Rosy’s story:

I crouch over the vealer carcase as I worry a chunk of meat free, my tail lashes from side to side as I lift my head to watch the toms as I chew the meat before swallowing it. I lay my ears back as I eye the black forms sprawled out at the edge of the shade then turn my attention back to my feast. The meat is tender and still warm, blood drips from my chin as I lift my head and chew another bite of meat.

Micah, Steven and Sam have taken me hunting. I had resisted at first until Micah had given a very vivid verbal description of a feed kill. The sudden need for meat still warm from the life that had flowed through it had filled me. I had agreed to his plan of driving out to the paddock where the cattle are kept before changing to cat form and hunting. Once there I had only hesitated a few moments before moving to the far side of the vehicle, placing my clothes inside on the front seat as I stripped, then changed to follow them. We found a group of vealers not too far inside the enclosure at the edge of the trees and Micah and Steven had made kills.

Now I eat from Steven’s kill while the three toms had eaten from the larger beast, both carcases are in the shade giving us some respite from the heat of late afternoon sun. Comfortably full I move away to lay in the dense shade beneath a bush under the tree cover, shortly Steven makes his way over and I hiss half-heartedly as he comes close to sniff at me. He purrs to me and I lash my tail side to side as I lay my ears back but make no noise. Slowly he edges closer and I chirp softly, he answers with soft murrs and I sniff towards him with interest. Finally he is close enough to lick my shoulder and he begins to groom me, I swish my tail with contentment as he finds an itchy spot.

A loud roar of anger announces Micah’s arrival as he slams into Steven knocking him away from me and I spring away from both toms, I bristle and hiss lowering my head before growling menacingly. Steven moves away at Micah’s very obvious displeasure but stops to watch as Micah turns his attention to me. I hiss and spit furiously at his approach as he eyes me with a predatory gleam. Sam roars angrily beside us and Micah drops his head as he begins a long couching roar that is meant to encourage me closer. When I remain where I am Micah grunts softly and moves closer, I avoid his friendly sniff and he steps forward to grab me by the scruff of the neck. I growl and try to pull away from him but he easily straddles my body, he hunches over me and I feel him brush against my opening as Sam and Steven roar angrily beside us.

I try to crawl out from beneath him and he lets me move forward before tightening his grip and moving forward and against me once again. I hiss as I clamp my tail down as he brushes against me and he moves his hind legs off my body as he grunts around the hold on my neck. Again he moves into position but I refuse once more and he releases his hold on me to snuffle around my ears apologetically, I growl in refusal and he grunts again before moving off me and beginning to groom me. I swivel my ears listening to him. Micah does not seem upset about my refusal to accept his sexual advances.

I glance at Micah and swish my tail as I think about my reaction. While I have no interest in any sexual activity his behaviour does not bother me. I close my eyes in enjoyment as Micah’s tongue moves up the side of my face and then I roll onto my back exposing my throat to Micah as I stretch my neck back. Sam grunts angrily as he stalks around us angling for a clear shot at Micah, I look at my brother and he pauses as he moves his ears forward and watches me inquiringly. Micah closes his mouth over my throat very gently for an instant before licking the soft fur and nuzzling around my ear. He stretches out beside me on his stomach and I roll onto my side before opening my eyes to watch Sam back off slightly even though he is still not appeased by Micah’s behaviour.

I wake from a light doze as a rough tongue grooms behind my ears and through the hair on the side of my neck. A moist nose nudges near my ear and warm breath blows making me start in surprise. Micah is lavishing attention on me as he grooms around my head and neck as well as nudging against me. He keeps up a continuous stream of soft grunts and coughs and I open my eyes to look at him. He is watching me hopefully but I lay my ears back and growl softly making him back off with his attentions.

I get to my feet and return to the carcase but it is cold now and holds no interest for me, I kick twigs and leaves over it half-heartedly before turning away and heading towards the exit to the paddock. I reach the vehicle well ahead of the first of the three toms and have plenty of time to change and dress before they walk out of the surrounding trees and change back to human form on the far side of the vehicle. I am sitting in the front passenger seat drinking water from a cool bottle when Sam opens the driver’s door and looks in at me.

"You all right?" He asks with concern.

"I’ll survive," I say without looking at him and he growls low in his throat.

"I should make Micah walk back the bastard!" Sam says angrily.

"Why don’t you try it?" Micah asks dryly as he opens the door behind me.

"Because you’re the stupid idiot not us," Steven tells him tightly as he opens the other rear door. I remain silent as the three of them get in the vehicle and slam their doors shut, I fiddle with the radio searching for a radio channel but all I find is static. The drive back to the compound is silent and tension simmers thickly in the car but I try to ignore it, my mind too filled with thoughts of what Micah had tried to encourage me into letting him do.

Does he still care for me or did he just want the release? Does he regret our break up as much as I do? Is he as lost on how to repair things between us as I am?

I climb out of the vehicle awkwardly and leave the door open as I head inside the quarters.

"Rosy isn’t even back here twenty-four hours and your trying to get her to let you …" Sam hisses angrily.

"Are you trying to chase her away?" Steven demands angrily.

I let the screen door slam behind me to vent some of my own anger and confusion only to find curious eyes on me as I walk into the lounge room. I look at Dwayne where he is stretched out on his stomach on a mattress with Terry and Dacey either side of him, he gives me a smile over his shoulder before turning his attention back to the colouring in book in front of them.

"I think there’s going to be a big fight outside in a few moments. Sam and Steven are probably going to try to kill Micah." I announce.

"You’re kidding right?" Steven’s younger sister Celeste says glancing towards the hallway door uneasily. "Steven and Micah are best friends."

"What did Micah do?" Jazzy asks in exasperation.

"He wanted me to let him mount me while we were in cat form." I say evenly. Dwayne glances back at me in surprise and scrambles to his feet hurriedly. He rushes from the room followed by all the other toms leaving only Jazzy, Steven’s sister Celeste, and the two boys in the room with me.

"And?" Jazzy asks as I head into the kitchen. She stands to follow me to the arched doorway between the two rooms.

"I didn’t let him," I tell her as sounds of a fight start from outside.

"How bad did you claw him up?" Celeste asks cautiously.

"I didn’t claw him up, I just didn’t co-operate." I say dryly as I take a bottle of flavoured milk from the fridge.

"Does that mean? …" Jazzy begins to ask.

"I don’t know what it means okay," I snap as I cut her question off.

"Sometimes Micah can be so stupid!" Jazzy declares as if to herself.

"How have the boys been?" I ask as I pour myself a glass of milk.

"They both ate a good sized supper, have had their baths and are dressed in some old pyjamas of Justin and Donovan’s ready for bed. I wanted to put them to bed but Dwayne said to leave that for you," A trace of bitterness creeps into Jazzy’s voice.

"Good I wanted to put them to bed. I suppose you can say goodnight to them as well since you help look after them so much." I allow with a slight frown, I glance towards the hallway door as the sound of the fight is reduced to raised voices.

"Maybe Jazzy should go outside and tell them to stop it?" Celeste suggests.

"Yeah, I don’t want the boys learning that behaviour. But be careful not to get in the way if they are fighting." I warn with a concerned glance. I watch Jazzy and Celeste head outside then the two boys claim my attention as they come over to show me the colouring in book. I slip an arm around their warm little bodies and cuddle them as I listen to their chatter about the book, and who had been helping them. They are busy showing me the pictures in the book when Micah comes into the room followed by Steven, Sam and Dwayne with the rest of the warriors. Jazzy and Celeste trail behind them slowly making their way inside.

"I’m putting the boys to bed, having a shower and going to bed myself." I say without directing it to anyone in particular.

"I’ll give you a hand," Sam offers.

"If you don’t mind you can do toilet duty before bed. After that everyone can say goodnight before the boys go to bed." I say evenly.

"I want to have a word with you before you go to bed," Micah says quietly.

"Look I’m really tired, can’t whatever it is wait until the morning?" I ask flatly as I meet his eyes. His look is intense and I feel a momentary unease, is he going to want to finish what he tried to start at the kills?

"It’ll only take a minute or two, I promise." Micah says firmly. I take a deep breath about to protest.

Oh what the heck, he’s obvious hell bent on annoying me …

"Okay but only a minute or two I’m nearly asleep on my feet," I tell him grudgingly. He seems to hesitate a moment then nods his agreement and steps aside as I send the two boys off with Sam to go to the toilet. I am tense while putting the boys to bed in a double bed in the sunroom. Another double bed is set up beside it. I plan on sleeping there to be close to the boys to get up to them through the night.

Micah’s story:

I am waiting by the bed where the two boys have fallen asleep. I watch their small forms and can’t help but feel a growing feeling of protectiveness towards them. They look so innocent and peaceful, they don’t resemble the lively little creatures they turn into when they are awake.

"What do you want?"

I turn my head to look at Rosy guardedly. I hear Sam moving restlessly in his bedroom doorway and I am irritated knowing he can hear every word spoken between Rosy and I.

"I’m sorry about what I done today …" I begin.

"You backed off when I told you no. Forget it, I did." Rosy cuts me off quickly and hurt flares at her words. I am lost with what to say for a few moments until I remember the phone in my pocket. I dig it out and extend my hand offering it to her.

"I’ve been meaning to give this back to you," I say quietly. "I wish I had handled everything differently, maybe we would have stood a chance."

Rosy is silent as she takes the phone and turns it over in her hand as she looks at it. I watch her and thinking what a small item it is to have started something so huge it ended our relationship, if we had ever truly had one in the first place.

"I contacted your uncle while you had your shower. I thought you might like to see him so I invited him to come visit, he’ll be here mid morning tomorrow." I say to her quietly.

"Unca … Doc Caruthers is coming here?" Rosy asks startled before eyeing me hostilely "You’re not going to do anything to him are you! I won’t let you!"

"No one will harm your uncle. If it hadn’t been for the advice and help he gave Doc, well Malcolm probably wouldn’t be alive, not to mention it is because you trusted him that Jazzy is alive. Your Uncle is … he’s more than okay. This is to give both of you a chance to visit since you haven’t seen each other for a while," I say evenly. "I can’t undo what I said to you but I can try to work out a way for you to blend your family into your life now. I should have trusted your judgement, I should have known you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise the safety of the clan. "

"Unca would never say anything about werecats. Looking back now I can see where he tried to approach me and say something to give me the chance to talk but … he never breached the promise he must have made to my mother." Rosy says quietly with a thoughtful look on her face. I am sure there is more going on in her mind then she is voicing and I wonder if Rosy is thinking about her.

"When you make the call to her at least one of us will have to be with you so we know you don’t say anything … it’s our safety as well, we need peace of mind too." I say tightly as I move uncomfortably.

"I should have spoken to you before taking her call," Rosy almost whispers. Suddenly I wonder if she regrets her actions as much as I regret mine.

"I had already walked away from that relationship Micah. Yes she still is a good friend but that’s all she is, a close friend."

I look away from her. I don’t believe her. I had seen the way she had clung to the phone, taking the call even when she knew I didn’t want her talking to her. I feel muscles working in my jaw as I grind my teeth in frustration.

"Some of the toms will be with you when you make the call." I manage through clenched teeth.

"Look I’m tired, exhausted. I need to sleep so if you don’t mind …" Rosy says abruptly, her voice sounds strained.

