FSE

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“I want to thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” Charlie began, “It’s a real honor to get the chance to interview a scientist of your caliber.”

Alice Hudson, a black woman of average height, chuckled and sipped her coffee. She was wearing a smart black dress with white heels and a pair of slim red glasses.

“It’s a nice change to hear that from the press,” Alice replied, “You must be new at this.”

Charlie chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

“How can you tell?” The Bat chuckled, “You’re right. This is my first, well, real assignment.”

Alice laughed.

“I’ll go easy on you then,” The woman winked and set her coffee down, “What would you like to know?”

Charlie looked around with a smile.

“I want to know about all of this,” He gestured at the park behind him, “Without you, none of this would have been possible.”

“That’s a long story,” She put her hands in her lap.

“I’ve got the time,” Charlie smiled and put pen to paper, “Don’t leave out a single thing.”

“Well, as you may or may not know,” Alice began, “I was part of the team who invented this technology 7 years ago. The technology that brought long dead species back to life.”

Charlie nodded and started to speedily jot down notes.

“It took a couple of years to refine it,” Alice continued, “But once we got it to work consistently, we immediately got the funding for the research gardens. We got six built, along with ten parks.”

“What was the first thing you brought back?” Charlie asked, “Was it something impressive?”

Alice shook her head.

“We started with something small,” Alice replied, “We brought back a Caribbean Monk Seal. That was the first thing that actually managed to survive for a decent amount of time. We got more ambitious, brought back the Thylacine, the Dodo, the Moa, the Mammoth. Eventually we were able to do it to the extent that you see here today.”

“That’s just fascinating,” Charlie began, “What kinds of research do you do with the creatures you bring back.”

Alice chuckled.

“All sorts of stuff,” The human replied, “The usual kinds of biological research, and then the more unusual kinds. For example, we’ve had a lot of success in creating hypothetical organisms. Organisms that haven’t been found in the fossil record.”

“What kinds of creatures do you make like that?” Charlie asked, his mouth open, “Are there any on exhibit?”

Alice shook her head.

“The closest thing we have to that is the integration project,” Alice began, “You’ve heard about that right?”

Charlie nodded.

“I saw it in action last night,” The Bat chuckled, “It’s simply fascinating.”

“It’s been a tremendous success,” Alice smiled, “It’s really opened a lot of new doors into animal psychology. Other groups have started using the same tech on other animals. Soon your pet pooch will be able to hold a conversation with you.”

“Wow,” Charlie smiled, “So may I ask you a personal question?”

Alice nodded.

“Of course,” The woman replied, “That’s your job isn’t it?”

“Well,” Charlie began, “A year or so you gave a TED talk about how your experience as a scientist hasn’t been the greatest. I couldn’t understand how such an accomplished person such as yourself couldn’t have anything but an amazing time as a scientist.”

“Look,” Alice sighed, “How do you feel as a journalist? As a Fur, you have to deal with discrimination right?”

Charlie held his breath and nodded.

“Then you already know the answer to that,” The human smirked, “Is there anything else I can do for you? I’ve got a meeting in a couple of minutes.”

Charlie looked over his notes.

“One more thing,” The Bat began, “What does the future hold?”

Alice chuckled.

“How long will you be on the island?” Alice asked.

“A couple of weeks,” Charlie replied, “I’m covering the unveiling of the new theme for the research area.”

Alice smirked and got up from the table.

“Then you’ll see it firsthand.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I don’t care about the scary dinosaur,” Trinh began as she walked alongside the Jack Russell Terrier, “I’d rather hear about smooshing faces with the sexy human.”

Trinh and Everett had the early shift from 8 A.M, when the attractions opened, to 12 A.M, when the afternoon crew came in. The two of them always met up an hour before their shift to get coffee at the little café beside the hotel. They usually just talked about work, or Trinh’s hookups the night before. This time, the subject of discussion was directed at Everett’s date, something that made the shy canine very uncomfortable.

