Conflicted
Conflict Continuum
Digression
Conflicts
Conflicted Rules
CC High Council

Talia smiled as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Do you realise how different our lives would be if you'd never seen my true form. You'd probably still detest me.." She chuckled lightly at this thought before continuing to question him about work. "What kind of things do employers ask you to do? Surely theres something I could do."

Again, Dash was hesitant to answer, but it paid off. Just as he opened his mouth to answer, he felt a chill run up his spine and he quickly looked at the corner of the room where his brother stepped out looking grim, raising an eyebrow at the couple.

"Am I interrupting?" Benny asked, sounding more tired than teasing. He wasn't really in the mood to joke. He just wanted to grab Dash and sort this out.

"No, not really," Dash answered, glad for the distraction though he did not release Talia. He hadn't been looking forward to her reaction anyway. "Why are you here? Where's Fox?" His eyes narrowed. "Did Emory do something?"

Benny shook his head. "No, but you might have." At his brother's confused look, Benny sighed and continued. "The Shade showed up again and she says you made friends, with a human-" Dash's look said it all. Benny half glared. "The police chief's son?" Dash's expression fell more. Benny sighed in frustration. "How could you really be his friend Dash? He's probably just playing you-"

"He wasn't playing me!" Dash interrupted, looking a little panicked despite his shame. "He wanted to know about creatures-"

"Of course he did-!"

"He was nearly killed by a troll!"

"Maybe you should have let him!"

"I refused to be as racist as you seem to think humans are!"

Benny stopped arguing. He visibly surrendered, sighing again. "Fine, look, I didn't come here to argue. I came here to get you so we could deal with this. If she doesn't return that kid, Dash, the police are going to come after us, again. You, and I, are going to go discuss this. Talia," he looked at his brother's mate, "I offered to bring Emory back but he said something about taking a walk." He looked at Dash again, nodding his head to the shady corner of the living room. "Let's go."

Dash sighed through his nose, hating that he had to leave, but glad he didn't have to answer Talia's question and more so that Emory hadn't wanted to be here with his mate. He looked at Talia with a deep frown. "Hey... I'll be back soon," he promised.

Talia looked between Dash and Benny as they talked and a frown slowly spread across her face when she realised Dash would once again be leaving. She pulled back from him. "No you won't. Because once your done dealing with the human you'll have to go to the underground to see about work or someone else will require your attention." She sighed then lightly kissed his cheek before turning and folding her arms. "Just go." She knew that she most likely right. Dash would have to go look for work during the night whilst she slept then when she awoke he would be returning to get some sleep. We're never going to see each other.

Dash sighed, his body sagging, then he plucked up his courage and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Talia from behind. "I'll skip work tonight. I don't want to be apart from you," he admitted quietly next to her ear. "But even nights when we're apart... Know that I will always return to you." He squeezed her gently, and then his arms disappeared and the room got quiet as he and his brother left through the shadowy corner of the room.

---

Ulf patiently waited out her greeting before taking up a dancing stance and leading her easily into some spins, taking up the music as well as he had before. "Is that important?" he asked in regard to her question. "If I was something dangerous, I would have already hurt you-" To emphasize his point he squeezed her hip gently where his hand rested, politely above her butt, not even close to actually hurting her. "If I am something good, then I can only assume you would like to have me around. So tell me: What do you think I am?" His voice was warm and calm, as if pointedly kept neutral and unaffected by the world around him. Other than uncalloused male hands and his soothing voice there was nothing to go on. His face was completely covered behind his cracked white mask and his body was covered with black trousers, a long sleeve black shirt and a black coat with the hood pulled up to hide his hair.

Fox furrowed her eyebrows stubbornly. She didn't respond, just kept dancing with him in silence. She didn't like not knowing all the details. That's why she owned the club, that's why even in the beginning, she knew almost everything about what was going on in Rafe's dealing, even with how brutal they got. Sighing heavily she shook her head.

"I'm a nymph," Ulf answered her, sounding just the slightest bit hurt that she didn't simply want to talk to him. "Is there anything else you would like to know?" he asked gently as they danced, never once looking away from her. 

Fox gave his question a thought before shaking her head. "Not at the moment." Shrugging her shoulders she listened as the music turned more into a slow song. Gently she rested her head on Ulfs shoulder. "I'm not sure I believe you by the way. If you were who you say you are, wouldn't you let me see your face?"

"A face is no more definite than a mask," Ulf replied as he let his hand shift around to her lower back as he took up the steps to the slow dance, surprisingly at ease with having her so close and yet making no attempt to get 'friendly' with her as most men would. "But I prefer this face-" He moved his hand not on her back, currently cupped with hers, to his mask and tapped it just lightly. "To my own." He shifted slightly to turn the mask enough so he was 'looking' at her face. "If I could look anyone in the eyes, I assure you, it would be you, but that moment is not worth a future without you."

Fox blushed slightly as she pulled away from him slightly. "Um... Alright." Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, she had the urge to look into his mind but she didn't enjoy knowing everything. She wanted to have things come to her slowly. She wanted to be surprised and excited. Sighing she looked up into the faceless man. "So what is so interesting about me?"

"You stand strong, where most would falter, but more importantly you do not do it simply for self preservation. No, you do it for the betterment of others." Something about his tone said Ulf was smiling. "Selflessness is something to be admired, and I admire it in you. You stay humble, as well, that is admirable. You're not unlike the stories of the sun, how people felt better just having it around. You, your resistance, is the north star. It helped me find my way here, after all. I understand that you can not trust just anyone, however, so if you have questions for me, Fox, please ask. Secrets are the enemy of trust."

"Mmm, yeah. But attracting attention isn't always a good thing. As you can see, it attracted you, an unknown stranger, who's to say I wont attract unwanted or dangerous attention?" Fox spoke in a curious tone, trying to get him to understand her side of it. She couldn't afford to endanger anyone.

"Meeting strangers is how we meet new friends," Ulf pointed out, his voice gentle as they circled on the dance floor, his leading pace slow and unrushed. He leaned down slightly so his voice was close to her ear, the two separated by only the thin mask. "And I believe you already attract unwanted and dangerous attention," he whispered quietly. He righted himself again, continuing their dance without a single missed step. "It is the nature of starting a resistance, but it is worth it in the end. You are doing a good thing, Fox, do not question it every time a new person agrees. We are not all evil."

"No, not everyone is evil. I did meet one once. One who I thought I loved and could be happy with. His antics seemed quite innocent to begin with, then I wasn't so sure. He did things I didn't approve of." Fox had soft tears in her eyes, one broke free and trickled down her cheek. Clearing her throat she shook her head. "I'm so confused. I've locked all of this away for long I didn't know it still hurt."

"Hurt is a good thing," Ulf replied softly as he let go of her hand and brushed his fingers, slightly cool to the touch, across her cheek to wipe away the tear. "It is a sign that we still care." There it was again, that tone that he was smiling. "We will never agree with everything anyone says, that is a sign that we are not alone. If we all believed the same things, I don't believe there would be any need for other people." He chuckled, and it was an unused, but friendly sound. "For that reasoning, I am glad you and I disagree, Fox. I do not know one what things, but I am glad we do."

Fox nodded her head gently and sniffled softly. Clearing her throat she glanced around the bar. "Wow... this is the longest you've stuck around." Giggling slightly, she shook her head. "Are...are you hungry?" Her voice was soft, as were her eyes. Ulf was nice, so far, and he made her feel different. Unlike Benny, who sat there and told her he would take care of it, Ulf spoke to her like she was able to know these things.

