watch Rosemary suffer anymore. She doesn't eat... She doesn't sleep... She's been drowning herself in every book we own, trying to find a way to fix my mistakes. I can't just sit back and watch anymore! Tell me what to do! I'll do anything"! Mark raised an eyebrow, asking seriously. "Anything"? Nico nodded, his ears perking up in hope.

Mark glanced down at Chica, who had sat by him at some point and flashed Nico a wicked grin. Nico shifted uncomfortably as Mark told him seriously. "I'll except your apology if you apologize to Chica for hissing at her". Nico's ears fell back as he grumbled out. "But she's a dog...". Mark pet Chica's head, shrugging as he uttered back. "She could be traumatized by cats for life". Nico sighed heavily, muttering under his breath as he jumped down from the counter. "Oh...Fine. She won't understand anyway...". Nico sat down in front of Chica, clearing his throat and stating aloud. "I'm sorry for hissing at you. I'm sure you're very nice... I didn't mean to come off rude, but I've never liked- AHHH YUCK"! Chica had jerked forward to lick Nico's face, causing him to flinch away with a disgusted face.  Nico put a paw to her nose, trying to push her away as he disgustedly mumbled out. "Oh... Gross! Dog germs! Please... Don't...".

Mark chuckled, until his mom walked over to carefully pick Nico up off the floor and away from Chica's continuous kisses. His mom gave Mark a serious look then, telling him in a commanding motherly tone. "Alright. You had your fun. Go get Jack's food already. Then we should talk about Jack's options". Mark gestured to Nico, asking her perplexed. "Mom, weren't you scared of him a moment ago? Put him down before you contract something from him"! His mom pet Nico's head, smiling a little as she mumbled out. "He looks fine. Besides, he's kind of cute. You know, once you get over the initial shock anyway".  His mom turned to walk into the living room and Nico stuck his tongue out at Mark.  Even at a distance, he heard Nico grumble out to his mother.  "I had a shiny clean coat... Until that dogs licked me. Now look at me! I'm soaked in dog drool! YUCK"!  His mom stroked Nico, shushing him like he was a child to be babied.  Mark rolled his eyes, heading to get Jack his breakfast. Only to stop and think back on what Nico had said for a second. Did he say... potions? To Be Continued...