“What else is there?” Everett blushed and took another sip of his iced raspberry mocha, “We kissed.”

“How does that work?” Trinh asked, “I’ve always been curious.”

Everett raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?” Everett replied, “It’s kissing. What is there to explain?”

“Well,” Trinh poked the side of the Dog’s muzzle, “Your guys’ faces don’t exactly mesh up perfectly you know.”

Everett blushed and looked down at his drink.

“Felt perfect enough to me,” Everett began, “It was just a kiss Trinh. Nothing more.”

Trinh scoffed and licked some whip cream off of her identical beverage.

“Yeah, you kissed naked,” Trinh scoffed, “That’s like second base.”

“It’s just kissing,” Everett replied, “I don’t see how that makes for a good story.”

“One quick question,” Trinh chuckled as they rounded the last corner on the cobblestone path to their first aide station, “Did he use any tongue?”

“No,” Everett whined, “Did you have to ask that so loud?”

Trinh rolled her eyes.

“No one is around,” Trinh began, “The only people who are currently out and about in the park are either patrolling or getting a behind the scenes tour. Don’t be such a prude.”

The pair made it to their station. As Trinh fumbled with the lock on the door, Everett looked around, savoring the quiet before this path would be crowded with people. His attention was drawn to the security station across the path from him. The door was busted open, and hung loosely from one hinge. Even more worrisome, was the claw mark scored deeply into the heavy metal door.

Everett whined and nudged the Deer with his hip. She sighed and opened the door.

“What Everett?” Trinh asked, “What could it possibly be?”

The Deer stood up and turned around. Her jaw dropped as her mind processed the scene. Everett took a deep breath and started walking forward.

“Everett,” Trinh grabbed the Dog’s shoulder, “What if it’s still in there?”

The Dog sighed.

“Call security,” Everett began, “I’m going to see if he’s ok.”

“Everett,” Trinh said again, more firmly this time, “What if it’s still in there with him?”

“What if it’s not?” Everett asked, “What if he needs medical attention now?”

Trinh looked away and kept her mouth shut.

“Just call them,” Everett shrugged off the Deer’s hand, “I’ll be ok.”

“Ok,” Trinh began as she pulled her phone out of her purse, “Be careful Everett.”

The Dog took another deep breath and started walking towards the security station. He paused at the entrance and looked inside. The main room was a total mess. Papers and books were strewn across the white tile floor. The chairs and large table inside were upside down and randomly dispersed throughout the room. Most disconcerting to Everett, however, was the large puddle of blood in the center of the floor.

Everett walked into the office and stood a foot or so away from the puddle. There was a trail that led from it to the closet in the back of the office. The door was closed and scratched up, much like the front door. The Dog cleared his throat and searched his memory for the security guard’s name. He had just met the Coyote last week, and the guy’s name was right on the tip of his tongue.

“Jose?” Everett called out once he remembered the name, “Are you in here.”

From the closet came a quiet wheeze in response. Everett hurried into action and ran to the door. He prepared for the worst, and flung open the door. Jose was propped up against wall, his uniform caked with dried blood. Whatever had clawed up the doors gave the Coyote’s chest the same gruesome treatment. Jose wheezed again, blood and saliva bubbling at the corners of his mouth. As an EMT, Everett was taught never to think that a patient was a lost cause, right now, he knew Jose was very close to death.

Everett sighed and knelt down beside him. He reached out and took Jose’s paw, squeezing it firmly. The Coyote smiled slightly, took one last breath, and died. Everett was able to quell the nausea and sudden rush of fear, shock, sadness, and anger that came with losing someone long enough to gently close the security guard’s eyes. Part of him wanted to try and resuscitate him, but judging by the blood, it looked like he had been in here bleeding all night. It only would have prolonged the inevitable.