There was a pause before he answered and, unbeknownst to Fox, Ulf was smiling beneath his mask. "No, thank you, but if you are hungry you should go eat. I don't want to keep you. I should be going anyway. As you said, I've been here fairly long already..." He looked around at the crowd, his body language shifting as if he only just noticed someone might be watching them.

"Oh...well, okay." Fox said hesitantly. She was enjoying the company of a strange man and she didnt really want him to leave. Shrugging her shoulders she smiled softly and nodded. "Thank you for the dance." Standing on tip toes she kissed his masked cheek and giggled softly. "A mask..." Shaking her head gently. "You know, if I had no respect, and actually wanted to, I could find out everything I want to know...about you."

Ulf chuckled, but it sounded a tad nervous. Or was he flustered? "Is that a threat, Miss Fox?" he asked, finally removing himself from her entirely but not yet walking away. "I already told you, if you want to know something, all you had to do was ask." He tilted his head, making the mask turn slightly sideways. "Secrets are the enemy of trust."

"Very true, lets remember that." Smiling softly, Fox nodded her head as she moved away, back to her business self as bouncers and waitress's appeared around her, having issues she needed to fix. Fox waved her hand in a reassuring way. She could be heard telling them it would be alright and to calm down as she began to handle everything.

Ulf let her go without protest, albeit reluctantly. He stood still amongst the thriving bodies, swaying their limbs to the music, completely disinterested in them. He wanted to stay, he didn't want to come across any police, or other creatures. He wanted to talk with Fox more but this was plenty of time. For now. It was a long moment of observation before he turned away and began to weave his way out of the club.

The rest of the night went by fairly smoothly. That is until right before closing. A couple of uniformed officers came into the club as they were putting chairs up and packing up the instruments. Fox frowned slightly as they headed her way. Rain, Adder and Lynx were by her side almost instantly. The younger of the two officers looked Fox up and down a moment before blushing and clearing his throat. "Foxy Damai. We need to ask you a few questions." Fox stayed calm and nodded her head. "Sure, would you boys care for something to drink?" The officer looked around almost nervously. "Actually Ms. Damei. We need you to come with us." Fox's features hardened instantly. The boys around her stiffened in a protective manner. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she nodded her head hesitantly. Turning to Adder, the more responsible of them. "Lock up when your done." Kissing them all on the cheek she turned back to the officer as he hooked his hand through her arm. "I made them promise we'd only ask you questions." He whispered as they led her from the building and into his patrol car. "Yeah, and we know how well they keep their promises." The officers face fell slightly. He was really young, clearly he didn't enjoy hurting a woman, no matter what she was. The car rolled away from the club as Fox lowered herself in the seat. She was in trouble, and she knew it. Normally they didn't come for her, it was other creatures. Tonight she wouldn't be coming home.

---

After giving a general wave in Fox's direction, Quinn headed out of the club and into the streets. He took a deep breath and started walking, not really caring what direction he was going in. He didn't want to head back to Talia's, and he had too much thinking to do to bother Rafe right away. These people had inadvertently introduced the Deiciden to a concept he hadn't been familiar with. Kicking a rock, he let out a small noise of distress.

"Hey!" a female voice said after being hit by the rock. "Don't do that!" Kyra hated walking the streets this late, but the chief was in an uproar. His son had been missing, and he wanted the boy found. Kyra was sent down in this direction with her partner, but the bigger guy took off down another street, leaving the lone female to patrol this way.

Ducking his head, Quinn didn't bother apologizing and just kept going. He wasn't going to stop and talk to some human that was likely looking for his kind anyway. The uniform suit gave that much away.

Kyra gave a small growl under her breath. She walked a little more and paused. This area was usually crawling with non-humans. Given that, she should have bumped into at least one by now. Glancing in the direction of the club she had been previously told to watch, Kyra tapped her foot, watching the front door as she waited for some sign of someone other than the boy who had kicked the stone at her.

---

Talia sighed as the feeling of Dash's arms around her disappeared and when she turned round she found she was alone. Once again left alone and expected to wait whilst everyone else fights to restore things. she thought with a frown. She paced lightly back and forth thinking over everything that had been said between Dash and Benny, closing her eyes as she did. Police chief's son's been taken..could mean trouble for everyone if he doesn't turn up. She suddenly stopped as her eyes snapped open. "Or someone that looks like him.." She whispered then suddenly ran to the spare bedroom and began rummaging through her clothes. The police will stop searching if it looks like the boy turns up so Dash and the others should be safe. She finally pulled out clothes she felt would be appropriate for a teenage boy then quickly packed it into a bag. She knew there would be plenty of papers and documents at the bar with articles and pictures of the boy so she decided thats where she would go to complete the change. She quickly jotted a note to Dash explaining she was safe and had gone to help them with the human problem and that under no circumstances was he to come find her. I'll return to you. she thought then kissed the page before taking off from the apartment and running the entire way to the bar. She threw the door open and stood for a few moments panting lightly for breath. She waved quickly at Rain, Adder and Lynx knowing that there were closing the bar but hurried inside anyway and began looking through the many newspapers that were gathered at the bar. "Wheres Fox?" She finally asked as she whipped through the pages in search of a picture.

The entire club sat at one if the long tables. "She was taken in... For questioning." Rains voice trembled with anger and sadness. They knew Fox was tough but not even she could take another beating. Lynx a geeky slammed his fist on the table where as Adder sat by watching his brothers calmly. "We should have offered to take her place." Everyone grumbled softly, knowing Fox would have never allowed that.

"What?" Talia gasped looking shocked for a moment before shaking her head with a sudden look of determination. "Don't worry boys i'm going to go help her." She said then ripped a page from the newspaper and ran into the bathroom. She changed quickly then took the picture in both hands and focused on it feeling herself shifting into the boy in the picture. Turning to the mirror she smiled when she saw Jake looking back at her. "Perfect!" She said happily in his voice then quickly packed her clothes back into the bag and hurried back into the bar. "Take care of my things, i'll be coming back for them." She told Rain as she set the bag on the bar top before turning to the group. "Well will I pass for the chiefs son?" She asked holding her arms out as if to allow them to examine her new look.

Adder frowned and stood to get a closer look at Talia. "You look like him- that's... wow. But do you have any idea how he acts? The police might look past a few things but they aren't going to believe you if you're still... Talia." He leaned forward, looking closer at her face. "That is really spot on..."

"Well thank you and I think I should be alright. I figured his father would have him trained like an officer but Dash said he wouldn't hurt anyone so he must be kind..i'll just work it out as I go." Talia replied then took a steadying breath and zipped up her hooded jumper. "I'll only have to keep up the act until Dash and Benny rescue the real thing then I can make my escape." She smiled then moved to the door. "Wish me luck and don't worry i'll get Fox back." She grinned and waved farewell then threw the door open and stepped outside straight into the path of Kyra. "Oh!" She exclaimed then suddenly regained her composure when she realised this woman was a police officer. "Hi.." She said allowing an expression of guilt to spread across Jake's face. "So you found me."

"About damn time, too," Kyra muttered, grabbing Jake's arm and dragging him back in the direction she had come in. It didn't even occur to her that there was something off in his expression of guilt or his voice. She was too eager to get back to the station and see her own son to worry about this one. "What the hell were you thinking, wandering out here? You could have been killed?! Your father is tearing the city apart looking for you!" She kept walking, not caring if the boy was reluctant or not as she dragged him behind her. "And you missed Kyrian's lessons. Again. You know your father won't approve him being taught unless you're present. Don't you ever think of anyone but yourself?" That the woman was pissed was obvious. Kyra hated being on the street at night in uniform. It was like asking some creature to capture or kill her.