"We all want to help you. Sam, Steven, or I can sleep here and get up to the boys so you can sleep. We managed just fine last night and you need all the sleep you can get, you need to look after yourself." I say forcefully without meaning to sound so harsh. "If you sleep in your room you’ll have the comfort of a bed and we can call you if there’s any reason …"

"The boys are my responsibility," Rosy protests sounding almost scared we would try to take them away from her.

"Let us help, we care about you and we care about those two little boys." I urge softly.

Rosy looks at me, her face is pale and she looks too tired to fight. She sways slightly and I catch hold of her by her elbow. Slowly, carefully I inch closer. Indecision flickers across her face.

"Please, we care about you and the boys whether you want us to or not. We want to help," I urge softly as I steady her.

"Ok," Rosy finally concedes. "But only until I can do it myself."

"Sure thing," I agree quietly. I am happy to take this one step at a time if necessary. "Steven and I look after them tonight?"

"Yeah. Look I really need to go to bed …" Rosy starts to tell me. I don’t want this relatively peaceful time between us to end but I know it must. Rosy’s words end on a sharp gasp as I scoop her up in my arms. I turn and carry her into her room.

"I don’t want to end up arguing with you," I say as I ease her down onto the bed gently when Sam strides into the room with a low growl.

"I’m just helping Rosy into bed," I say with a glance at Sam. "She used the last of her energy listening to me."

"So I saw," Sam says as he moves up beside the bed. I take a step back and give a brief nod before walking to the doorway.

"You okay?" Sam asks quietly.

"Just exhausted, I run out of steam pretty quickly these days." Rosy tells him sleepily as he covers her up with the bedclothes, tucking them around her before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Do you want me to sit down with you and Micah some time so you two can discuss what happened again?" Sam asks quietly.

I don’t catch Rosy’s answer, I don’t even know if she does answer Sam before he drops a kiss on her forehead, gets to his feet and leaves the room. I move back out of the doorway as Sam walks straight towards me. He has a tight, closed look on his face and bumps me hard with his shoulder as he walks past.

"Stop crowding my sister or I will drag you out to the cage in the shed and you can sleep in it of a night," Sam hisses.

I glare at him angrily, everything in me wants to assert my dominance over him but I know if I do he will enlist help to do as he threatened. Finally I look away first and head towards where the two small boys are asleep.

"I’m on babysitting duty tonight," I mutter quietly.

Rosy’s story:

The sound of Terry crying wakes me and I sit up groggily, I wait a moment or two before swinging my legs over the edge of the bed to get up and go to him.

"Rosy? Rosy you awake?" Micah calls softly from the doorway.

"I’m just getting up," I murmur sleepily.

"Terry’s had a nightmare and is calling for you," Micah tells me quietly.

"What time is it?" I ask as I walk to the door still slightly unbalanced from sleep. I grasp the doorframe to steady myself, and Micah eyes me worriedly in the dim light.

"It’s just gone one in the morning. You alright there?" he asks with concern.

"Just give me a minute for my body to wake up properly," I mutter in disgust.

"You need help?" Micah asks as he moves towards me.

"It would get me out to him quicker," I concede as I take hold of his arm to steady myself and with his help I walk out to where Steven is holding Terry.

"Sorry about waking you but we thought you’d want to come out to him," Steven says as I sit on the bed and gather Terry into my arms.

"It’s alright Terry, Mama is here now." I murmur softly to the sobbing child using the name he and Dacey had been calling me today.

"Mama, Mama … ‘Pencer!" Terry sobs and I hold him tight knowing he is missing his oldest brother. I begin rocking him and when he eventually starts to grow heavy in my arms I look for a way to lay him down in the bed, finally I stretch out on the bed myself.

"I think he’s asleep," Micah announces and I glance across to see both him and Steven watching in concern.

"I think I’ll need some help getting up," I admit as I glance at both of the boys. I am lying on my back, my legs elevated by thrown back covers while Terry sprawls across my chest.

"Why don’t you sleep there?" Steven asks. "Micah is using the other bed there, I can drag a mattress out here."

"Where were you sleeping?" I ask curiously.

"Micah was in the bed with the two boys because they’ve been restless but settled down when he lay down with them. Steven was in the bed your on," Dwayne says from the doorway to the bedroom he shares with Justin and Donovan.

"I’m sorry they disturbed you," I say contritely.

"Don’t worry about it, they can’t help it." Dwayne dismisses it casually as he walks over to where I am, he eyes me a moment before lifting my legs and easing the bedcovers from beneath them so he can cover me up.

"Hey!" I protest but he places a finger against my lips silencing me.

"Now you look more comfortable. Go back to sleep, the boys will probaly sleep better with you here and so will Micah and Steven even if they won’t admit they’re feeling inadequate because they needed to call on you." Dwayne announces and drops a light kiss on my lips before returning to his room. I glance at Steven and Micah to see slightly amused smiles on their faces, they quickly look away and I take a deep breath.

"Ok, I’ll sleep here. Steven you can sleep on the other side of Terry save dragging a mattress out here and waking everyone up in the process," I say quietly before closing my eyes and waiting tensely.

"Let’s just shut up and get some sleep," Micah says after a few long moments and I know that Steven being in the same bed as me doesn’t sit well with him.

I wake to slight whimpers from Dacey and I lift my head to see what’s wrong, Micah walks in from the kitchen end of the building carrying a small bottle filled with milk and I ease back down to watch as he quietly settles the small boy with his drink. He waits until the child falls asleep and takes away the empty bottle before carefully covering the sleeping child and stretching out on the far side of the bed once again. It takes me longer to fall asleep and I lay silently in the dimly lit room listening to the sounds of breathing coming from those around me.

Morning dawns cloudy and overcast and I sleep late not waking until the faint sounds of rainbow lorikeets arguing over flowers in the trees outside the windows wake me. I blink sleepily before yawning and sitting up, there is no one in the room or in the bedrooms but I do hear faint sounds out in the kitchen. I climb out of bed and retreat to my room to change into clothes for the day.

"Jazzy has the boys over at the main house. Marissa has found the last of the small clothes and they are checking some of them for size before washing them. What do you want for breakfast?" Mikkarl asks. I can see he has been cleaning the kitchen and doing the washing up after everyone has had breakfast.

"A nice thick steak sounds good," I answer as I sit at the table. "Don’t you ever get tired of cleaning up after everyone else has eaten?"

"I don’t mind it," Mikkarl tells me as he places a frypan on the stove and turns to the fridge for the steak. "I quite like cooking and baking, and no smart remarks about what a good wife I’d be or I’ll burn your steak." His laugh is light hearted and I smile when he glances my way.

"You never thought about training as a chef or something?" I ask curiously.

"I’m going to in a few years, I don’t intend to remain a warrior for ever." Mikkarl says seriously. "I’m not Alpha material but I wouldn’t mind working as a cook for one,"

"Being Alpha material is important isn’t it," I murmur more to myself than anything else.

"Depends on how you look at it," Mikkarl tells me seriously. "The Alpha has to make all the hard decisions, but then he always gets the girl." He gives a bit of a laugh as well as a shrug.

"You’re Callum’s partner aren’t you?" I ask even though I already know the answer.

"Yes but if Dwayne needs an experienced partner I fill in, I have even helped when Micah and Steven have needed a third warrior along." Mikkarl tells me with pride. "So how are you going settling back in here? Think it’ll work out?"

"Both you and Steven are very direct aren’t you?" I ask as I watch him put a seared steak on a plate, turn off the stove and bring me my breakfast. He pours himself a cup of coffee and sits down opposite me to sip the brew and eye me with curiosity.

"It gets results. So do you think you’ll end up staying here or are you looking for someone elsewhere?" Mikkarl asks.

I concentrate on cutting several small pieces off the steak and eating them before I glance at him, he is watching me closely and I meet his gaze levelly as I chew the tender meat.

"You cook a good steak," I tell him before contemplating his question. " What you’re really asking is is there any chance of Micah and I getting back together." I say and give him a level look.

"Would it be impossible?" Mikkarl asks quietly. "I’ve noticed how both of you watch the other when you think no one is watching, several of us have noticed. Steven even reckons that you pair will be back together before the kitt is born,"

"Maybe time and space was what we both needed to be able to work out how to deal with what happened." I say with a shrug.

"That Lilly sheila has really tried to stir things up, she had the police out here twice before Sam managed to convince them to contact a few places to track you down. Lilly doesn’t seem to believe your not hidden away out here and has been back a couple of times, last time the police were called and it was threatened to have her charged with trespassing to make her back off." Mikkarl says with a grin reminding me of Steven.

"Mitchell and Jazzy press charges?" I ask.

"No and she hasn’t turned up out here again," Mikkarl informs me. I give a slight shake of my head but don’t pause eating my steak, after a few more mouthfuls I wave my fork at Mikkarl.

"Give her time. If Micah was to check around he’ll probaly find someone has been checking him out, what land he owns, investments, who he associates with … that type of thing." I say firmly.

"I’ll give Steven the heads up," Mikkarl says with a stern look. The bang of the screen door cuts short our conversation and I look towards the lounge room to see who it is.

"Good, you’re awake. Micah sent us over to make sure you were up and about since you’re having a visitor today," Malcolm says as he walks into view followed by Kirby.

"Visitor? Oh! I’d forgot!" I exclaim as I suddenly become flustered.

"Finish your breakfast and you can go get ready," Mikkarl tells me with a grin.

"You all knew about this visit before I did!" I suddenly realise as I push my half eaten breakfast away and get to my feet, "I got to go get ready!"

"Finish your breakfast first," Malcolm tells me firmly.

"Leave me alone!" I protest and head for my room. My selection of clothes isn’t very many outfits I realise as I sort through what might fit me from before my enforced removal to Alan’s compound. Finally I am forced to settle for a pair of leggings and a loose knee length dress with plenty of room for my fuller figure. I am busily brushing my hair to plait it when I hear Mikkarl calling my name, I move to the doorway to look towards the end of the sunroom.

"What Mikkarl?" I call to him.

"There’s a dark blue four wheel drive just turned into the driveway," He calls back.

"I’ll be right there!" I call back before grabbing a hair tie and quickly pulling my hair back into a pony tail, I slip my mobile phone into my dress pocket and head for the other end of the house. Mikkarl is waiting in the lounge room doorway and follows me outside where Malcolm and Kirby are waiting by the door.

"You look pretty in that outfit," Mikkarl says sincerely in a warm tone and I glance his way with surprise. My phone rings in my pocket, the tune telling me it is an unknown number. I answer it by subconscious response holding it to my ear distracted from Mikkarl’s out of nature remark. I search the driveway for a familiar vehicle.

"Hallo," I say in a neutral tone.

"Tawny? Tawny? Is that you? It’s me Lilly!"

"Lilly?" I query startled.

"Yeah it’s me! Am I glad to hear your voice!" Lilly gushes excitedly.

When you make the call to her at least one of us will have to be with you…

"Lilly I’m sorry but this is a really bad time. Can you call back tonight, say nine o’clock?" I ask firmly, "You can, good. Speak to you then," I hang up the phone without having given her a chance to speak or object. I turn it off and watch happily as my uncle’s vehicle comes into view at the end of the trees and heads towards the quarters.

"He’s your Dad’s uncle right?" Sam asks beside me and I start nervously, I hadn’t heard him approach in my preoccupation with watching my uncle arrive.

"Yeah but he’s been almost like a grandfather to me not just an uncle," I tell him then turn my full attention on my uncle as he stops his vehicle, undoes his seat belt and opens his door with a quick glance at those around me.

"Uncle!" I say the word and make the hand motion for it at the same time, I step towards him with a warm smile.