He stood up from the floor of the closet and walked, slowly, back out onto the path. The security guards and medics met him out there. The medics knew, by the look in the Dog’s eyes, that Jose hadn’t made it. Regardless, they ran in there and did their job, trying their hardest to resuscitate him as they ran him out to the main hospital. The security guards cordoned off the path and waved for Everett and Trinh to leave.

Trinh walked up to Everett, her eyes wide with shock.

“I can’t believe this,” She began, “How did something like this happen?”

“It probably had something to do with what Sam and I saw last night,” Everett replied, “God I hope he’s ok.”

“I’m sure he is,” Trinh began, “Can you call him?”

Everett shook his head.

“He’ll come and see me,” Everett began, “Especially after this happened.”

Trinh nodded and started walking with Everett back to the hotel.

“What do you want to do now?” Trinh asked, “We’ve got the whole day to ourselves now.”

“I don’t want to do anything,” Everett sighed, “I’m just going to make myself a strong drink and go to bed.”

“Why?” Trinh asked, “You should get out and keep your mind off things.”

“I can’t keep my mind off of it,” Everett snapped, “Why the hell do you think I quit my job to work here?”

“I’m sorry Everett,” Trinh shrunk away from the Dog, “I’m just worried about you. Please don’t be mad.”

“Just don’t,” Everett sighed, “I’m going home. Don’t bother me alright.”

Trinh opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself. The Jack Russel Terrier turned around and practically ran back the way he came. He could feel his breakfast turning in his stomach and the tears forming in his eyes. He started to sprint, knowing that he had to hurry back to his home and bathroom before the feelings got to be too much.

He nearly bowled the doorman over as he sprinted through the crowded hotel lobby to the only vacant elevator. Everett panted hard and collapsed back against the elevator doors, his heart pounding hard and fast. When the elevator stopped at his floor, he fell forward and crawled out of the elevator. Tired from the exertion, he put his back against the beige wall across from the elevator and put his head against his knees. It was going to be an effort to get to his room.

“Everett?” Teal’s computerized voice asked from the Terrier’s right, “Are you alright? You seem agitated.”

“No,” Everett whined, “Can you help me get home? I’m just down at the end of the hall.”

Teal nodded and slowly walked over to the Dog.

“Of course I can help,” Teal began, “I can even get Sam to come over to your home. I’m almost all the way moved in anyways, and it seems that you need his help more than I do.”

Everett shook his head violently.

“I do not want him to see me like this,” Everett replied, “Don’t tell him that you helped me home. If he comes over later and sees me all wigged out like this, it’s my problem. But please, just give me some alone time.”

Teal nodded.

“Alright Everett,” Teal held out an arm, “Let’s get you home.”

The Dog sighed and took the Raptor’s arm. Teal pulled Everett up and started walking slowly to his apartment.

“What happened?” Teal asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No,” Everett sighed, “It’s a very long story.”

A Cat family of four turned the corner in front the Raptor and Dog and stopped dead in their tracks, jaws dropped, as the two passed. Teal’s headfeathers were pressed down against his head, and his fingers grasped nervously at thin air.

“Shy?’ Everett asked, eager to get the attention off of himself.

“Yeah,” Teal chittered quietly, “This was more jarring than I thought. People haven’t been nice so far.”

“I’m sorry Teal,” Everett began, “If there’s anything I can do to help. Just come on over.”

“Thanks,” Teal stopped at his door, “Feel better ok. I’m having my housewarming party tonight, and I’d really like it if you came.”

Everett walked over to his door and sighed.

“Maybe,” Everett opened his door, “I’ll see how I’m feeling.”

“You should come,” Teal’s feathers flattened again, “I think Sam would like seeing you there too. All he’s done today is talk about you.”

Everett blushed and leaned against the door, a slight smile forming on his face. That news brightened his day quite a lot.

“Really?” Everett smiled and rubbed his feet on the carpet, “I wish I could say the same.”

Teal walked up and nuzzled the Dog’s cheek.