Talia was a little taken aback by the woman grabbing her arm and dragging her along behind her and just managed to stop herself pulling her arm free. Remember you're the human boy. She thought to herself. "I-i'm sorry..I just needed a walk and lost track of time. I didn't mean to make anyone worry." She stuttered quickly. "Where are we going?"

"Don't lie to me," Kyra hissed at him. "You forget that I know perfectly well why you leave. I know what you were doing out this way. In that place." Her grip tightened and she had to reign in that reaction to the boy. He used his parentage to get away with everything. It was infuriating. "We're going straight to your father. So you can explain to him why you were missing for an entire day."

"I'm not scared of him.." Talia snapped then suddenly caught herself. "You don't know anything about me..I came for a walk thats all. Stop thinking that I was out here doing anything suspicious. Now if you don't mind letting go of me, I can walk perfectly fine by myself." She finished now speaking in an authoritative tone deciding to change her tactics.

This caused Kyra to actually miss a step. She turned, her eyes narrowed on Jake. The boy knew that Kyra was perfectly aware of what he did. Hell, Kyra had covered for him more than once just so she wouldn't have to deal with the trouble. She was more interested in spending as much time with Kyrian as she could. And Jake never took that tone with her. She let out a breath, her hand tightening again and her free hand going towards her gun. Her suspicions were high. "Don't you ever talk to me like that again," she hissed between her teeth. "I covered for your ass too many times to be told I don't know anything about you!" Taking a glance down the empty street, Kyra made sure they were alone before she leveled her gaze on the boy. Whatever was going on, she would get to the bottom of it before taking him back.

"Wait..you can't shoot me.." Talia said in a panicked tone when she noticed Kyra reach for her gun. "I'm the chiefs son you wouldn't get away with it." She gulped nervously, knowing this wasn't going to plan at all. "Okay i'm sorry, I didn't mean to speak to you like that. I just know i'm going to get in so much trouble with my dad and if I had my choice I wouldn't go back ever.."

"I don't rightly care who you are," Kyra hissed, emphasizing the 'who' part. "You are going back. Tell him to his face that you're leaving. I dare you. We'll see what happens then. Because I know at least twenty people who will drag you in dead just to get off the streets." She made it clear that she wasn't happy with being on the streets herself. "I want to get back to my son. That means I have to bring you in. Whether it's by force or not is your choice."

Wow..she really doesn't like this kid, and by the sounds of it plenty of others don't like him either. Kinda feel sorry for the boy..no wonder he tried to come and make friends with other creatures. Talia thought with a frown. "Fine i'll go back to my dad and you can get back to your son, just don't shoot me okay?" She watched Kyra closely wondering if she was fooling the woman.

With a quick nod, Kyra turned and continued walking, never letting go of his arm. Even if this wasn't Jake, as she was starting to suspect, at least it would get her off the streets. She ignored everything else and went straight to the station, pushing the doors open and dragging Jake inside. Her hard expression vanished the moment she was through the door and headed towards the chief's office as Kyrian came hurtling towards her. The boy dove and she caught him in a hug, letting go of Jake for the first time. Brushing the boy's hair out of his water blue eyes, which were glowing slightly in his excitement, Kyra smiled at him as she put the boy on her hip. "Did you have a good day?" she asked. Kyrian only nodded and smiled, his eyes traveling to Jake as the little boy gave the older one a friendly wave.

Talia breathed a small sigh of relief then let Kyra lead the way to the station. Her heart raced slightly as they climbed the steps up into the building. I never thought i'd come to this place voluntarily. She glanced round at the officers they passed noticing how some smiled sadly at her whilst others scowled and narrowed their eyes at her. When Kyra let go of her arm she turned her attention back to her as the small boy jumped on her. She smiled brightly and waved in return to Kyrian. "Hey kid.." She said in a friendly tone not noticing an officer running off to Jakes fathers office.

The boy smiled and pointed to Jake and Kyra just nodded, setting him down so he could move over to the older boy. Kyrian held up his hand to Jake so they could walk together. Although Kyra would rather hold onto him, she knew that Kyrian liked Jake. "We have to go up to see his dad, alright? So...be good." Her voice was actually gentle, and the little boy nodded solemnly, taking on a serious expression.

Taking the small boy's hand, Talia smiled down at him sadly. "Yeah i'm about to get in some serious trouble." She said then motioned to Kyra to lead the way. "Oh..you don't know if anyone was arrested tonight?" He asked in a conversational way wondering if this was where Fox was being held.

"I've been out looking for you," Kyra said, her tone not as sharp as it had been while she was in front of her son. "I have no idea what's been going on aside from that." She gestured for them to follow her. Kyrian tightened his grip on the hand he was holding, moving to follow his mother.

"And I guess if they had arrested anyone they'd put them in the cells..or would they go straight to questioning them?" Talia asked casually as she walked beside Kyrian, smiling lightly down at him. She could sense something different about him and she figured this was why she didn't instantly mistrust and dislike him as a human. Theres something not right about him..I get the feeling hes not entirely human. She thought before looking back at Kyra as they moved. "They wouldn't take them anywhere else right?" She continued as they drew closer to the chiefs office.

"You know all those answers," Kyra said, looking back at him. "Interrogation. That's where they all go. You know that." Kyra snapped her fingers low and Kyrian let go of Talia's hand and ran to his mother, who scooped him up again. The boy looked back, his eyes glowing brighter even as he blinked at Talia. She gave Talia a look and nodded at the door at the end of the hall.

"Wait..you're not coming with me?" Talia asked nervously. She had seen the police chief on many occasions and read many articles in papers. He wasn't a pleasant man. "You should really tell my dad it was you that found me..you might get a reward or something."

"That would require your dad to give a rat's ass about anyone else," Kyra said sarcastically. "Fine. But you go in first. I'll be right behind you." Her grip on Kyrian tightened a little as she walked down to the end of the hall. Glancing back at Talia, she gestured with her head towards the door handle.

Okay this is what you came to do..convince the chief you're his son which should hopefully stop him sending out officers to search and putting Dash and the others at risk. Then all you have to do is convince him to let Fox go.. Talia gulped nervously knowing that that wasn't going to be easy. Stepped forward she lightly knocked the door then waited for a response before opening it. "Uh..dad?"

The police chief looked up at what he thought was the voice of his son then quickly stood and moved round his desk. Instead of embracing his son though he grabbed his arm and pulled him roughly into the room. "Okay! Who was it? What creature tried to kidnap you?" He snapped obviously angry that such a thing could happen to his son.

"What?! No..it was nothing like that." Talia lied quickly after she had stumbled into the room. "I-I just went for a walk thats all..took a wrong turn and ended up getting a little lost."

The chief narrowed his eyes. "You've studied the maps of this city countless times..you should know every street like the back of your hand." He growled before turning on Kyra. "I take it you were the one that found him? Well..where was he? Is what he saying correct?" He barked whilst Talia stood behind him nodding slightly with wide eyes to try and convince Kyra to go along with the story.

Kyra sighed and shifted Kyrian further up on her hip. The boy buried his face in her shoulder, refusing to look at the chief. "Where do you think he was?" she said in a tired voice. "He was on a side street when I found him. Nearly ran me down when he saw me." It was a little white lie. Her eyes narrowed on the chief. "If you're so worried about him, let me be his handler like we've both asked a thousand times. Let me train him already." That particular agreement also let her take Kyrian home instead of leaving him here. But the chief had not gone for it as of yet, and Kyra knew exactly why.

The chief growled in frustration and shot an angry glare at Talia. "I do not know what particular training you could possibly teach my son, he is already skilled in many things..apart from finding his way round it seems." He moved to sit back down at his desk, his eyes still locked on Kyra.