"Tawny, you are looking … well." Unca tells me with a reserved smile.

Micah’s story:

Rosy is happily greeting her uncle when I walk up, they are talking in a combination of signing and speech. I can’t help but notice both of them seem restrained and I don’t have to ask why judging by the way Don Caruthers looks pointedly at Rosy’s obvious pregnancy.

"I see your Uncle has arrived," I say as I walk up to the small group that has formed.

"Yes he has thank you Micah." Rosy says evenly. I wince inwardly hating her guarded tone.

"Is he the one?" Don asks, his hands moving rapidly as he speaks.

"No, it wasn’t him." Rosy says quietly.

"I sincerely hope I am going to get to speak to the one who has caused you to shame and dishonour your family in this way," Don says firmly not bothering to sign the words. I hear the low growls come from those around me and suddenly I wish that the sounds were not beyond the range of human hearing.

"All of our kitts/ babies are greatly valued. If there is any shame attached to the pregnancy it belongs to the male responsible not Rosy!" Sam tells him tightly.

"Rosy, as in your middle name?" Don asks with a slight smile before turning a stern look on Sam, "You are one of the brothers, yes?"

"Yes I’m Sam Rosy’s oldest brother," Sam says taking a step forward and extending his hand. I watch as Don shakes his hand as he runs his gaze over him swiftly.

"I’m Mitchell her other brother," Mitchell says stepping forward to shake Don’s hand, Dacey securely held on his hip.

"And who might this handsome young man be?" Don asks with a smile, a fondness for children showing clearly.

"This is Dacey, one of my sons." Rosy says without hesitation. Don spares Rosy a quick glance before turning his attention back to Dacey and holding out his hands to him.

"Come here my child," I am not surprised when Dacey reaches eagerly for Don’s hands.

"Me T … T … Terry," Terry says clearly and Don stops to smile down at the serious little face.

"I am your Unca Dunka," Unca tells him in a kind tone as he smiles at him then glances past him at Jazzy. "Well if it isn’t my former patient. You certainly are looking much improved my dear young lady,"

"Hallo Unca Dunka," Jazzy says with a warm smile, "Thank you for treating me and enabling me to live a normal life." Her words are softly spoken but clearly heart felt.

"It is not I who you should be thanking. Tawny insisted on my coming here to treat you even though she had grave concerns as to being around the males here. It appears she had good cause to be concerned," Unca states with a displeased glance towards Rosy. "There must be some place we can sit down and talk, in consideration of Tawny’s condition."

"In the quarters here. Sam, Mitchell and I will be there as well. We might be able to answer a few simple questions you are sure to have. You have to understand there is a lot we will not tell you to ensure the safety of our kind." I tell him firmly.

"That does not come as any surprise but I must insist my two new nephews come inside as well so I may get to know them," Don says in a serious tone.

"I’m coming too, Rosy will need someone to keep an eye on the boys so she can visit with her uncle." Jazzy announces firmly. This immediately gets a low growl from Rosy along with an angry look she directs at Jazzy.

"Well let us go inside, Tawny looks poorly and would probaly benefit from sitting down. Come child you look as if they haven’t given you a proper feed in weeks," Don says holding his arm out. Rosy hooks her hand in the crook of his elbow and we follow Jazzy and Terry inside with Sam and Mitchell bringing up the rear.

"I wasn’t here for a while and I wasn’t … you might say I wasn’t well." Rosy says evenly.

"If you two are indeed Tawny’s brothers where were you during this time?" Don demands with a frown as he glances over his shoulder at Sam and Mitchell.

"We weren’t able to help our sister. We had to hope someone else could," Sam says in a hard tone. Don gives a slight snort of disbelief but I can tell the reply has mollified him slightly.

"Do you want to sit in the lounge room or at the table?" I ask evenly.

"Lounge room, Tawny should be most comfortable there." Don states firmly and moves around to the front of the lounge. Rosy sits where he indicates and he sits down leaving room for the two boys to climb onto the lounge if they wish. Sam perches on the arm of the lounge beside Rosy while Mitchell and I move lounge chairs to face the lounge while Jazzy settles herself on the floor.

"Oh! Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?" Jazzy asks as she poises to get to her feet.

"I am fine thank you," Don tells her with a smile before turning his gaze on Rosy. "Tell me how you came to be a mother to two fine boys."

"Rosy and I were engaged, we had a misunderstanding and she broke the engagement off. It was an complicated situation and it was decided Rosy would be better off elsewhere," I state flatly, "Rosy was staying with a widower who had a couple of boys."

Don signs in sharp motions.

"Yes," Rosy answers evenly. Don continues to sign briskly and Rosy’s hands fly without a word passing her lips. No one speaks for several minutes and I clear my throat noisily, Rosy starts visibly and gives me a nervous look and Don frowns at me.

"That reminds me I have a box of Rosy’s mothers belongings in the front of my vehicle. Would someone younger be kind enough to retrieve them for me?" Don asks.

"I’ll get them," Mitchell says getting to his feet quickly and heading outside.

Rosy begins signing again without vocalising the words.

"I have to insist you both speak so all of us can understand the conversation," I say firmly with just the slightest hint of disapproval in my tone.

This time it is Rosy who begins the quick hand movements of sign language and conversation flows between her and Don.

"Rosy!" Sam warns sternly.

"I got the box. There’s quite a lot of stuff in it," Mitchell announces as he comes to the lounge room door. I watch as he brings the box over and places it beside Rosy on the lounge before returning to his chair. Rosy glances at it with clearly restrained curiosity.

"Aren’t you going to look through it?" Mitchell asks with an element of excitement. I’d forgotten Mitchell and Sam had little or no memories of their mother.

"Tawny might like to look through it privately. The day after Tawny was born Jeddah did say she would want these items to go to Tawny personally if anything were ever to happen to her." Don says evenly.

"Must be maternal clan items," Jazzy says helpfully. "There are some things that are passed from mother to daughter exclusively."

"Such as?" I inquire.

"Record and deed of the clan territory, marriage certificates, birth certificates, warrior contracts and records. But Jeddah would have left them behind with Ray," Sam says.

"Are you sure of that?" Don asks seriously.

Rosy begins looking through the box’s contents with interest, beneath five diaries are a lot of loose sketches and she takes them out to look at them with interest. Rosy pulls out a picture I recognise, a picture of a much younger Marissa, playing at her feet are two young boys as she rubs the small of her back displaying the rather large rounded swell of a growing kit within her.

"Jeddah and Marissa knew each other?" Rosy asks as I looking at me.

"They were born within hours of each other which is unusual and they were best friends until Jeddah disappeared. When it became obvious Jeddah wasn’t returning Marissa offered to take Sam and Mitchell in," I explain quietly. I catch Rosy’s quick glance towards Terry and Dacey who are playing with toys on the floor at Don’s feet and I realise Ray and her brothers would have been facing a fate similar to Alan Cummings. Find another she kitt or queen or face a hostile take over by another clan, or was that what had happened on friendly terms?

Rosy puts aside the photo and continues looking through the others, near the bottom of the pile she takes out a piece of paper and shows the drawing to both her brothers.

"Hey! That’s …" Mitchell’s voice chokes up and he falls silent, Sam moves to stand beside Mitchell and rests a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, that’s us." Sam says his voice gruff.

I glance at Rosy to find she is holding a photo in a frame and studying it closely. I get up and move so I can see the picture that causes Rosy to stroke the glass lovingly. I see a man who strongly resembles Don but there are traces of a darker skinned race in his image as well, and a woman in whose face I can see both Sam and Mitchell. He stands behind her, his arms around her while she looks back over her shoulder at him love shining clearly on both their faces.

"Jeddah left Ray to be with Harry didn’t she," Rosy states firmly and I glance between her and Don.

"That’s ridiculous!" Mitchell exclaims angrily jumping to his feet, "Jeddah was a werecat! She would never have left her husband for a human!" He glares at Rosy even when Sam pushes him back down into the chair.

"Jeddah claimed to be one quarter human, she said it is clearly noted on her birth certificate." Don says gently.

"Is the birth certificate in here?" Rosy demands and begins digging through the box quickly.

"There’s several significant papers wrapped in the black fabric and secured by the ribbon," Don tells her and Rosy is quick to pull the small parcel from the box. She undoes the ribbon and opens the fabric to reveal four pieces of paper. Carefully Rosy unfolds the top one and I stare down at the birth certificate.

"It looks real don’t you think Micah?" Jazzy asks from where she kneels in front of Rosy.

"Yeah," I say quietly, "The stamp and seal look authentic."

"Jeddah’s mother is marked as a stray!" Jazzy says jumping to her feet, "I’m going to get Marissa she’ll know if it’s true!"

I watch as Jazzy rushes from the room before turning my attention back to the papers Rosy is looking through. The next one lists clan members under her grandparents. The next is headed Deed and Title to Clan Territory 5 and beneath that is a map showing the borders of the territory.

"Female strays have a spotted coat like a leopard, males often have small white markings. It would explain your rosettes," Sam says quietly.

"Jeddah had a pale underbelly marked like a leopard and a small patch of golden hairs beneath her jaw," Don states evenly. Mitchell growls low and angry in his throat and Rosy glares at him baring her teeth feraly.

"Sam take Mitchell outside for a few minutes!" I order as I move to stand between Mitchell and Rosy. Mitchell has always been very protective of the reputation of his mother. Don is watching us all, his eyes flitting from one face to the next as he tries to follow what is going on.

"Did that young chap growl?" Unca asks.

"You heard it?" I demand startled.

"Felt it, a low vibration in my hearing aide." Don explains. Rosy turns her head to look at me startled and I raise my eyebrows at her as Sam forces Mitchell out of the room.

"So would you care to tell me how you became engaged to my niece and why she broke the engagement off?" Don asks seriously and Rosy groans and hides her face.

"Unca!" She complains.

"We met over a year ago and Rosy had visited several times then began to hang around. I guess you could say thought we had something special going between us. Then we had an argument over some silly little thing and Rosy decided she didn’t want to marry me." I explain to Don giving him the barest details.

"I answered a phone call from Lilly and he took it badly, thought she was a threat to our relationship or something. It all got blown out of proportion, I ended up having serious doubts and … everything went bad from there." Rosy says stiffly without looking at either of us.

"Ah Miss Lilly," Unca says with a trace of fondness. "That girl has been trying to kick up trouble. Keeps telling me your boyfriend is nasty and has done something to you, wants me to report you as a missing person." Don says evenly and I look at him startled.

"She what?" I demand with worry.

"Harry taught Rosy what he could of what Jeddah told us she would need to know, and since she has survived on her own since his death I thought it best not to interfere especially since she had found … friends," Don explains gently.

The screen door squeaks its warning of newcomers and I glance towards the doorway, Jazzy enters followed by Marissa, Wade, Sam and finally Mitchell.

"I told Marissa Jeddah reckoned she was part human …" Jazzy begins eagerly.

"Enough Jazzy," Wade cuts her off gently. "Hallo Mr Caruthers,"

Don stands and shakes Wade’s hand, "Mr Williamson, Mrs Williamson a pleasure to see you again Ma’m."

"Can I see Jeddah’s birth certificate? Jazzy said you have some questions," Marissa says softly with a quick glance at the boys where they are playing happily.

"Jeddah’s mother is labelled a stray," Rosy says as she hands her the piece of paper.