“He’s just in there,” The raptor pointed to his door across the hall, “I can get him.”

Everett sniffled and wrapped his arms around Teal tightly. Teal tensed up, but relaxed and returned the embrace as the Dog started to sob.

“Please do,” Everett said quietly into the raptor’s chest, “I’ll be inside.”

Teal let the Dog go. Everett wiped his eyes and smiled gratefully.

“Thank you Teal,” Everett continued, “I owe you one.”

“No you don’t,” Teal turned and walked over to his door, “He’ll be right over.”

Everett nodded and went inside his suite. He walked over to his tan sofa and sat down, putting his head into his paws. The Dog sat quietly for what seemed like forever. The only noise was the quiet patter of feet on the scratchy carpeted floor outside of the Dog’s door. Sam knocked softly on the door and let himself in. At the sight at the human, Everett teared up again and let out a quiet sob.

“Hey,” Sam quickly sat down beside the Dog and wrapped an arm around him, “What’s going on with you? Teal was really worried.”

“Someone died in front of me,” Everett looked up at Sam, “Someone died in front of me again.”

“Oh,” Sam took a deep breath, “Oh god. I’m sorry.”

Everett started to cry.

“That’s the reason I took this job,” Everett held his paws in his lap, “I never wanted to see another cut up person. I never wanted to be there when another living being took their last breath. I couldn’t handle it.”

Sam moved closer and wrapped his arm around the Dog.

“You were an EMT,” Sam began, “Why would you do it if you couldn’t handle it?”

Everett shook his head.

“I wanted to help people,” The Jack Russell Terrier began, “I didn’t want to go to school for too long and become a doctor, so, being an EMT was the next best thing.”

Sam rubbed the Dog’s arm gently.

“I did my training and worked as an EMT in my county for 8 years,” Everett chuckled, “I saw all sorts of terrible things, but I was able to stay strong. Because even if I lost someone, there were always 5 more that I saved.”

“So what happened?” The human asked, “What changed?”

“Well, about a year ago, we got a call, there had been an explosion,” Everett took a deep breath, “We drove out to the house. One wall was blown out and there was brick, glass, and b-body parts.”

“Oh fuck,” Sam held Everett tightly with both arms, “Everett you don’t have to tell me this.”

“There were three people who lived there, an unwed mother and father, and their little kid,” Everett shuddered, “The parents were dead, very clearly dead. They were scattered all over the front yard.”

“And the kid?” Sam asked, “What happened to him?”

“Her,” Everett sighed, “She was screaming when we pulled up. By the time we got into the house, she didn’t have much, you know, much life left. She was all burnt up… god the smell.”

Everett sat quietly for a moment.

“The skin on her back had burned to the wall,” Everett nodded, “Her last words were begging, begging us not to rip her off of there.”

Sam stared at the Dog, his jaw dropped with shock.

“We had to,” Everett sniffled, “Then she just, well, died.”

“I’m so sorry Everett,” The human leaned in and gently kissed one of the Dog’s tears off of his cheek, “Wait, you didn’t happen to see that security guard this morning, did you?”

“I was the first one on the scene,” Everett nodded, “He died in front of me. Just like that kid.”

“I saw the alert,” Sam sighed, “I can’t believe they haven’t closed down the park. Especially with those weird raptors running free.”

“Did you tell them about that?” The Dog asked, “What did they have to say?”

Sam scoffed and shook his head.

“They totally blew me off,” Sam began, “They said it was absolutely preposterous that any animal that posed that much of a threat would not show up on the watch.”

“After this they’ve got to take you seriously,” Everett replied, “It looked like a Raptor did it.”

Sam rubbed Everett’s cheek and kissed him gently. The Dog kissed back, his eyes closing. He felt monumentally better, like the fear and shock of today was being buried beneath a warm blanket of fuzzy feelings. Everett’s short tail wagged as the human pulled away from him.