"Something that I'm particularly good at," Kyra shot back, the hip holding her son cocking outward. "Just put him under my watch. And trust me, for pity's sake. I'm not going anywhere." This was said with the attitude of a woman who knew where her priorities were. She gave the chief a look. "Maybe once I have him knowing the streets, he won't get lost so often."

"FINE!" The chief snapped. "Train him if you think you can." Talia's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. "I don't need anyone watching me or trying to train me." Again the chief growled and suddenly pointed at the door. "Get out.." He said in a dangerous tone. "Wait..now that you know I wasn't kidnapped you're going to release all the creatures you arrested, right?" Talia continued and felt a feeling of dread when the chief sharply shook his head. "Of course not. Now get out!" He bellowed it this time and Talia swiftly obeyed leaving the room for the safety of the corridor outside. This isn't going to plan..I have to find Fox myself then.

Kyra followed and set Kyrian down. "Go wait by mommy's desk, alright?" she told the boy, who nodded and ran off. Straightening, Kyra grabbed Talia's arm and hauled her in the direction of a closed door. Opening it, she shoved her through and followed, closing the door again. "Are you crazy? We've been asking for that for months and then you throw a hissy fit because...because why? Because I'm not going to allow you to go gallivanting with your...your...creatures?!"

"Okay would you stop pushing and shoving me already!" Talia snapped once the door was shut. "All i'm trying to do is keep the peace and keep my friends safe whilst they help one of you!" She slammed a fist against the wall in frustration before realising what she had said. "Uh..I mean its been a long night okay...i'm just tired." She stumbled over her words quickly as she turned to look at Kyra.

The already suspicious Kyra had her gun out before the last few words had been spoken. One hand held it pointed at Talia while the other flipped the blinds on the door shut. She also flipped the lock as she did so. "Okay, now talk. Who the hell are you? What do you want? Did you possess him? Is that what you did? Or are you some sort of...body snatcher? Spill or else I'll go find someone who will make you spill."

"Relax okay! Fine i'll talk just don't shoot me okay..you'd be making things alot worse for yourself if you did."Talia replied raising her hands as if surrendering. "I'm not possessing the kid and i'm definately no body snatcher..i'm a shapeshifter. The human boy made the mistake of trying to mix with my people and got himself noticed by the wrong kind. The worst of them all, a shade..we even fear them most of the time." She paused to take a breath before continuing. "This creature is evil and loves causing trouble especially for my friends and I it seems..She's taken the chiefs son for reasons I don't know yet but theres people working to get him back. Good people that will not harm him. I promise you that. My job is to stop the police interfering by filling in for the kid while he's missing. Thats the truth I swear.."

Kyra's other hand came up to grip the gun as she kept it pointed at Talia. "This is why I hate your kind. You think you can just do anything and get away with it. Sit down." She gestured at a chair with the gun. "And maybe I won't make this worst for you. Damn it! Why does this crap always happen during my shifts?!" Kyra glanced around the blinds and to the hall before settling her eyes on Talia. "And shooting you would probably make things easier. Trust me, they can't get much worse."

"Honestly.." Talia said as she moved to sit down. "..if you kill me, my partner will kill you and anyone you hold dear. Please don't put your son at risk just to end me. I am doing this to stop a war between my kind and yours, once my friends rescue that silly boy they will return him and I will be on my way." She folded her arms lightly as she watched Kyra. "Do you really think even if you kill me you will go unpunished by the chief..you were fooled by me and brought me back here or maybe he would even think you were working with us...to help your son." She raised a questioning eyebrow. "I know hes not all human.."

"You don't know anything," Kyra said, taking a step forward, her gun raised to Talia's head. "What do I care about your partner? He's probably just another one of those things that like watching people suffer for his own enjoyment." The closer Kyra got, the more agitated she seemed. "I knew you couldn't be Jake. He actually gives a damn about people, not just himself." Her mind was racing, though. What the hell was she suppose to do now? She couldn't rightly just let this creature just walk out again.

"Well thats one of the downfalls of being a shapeshifter..I can take on the perfect form of someone but getting their personality right..thats the challenge." Talia replied, glancing between Kyra and the gun that was aimed at her. "Now do you really want to kill me? I'm not here trying to cause trouble. There must be something that will make you put that gun down and pretend this conversation never happened.."

"What? You think to buy me now?" Kyra asked, her tone becoming hostile. She steadied her hands again, glaring at the shapeshifter in front of her. "Nothing you can say will make me forget this. You already threatened my life, threatened my child, you really think anything you say can make me trust you?" She was livid. Kill the creature, her ass was on the line. Leave it to live, her ass was still on the line. She was screwed either way because these things thought they could do anything they felt like doing.

"I don't expect you to trust me just let me do my job..because I don't think I need to explain what the chief will do if he finds out his son has been taken. But fine if you don't want me here..i'll go." Talia replied keeping her tone calm.

"Yeah, and I have to do my job." Kyra lowered her weapon slightly, but didn't take it off Talia. "You just don't get it, do you? This little charade or whatever has just completely destroyed everything! What the hell do I care about your job?" She shook her head slightly. As much as she wanted to pull the trigger, though, the thing was still wearing Jake's face. She wouldn't shoot the kid. But the thing didn't need to know that. Kyra jumped when the door opened suddenly and turned, her eyes growing wide as Kyrian looked from her to Jake.

"M-mom?" he asked, coming in quickly and letting Kyra close the door. The boy came over and hugged her leg, staring at Jake. "You're like me," Kyrian said quietly, holding up a hand. "Does this mean I get to leave?"

Kyra glared at Talia before going down on one knee next to her son, taking one hand from her gun and wrapping it around him. "I told you to wait by my desk," she said quietly. At his steady gaze, she let out a sigh. "No. This creature will not be here long enough to help us."

Talia had quickly replaced her serious expression with a smile when the child came into the room. She listened to them talk then finally allowed herself to stand. "You're smart kid..I am like you. Both of us are good but misunderstood because we're different. But you have to keep it a secret about me, okay?" She said to Kyrian before looking at Kyra. "If you let me do my job i'll help you with whatever you need..even if it means hanging around a little longer than expected."

Kyra stood the moment that Talia did, pushing Kyrian behind her. "No. Your kind have tried that before. And I have been betrayed too many times. Kyrian has been betrayed too many times. I will not let you hang around and hurt him." She couldn't handle that look on his face as he was ripped from his new friends. Not again. And as his mother, it was her job to protect him from all of this.

"Hey if I make a promise to help someone I stick to it okay?" Talia replied with a snap. "I understand that you've been betrayed by many creatures before but trust me you obviously didn't seek help from the right ones." She let out a loud sigh before moving to the door and closing it and after making sure all the blinds were shut shifted back into her normal human form. "My name is Talia..this isn't my true form but its how I spend most of my time. If you couldn't trust me would I really risk showing you this?"

Shifting and following Talia with her gun, Kyra kept Kyrian behind her as she turned. She still didn't lower her weapon even when Talia turned into a woman. "I don't trust anyone. Not anymore. And the last creature who threatened my child is long dead. If you so much as look at him wrong, I will not hesitate putting a bullet right between your eyes. And your partners, should he show his face."

"You could kill me but you'd never kill him.." Talia responded stubbornly with a frown. "Now would you relax already..I haven't threatened your son once and I never will and if anyone ever did i'd make sure they were sorry, okay." She shifted back into the form of Jake then turned to Kyra, folding her arms across her chest. "So have we got a deal or not? You let me keep the chief distracted until his real son is returned and i'll help you with whatever problem it is you've got."