"Rosalind, Rosa as she preferred to be called, was a stray. She was fortunate enough to be found by clan warriors mere days after she first changed. She was wondering in bushland naked and confused. Unsure of what had happened and how she had got there," Marissa says softly as she studies the certificate, "I believe this is Jeddah’s birth certificate. Where did you get it?"

"Let me have a look," Wade says reaching for the certificate.

"Jeddah left it with Harry and myself for safe keeping. I waited for Rosy to come to me with questions about what she was before giving it to her," Don explains.

"I can imagine it would have been hard for you or your nephew to explain to Rosy exactly what she was," Wade comments.

"Harry taught Tawny all he knew of bush skills and living off the land, he was trying to find the right time to talk about her heritage." Don says evenly.

"I’m guessing this has some value," Rosy says with a glance at Sam, he moves to her side and looks down at the paper.

"The original Deed of the clan Territory Jeddah inherited! I guess you inherit it now," Sam says in surprise.

"As Jeddah’s only living daughter Rosy inherits all that was Jeddah’s," Marissa says firmly as she moves around to the front of the lounge to look at the deed.

"I guess we now know how come Rosy has rosettes in her coat," I say with a sense of satisfaction.

"So what does this mean? And I am sure it changes things somehow," Rosy says looking towards Sam and Mitchell who is just behind his shoulder. "I want to stay where my brothers are, I have all along."

"Good, you won’t be taking the clan kitts away then!" Jazzy announces a hint defiantly. I frown angrily at her but remain silent as I hear Rosy hiss angrily.

"Jazzy is impatient to become a mother," Rosy tells Don in a strained voice.

"And you are the one who always avoided children and swore you would never marry a male or have children," Don says a touch sadly.

"I don’t want to talk about it!" Rosy snaps immediately.

"Can I ask if the change from human to cat can be executed at will? When ever the person or cat wants?" Don asks as if recognising the need for a change of subject.

"Yes it can be done at will as long as the individual has had or will have plenty of food to replace the energy it takes to change forms." Wade tells Don seriously, "Would you like to see a change between forms?"

"Yes if you don’t mind. I imagine it will be very interesting and educational," Don says delighted.

"Mitchell," Rosy says without even a look in his direction.

"I don’t know why I should perform like a trained animal for a human," Mitchell mutters even as he begins striping, "We have to remove our clothes each time or they would be ruined and we would soon have to buy an entire new wardrobe." There is a thread of disrespect in Mitchell's voice and a low growl comes from Rosy.

"Rosy’s Uncle can detect growls," I say when Don glances towards Rosy raising a hand towards his small almost invisible hearing aide.

"Interesting," Wade says thoughtfully and looks towards Mitchell where he is dropping to his hands and knees in full view of everyone.

"Rosy hasn’t gotten used to the fact that being naked or only partially dressed is a natural and normal state for us," Jazzy tells Unca with a smile, "She goes into another room or out of sight to strip and change forms."

"It’s not uncommon for the guys, or toms, to walk around without shirts on here at home and when they want to shape-shift and become a cat they start undressing where ever they are," Rosy tells Don levelly.

"Maybe it is an adjustment you will need to make to be more one with your true nature," Don offers.

"I think it’s a matter of trust and Rosy has had a lot to put into its proper context over the years," Sam says with a kind glance but Don seems too busy watching as Mitchell begins his change to take notice of what Sam said.

"Amazing!" Don breathes almost reverently when Mitchell stretches and yawns fully transformed into a large cat. "A magnificent looking … tom? Is that the correct term?"

"Yes tom is correct," I say evenly as Mitchell walks over to Rosy and rubs his head affectionately against her knees purring loudly.

"The bond between siblings is always very strong and is well developed between Rosy and her brothers even though they grew up apart," Wade tells Don as Rosy scratches down Mitchell’s spine after allowing him to rub his face against hers.

"Rosy do you want to change forms to show your uncle your cat?" I ask.

"No, no, another time. Rosy needs to save all her energy and strength for the child she carries," Don is quick to object.

"It is starting to become a strain when I change," Rosy admits quietly. Mitchell grunts and rubs his head against her hands, she scratches behind his ears before pretending to pull them very gently. He huffs slightly before moving to stand in front of Don presenting his shoulder for touching.

"Mitchell is giving you permission to touch him," Jazzy says smugly.

"A firm but gentle touch and scratching behind the ears or shoulder blades feels good," Sam tells Don as he reaches out to lay his own hand on the shiny black fur.

"If you will excuse me I’ll just go make use of the toilet," Rosy says when Don is happily stroking Mitchell's soft fur.

Rosy looks awkward as she leans forward and eases closer to the edge of the lounge. She lurches to her feet in an ungainly manner and sways, I reach towards her but she is suddenly falling.

"Shit!" Sam exclaims. He moves fast, his motion more like a blur as he manages to move forward and catch his sister before she hits any of the furniture or the floor.

"Mama!" Both Terry and Dacey cry in alarm but Jazzy has them both securely and I thank goodness Rosy can’t see it as Jazzy cuddles them close.

"It’s okay, everything will be okay," Jazzy murmurs soothingly.

By the way both boys respond to her it is clear she has been sneaking in time spent with them. I make a mental note of this worried there will be trouble between her and Rosy over it.

"I’m laying Rosy on one of the beds in the sleep out," Sam says as he settles her in his arms and turns towards the hallway door.

"I’m calling Doc," I say worriedly as I pull my phone from my shirt pocket. Doc might not be here but he can still advise us on any trouble to watch for.

I listen to the ringing on the other end of the line and I am relieved when Doc answers quickly.

"Yeah Micah, what do you need?" Doc asks.

Rosy’s story:

The feel of something cool and damp on my face brings me around and I open my eyes cautiously, not sure for the moment where I am. I move slowly careful not to make myself dizzy and reach up to take the cool washcloth from my forehead.

"Take it easy Rosy, you passed out." Sam tells me quietly, he is sitting on the edge of the bed watching me anxiously. I glance around and find I am on one of the beds in the sunroom with everyone who had been in the lounge room gathered around close by watching anxiously.

"Do you want to try sitting up?" Marissa asks and I turn my head to look at her where she stands beside the bed.

"Just give me a minute," I say quietly.

"Still feel a bit woozy?" Marissa asks.

"Yeah type of," I admit and take a deep breath to try to clear my head properly.

"You’re lucky your brother has quick reflexes," Unca tells me, "He caught you before you hit the chair you were headed for."

"Do you need to have something to eat or drink?" Marissa asks. "Micah rang Doc and he said while most likely it’s nothing to worry about, as long as you didn’t hurt yourself, you may need to eat or drink more often."

"No I still need to go for a walk first but I think I might have a cup of tea and something to eat afterwards," I say lightly and hold my hand out towards Sam.

"Want to sit up?" Sam asks.

"Yeah just slowly but," I warn and he slips his arm behind my shoulders to ease me into a sitting position, I sit still for a minute or more before glancing at Sam.

"Want to stand up?" Sam asks.

"Yeah," I agree and let Sam swing me around so my legs hang off the edge of the bed, another minute or so and he holds me securely as I ease down to stand on my own feet.

"You feel okay?" Mitchell asks anxiously and I smile at him where he stands beside Jazzy wearing only his jeans.

"I feel right as rain, wouldn’t know I fainted like some sissy." I mutter self-consciously.

"Don’t worry about it, I fainted quite often when I was carrying Dwayne." Marissa tells me gently. "I’ll go make a pot of tea and coffee and Jazzy can come make us all some sandwiches."

"Curried egg and some tomato and cheese sandwiches as well," I put in the request with a quick glance at Unca.

"I’ll make plenty because Dacey and Terry love them as well," Jazzy tells me as she follows her mother towards the kitchen. I watch her go with narrowed eyes, how does she know my boys love tomato and cheese sandwiches?

"Mitchell and I will look after the two boys while Sam keeps an eye on you. I don’t want you chancing another fall," Micah tells me firmly.

"Shall we go to the lounge room Don?" Wade asks with a look at Unca.

"Might as well Wade. If I know my niece she won’t want an audience while she is made do as she’s told." Unca says with a smile for me before heading back towards the lounge room. Wade glances at me with a worried look before following Unca from the room.

"Your uncle seems like a good person," Micah says before following his father, Dacey and Terry on either hip.

"You going to do as Sam tells you?" Mitchell asks me sternly.

"I don’t intend to end up on my face on the floor so don’t worry," I tell him with a smile in an attempt to soothe his worry.

"Well do as Sam tells you," Mitchell warns before turning and walking away. I let Sam walk me to the toilet door and wait outside while I tend to the necessities before opening the door and coming out so he can escort me to the bathroom to wash my hands and face.

"Feel better?" Sam asks seriously.

"Quite normal but you can walk me to the lounge room, I don’t want to find out I can pass out a second time." I tell him with a rueful smile. Sam slips his arm around my waist and walks me to the lounge room, this time I seat myself in a chair and when Sam slips a kitchen chair beneath my feet I don’t complain.

"Do they always look after you so well?" Unca asks with an amused smile.

"Yes and it can be quite annoying," I tell him honestly. "So how is everything back home?" I ask to change the subject.

"I have had to take on a full time assistant to try to keep up with the work load," Doc tells me, "You haven’t told me how you met your brothers and these other werecats."

Micah begins explaining about strays in simple terms and I sit, listen and watch as he and Sam tell of how I was found, although they cut a lot of the harsh reality out leaving a less terrible story of how I came to know them. As they talk Marissa and Jazzy bring in sandwiches and drinks and we all eat as the long involved story is told. Unca is soon asking questions about different aspects of the way of life, he seems to have a second sense about what will be answered and clearly is earning the respect of the toms present.

The banging of the screen door startles us all and Mitchell glances at his watch in surprise.

"What’s for lunch?" Dwayne asks as he leads the way into the lounge room followed by Donovan, Malcolm, Timny, Chris, Kirby, Steven, Mikkarl and their sister Celeste.

"Where are the others?" Mitchell asks.

"The hay bailer has a broken belt. Callum and Justin went into town to pick up a new one and some twine to load in the bailer," Steven answers.

"Would your surname be Willoughby by any chance? Do you know a Peter Willoughby?" Unca asks and I glance his way to see the knowledge in his eyes, he gives a faint smile and nod, "Now I know how to get a message to Tawny if I ever have the need."

"Pete is Steven’s brother," Micah acknowledges guardedly.

"A wonder you didn’t meet these fine people before you did," Unca says.

"See Stray, your uncle is a smart person. He called us fine people," Malcolm says with a smile.

"Stray?" Unca asks with interest.

"It’s one of many nicknames I’ve collected. At first I was believed to be a stray, a hybrid. Half werecat and half human," I tell him with a shrug.

"How did you find out that you were related to your brothers?" Unca asks.

"I was grabbed, sat on or held down and drugged so blood could be taken when I mentioned Jeddah’s name when I was questioned who my parents were," I say flatly with a displeased glance that takes in most of the toms.

"They should have asked," Unca says with disapproval.

"Rosy was asked but she was very much against it," Sam says with a frown at me.

"At that stage why would I have wanted to be a werecat? I’d had mostly bad experiences with them until you guys found me and you never gave me time to get used to the idea," I say curtly.

"It’s in the past now child, you should make your peace with it." Unca tells me solemnly. I frown at him but make no further comment and Unca smiles.

"This niece of mine is very wilful and stubborn but has good sense when allowed time to think for herself," Unca tells Sam.

"We’ll have to remember that," Steven says crossing his arms over his chest as he gives me a grin.

"Unca, you have no idea how terrible these toms really are. Jazzy doesn’t realise it because she hasn’t seen any different but they try to dictate to us something fearful," I tell him seriously.