“Do you feel any better?” Sam asked, “Did I help at all?”

Everett smiled and licked the human’s cheek.

“You helped so much,” Everett replied, “Are you headed back over to Teal’s?”

“I don’t know,” Sam shrugged, “I think he’s got things pretty much under control until the party. Did you get invited?”

“Yeah,” The Dog rubbed his arm, “I don’t really do parties though.”

“Why not?” Sam grabbed both of Everett’s paws and looked into his eyes, “It’s going to be loads of fun. They’ll be food, drinks, good music, and I’ll be there.”

“I don’t really like drinking,” Everett held up two fingers, “For two reasons.”

“What are they?” Sam asked, “They’d better be good reasons.”

“Well, I was an EMT,” The Dog chuckled, “I’ve driven enough dumb kids to the hospital to get their stomachs pumped to be pretty disillusioned with the idea of getting drunk and being around drunk people.

“Ok,” Sam nodded, “Good reason, what’s number two?”

“If I told you that you’d make me get drunk at this party,” Everett chuckled and winked, “I’ll keep that one to myself.”

Sam laughed and kissed Everett on the nose.

“I don’t have to get you drunk for that do I?” Sam asked, “I think you’d be pretty open to it.”

“Give me a little time hon,” The Dog looked down and blushed, “I don’t want to jump into another sexual relationship just yet.”

“What’s the worry?” Sam kissed down the Dog’s neck, “Don’t you trust me?”

Everett bit back a moan and shakily moved a paw up to rub the back of Sam’s head as he kissed firmly on the Dog’s soft, furred neck.

“I do,” Everett whined and moved a paw down to cover his crotch, “Can I tell you something embarrassing?”

Sam pulled back and chuckled, his hand moving down to lazily stroke the back of Everett’s paw.

“Go right ahead cutie,” The human chuckled as Everett brought another paw to cover his crotch, “Don’t be ashamed. It’s just biology.”

“I’ve never had sex that meant something,” The Dog bit back a moan as Sam reached down under his paws to rub up his upper thigh and over his swollen sheath, “I want to have it. I think you may be the guy who I finally get to experience that with.”

The human moved his hand away sheepishly and nodded.

“I’ve felt it once,” Sam chuckled, “It was wonderful.”

“What happened?” Everett asked, “If it was so wonderful, why didn’t you hold on to it?”

“There were so many reasons,” Sam sighed, “But I just don’t think it was meant to be.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Everett kissed the human’s cheek, “I think I’d like to hear about this.”

Sam chuckled.

“I was living in Southern France,” Sam held Everett’s paw, “He was a Dog, not quite sure what kind, named Matthieu. I was doing search and rescue work there, and he tended bar.”

“Bartender huh?” Everett smiled, “Was he handsome?”

“So handsome,” Sam chuckled, “Anyway, I found his little brother out in the woods and Matthieu invited me over for drinks as a thank you. One thing led to another, and we made love.”

“You felt it then?” Everett asked, his eyes wide and ears erect.

“Yes,” Sam smiled, “We dated for a while after that, but, just as I do with every place. I left.”

“But weren’t you in love?” Everett whined, “Why would you leave something like that behind?”

Sam sighed.

“Sure I loved him,” Sam replied, “But I loved the world more. He wouldn’t have left with me.”

“Did you ask?” The Dog asked, “Didn’t he love you back?”

“Who can say?” Sam shook his head, “It doesn’t matter. Now I’ve met you, and I have got a very, very good feeling about you.”

“So we can wait?” Everett’s tail started to wag, “Until the time is right?”

Sam nodded.

“Until the time is right,” Sam chuckled, “So where did we land on that party?”

“You aren’t going to take no for an answer are you?” Everett shook his head, “What time is it happening?”

“8 or 9 tonight,” Sam replied, “When everybody gets done with work.”

“Ok,” The Dog sighed, “I suppose I can go.”