Kyra shook her head. "You don't even know what my problem is, so how can I trust you to help?" She was weakening. But if there was a single chance to get Kyrian out of here and somewhere safe, she would take it. But she hated trusting anyone with her son.

"Well how about you tell me what your problem is and I'll decide whether its something I can help with okay." Talia replied leaning against the door now with her arms folded. "Well go on..i'm sure its not that bad." She continued trying to sound reassuring.

"Not that bad?" Kyra asked, her eyebrow raising in minor annoyance. She glanced back at Kyrian, and then immediately back at Talia. "You have no idea what you're talking about. I stay here, they use my son against me. I leave to where he's safe, my own life is threatened or I get treated like breeding cattle. Nowhere is safe for us. I chose the lesser of two evils."

"They're using your son against you?" Talia repeated with a frown. "And where exactly do you go to keep him safe that puts your own life at risk? You need to give me the full story to help me understand."

"That would require that I first trust you," Kyra said with a derisive snort. "And that simply isn't going to happen. Your type would sooner kill me than assist me. And then take my son and use him in your plans." She put one hand back on Kyrian's arm, as a form of reassurance that he was still there. "It's bad enough that the chief holds him hostage so that I stay loyal. Not that I'm likely to defect to creatures who use humans so horribly."

"What are you talking about? Creatures using humans horribly..Your kind are the ones who can't be trusted. All we want is to live in peace, not have to worry that everyday we'll be recognised and dragged back here. If any of us fight humans its only in defence." Talia replied sharply as she glared at Kyra. "Have you ever met a shapeshifter before? I doubt it..we're not murderers..michieveous maybe, but we take no enjoyment from killing anyone, even humans. So stop thinking thats what i'm going to do to you.." She unfolded her arms and sighed heavily. "I'll help you get him out of here and to somewhere safe."

"I was married to one of you for long enough to know that you only use humans," Kyra said, her grip on Kyrian tightening a little. "And I won't let you use my son. I won't let you take him away from me. Because I know that the places he'll be safe, I certainly won't be. You really think that any creature is going to keep me safe?" Her tone was bordering on highly sarcastic as she stared down at Talia. "We didn't start this. I wanted nothing to do with it. I got dragged forcibly into something I was trying to avoid. That was the fault of your kind."

"Well then it seems we're at a disagreement and i'm growing very tired of this." Talia spoke as she moved to the window and briefly peeked out through the blinds before turning back to Kyra. "The decisions yours on what happens next. But trust me..the wrong one will be much worse for you."

Kyra didn't hesitate to raise her gun again to Talia's head. "Have a seat," she instructed. Again. "And stay there." Moving to put Kyrian out of sight with her body, Kyra glared at Talia. "Because trust me in this one, I will not hesitate to put a bullet in you, partner or not."

Talia rolled her eyes then suddenly was gone, her clothes crumpling to a heap on the floor. A small spider scurried from the pile and quickly hid in the shadow that the chair cast against the wall. I hate being a spider. Talia thought moodily as she watch Kyra to see how she would react.

Unlike most people, Kyra didn't jump when the person in front of her suddenly disappeared. Instead she just let out a smile. "Okay. That just settles it. I hope your friends like being raided." She put a hand on Kyrian's shoulder as the boy moved around her and crouched down, staring right at spider-Talia. Kyra also crouched down and looked, her eyes not being as useful as Kyrian's were. "Don't bother hiding from him. He can sense the liquids in your system." She kissed her son's head and gestured for him to go to the door. "Lets hope that when we do raid that stupid club you were in, we at least get your partner too."

Talias many eyes narrowed and she moved forwards changing back into Jakes form, grabbing his clothes and pulling them on as she did. She stood up and glared at Kyra. "Are you sure the police chief is using your son to make you do what he wants? Because it sounds like you would take great enjoyment out of hurting others." She said then looked at Kyrian. "How does it make you feel child to know your mother wants to go out and capture and hurt creatures that are like you?" She asked him seriously.

Kyra stood again and shook her head. "You don't get it, do you? Jake is a good kid. Misguided, yes, but good. One of your kind captured him, and you think that I take enjoyment out of hurting others?" Kyra made sure to pull Kyrian back, but the boy glanced up at Talia, his eyes glowing brightly enough to light up his face. "I am half human," the boy said, blinking at her. "And creatures want to capture and hurt me." It was said with the innocence of someone who was truly scared. "Mom protects me."

"Thats the thing! The thing that took Jake is nothing like me or my friends. Shes a shade, a creature that takes over the bodies of others and would happily destroy everything for her own gain. And the proof that she cares as little about my side as she does about yours..the body shes in right now is a drow..not a human!" Talia replied looking back up at Kyra. "Shes a terrible creature that I think everyone would do much better without!"

"And yet she lives. And you willingly allowed her to have Jake." Kyra shook her head, but before she could stop him, Kyrian moved around his mother and towards Talia. The woman grabbed the back of his shirt to keep him from getting too close, but Kyrian's eyes were locked on Talia. "Baby, stop," she said, pulling him close. "I don't want you reading her."

"I didn't willingly let her take him! I didn't even know she had him until my friend came to get help from his brother, my partner, in rescuing Jake." Talia snapped still unwilling to say Dash's name. When the small boy approached her she eyed him cautiously. "What's he doing?"

Kyra wanted to snap back at the creature, but Kyrian had turned his eyes onto her, giving her a look. And she was not about to deny that her son might know what he was doing. But she didn't have to like it. "He is a water mage. He can read your thoughts through touch. But doing so drains him." Kyra looked up at her. "I think he wants to see if you're telling the truth."

Talia looked down at the boy then slowly held her hand out to him so he could take it. "just be careful okay, don't hurt yourself kid." She said to him hoping this would gain some trust.

Kyrian moved forward again and placed his palm flat against Talia's. Although she wouldn't sense the change in her mind, she could feel the wet sensation that formed between their hands. When he looked back at Kyra, the boy simply nodded before letting go. Kyra holstered her weapon and scooped him up, placing him on her hip so he could rest his head on her shoulder.

"See I told you." Talia finally spoke after kyrian had stepped away. "Do you believe me now? Do you want my help?" She asked wiping her hand against her sleeve before folding her arms.

"The promise still stands that if you do anything to hurt my son, I will destroy you," Kyra said quietly, but this came out as less of a threat than it had before. "You can play your charade, I won't turn you in, but trust me, the moment I feel any betrayal, you will regret it."

Talia gave a long sigh of relief and finally allowed herself to smile at kyra. "you'll not regret this I promise and if this all works out I'll make sure to help you and your boy. Now I just need you to help me convince everyone i'm Jake until the real thing gets back. Can you do that?"

Giving her a reluctant nod, Kyra looked Talia in the eye. "Stop publicly fighting with me, Jake doesn't do that. Don't look anyone in the eye, he's a little shy around people. Don't talk to the chief. Jake does't like him anyway and that'll be a dead giveaway." Kyra paused for a moment and nodded for Talia to open the door. "And when I tell you to sit next to my desk and say nothing, do it. You might see them leading people around, don't jump up and attempt to do anything."

"Okay got it." Talia replied after listening carefully to Kyra's tips. She moved to the door and slowly opened it then stepped back out into the corridor and waited for the other woman to join her. She cast her eyes to the ground remembering that Jake never looked at anyone and shoved her hands in her pockets as she waited.

Kyra went down the hall first and sat down at a desk in the corner. She gestured for Talia to take the chair nearby, letting Kyrian curl up on her lap while she pulled the new memos across her desk to read them. This was going to be an excruciatingly long day.