"I am sure you handle it well," Unca says comfortingly. I roll my eyes and smother my snort of annoyance as I realise my Unca seems to think that the toms only act in the best of intentions.

"Steven, Malcolm, Mikkarl, lets get to work making lunch." Dwayne says firmly before continuing to the kitchen with Jazzy and Celeste following them.

The enticing smell of cooking food soon fills the air and it isn’t very long before Dacey and Terry head towards the kitchen and are pulling out chairs to sit at their table with Jazzy fusing over them. Micah excuses himself to go and check what they are about to eat.

I don’t think he has given up on a relationship with you Unca signs silently and I frown as I look away avoiding his gaze to prevent having to answer.

"Where you saying something important?" Mitchell asks politely.

"I was just apologising to Tawny that I will have to leave soon as my time is limited today," Unca says keeping his words to me private.

"Lunch is almost cooked," Dwayne calls from the kitchen.

"Mikkarl has done a warm chickpea and avocado salad as well as a warm egg and potato salad," Jazzy says.

"Vegetarian?" I ask.

"That’s what Jazzy said to do," Mikkarl answers, "Wade, Marissa, would you care to sit at the table? Rosy would you and your uncle like to take a seat at the table?"

Wade, Marissa, Sam, Micah, Mitchell, Unca and I seat ourselves at the table and I glance at the two boys where they are seated at a table more suited to small children, they are eating hungrily while Jazzy stands nearby watching them.

"Come and sit down Jazzy," Mitchell tells her and she sits beside him leaning close to sneak a kiss as Dwayne, Malcolm and Steven begin placing salads and seared chicken breasts in the centre of the table. The food looks and smells delicious but I’m not really hungry and have to force myself to eat so that no one fusses and tries to get me to eat. Conversation flows around the table and I glance from face to face from beneath my lashes trying to tell the reactions of the different ones.

It’s late afternoon and I wake from my afternoon nap my body aching. My uncle had left for home before the boys and I had lain down after extracting the promise from Sam and Mitchell that they would contact him when the baby was born. Unca’s visit had went well, all here seemed to like him and Mitchell had extended an invitation for my uncle to visit in the near future or after my baby was born.

I glance around my bedroom as I listen intently for any noise from the boys, hearing only silence I take my time getting up and manage it without any threat of fainting. I make use of the toilet before heading out towards the lounge room noticing the boys asleep on one of the beds in the sunroom.

"What time is it?" I ask as I walk into the lounge room where Steven, Micah, Mikkarl and Sam are sitting around and obviously had been talking.

"It’s not even three thirty, can’t you sleep?" Sam asks as he looks at me in concern, I had been lying down under an hour.

"I slept a bit but I couldn’t get comfortable," I say with a shrug as I move around to sit in one of the chairs.

"Make yourself comfortable on the lounge, maybe you’ll fall asleep here." Steven invites as he and Mikkarl move off the lounge.

"I don’t feel like it," I say irritably as I manage to put my feet up the arm rest of an adjacent chair and wriggle until I am satisfied I am as comfortable as I am going to get.

"Want a foot massage?" Steven offers with a good-natured grin.

"No," I frown at him.

"Well I did offer," Steven says with a smile and shrug.

"Mikkarl was telling us you got a call from her," Micah says levelly but I can hear the strain in his voice from keeping his tone neutral.

"Lilly, her name is Lilly." I say tightly with an angry glance at Mikkarl.

"You’ll be in here when you take the call," Micah says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Fine!" I snap then take a deep breath as I try to calm my anger down, when I speak again my tone is more reasonable. "I would have told you about the phone call myself but my uncle was arriving and then after he left all I wanted was to have a sleep …" I let out a tense breath as I glance his way and drop my gaze submissively. I hear him give a slight snort but I can’t tell if he is angry with me or not.

"Just make sure you’re in here when that call is due," Micah says his tone neutral once again.

"I intend to be, I’m not taking any chances with the safety of my boys," I say as I glance down at my stomach as I put a hand on it, "I don’t want anyone thinking I’ve said something I shouldn’t have."

"What will it take to put you in a friendlier mood? You don’t want a foot massage so how about a back rub?" Micah asks forcing a cheerful note into his voice.

"How about a nice sweet hot chocolate with a shot of bourbon in it?" I ask as I glance at him from the corner of my eye.

"Should you be drinking alcohol when you’re pregnant?" Steven asks with a stern frown.

"Probably not," I admit with a shrug.

"Is there something else you’d like then?" Micah asks and I immediately think of a warm hard body cradling mine as I lay naked between cool crisp sheets.

"Oh for shit’s sake I was only joking!" I snap as I get to my feet hurriedly and head to the kitchen to get myself a glass of cool water, I lean against the sink as I drink a few mouthfuls before tossing the rest of the water into the sink in irritation. Not being able to rest is getting to me I realise and glance back over my shoulder at the toms regretfully, I want to make things right between the clan and I but all I am doing is snapping and snarling at them like a crazed stray.

"I’m making myself some hot chocolate without the bourbon, anyone else want some?" I ask forcing a friendly note into my voice.

"You sit down and I’ll …" Micah starts to say but breaks off and takes a deep breath, "Would you like to sit down and relax? I can make your drink for you."

I look at him and see him glancing between Sam and Steven, it doesn’t matter where the idea came from just the fact Micah is trying to make things easier between us helps a lot.

"Sit down and relax? I don’t think that’s possible but sit down and take it easy, yeah. Thanks," I say and move to a chair at the table to sit down. I know I made a smart decision as the four toms come into the kitchen, Sam has a wide smile on his face as he sits opposite me and both Steven and Mikkarl are clearly happy as they set about making themselves drinks while Micah makes mine.

"You still got a name picked out for the kitt?" Sam asks with interest, "It’ll only be a couple of weeks and he’ll be here."

"Bastard!" I snap angrily. "I’ll call it Bastard!"

The silence that suddenly descends on the kitchen is shattered when Mikkarl slams his mug down on the bench breaking the mug.

"Hey! You don’t have to convince us about whatever you plan to call the kitt, he’ll be born into our clan and we get to help raise him." Sam says sounding strained and when I glare at him he tries to force a smile.

"Looks like everyone is stuck with the little Bastard!" I snarl angrily. There are more angry hurtful words I want to throw out at the world but suddenly my teeth are clenched tightly closed.

Don’t, don’t, don’t, I feel the gentle touch of her in my mind. The softness of her fur, the calm she tries to pour into me. Stop it, you’re hurting our brother and friends.

I don’t look away from the tabletop as Micah walks out of the kitchen. I feel what little I managed to eat for lunch turn over in my stomach and threaten to come back up. The smell of his pain washes over me as he passes by my chair and suddenly I feel ashamed of myself.

There is a strained silence for what feels like hours but in reality is probaly only a minute or two before Steven clears his throat noisily.

"I guess nothing we say will make a difference," Steven says quietly. I glance his way not sure what to do or what to say and Steven grins at me.

"So much for you not liking being touched," Steven says and before I realise what he intends I find myself lifted to my feet and engulfed in his arms. I tense but he cuddles me close and nuzzles in against the side of my neck, and I smell his pain and confusion.

"Damn it’s good to have you back!" He holds me close for a few more moments before easing his hold on me and leaning back slightly to look down at me. I push away from him but don’t protest the way his hand lingers on my elbow as I step back.

"The boys are still asleep," Micah says as he walks back into the kitchen.

"You still want that drink of hot chocolate?" Micah asks and I glance his way to see him with a saucepan of hot milk waiting to pour it into a large mug.

"Yeah, I’ll drink it." I say after a moment’s hesitation.

When the drink is made Micah places it on the table and I eye it for a few moments before moving over to sit down and lift the mug into my hands. Warm steam rises out of the mug bringing the tantalising aroma of chocolate and cinnamon with it, I sip the warm liquid cautiously and give a sigh of pleasure as the warm sweet liquid slips down my throat.

"I have been thinking that we need to add another few rooms onto the quarters. Either that or build another house for Rosy and her kitts." Micah says his tone neutral.

"It’d be just as easy to build a couple of rooms onto the quarters," Mikkarl says.

"Could be more practical to build another house," Steven says evenly and I glance his way curious at the strange undercurrent in his voice.

"I’m going to make sure Jazzy isn’t cooking up some scheme and trying to get Marissa to go along with it," Micah says sounding strained, I watch as he heads outside leaving his hot drink untouched on the kitchen bench. When the screen door squeaks behind him Steven clears his throat and shifts from one foot to the other, he looks at me before glancing at Sam then back to me.

"No takers?" Steven asks and I glance between the three of them puzzled as both Sam and Mikkarl avoid looking at both Steven and me.

"Well it’s like this Rosy, Micah wants to build you your own house that you can move into." Steven tells me.

"But I want to stay here with my brothers!" I protest with a worried glance towards Sam.

"I’d be happy to move in to help you if need be," Sam says quietly without meeting my eyes.

"What aren’t you telling me?" I demand uneasily.

"Micah had held out some hope that you had returned to him as well as your brothers but after you rejecting him yesterday he’s accepted the fact it’s over between you both." Steven says quietly, "When you are ready to start a relationship with some tom Micah refuses to have it happening under his roof. If it’s someone here Micah will have a hard enough time not killing him when our cats are hunting."

"Micah doesn’t want me in the quarters anymore, he wants me to move out?" I say and I am startled that my voice sounds normal, that it carries none of the hurt and disbelief I feel.

"It’s for the best Rosy, if another tom were to mount you when Micah is in the same building Micah could loose control, just because he’s walking away doesn’t mean his feelings have changed." Sam says quietly. Too stunned to say anything I give a nod and turn my gaze towards the sunroom where I can hear the boys breathing softly in their sleep.

"Whatever," I finally manage and head towards the sunroom. It feels as if someone has driven their fist into my chest, grabbed hold of everything inside and ripped it out through a gaping hole leaving my chest empty and throbbing. It should hurt but it doesn’t and some corner of my mind keeps repeating that’s gonna hurt in a few moments, it’s really gonna hurt …

I make it to the sunroom before the first of the pain steals my breath and I force myself to take several deep breaths to steady myself.

"…She didn’t even blink, I could have sworn she was in love with Micah. I guess he knows her better than I thought," Steven is saying quietly.

"She’s changed. It’s like she keeps a distance between her and everyone except those boys. I don’t know what went on in her mind but she mistrusts everyone here." Sam says sadly.

"But she came back …" Mikkarl points out.

"She didn’t have anywhere else to go unless she changed into her cat and left those two little toms behind to be killed." Steven points out.

I need to get away I realise, away from where I can hear their voices. Away from being human and feeling my pain, away from not being able to breath without it feeling like every breath is burning through my chest. I retreat to my room and curl up on the bed, the unborn kitt moves sluggishly and I rest one hand against my stomach. Tears refuse to come but the burning pain remains and is slowly expanding as the burning intensifies. I stare at the shadows on the far wall not moving when someone walks past to the toilet and I remain motionless as they pause in the doorway on their way back to the other end of the quarters.

The soft patter of little feet disturbs me from my self-pity and I lift my head to look towards the door. Both boys are standing silently in the doorway but when they see I am awake they run towards the bed giggling, I smile as I sit up but am forced to lie down once again as the room swims sickenly.

"You two didn’t wake your Mummy up did you?" My stomach tightens at the sound of Micah’s voice and I force myself to sit up ignoring the slight dizziness that lingers.

