Chapter 35

Course Of Action

Kel was so glad Gwen had insisted they work on her shielding technique. After being at work for a few hours her skin was practically crawling being around all these..._intoxicated_furs! The healer in her was beside herself, asking _why_were these people _poisoning_themselves?

So she clamped down on her shields after one poor sot bumped into her and she laid a paw on his chest, her eyes went wide and backpedaled away from him. Bruno was about to 86 the guy; Kel assured the big bouncer it was okay, he was harmless. What she didn't tell him was that this fur was going to be dead within the week. For undetected and untreated, the cancer had ravaged his body. He drank to excess to dull the pain. Kel couldn't tell which was worse--the fact that she_saw_just how terminal he was, or knowing that there was nothing she could_do_about it.

Pausing at the bar, she saw Mike. "C--can I have a g--glass of water p--please, Mike?"

"Sure Hon, What's wrong, Kel. You look like you saw a ghost?" Mike asked, concerned.

"Near enough, Mike. Near enough." she replied, accepting the glass with shaking paws. After she had slammed down her shields and regained her composure, she turned to Mike, who had a very concerned look on his face, and smiled at him.

"It's okay Mike, really. So, how's Cassy doing?" Glad for the change of subject, he brightened. "As you know, I spent the day with her, and she seems to be rallying. The doctors are still concerned about the bullet, but she seems to be healing up nicely, 'course, it's only been three days."

"I'm sure she'll be just_fine, Mike--and who knows...they m_ay_let her come home _early." Kel grinned as a plan formed.

"Yeah, Kel she'll be just fine. And it sure would be nice to have her home again; I _miss_her, ya know?" Kel smiled and agreed with the love struck ferret. Gods it was good to see him happy, Kel thought as she surveyed the crowd.

"I think I'll drop by and see her tomorrow." Kel smiled.

"Great! She'd like that a lot, Kel, thanks." Mike beamed, placing her drink order on her tray.

"She shall be back in your arms before you know it, my friend." Kel vowed. She would need to clarify a couple of points with Gwen, but if she had any say in the matter, Cassy would be home in three days.

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