Talia sat down in the seat she had been offered then watched as Kyra got to work. She glanced round then slumped down in the chair with a huff. This isn't very interesting. She thought. "So wheres all the creature files kept?" She asked suddenly in a low curious voice as she leant closer to Kyra.

"Out of reach," Kyra said without looking up from her work. She was having a difficult time reading with Kyrian on her lap. Usually Jake would hold the boy, and she was getting some odd looks from the others. "Here," she said, standing to pass Kyrian to Talia. "He needs to rest after what he did in there, and I need to fill out this paperwork."

---

The trip to the station was passed in silence, the rookie being elbowed for giving Fox sympathetic looks. Contrary to how she was treated in the club, the moment Fox was let out of the battered squad car she was grabbed by two stronger looking gentlemen who hauled her inside. The halls were a blur as she was led to a windowless room and shoved into a splintering wooden chair, clearly a relic of the days of electrocution. Leather straps held her wrists down and one was even put around her forehead to keep her head back, and lastly two around her ankles to keep her feet down. The two officers were clearly well trained and were giving Fox no room for funny business. One even spat on her before leaving the room. She was left there, in the empty room for a long few minutes before finally an older gentleman with bushy greying eyebrows and an equally bushy mustache came in and took the slightly comfier looking chair across the rough table in front of her. He was scarily fit for a man his perceivable age. "Ms Damei... I see this isn't your first offense," he began, not even looking at the file in front of him on the table. "So you'll know what's going to happen. Do you want to tell me where he is, or am I going to have to actually interrogate you." Something about his voice said he didn't plan on believing her, regardless of her response, and truth was, he didn't. She'd spew lies just to save her own skin. Pathetic creatures, scrambling around in the filth just trying not to get stepped on, but not to worry, he had some very big boots.

Fox glared at the ugly human who sat across from her. Most humans she had no problem with, it was the ones who thought themselves better then them. Shifting her shoulders slightly she sighed. "Might invest in a new chair. This ones getting a little tattered." Rolling her eyes she turned her attention back to the cop. "And who might you be referring to? My group doesn't kidnap your kind. Unlike you. We're trying to make peace. And as for the second offense, I'd have to have done something for that to be accurate."

"By merely existing you are an offense," the cop, Walters as stated by his name tag, replied, not at all shaken by Fox's defiance. He was glad she was uncomfortable but he remained calm, not letting that satisfaction show on his face more than it needed to. "If your kind really wanted peace, you would turn yourselves in instead of littering our city's streets with your presence, let alone your offspring." He sneered the word as if talking about fecal matter. "Really, it's a shame all of you see fit to even breath. Now, tell me you've taken him. Or, if it was not you, which of your little parasites did take him." For spewing hate, Walters' voice never faltered from the calm superior tone. He pushed his chair back and stood up, walking slowly around to Fox while unhooking something from his belt. "I don't know why you insist on fighting us.. like dogs, I suppose you need a firmer hand to train you, the carrot and stick method. Oh, but, I have no carrot." He paused, pretending to think, then shrugged. "No matter, you never do anything worthy of praise anyway. Stick it is then." It was only a split second before the loud crack rang through the room as Walters brought his police baton down in one sharp motion, striking Fox on her trapped forearm.

Fox cringed, clenching her hands into tight fists. "My people didn't take him. As I said, we don't kidnap people." This smelly cop was really infuriating. Fox inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, shutting everything out around her to listen. The guy was talking about the Chief's son. Is that who Elvira had taken? Sighing heavily she rolled her eyes open. "A shade has taken him. But she isn't one of mine."

The police baton end shoved Fox's chin up, forcing her to meet the officer's narrowed grey eyes. "So quick to throw your own kind under the bus- Pathetic, weak!" The baton disappeared for less than a second before it struck Fox in the cheek hard enough to break her lip. "You're completely deluded if you think any of us would ever go with you willingly," Walters hissed at her, barely stopping himself from spitting on her as he righted himself and walked slowly around her chair. "Maybe it wasn't you... maybe it wasn't your little clique... Maybe it was this... shade, you claim isn't 'one of yours' but surely you know where she is, where we can find her." He stopped on the other side of the chair from her and put the end of his baton on the back of her hand and leaned forward, pressing it hard into the metacarpals and twisting one way and the other slowly for good measure. "I suggest you start being more forthcoming with any information you may have, or you're going to be here a lot, lot longer, Ms Damei."

Fox's face gave sickening crack as the baton contacted it, her head unmoving from the restraints. She grit her teeth, taking the time to spit out a mouthful of blood as Walters moved around her chair, and feeling her lip starting to swell slowly. "I told you everything I know... I don't know where she is!" she snapped. Gasping thickly, she felt the pain burn up her arm from the twisting to her hand, and she gave a whine of defiance as she tried to hold her pained screams in. "I DON'T KNOW!" she yelled again, squirming in her chair as much as she possibly could with her restraints.

"Even if you don't know where he is, you know where someone is that can find him!" Walters lifted his baton suddenly and pointed it at her face. "And you're going to talk to them, and you're going to bring him back, because if he doesn't show up in the next twenty four hours, you can be sure I'm going to make it my personal goal to make every day you live from now on Hell. Do I make myself clear?" Watery grey eyes stared her down, dark with hatred, for a full minute before the officer gave her a look that said he wanted to spit on her, but didn't actually do it, and moved away from her. He went to the door of the room and tapped twice with his baton. It opened and the two officers from before came in, glaring at her as they released her but seeming pleased by her obvious marks. They each grabbed one of her biceps and lifted her from the chair, practically dragging her to the door, but stopped when Walters lightly placed his baton on Fox's stomach. "Twenty four hours, Ms Damei. One day." He leaned back, gave her one last dirty look, then violently drew his baton back and brought it straight into her stomach. "Good day, Ms Damei," he said, his tone as pleasant, or at least as even, as it had been since she arrived, and he stepped out of the way to let the two snickering police officers drag her back outside.

One day, that's all Fox had to get the shade and make her reason. Fox had held up pretty good with the beatings until the police officer slammed his baton into her stomach. She'd almost feel to the ground in pain as she spit up blood. The urge to throw the weak humans away from her, and tear the mans head off was very strong, but she knew that if she did, she would never make it out of here alive. She could over power them, but outrun bullets? Not likely. She knew she looked terrible, a split lip, swollen cheek, her eye was most likely blacked with how close he'd gotten to it, and she worried that her hand may be broken. Her head was buzzing with voices, too tired, and too weak to shut them out, so she just left them alone. As the two officers dragged her along, she refused to hang her head and submit to unconsciousness. Rolling her head around, she willed herself to wake up, even though her body wanted to rest so it could heal. She was dragged through the main area of the station, more a humiliation then anything. She knew there were other ways out. Glancing around she saw all the cops staring at her. One even had the nerve to stop them and lift her face. At his touch she pulled away, and began thrashing around. "Just let me go! You've questioned me, now get out of the way!" Her voice was filled with hatred as the officer obliged, stepping out of the way.

"You want me to hold him?" Talia asked with wide eyes before slowly standing. She didn't have much experience with children and she couldn't help but feel a little panicked at having to take care of the boy whilst Kyra worked. She reached her arms out to take him but paused when she noticed many of the officers around her staring at something behind her. She turned and couldn't help but let out a audible gasp when she saw that it was in fact Fox being led through the station, looking terrible. "Fox!" She said forgetting she was disguised as Jake and took a quick step towards her before stopping when she finally remembered she was supposed to be acting like the human boy. She looked at the people around her then glanced briefly back at Kyra, not sure what to do. I have to make sure she's okay.. She bit her lip then stepped forward towards Fox. "Your names Fox isn't it..I've read your file." She said trying to think of a way to communicate with her but still try and keep up the disguise. She did her best to ignore the officers that were gripping Fox's arms firmly, hoping they wouldn't grow suspicious.