"I was already awake," I say coolly.

"I was just making sure," Micah tells me as he hesitates just inside my bedroom door. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and pause a few moments, the last thing I want to do is end up passing out in front of Micah again.

"Pee-pee!" Dacey announces loudly and climbs off the bed to run from the room, Micah turns and follows him and after a moments hesitation Terry follows as well. I am on my feet and straightening the bedclothes when Micah and the two boys return, I carefully fluff my pillow before putting it back in place and turning towards the doorway. Footsteps announce the arrival of Mitchell in my doorway.

"You’re awake," He observes with a smile.

"You say it like you expect me to sleep all afternoon," I say quietly.

"You need to rest and take it easy," Mitchell says as he walks up to me and gives me a hug, I rub my face against his chest inhaling his scent before he releases me and steps back with a glance towards the doorway.

"Jazzy back?" I ask.

"Yeah," Mitchell answers warily.

"I was told she was helping with the last of the clothes for the boys, I wouldn’t mind seeing them all." I say with a grin as I head for the door.

Jazzy looks up with a cautious look as I enter the lounge room and I am hit by a pang of regret that I have become so prickly and hard to get on with, I miss the easy going attitude of the others that has been replaced with caution and restraint to avoid upsetting me. Things are still tense with Jazzy concerning the boys but I am finding she is extremely good with them.

Celeste is helping fold the clothes and I barely spare her a glance. Whenever we have been around each other she has done her best to blend into the background and avoid attracting my attention. I don’t get the sensation she is scared of me, it is more she does not want to convey any kind of hostility towards me. If I thought about it I might even think she was showing respect for my dominance and right to be on this clan territory.

"That the clothes for Terry and Dacey?" I ask evenly.

"Yes they’ve been washed and dried and are ready for the boys to wear," Jazzy says a touch defiantly.

"I want to get them some new clothes as well as these," I say as I sit in a chair beside the clothesbasket full of small clothes. I look at the clothes and note that even used and a few years old they are of a much better quality then the clothing the boys had had when they had lived with their father.

"Something wrong with them?" Jazzy demands with a slightly challenging note to her voice.

"No I’ve just noticed they are better than what they had before … before they came here," I answer levelly.

"What? Are you saying we waste money on fancy clothes?" Jazzy demands in a low tone with a quick glance towards the kitchen and then the hallway door to make sure she isn’t overheard.

"If you call warmer and better made fancy," I say dryly as I fast loose patience with Jazzy’s hostility.

"I’m sure Rosy didn’t mean anything nasty," Celeste says evenly. Jazzy gives a soft grunt of annoyance but remains silent as I look over some of the t-shirts and jumpers smiling when I recognise different logos and characters I remember from when I was growing up.

Terry and Dacey come running into the room followed by Micah and Mitchell. I smile as Dacey comes to me for a quick hug while Terry climbs onto Jazzy’s lap to plant a kiss on her cheek before they swap with Dacey hugging Jazzy and Terry giving me a quick kiss. Both giggle and hide their face when Celeste grins and winks at them and I am hard put to feel defensive she is in the same room as my boys.

"Mummummum," Dacey chants and I smile at him.

"What do you want Dacey?" I ask.

"Dacey Terry play ball, kick him?" Dacey asks clearly.

"That sounds like a marvellous idea, lets go find a ball and play kicks." I say with a grin.

"You’re not to go running around," Mitchell tells me from the doorway where he and Micah have been watching us. I roll my eyes but make no comment as both boys run to retrieve the ball they had played with before.

I follow the boys outside and watch as they begin to kick the ball around energetically, soon Malcolm, Kirby, Chris and Timny arrive from somewhere close to join Micah, Jazzy and Mitchell playing with the boys. I find a shady spot where I can watch the fun and toss the ball back if it comes my way and after a few moments hesitation I ease myself down to sit on the ground leaning back against the side of the building as I watch the game.

Celeste is sitting nearby and I can’t help noticing how she frequently finger combs her hair down over her face hiding the side with the bright, fresh new scars.

"Having fun?" Malcolm asks as he sits beside me slightly breathless.

"Yeah it’s good watching them, be better if I could play as well." I say with a soft sigh.

"Won’t be much longer before you can get back to doing normal things," Malcolm says soothingly and pats my thigh absently. I glance at him as he looks my way and he grins widely.

"How about I go knock that brother of yours off his feet for your?" Malcolm asks as he leans closer.

"Either get off your arse and play the game or piss off and do some work!" Micah yells tightly and both Malcolm and I start guiltily as we both glance towards where the others have paused in their game to look our way.

"What’s got him in such a bad mood today?" Malcolm mutters as he climbs to his feet.

"He’s being moron," I mutter under my breath.

"What?" Malcolm asks catching my words.

"Inness! Get your butt back in the game!" Micah yells angrily.

"If I didn’t know better I’d say he was jealous I was talking …" Malcolm stops muttering to himself as he glances down at me, "Want to kiss me better before I end up all battered and bruised? I’m going to get the crap pounded out of me anyway." he mutters softly with a devilish glint in his eye.

"You are asking for tr…" I start to say but Malcolm takes the opportunity to drop a kiss on my mouth lingering for a few moments even though it is only a chaste closed mouth kiss.

"Inness!" Micah roars angrily and Malcolm gives me a cocky grin before jogging over to where the others are standing watching us.

"Micah is so going to make Malcolm pay for kissing you," Celeste softly. I glance her way and she meets my eyes levelly.

"You know you keep blowing hot and cold?" Celeste asks with a tilt of her head. "One moment you seem to be encouraging Micah, the next anyone would swear you couldn’t care less about him."

I look away and watch as the game resumes. The fact that Celeste, an outsider, would come to that conclusion surprises me. I have been trying to neither encourage Micah nor discourage him. When Malcolm gets hold of the ball Micah takes him down in a bone jarring tackle leaving me wincing as Malcolm get to his feet slowly and limps back into position. The game continues for another ten or more minutes with Jazzy pulling the boys aside to sit in the shade under the tree and watch while Micah and Mitchell take on the other four toms in an uneven match.

I am starting to worry for Malcolm's health as both Micah and Mitchell target him hard when he has the ball and soon Chris, Kirby and even Timny start to play rougher as they back Malcolm against the other two toms. Half an hour and many hard body slams later I am relieved when one of the work vans returns with Dwayne, Justin, Donovan, Steven, Mikkarl, Sam and Callum in it. The game halts briefly as Sam speaks to Mitchell and I frown as Sam motions Mitchell to sit down with Jazzy and the boys as he strips his good jacket and shirt off leaving him wearing only his jeans and joggers.

"Looks like it’s going to be one hell of a game," Dwayne comments as he comes over to sit beside me, he nods towards where Steven and Mikkarl are stripping off like Sam and I glance at the players remaining on the field and see they have removed their shirts as well. Justin and Donovan are settling themselves near Jazzy and Mitchell while Callum heads inside the quarters.

"Hopefully there won’t be any broken bones," Dwayne says casually.

"Broken bones? I thought this was supposed to be a friendly game! I’m glad my boys aren’t playing now!" I say startled with a glance his way.

"So is it true? Did you kiss Malcolm?" Dwayne asks evenly as he looks me square in the eye.

"Did I … it wasn’t anything and Malcolm kissed me not the other way around! Besides you’ve kissed me, Donovan has and even Steven has kissed me exactly the same way!" I say startled.

"When you have been unattached? No. Malcolm was probaly stirring Micah, it’s the type of thing he’d do," Dwayne says with a grin. Dwayne glances across at Celeste, gives her a grin and winks at her. I am surprised to see her blush and look away before glancing back at him but his attention is back on the game.

I watch the game start up once again then grimace as both Steven and Mikkarl execute a late tackle on Malcolm taking him down heavily even though he had passed the ball.

"Looks like the lines have been drawn," Dwayne says quietly and I glance his way not understanding his comment but he takes no notice of me as he watches the game. The game continues for about ten minutes, the action fast and the tackles hard as each team takes down their opponent with vicious efficiency. Finally the inevitable happens, Micah and Steven take Malcolm down in a brutal tackle just in front of where the two boys sit with Jazzy and she jumps to her feet to drag them back from the action.

"Watch what your doing! You could have hurt one or both of the boys then!" Jazzy yells rounding on the three toms angrily.

I struggle to get to my feet, the bulk of my unborn child slowing me down and making movement awkward. Dwayne is on his feet swiftly and grasps me under my arms lifting me to my feet easily.

"Thanks," I murmur before stalking over towards where the three toms are still wrestling on the ground for possession of the ball, I draw my foot back and kick a jeans clad thigh angrily.

"Get away from my boys! You could have hurt them! Get away from them! All of you!" I yell at the three on the ground and watch as they break apart suddenly sheepish and climb to their feet.

"What the hell has gotten into you lot? You’re all acting like immature idiots! And you Micah! Is your behaviour a good role model for the boys? What did you say? Huh? I thought not, you got nothing to say for yourself!" I yell angrily without break or pause for an answer. I aim another kick his way before turning and walking over to where Jazzy has the boys well back from the action. I reach for Dacey’s hand leaving Terry holding Jazzy’s hand.

"Come on Jazzy and Celeste, since you’re about the only other ones showing some commonsense let’s take these two inside and see what we can make them for supper," I say tightly.

"Macho idiots!" Jazzy mutters as we pass through the players as they converge around the three who are brushing dirt and grass from their sweaty chests. Inside we settle the two boys in the lounge room with a container of building blocks and head for the kitchen where Callum is peeling vegetables.

"Go outside with the others and none of them idiots had better come inside before supper is ready!" I warn tightly when he opens his mouth to argue. Jazzy watches him leave with a wide grin and looks at me when we are alone.

"Timny sure looked good with his shirt off," She says with a smile.

"He has bulked up since I first met him," I admit.

"Kirby looks good too," Celeste says timidly and I glance her way with a faint smile.

"And Malcolm," Jazzy offers as she gets a knife from the draw and begins to cut up vegetables while I peel the potatoes.

"What about Mitchell?" I ask with a glance and catch Jazzy’s frown.

"Just checking out my options for when Mitchell has to go away on work and I can’t go with him." Jazzy says uncomfortably.

"Maybe I should check out Steven or Mikkarl then I might be able to work out if I want to be with Micah or not," I say without thinking.

"Why don’t you check out both of them? I bet they wouldn’t mind if it was at the same time either. Micah wouldn’t mind as much if you were with either of them, they’re not beneath you like Malcolm." Celeste says evenly.

"What is it about Malcolm? He’s a friend nothing more!" I say irritably.

"Why did you kiss him then?" Jazzy asks curiously.

"Again with the me kissing him! I’ll tell you what I told Dwayne! Malcolm kissed me. I did not kiss him and it was a friend thing not a kiss kiss!" I mutter in annoyance. Jazzy and Celeste begin laughing softly and I glance their way, they look at me and Jazzy tries to smother her laughter but the face she pulls makes me laugh and we all end up giggling and leaning against something.

"That’s it! I have to go to the toilet now!" I say with a gasp and head for the other end of the building.

Micah’s story:

The mattress is jammed up against the front of the lounge making a comfortable seat on the floor. I watch Rosy who is sitting between Sam and Steven leaning back against the lounge. She is picking at a roast meat sandwich without making any attempt to eat as she slowly shreds it into small pieces.

"Eat up, you didn’t eat any supper." Sam says firmly. This only seems to irritate Rosy as she pushes the plate away and shakes her head.