“Great!” Sam smiled, “I’ll go tell Teal. He’s going to be ecstatic.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Later that night

Teal grunted from exertion as he corralled Everett’s nearly immobile body into his apartment. Everett had a very good time at the party, and in spite of his objections to drinking, got absolutely hammered. Sam, who stopped drinking after Everett tripped over a couch and coated his shirt in beer, finally had enough and asked Teal to take the Dog home. Sam was occupied talking with a long lost friend of his, and didn’t want to spoil their conversation. The Raptor let the Dog go with a sigh and closed the door behind them.

“Thanks for taking me home Teal,” Everett took a step and promptly fell on his face.

The Raptor helped Everett back onto his feet. The Dog mumbled something in thanks and staggered, directionless, across the living room. Teal was prepared to pick Everett up again, and followed his every move.

“Do you need to use the bathroom before bed?” Teal asked, “Sam said you might have to puke.”

Everett violently shook his head and scoffed.

“I don’t want to go to bed yet,” Everett began, “Can’t we stay up for a little longer.”

Teal shook his head and growled with frustration. He had no idea that drunks could be so annoying.

“Fine,” Teal began, “But you’ve still got to lie down.”

Everett huffed and got himself out of the raptor’s grip. He shakily walked forward and collapsed, face first, onto his sofa. With some drunken mumbles and curses, the Dog managed to lay on his back. He reached out an arm and gestured for Teal to come closer.

“Come lie down with me,” Everett began, “There’s plenty of room.”

Teal looked at the small couch and shook his head. Even if his body was similar to the Dog’s, there still wouldn’t be enough room for the two of them. Well, maybe if he got on top of Everett, but that wasn’t going to happen. The raptor walked closer, but stopped on the foot of the sofa.

“Look,” Teal began, “I shouldn’t. But I can if it would help you sleep.”

Everett scoffed.

“Whatever man,” Everett replied, “Just come here.”

“We’ve got to go to your bedroom,” Teal walked over and tried to yank the Dog on his feet, “There isn’t any room for me on there.”

Everett grumbled and did as he was told, begrudgingly allowing the Raptor to get him on his feet. The pair walked into the bedroom and flopped down on to the bed. The Dog squirmed out of Teal’s arms and stood up at the foot of the bed. He staggered over to his bedroom door and closed it, falling heavily against it afterwards.

“What are you doing?” Teal asked, the feathers on the top of his head standing straight up as Everett removed his shirt, “What ARE you doing?”

“Getting comfortable,” Everett staggered around a bit as he took off his jeans, “That’s not an issue is it?”

Teal blushed hard and looked down as Everett finished kicking off his jeans. He was wearing a pair of yellow orange briefs which boldly stated SLUTPUPPY on the black waistband. Teal sat up, his legs outstretched off of the bed and his tail stuck out behind him, and looked away.

“You know I’m not just some beast right?” Teal sighed, “When I see this. I know what’s happening. I feel just like any male does.”

Everett blinked.

“Wait,” Everett asked, “Are you gay?”

“I guess,” Teal replied, “I’ve had an interest in males ever since I can remember.”

Everett chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

“So,” The Dog began, “Do you have an interest in me?”

“I’d be lying if I said no,” Teal keened mournfully, “But I can’t. You are Sam’s mate.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t have an interest,” Everett chuckled and moved closer to the Raptor, “Just sit right there ok.”

Teal bristled up again as Everett sat beside him and started to tenderly rub his side. Everett shushed in and leaned in to tenderly kiss the side of the Raptor’s muzzle. Teal’s body went straight as an arrow as Everett moved in for an actual kiss. The Dog moaned quietly as the Raptor responded with a lusty growl.

“Come on,” Everett rubbed low over the Raptor’s torso and moved his kisses closer to the front of his muzzle, “This will be our secret.”