Kyra could have slapped the idiot shapechanger. Walking over and shoving Kyrian into Talia's arms, she pushed her back towards her desk. "No, you haven't. Unless you've been looking at the files on my desk again." Knowing full well that approaching one of them would be a dead giveaway, she turned towards Fox and put on her best mother hen impression, which was quite accurate since she was one. "I suggest you keep moving," she said to the creature, her hands on her hips and her legs shoulder width apart, standing in between the boy and the thing.

Fox shoved the officers away from her. "I can show myself out." The two cops that had been holding her, backed away with their hands up. Fox turned to the strange human boy and frowned deeply. "Aren't you the boy I just got beaten over?" The two cops beside her frowned. "Jake! What are you doing here?" Fox clenched her hands at her sides. Jumping forward she grabbed ahold of Jakes collar and shook him violently. "Get me out of here without being harmed. Its the least you could do."

Talia had been on her way back to Kyra's desk, carrying Kyrian in her arms when she was suddenly dragged backwards by her collar and shook violently. "R-relax!" She stuttered in Jakes voice then carefully set Kyrian down and ushered him towards his mother. "I'll be right back..I just want to make sure she leaves the premise's quietly..." She smiled weakly at the officers then shrugged herself from Fox's grip. "Come on." She glanced at Kyra knowing she was going to be mad but she had to speak to Fox privately if she could. She turned in the direction of the exit and quickly began to make her way towards it.

"No," Kyra said, forcefully putting herself in between Talia and Fox, tearing the fae's hands from Talia's collar. Turning the boy, she pushed him back towards her desk. "You stay there. You aren't going anywhere with anyone except me. Remember our deal?" She gave a look that clearly said she wasn't about to be argued with. Looking around, she noticed a lot of officers looking at her. "Oh, go back to work, you lazy slobs! Before I go and bring the chief down here to see what's going on!" With that said, she turned back to Fox and took the woman's arm in a not so kind grip. "Lets go. The sooner you're out of here, the sooner you're out of my hair." She shoved Fox forward and towards the door, the growl in her voice as she turned and pointed at Talia. "Go, sit!" Kyra would walk Fox out and mention something, since that's what the other creature had been intent upon doing, but if Talia did it, that would ruin the whole gambit. So Kyra would do it instead.

Fox slapped the females hands away. "Don't touch me." Running her uninjured hand through her hair, she sighed softly and closed her eyes for a moment before she followed the cop outside. Spitting a few droplets of blood on the ground and sighed as she turned to lean against the brick wall. "I'll be on my way in a few. I just need to rest. Thank you for helping me out of there."

Turning and watching the fae lean against the wall, Kyra shook her head. "You creatures need to learn basic manners when someone is trying to help you," she muttered. "Your shapechanger friend is added to that list, too." Raising an eyebrow at Fox, she stepped back and away from the blood being spat out. "Bring the boy back and Talia will return to you in time." With that said, she went back into the police station, not even waiting for a response.

Fox narrowed her eyes and spite another mouth full of blood out. "Basic manners? Is thank you not enough for you assholes?" She called after the female cop. She wasn't in any mood to be polite to the humans tonight. Not after being beaten for something she wasn't even involved in. Glancing around she frowned deeply. Now she'd have to get home. She could have used her powers to get one of the guys to come get her, Adder could teleport but she needed the alone time to think. Clutching her injured hand to her injured and bruised stomach she began to walk home. She got several looks, a child even asked his mother why she looked so funny. That brought tears to her eyes but she didn't allow them to fall. Sniffling she held her head up high and walked along. After a good fifteen minutes or more she came to the doors of the club. There wasn't a bouncer outside because they should have closed up already. Inhaling deeply she shoved open the doors to the club. Everyone that had stayed behind, which was just the boys, jumped to their feet. Hurrying over to her, they each grabbed her and helped her upstairs. "Don't worry, Foxy... We're not leaving you tonight." Without asking what happened they carefully helped her into the apartment. Adder returned downstairs to lock up while Rain and Lynx helped her into bed. Her only thought before passing out was that she was going to get blood on her sheets.

---

Talia sat nervously at Kyra's desk with Kyrian seated on her knee. I hope Fox is alright..and hopefully she'll know that this was me..She thought then looked down at the child in her lap, trying to ignore the stares and strange looks she was getting from the officers around her. "I bet your mom's going to be mad at me." She whispered to him before glancing at the door as the other woman re-entered the police station. She gave a weak smile then looked towards the ground. This is not easy trying to play a helpless human..

Kyra stalked back to her desk, giving a cold stare to anyone who dared to look at her as she passed by. She had no idea if that fae had understood what she was trying to tell her, and if she was like half the creatures Kyra ran across in the day, then she just wasn't quick enough to pick up on it. Her attitude spoke volumes of how out of it she was. But whatever. It wasn't her concern. The shapechanger currently holding her son, however, was her concern. With a sigh, Kyra sat down at her desk and looked over at Talia. "Please don't do that again," she said quietly. "Granted, it is something I'm attempting to train him out of doing too, but I dont' want to have to explain to everyone why the chief's son is being nice to those creatures." She let out a sigh. "But he is always nice to pretty much everyone. At least as far as I can tell..."

"I'm sorry. She's just a good friend of mine and seeing her like that..it took me by surprise." Talia replied in a low voice. "But I won't do it again..i'm completely ready to be Jake now, with your help of course. So I just need you to give me as much information you can on the boy so I don't mess things up. Because if I do..it'll be trouble for the both of us." She glanced round to make sure no one was listening before carrying on. "So tell me exactly how he acts round here and even things like what he prefers to eat. Just tell me everything." She finished with a determined nod. She didn't want to get this wrong.

"He doesn't really talk to anyone else around here, so that shouldn't be a problem," Kyra said quietly with a nod. "Like I said before, he doesn't really argue or raise his voice. I would cut that out if I were you. And he doesn't much care for fighting. Although the boy can defend himself. I at least made sure of that." She paused and looked down at the files in front of her. "As far as eating, I always bring him what fruit I can find, and he only drinks water. No coffee, even though I've tried to get him to try it. Won't touch it at all."

Talia nodded quickly as she listened to Kyra speak but frowned suddenly at the mention of only eating fruit and no coffee. It was a known fact that She had an exceptionally sweet tooth and coffee was one of her favourite things to drink. "Ugh..fine." She muttered with an eye roll then looked round. "So where can I get some water? Is there a kitchen or a vending machine..you have to let me test out being Jake around the others without you. See if anyone picks up anything strange." She whispered.

Kyra blew out some air. "There's a breakroom over that way," she said, pointing towards a door. "But remember, the other officers don't much care for him so he is usually quiet and nonconfrontational around them. Not scared, don't act that way, but...nervous, yes. I suppose." She looked at Kyrian and nodded. "Bring him with you. You two are the best of friends, after all."

"Okay..I can do this." Talia nodded then stood up, setting Kyrian down before gently grasping his hand. "But if you do hear any loud shouting or anything..please come and save me." She joked before walking off in the direction of the breakroom, remembering not to make any eye contact with any of the officers she passed. Her heart was racing as she opened the door and only briefly glanced round at the people inside who had paused to look back at her before stepping inside and over to the water cooler. "Do you want a drink?" She asked Kyrian softly, choosing to just fully ignore those around her.