"I don’t feel like eating, it’s making me feel sick." Rosy complains as she puts the plate on the floor between Sam and her.

"You’ve got to eat, you’re not to neglect yourself just because you’re expecting a phone call." I tell her sternly. I grit my teeth as I think about who the expected phone call will be from.

"Leave Rosy alone Micah! Just putting up with your growling and angry glares would make anyone sick!" Jazzy fires up making me look her way in surprise.

"Eat up Rosy," Sam says firmly but gently.

Rosy lashes out suddenly, slapping the plate from his hand sending it flying as he tries to hand it back to her.

"Shit! There was no need for that!" Sam yells as he scrambles to his feet. Rosy hisses defensively as she cowers against Steven, her head turned to watch Sam cautiously.

"Sam, just clean it up and leave her." I say tightly. Things have been far from peaceful today and Rosy’s uncertain temper tonight is topping off a bad day.

"No more trouble from you Rosy, enough for one day!" I snap and Rosy answers with a growl low in her throat.

"Micah don’t you think you can bully Rosy!" Jazzy snarls in a controlled tone and glances towards the doorway and the sunroom where the boys have gone to bed for the night. "Rosy doesn’t have to eat if she doesn’t feel up to it or are you trying to make her be sick?"

I glance from Jazzy to Rosy and back again. I am surprised by Jazzy’s defence of Rosy. I watch as Steven puts an arm around Rosy’s shoulders and she leans back against his side as he pulls her against him gently.

"Forget about them and make yourself comfortable with me. Would you like lotion rubbed on your feet?" Steven asks as Mikkarl seats himself where Sam had been sitting.

"You might as well put some on them," Rosy mutters and sits up straight when he moves to take the bottle of lotion Dwayne hands him. Steven moves to sit by her feet and I am surprised when she lets him touch her feet without protest.

"They look much better but they are still dry," Steven says as he warms the lotion on his hands before beginning to massage it into her feet.

Rosy gives a soft contented sounding sigh and after a few moments she eases down onto her side tucking an arm beneath her head making herself comfortable.

"Want a pillow?" Mikkarl asks. Rosy nods and allows him to slip a pillow under her head replacing her arm as Rosy stretches out comfortably.

"Want a blanket as well?" Mikkarl asks.

"Might as well since I’m comfortable," Rosy says with a glance down where Steven is taking his time massaging the lotion into her foot. She smiles slightly as she puts her head back down.

"No complaints about having to get the lotion on your feet?" Steven asks lightly.

"Yeah, you missed a spot." Rosy tells him without moving.

"Where?" Steven asks amused.

"Don’t know, who cares, somewhere, so do my foot again." Rosy tells him mildly and I am not surprised to hear several others as well as him laugh softly.

Celeste takes the blanket I have sitting on my lap, it is a soft fluffy one from my bed that Rosy seemed to prefer while we were together. I watch as Celeste hands the blanket to Mikkarl to place it on Rosy. Rosy lifts her head and looks my way, I meet her eyes and she holds my gaze a few seconds before lowering her head to the pillow and relaxing once again.

Steven is working lotion into Rosy’s second foot when her phone rings making me start in surprise, I close my eyes for a few seconds. I almost get to my feet and leave the room as Rosy answers her phone and lifts it to her ear.

"Hallo Lilly," Rosy says quietly.

"Tawny! I didn’t think you would answer! Can you talk to me? He isn’t there is he? He’s not threatening you is he?" I can hear the hated voice demand in a frantic rush.

"Well obviously I did answer. Yes I can talk to you and who exactly is he so that I can answer your last two questions?" Rosy asks curiously.

"The guy you were seeing … Mike, Micah." Lilly sounds annoyed.

"Yes he is here and no he’s not threatening me," Rosy says as she glances at me. I turn my head to glare at Malcolm who has settled himself beside Jazzy, pretending not to be eves dropping on Rosy’s call.

"He’s too busy hassling someone else to bother me." Rosy says.

"Good! How are you? I’ve been out of my mind with worry! You had your phone off and when it was on you either didn’t answer or you turned it off when I was ringing! Or did one of those guys have it? Sam I think his name is, he claims to be your brother … he seems like a bossy bastard! I don’t trust any of them!" The questions pour forth until she pauses for a breath.

"Ever stopped to think I might not have answered because I didn’t want to talk to you?" Rosy ask quietly.

"But … but …" Lilly stammers.

"Sam and Mitchell are my brothers and frankly Lilly I am glad I found them, they’re great guys. As for the others here … would you believe it if I told you I am laying back on a mattress on the floor. Taking it easy, relaxing and getting the most heavenly foot massage?" Rosy says sounding almost … bored with the conversation.

"I … I … you’re really getting a foot massage?" Lilly asks and I can hear traces of hurt in her voice.

"Sure am, and I could probaly get a good back massage if I asked as well." Rosy says smiling at Steven who gives her a huge smile.

"So you get treated good by your boyfriend?" Lilly asks disbelievingly.

"There isn’t a boyfriend. Friends yes, and they all treat me real good. They’d spoil me rotten if I let them," Rosy says and I notice the strain in her face. Clearly this conversation is taking its toll on her.

"So there’s no-one there that you’d like to have jump your bones?" Lilly asks rather bluntly.

"Well Lilly, I am … eighteen days from the due date of my baby being born, at the moment I am that tired, that uncomfortable, if I even thought about doing the nasty with some guy I would probaly end up slapping his head off his shoulders just for harbouring the idea," Rosy says levelly with a pointed look in my direction.

I suddenly feel very stupid considering my earlier behaviour

"So you’re really pregnant - pregnant," Lilly says softly.

"Yeah I feel as if there isn’t enough room in my own skin for the baby let alone me," Rosy says as she lays back and closes her eyes looking exhausted. Her admission makes me feel even worse and I look away from her, from everyone in the room.

"I guess my making a fuss isn’t helping you any," Lilly says contritely.

"No it’s not," Rosy answers quietly.

"It’s just that I care about you, you do know I love you. Not like that! Not like before … but what we had was special you know, you’re still a good friend and I wouldn’t like to see anything bad happen to you." Lilly says with a rush and quickly winds down until she stops. "I want you to find someone special and be happy,"

There is silence for a second then a loud shriek and the sound of something breaking, I turn my head hurriedly to see what has happened. Rosy has thrown the phone at the wall with an angry shout.

"Go to hell!" Rosy screams and struggles to roll onto her hands and knees to get to her feet.

"Steady on there!" Steven calls.

"Rosy calm down!" Sam shouts.

"Rosy!" Her name is wrenched from me as Steven stops her as she is scrambling to her hands and knees. Rosy sobs as she slams her elbows into his unprotected ribs causing him to flinch and let go of her. Rosy rolls onto her back snarling as she opens her eyes, tears stream down her cheeks. She hits out with open hands landing hard slaps even as she kicks at Steven.

"That’s it, get mad with me." Steven says blocking most of her blows. "Let it out."

I watch shocked by the depth of her anger and pain. Finally she stops striking out at Steven and turns her face into the pillow. Beyond the room I can hear both boys crying softly while Jazzy and Mitchell murmur quietly to them. I get to my feet feeling useless and shell-shocked. I glance at Steven, he is gently examining Rosy’s hands and arms. I know when he is finished he will then move to her feet and ankles. I head for the sleep out to see if Jazzy has gotten the two boys settled and back to sleep.

"I’m taking the boys over to the house, they can’t stay here while she’s like that!" Jazzy says. She is pulling warm coats onto the two small boys who are trembling but have quietened down to soft whimpers.

"I don’t think that would be a good idea," I say firmly.

"I don’t care what you think Micah!" Jazzy snaps. "I am not leaving the boys where they could possibly be hurt the next time Rosy has a temper tantrum!"

Jazzy pushes past me, leading the boys by their hands. Mitchell steps in front of me as I go to stop her.

"I agree with Jazzy on this," Mitchell says. "The boys can’t be put at risk if Rosy gets upset again."

"No! She’s not taking my boys!" The angry screech jerks me around in time to see Rosy attacking Jazzy.

Rosy has slammed Jazzy hard against the hallway wall. Rosy has one hand around Jazzy’s throat, the other hand around one of Jazzy’s wrists squeezing to make her release Dacey’s hand.

"Let my wife go Rosy!" Mitchell roars but he hesitates in separating them.

I act almost without thought. I catch Rosy from behind, one arm around her lower ribs above the swell of her stomach. My other hand grasps the wrist of the hand she has around Jazzy’s throat. Jazzy’s eyes are huge with fright and her mouth opens and closes as she struggles to draw a breath but Rosy’s hold is tight cutting off her air supply. I feel the delicate bones in Rosy’s wrist grate against each other and hear her hiss of pain before I find the pressure point that makes her fingers release their hold.

"No! They’re my boys!" Rosy screeches as I finally manage to partly turn her away from Jazzy.

Sam is beside me as he reaches for Rosy’s other hand as Jazzy whimpers reaching for her trapped wrist. Rosy shrieks with fury and jerks violently in my hold, Jazzy screams in pain and then I am stumbling away as Mitchell gets between his sister and his wife. Rosy bucks wildly in my hold as she slams her heels into my shins. I grunt in pain but keep my hold as I stagger away a few steps.

"Nonononono!" Rosy screams.

"Just take the boys and go!" Mitchell orders Jazzy and I glance over my shoulder to see Jazzy moving towards me.

"Rosy the boys can’t stay here when you’re like this, you could accidentally hurt one or both of them." Mitchell snaps.

"They’re my boys! You’re letting her take my boys!" Rosy screams as she tries twisting towards Jazzy. I have no doubt that if Rosy where to get hold of Jazzy she would do her a serious injury.

"We can’t keep restraining her like that!" Sam protests worriedly.

"She’s not the one getting hurt and what are we supposed to do? Just let her go and have her attack Jazzy?" I demand angrily. "Mitchell take Jazzy over to the house but leave the boys here!"

"I’m taking the boys with me!" Jazzy snarls.

"Mitchell," I growl threateningly over Rosy’s screams. Mitchell glances between Jazzy and the boys and then at Rosy.

"I’m sorry Rosy," he mutters and then turns to help Jazzy carry the boys from the room.

"Mitchell!" I roar after him in outrage. I can only watch in disbelief as Justin, Donny and Malcolm follow after Mitchell. I hope someone has the commonsense to shut the security door behind them because I can’t hold Rosy indefinitely and when I let her go I know she will be after Jazzy with a vengeance.

"Let me go!" Rosy continues to yell and struggle. I feel tears of helplessness burn behind my eyes as I hold her.

"Everything’s secure, you can let her go." Malcolm says walking back into the sleep-out.

I hesitate a moment then let Rosy go, she pulls away from me and rushes down the hallway. I hear her anguished scream and know she has found she can’t open the security door that was installed when the quarters were secured as a giant cage when Wade first released her after she was punished. I head for the kitchen and find Rosy has beaten me there to find the small side door securely locked as well.

"I hate you!" Rosy screams at me.

"I’m sorry," I say thickly. "I’ll get them back for you,"

"I don’t believe you!" Rosy accuses as she begins crying.

"In the morning when things have calmed down, I swear I will get your boys back for you." I vow earnestly.

"If you cared about me even a little bit you wouldn’t have let your sister steal my kitts!" Rosy screams at me almost hysterically.

"Things got out of hand and I couldn’t stop Jazzy taking the boys but I will make sure they come back in the morning." I say firmly trying not to react to her out of control behaviour.