Teal rumbled in pleasure as Everett kissed him. The Raptor opened his mouth and allowed Everett to control the kiss. The dinosaur shuddered and pulled away, fully able to taste the remnants of flavored vodka and light beer on the human’s tongue.

“This isn’t right,” Teal began, “You’re drunk.”

Everett shook his head and kissed the Raptor again. Teal growled, his loins stirring into action at Everett’s lusty actions. The artificial controls that held his instincts in check were quickly overpowered by the pheromones and naughtiness of the situation. He thrust his body forward and got on top of the dog, his chest and belly brushing up against the Dog’s. Everett moaned and giggled as Teal started to nibble and lick over his neck. The Raptor was emboldened by the Dog’s moans and brought his hind leg up to the Dog’s underwear.

With a snarl Teal hooked his dangerously sharp claws into the waistband of Everett’s underwear and pulled, shredding them as he slid them down. Everett gasped and moaned again as Teal violently brought their lips together. Their tongues intertwined and Teal moved forward, positioning his rapidly hardening cock between Everett’s wide open legs. The Dog whined with need and wrapped his legs around the Raptor’s powerful back, pressing them even closer together.

“Everett?” Trinh asked from behind his closed door, “Did you make it back ok?”

Everett whined and cleared his throat. Teal jumped up from the bed and stood in the far corner of the room. The Dog took a deep breath and covered up his nakedness.

“Yeah,” Everett began, “I’m here.”

“Is Teal with you?” The Deer asked, “The two of you have been gone an awful long time.”

“Yeah,” Everett replied, “We’re just having a quick chat, he’ll be right back over.”

Trinh walked away from the bedroom door and closed the front door behind her. Everett breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his neck. The raptor hung his head and slumped down onto the floor, a sad chirp escaping his lips.

“Nothing like a potentially awkward confrontation to sober you up right?” The Dog looked over at Teal, who was staring intently at the door, “Teal?”

“What did you do to me?” Teal growled, “Do you know what could have happened?”

Everett sighed.

“Look,” Everett began, “There’s two reasons I don’t like to get drunk. One of them isn’t important right now, but the other is that I tend to get a little horny.”

Teal snarled.

“Don’t blame it on the alcohol,” Teal spat, “That’s no excuse.”

“How is this my fault?” Everett shook his head, “You’re the sober one here.”

“Anything emotionally or physically intense can overload my control collar,” Teal started to pace around the room, “If she hadn’t interrupted you and I would have mated.”

Everett stood up and put a paw on the Raptor’s shoulder.

“Don’t touch me,” Teal hissed and backed away from the Dog, “I thought you wanted to be with Sam.”

“I do,” Everett replied, “I’m sorry. I made a drunk mistake.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Teal sat back down on the bed, his erect headfeathers drooping, “What if he doesn’t want to be my friend anymore? He’s the only one I’ve got.”

“Look,” Everett rubbed his arm and stood in front of the Raptor, “I’ll take care of it.”

“You will?” Teal looked up, his eyes twinkling with hope.

“Of course I will,” Everett began, “I’ll let him know what happened. He won’t be mad at you, odds are he won’t be mad at me either.”

“You think so?” Teal began, “I really hope you’re right Everett.”

Everett walked up to Teal’s side again and gently rubbed the Raptor’s shoulder.

“Go back and enjoy your party,” Everett began, “I’ll talk to Sam tomorrow and make this all go away.”

Teal nodded and got up from the bed. He looked back at Everett, shook his head, and left the room. The Dog waited for the front door to close before letting out a sigh. Even though he and Sam weren’t exactly going steady yet, this whole thing made him feel like a horrible person. He picked up his shredded underwear and walked into the kitchen. He threw it away and looked at his front door, his ears still picking out the faint thump of music.

Right now, the Dog reasoned, he needed to go to bed. Everything would be clearer in the morning.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Everett?” Sam began sternly, “Are you still among the living?”

The Dog groaned and sat up out of bed. His head was pounding, no doubt a result of the herculean amount he had to drink the night before.