Kyrian stood on tiptoes and whispered at Talia. "I am not allowed to have water." It wasn't much of a secret, but Kyrian's blue eyes landed on Talia with complete seriousness. "But can I have some juice?" It was an innocent enough question. The boy looked back towards the people in the breakroom, who gave the boy the nastiest of looks, as if he were scum, looks they dared not pass onto him while his mother was nearby.

"Sure.." Talia replied with a smile. "..Wheres the juice kept?" She whispered realising she didn't know and decided it was best that she didn't wander around searching through the cupboards and fridges for something that Jake would know where it was right away. She followed Kyrian's gaze momentarily to the other people in the room and it took all her willpower not to yell or throw something at the people who were giving such nasty looks to the child. Taking a breath she returned her attention to the boy.

Rather than answer out loud, Kyrian walked over to the cupboard and looked at it longingly. One of the officers shifted away, but Kyrian ignored him and instead looked from Talia back to the cupboard. "I can't reach," he stated simply. Despite the looks he was receiving, the boy was remarkably well balanced.

"Don't worry i'll get it." Talia told him then moved to the cupboard, pausing for a second when she was roughly elbowed to the side by a passing officer. "Oh sorry.." They said sarcastically then carried on, sniggering as they joined their friends. "Its okay.." Talia replied after taking a breath to calm herself. This kid needs to learn to defend himself and teach these idiots a lesson! she thought angrily as she opened the cupboard and pulled a carton of juice down for Kyrian, offering it to him before grabbing her glass of water. "You need anything else?"

Kyrian stared hard at the floor as the officers passed, taking the juice silently. The water pipes let out a stressed sound as Talia filled her glass, the faucet practically shaking. When Kyrian looked up at her, his eyes were glowing bright blue even if his facial expression was completely neutral. "No. Thank you."

"Lets get to your mom then okay." Talia told him taking his hand again and taking a step towards the door. She stopped when their path was blocked by a large man who if she hadn't known was human would have sworn he had some troll in his blood. "Excuse us.." She said remembering to keep her eyes to the floor as she pulled Kyrian behind her. "Huh? You gotta speak up..I can never hear you." The man snapped then pushed his way into the room, shoving Talia and Kyrian to the side. "And you're supposed to be the next chief.." He said with an eye roll as he passed, knowing that neither would dare report him to the chief. Talia's grip tightened on Kyrian's hand and she quickly hurried from the room pulling the boy along with her. "Don't worry when the real Jake gets back i'll return here disguised as a werewolf or something..give all these cops a nice big scare. Won't that be fun?" She whispered to Kyrian as they walked then sat herself back down at Kyra's desk. "I think they all bought it." She told her quietly with a small satisfied smile.

Kyra looked at Kyrian who climbed into Talia's lap and gave his mother a small nod. "Good. Maybe..." She let out a small sigh and shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thought that maybe Talia would really help Kyrian. Even if she held up her end, there was no way Kyra was going to completely trust Talia. "Kyrian, in a little while, you want to show Jake to your room?" The little boy nodded as he pushed the straw into his juice.

"Wait..the kid lives here?" Talia hissed under her breath as she frowned. "They won't even let you take him home?" She sighed and shook her head. "Don't worry that'll change soon. So..where does Jake live? Because I guess i'm going to have to go there tonight to sleep or pretend to at least.." 

"Yes, Kyrian lives here. He has a room set aside upstairs." Kyra tried not to let her anger show on her face, but it was hard to keep from her eyes. "And you can either go to the chief's house or stay in the room I have set aside at mine for you. Or you can stay here with Kyrian. Any one of those choices will be normal." She picked up her stamp and angrily slammed it on the paper she was working on before shoving it into the file folder.

Talia bit her lip whilst she thought. "I can't make up my mind what the safest option is..I mean where ever I fall asleep, when I wake up i'm not going to look like Jake at first. Your place would probably be best but I really don't like the idea of the kid being alone here at the station and then the chief might be mad if I don't go home..maybe I should just take the risk and go back with him? I'll just pretend I feel sick or something and lock myself in Jake's room for the night. That way he won't get mad at you or Kyrian."

"I don't see him getting mad at you for coming home with me seeings as you do that on a regular basis anyway," Kyra said. "But if you're worried about appearances...it would probably be better if you stay here. That way you don't run a risk of having your door broken down." She knew from experience about that one. "I wouldn't put it past him to do something like that, either."

"No I still think its best I go to Jakes home. That way if I do get found out it'll keep you and Kyrian from getting in trouble because if I stay with either of you then people will think that you were covering for me. You need to remain innocent for the sake of your son and it looks like they're looking for any excuse to punish Kyrian. I'll be fine. I've been doing this kind of thing my whole life..tricking people and making them believe i'm someone i'm not." Talia replied firmly in a low voice. "And even if I do get found out you don't need to worry about me being caught. Shapeshifters are one of the hardest creatures to actually catch and i'm not about to change that."

"Okay," Kyra said with a nod. "I'm going to be here for the evening. I want to stay close to Kyrian tonight at least." She reached into her desk and took out the little handheld radio she kept there. "Take this. I'll have mine on and set to channel three. If you need anything..." Letting that sentence rest there, she put the radio on the corner of the desk for Talia. "It's not you getting caught that I'm particularly worried about."

"Oh thanks.." Talia remarked sarcastically as she took the small handheld radio and slipped it into her pocket. "Well if my safety doesn't bother you then what does?" She finally asked with a small frown.

"You forget, if it weren't for Kyrian, I might have lost you already," Kyra said almost dismissively. "What I'm worried about is that maybe you will leave and tell all your friends about my son. If they come here and take him...I'll never be able to find him again."

"Yeah i'm going to tell all my friends that I spent a day in the police station making friends with the humans and along the way found out about a half human half..whatever he is child." Talia replied with a roll of her eyes. "Trust me..i'm not going to be telling anyone about this unless they've been involved in Jakes rescue and if you ask me to keep Kyrian a secret then I will."

"The fae will know," Kyra said coldly as she glanced at Kyrian, who was slowly falling asleep in Talia's lap, the hand holding his juice box dipping towards the floor. "You just don't understand how hard I had to fight to keep him here. How much I have to sacrifice every day so that he's safe..."

"Well then if its that hard then why not just let one of us take him. I mean you could still come and visit, none of my friends would stop you if I told them you had helped me. That way he'd be safe and you could carry on your job or whatever to make sure you were safe too." Talia said knowing the other woman probably wouldn't like that idea.

Kyra's expression became hard again. "And only visit? When he's here, at least I get the entire day with him, and nights if I stay as well." She shook her head and took a deep breath, forcing herself to look away from Talia and back to her paperwork. "You're not a mother, you wouldn't understand."

Talia glared at Kyra and took a breath to respond but was stopped by heavy footsteps behind them. "Jake..we're going home." The Chief stated in a commanding voice causing Talia to nod and carefully lift Kyrian from her knee before standing and moving to his side. "I thought I told you he had to stay in his room?" Barked the chief turning his attention to Kyra. "Get him out of here immediately then get some work done. I expect all your reports to be up to date and on my desk in the morning." Once done giving his orders he turned and swiftly marched from the station, expecting Talia to follow. She glanced at Kyra then quickly followed after the chief, heart racing with nervousness. She climbed into the car then turned her attention to something outside the window as Jake's father started the engine and drove off. This is going to be a long night. Talia thought as they turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

Kyra picked her son up and brought him up to his room. She shot several glares towards the door where the chief had disappeared. He knew perfectly well that she was one of the few officers who actually finished her reports on time. With him settled into his bed, she walked back to her desk, gathered her files, and went right back upstairs so she could sit in his room and finish her work to be handed in first thing in the morning.