"You shouldn’t have stopped me making her leave my boys here!" Rosy snarls as she brushes at the tears running down her cheeks. "Stupid me I knew all along you’d side with what your sister wanted over what I wanted! I hate you! I wish I’d never met you!"

I don’t say anything as she storms past me heading for the hallway once again. I listen to her pounding on the security door, rattling it and finally her footsteps as she heads for the sleep out.

"There’s no way out unless one of us unlocks one of the doors," Sam says softly when Rosy can be heard sobbing loudly.

"No one is going to unlock either door unless Rosy is under control," Dwayne growls. "She is likely to kill Jazzy! You saw her!"

"The boys come back here first chance I get!" Sam snaps and I nod as he glances my way. He heads into the sleep out and I resist the urge to follow, I don’t want to upset Rosy any more than she already is and at the moment I seem to be her least favourite person.

I glance around to see who is left here. Steven, Malcolm and Dwayne are the only ones to stay here with Rosy besides Sam and I. With Timny, Chris, Kirby and Callum out on a short job that means Justin, Donny, Mikkarl and Celeste are over at the main house with Mitchell, Jazzy and the two boys.

"How about we go settle ourselves in front of the tv?" Steven asks in the silence that has filled the room. "Rosy might appreciate some quiet time at the other end of the building,"

Slowly we find seats and sit staring at the tv. I sit on the mattress in front of the lounge and try to ignore Steven who is sitting with his back to me beside me leaning back against my side. Malcolm finally settles himself on the lounge behind us and Dwayne stretches out, his legs hooked over my shins and his head near Steven.

It’s close to midnight when Sam walks out to the lounge room, I turn my head and watch him choose a spot to sit down.

"How is she?" I ask quietly.

"Pretty pissed off," Sam says and shakes his head. "Rosy um … she chucked the blanket, sheets, pillows and stuff off both yours and Steven’s beds in a pile in the far corner. Tipped your mattress off and sat behind it sulking for a while. I talked her into having a shower and now she’s pacing her room."

"I’ll go let her know I’ll have the boys back tomorrow morning," I say getting to my feet.

"If Rosy fires up at you just walk away Micah," Sam warns firmly. "It took a lot to calm her down."

"I just need to make sure she’s okay for myself," I admit. I can hear Sam muttering threats and warnings behind me as I head for the other end of the quarters but ignore him. I pause for a few moments before stepping into the doorway of Rosy’s bedroom. Rosy is facing the doorway with a wary look on her face and watches me as I push the hair back off my forehead.

I really need to get that hair cut

"I’m sorry I messed your room up," Rosy’s apology sounds stilted and I force a faint smile.

"You have plenty of reason to be upset," I tell her. "I am far from comfortable with Jazzy having the boys overnight as well."

Rosy turns away with an angry growl but soon glances back at me. "They’re my sons!"

"We’re watching some old movie out there if you’d like to come out and watch it with us," I offer not knowing what else to say to her.

There is a long awkward silence that stretches out between us and finally I turn away accepting Rosy has nothing to say to me. I’d once thought these silences between us would gradually disappear or become shorter and shorter, instead they had begun to grow in length.

"Are you really going to build a house and make me move into it?" Rosy demands with a rush as I go to walk away.

"You’re not going to be kicked out of the territory or made fend for yourself," I say quietly. "We both … we both need to be able to move on with our lives."

I speak without turning to face her, it’s easier that way. I stand waiting for her to say something, anything. I’ve almost stopped waiting for some kind of an answer or reaction from her.

"I don’t hate you," Rosy says whisper soft.

"That’s really nice to know," I say and look back over my shoulder at her. She is looking down at her hands as she wrings them and lifts them to rub her cheek against the back of one hand. I see the dark marks under her eyes and realise she is exhausted.

"How about I go and let you get some sleep?" I ask gently.

"Can we talk?" Rosy asks uncertainly.

"If you want. Can I come in and sit on the floor or something?" I ask leaving her the option of sitting on the bed without fear of me crowding her. Rosy nods and I move into her room to sit with my back against the wall nearly level with the end of her bed.

"What do you want to talk about?" I ask after a minute or two of silence.

"Don’t know," Rosy mutters and then glances my way.

"I want to apologise for my behaviour when we took you out to the stock paddock for a fresh kill." I tell her quietly. A soft snort of amusement comes from Rosy and I frown in confusion as she glances my way.

"You backed off when I said no," Rosy murmurs softly.

"I made an ass of myself." I admit and look away.

"Says who?" Rosy mutters as she begins pacing again. "The over protective big brother and the competition?"

"Yes and …" I trail off as I watch her through narrowed eyes. I am left to the realisation that Rosy hasn’t complained about my behaviour, it has all been Sam and Steven.

"Competition? Are you saying you’re interested in my partner? My best friend?" I ask tightly. The thought shocks me and I turn my full attention to Rosy, until now I had been glancing at her and looking away. To openly watch her for any length of time had always made her uneasy and defensive, I’m pretty sure it was because she had been use to being viewed as prey.

"The cat part of me looked," Rosy says defensively with a wary look my way. "Anyway you’re the one who sees him as comp…" She breaks off with a gasp as she leans against the far wall and turns her face away from me.

"Are you all right?" I ask worriedly as I get to my feet hurriedly. Already Rosy is straightening up as she rubs her swollen stomach with both hands, she glances my way and makes a faint noise of annoyance.

"This … this thing … moved and it hurt. It didn’t just move, it flung itself around as if trying to do the most damage it can!" Rosy says with a hiss.

"You used to love the kitt you’re carrying, you used to be happy you’re pregnant." I say sadly.

"And then I found out all anyone cared about was keeping this little bastard in the Williamson clan. Tell me did you ever care about me or were you just doing what everyone else wanted? Keeping this bastard part of the clan?" Rosy asks tightly.

"You’ve got …" I start to deny her accusation and set her straight but Rosy gives an angry growl.

"Go! Get! I want to be alone!" Rosy snaps and resumes pacing.

"Rosy you can’t …"

"Get out! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Rosy yells as she turns and takes several steps towards me. I head for the door, I don’t want to leave it like this between us but Rosy is upset and I can hear Sam heading our way in a hurry.

"I’m going and we can resume this conversation anytime you decide to," I say gently.

"What the hell have you done to my sister?" Sam demands angrily before he even comes into sight. I pause in the doorway as he comes up to stand toe to toe with me, anger clear in his face as he glowers at me.

"Get me out of here! I’m going to bed and if anyone disturbs me before I come out on my own I’ll have their balls for ear rings!" Rosy yells angrily behind me and I push past Sam as get completely out of her room.

"You go away as well! You didn’t stop Jazzy taking my boys! Tomorrow I am getting them back!" Rosy snarls furiously behind me.

"No Rosy, if you’re not acting normally you’re not going near Jazzy and the boys are staying at the house tonight." Sam tells her quietly. I wince even before I hear her shriek of fury and something hit the wall beside the doorway. Sam is quick to follow me along the sunroom and away from the bedroom.

"What the hell did you say to set Rosy off?" Sam demands behind me. "You’ve got her upset worse than before."

"I don’t know, but apparently it was something she feels very strongly about." I mutter quietly.

No one talks to me when I walk into the lounge room, I get a lot of disapproving looks but no one puts their thoughts into words. I glance at the clock and am surprised to see it is nearly one am. The conversation filled with a lot of silences had lasted longer than I realised.

"We need to get some sleep because tomorrow I have to work out how to get the boys away from Jazzy and back here," I announce firmly. I hear several of the others give snorts of disbelief but I ignore them as I look at the solitary mattress on the floor.

"I’m going to my room," I mutter and head back towards the sleep out. Steven falls into step beside me and Sam clears his throat behind me.

"Might be easier and quieter to bring a mattress and blankets out here," Sam says apologetically. "Rosy really done a number on your room,"

Rosy’s story:

"Hey Rosy, you awake? We’re hunting our breakfast, want to come?" Micah asks from the doorway of my bedroom waking me up from a half doze.

"Why can’t you just let me sleep?" I demand angrily as I lift my head and glare at him, "I have been up most of the night and you have to wake me up at the crack of dawn to see if I want to go hunting?"

"Sorry I just thought you might like to get out and stretch your legs," Micah says contritely.

"You thought? You thought? You didn’t fucking well think and that’s why you are here pissing me off!" I yell at him before rolling over with a loud huff and pulling the pillow over my head. I know I am being unreasonable but I can’t control the way my temper flew out of control at his appearance.

I am able to hear the faint sound as he turns to go and I listen to the faint distant sounds as the others follow him from the building. I pull the pillow off my head and give a faint sigh before tucking it beneath my cheek. It isn’t long before my unborn kitt stretches and kicks my ribs making me grimace as my stomach tightens. I roll onto my side and wait until the Braxton-hicks contraction passes before tossing the covers back and easing into a sitting position.

"That’d be right, got to go pee." I mutter as I get to my feet and head towards the bathroom.

After using the toilet the thought of a shower is mighty inviting and the thought of standing beneath the warm stream of water brings a smile to my face until I think of the reaction of the toms to cold showers after hunting. I head towards the kitchen to get myself a cool drink and see if there is anything in the fridge I might like to eat. A large glass of juice and a piece of toast later I head back to my room rubbing the small of my back where the weight of the baby I carry makes it ache almost continuously. I place my drink on the chair beside my bed before heading back to the toilet, advancing pregnancy has reduced the capacity of my bladder and frequent trips to the toilet are a must. I am not prepared for the amount of fluid that suddenly comes from me as I sit on the toilet or the unmistakeable smell of amniotic fluid that comes with it.

"Oh shit!" I exclaim as I realise my waters have broken. Instantly all the doubts concerning if the others want me or merely the kitt surface and I bite my lip as I get to my feet leaving my undies and boxer shorts in a pile by the toilet. I barely make it to the doorway before the first strong contraction hits me making me brace myself against the doorjamb and concentrate on breathing as the wave of pain washes over me.

In my room I fumble for my mobile phone but it slips from my fingers and falls behind the head of my bed as another wave of pain hits me tightening my stomach and delving down into my hips. I pant in the aftermath of the contraction studying where the phone lays out of reach, I continue to stand by the side of my bed for a few moments then I turn to the built-in wardrobe and pull my first aide case from it with trembling hands. There are things in it I will need when the time comes. I make it back to the bed and drop the case on the chair I have been using as a bedside cupboard before the next contraction hits making me brace myself with the chair and the edge of the bed. After the contraction has passed I look towards the door and the phone in the kitchen longingly but the intensity of the contractions and the short space between them tell me I have run out of time.

I manage to crawl onto the bed before the next contraction hits and then I alternate between gasping and gritting my teeth as I brace myself on my hands and knees. My body takes control of my mind and I bear down intent on expelling the kitt from my body. I barely have time to crawl to the headboard of the bed before the next contraction hits and I bear down once again despite the immense pressure in my hips.

Contractions run through my body and terror runs through my mind. I don’t want this kitt, this tool of control that has been forced on me. There is no break between contractions, one rolls into the next without pause. Fear and desperation run hand in hand with the movement I feel deep within me. I gasp for a quick breath before bearing down again. A quick burst of pain, burning and stretching beyond my limits. Another contraction hits before I can manage more than a quick gasp for breath as I push again. Pain burst forth anew, even greater, and then I feel something slide free from my body taking the pain with it.

I gasp in the aftermath before turning my head to look behind me. A naked blood smeared pink thing wriggles and waves tiny arms and legs and I look at it with shock and disbelief.