“Sam?” Everett slowly opened his eyes and looked around his room.

Sam was standing at the foot of his bed, behind him was Teal.

“Teal told me what happened last night,” Sam sighed, “You mind telling me what that was about?”

Everett sighed and covered his eyes.

“Can I get some water first?”

A few moments later, after Everett sat up in bed and threw back his glass of water, Sam and Teal moved closer to the bed.

“I’m not mad Everett,” Sam began, “At either of you. I just want to hear what you have to say about this.”

“I was drunk Sam,” Everett replied, “I wasn’t thinking, at all. I feel horrible.”

The Jack Russel Terrier looked up at the Raptor.

“I’m sorry for putting you in that position Teal,” The Dog continued, “I hope you can forgive me too.”

Teal hung his head.

“Of course I can forgive you,” He replied, “You and Sam are my best friends. It’s going to take more than a drunken mistake to change that.”

“Speaking of drunken mistakes,” Sam crossed his arms, “You are officially on a restricted alcohol diet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody put away booze like you did.”

“I did warn you,” Everett groaned and rubbed his head, “Holy fuck I am hungover.”

Teal perked up and wiggled.

“Would you like some food?” Teal asked, “Sam said eating would help.”

Everett nodded.

“Ok,” Sam bent down and kissed the Dog’s cheek, “Get dressed.”

Sam and Teal left the Dog alone in his bedroom. Everett got out of bed, yawned, and put on the most comfortable clothing he could find. He stretched and walked barefoot into the hallway. The smell of bacon and eggs wafted from the Raptor’s apartment. Everett’s stomach rumbled and willed his feet forward.

Teal was standing next to Sam in the kitchen, watching intently as the Dog cooked. Everett pulled up a chair at the bar behind the two of them and put his head in his paws.

“Coffee?” Teal tapped the Dog on the head softly with a claw, “I made it myself.”

Everett pulled his head up and nodded gratefully. He sipped it slowly and slowly began to feel more and more like his normal, non-hungover, self.

“I’m so happy I don’t have work today,” Everett began, “I don’t think I’d have been able to handle a whole day of band-aids and Trinh.”

Teal cocked his head.

“Isn’t Trinh your friend?” Teal asked, “Why would it be hard for you to spend the day with her?”

Sam smirked.

“When you get hungover, people with voices like Trinh’s can be very annoying,” Sam plated up the food, “Especially if they have a hard time being quiet like Trinh does.”

“He’ll get better right?” Teal looked up at the human as he set a plate of food in front of Everett, “He won’t be miserable like this for long right.”

“That depends,” Sam chuckled as Everett wolfed down the plate of food, “How much did you have to drink last night Everett?”

Everett mumbled his response through a mouthful of food.

“I didn’t quite catch that Everett,” Sam fought back laughter, “How much did you have to drink?”

Everett swallowed, burped, and groaned.

“I don’t remember,” Everett closed his eyes, “Too much. That’s for sure.”

“It’s going to be a while,” Sam looked over at Teal, “Probably a couple of days.”

“What are you doing today Sam?” Everett asked, “Are you working?”

The human looked down at his watch and shrugged.

“Not yet,” Sam replied, “Why? What’s up?”

“Want to go out again later today?” Everett asked, “Maybe after I’ve had a nap?”

Sam chuckled and smiled.

“Sounds good,” Sam began, “Want to go for a hike?”

Everett shrugged.

“Sure,” Everett replied, “Some fresh air will do me good.”

Sam sat down beside the Dog and started to eat.

“Do you know what to pack?” Sam asked, “It’s going to be a big hike.”

“I’ve gone hiking before Sam,” Everett chuckled, “Where exactly are we going?”

The human shrugged.

“Nowhere special,” Sam replied, “Just the research zone.”

Everett sighed.

“What?” Sam chuckled, “Trust me Everett. Everything is going to be alright.”