Facing My Fears

    Well the next week and a half was hard for both me and Ruby as we worked hard. We tried avoiding each other as much as possible but the lab was so small that this wasn't an option. It wasn't that we were mad at each other or anything, it was more that we were afraid that the subject of our last conversation with Marcus would come up.

Then as I was working on some of the legal documents at Marcus' desk Mya walked up and sat across from me and asked, "Damien Dear is everything okay?"

"What makes you ask a question like that?" I ask not even turning from the screen as I continued to type.

"Well for starters you and Ruby haven't talked in almost a week nor have either of you gone to see Marcus." replied Mya as she reached across the desk and turned off the computer monitor before asking, "What happened?"

"We've just been focused on the case and trying to wrap things up for when Marcus gets out of the hospital." I half lied.

"Damien dear, don't insulated my intelligence." replied Mya with her arms crossed as she glared at me.

"Marcus told us he wanted me to move in at semester break." I sighed

"That's great isn't it?." replied Mya with a smile.

"He also said Ruby could move in after she graduated and the three of us could be a family." I added with a sigh as I reached forward to turn the monitor back on.

"That's weird but still good. This means he loves both of you and doesn't want to have to choose between you." replied Mya taking my paw which caused me to finally turn to look her in the eyes.

"But neither of us want to share him or be second mate." I softly whimper.

"Damien, wouldn't that be better then being alone. Besides who says you'd be second. Now I know you only like guys but Marcus goes both ways. Neither of you can force him into committing to just one of you. If you do you might just loose him." confessed Mya with a very concerned look on her face.

"But what he's asking just doesn't make any sense. He wants us to love him completely while he only loves each of us half heartedly. You say we shouldn't try to change him but what about us?" I confess and as I add one last remark I froze because as I did so I picked up a scent I hadn't smelt in almost a week. "I don't want to be half loved. I want all of his love or none of it."

"I see." came a voice behind me that made me freeze. As for Mya she was just as shocked as I was.

"Marcus! You're out of the hospital already?" confusingly asked Mya seeing as I was still too shocked to speak.

"I was just released. I had just come to get a few things from my desk before heading home. The doctors don't want me starting work until tomorrow so I'll take these files as a little light reading before turning something on." replied Marcus as he opened the top draw of his desk and pulled out two case files.

As he did so I managed to catch sight of two letters in the bottom of the drawer and one was marked with my name on it. Marcus then slowly shut the draw before smiling and walking out of the lab. He didn't even stop to say anything to Ruby. Had what I said hurt his feelings? Should I see what his letter to me said or just wait until he gives it to me? But what if he never gives it to me.

"Damien dear I know you didn't mean it and even if you did he'll understand." replied Mya trying to be encouraging.

"Mya he has a letter addressed to me in his draw." I softly reply as I slowly turn to face her with a questioning look on my face.

"No." replied Mya half shocked and half warning me not to read it.

I took her advice and we went back to working and now that Marcus was out of the hospital my father's court case would be getting scheduled soon which only made me even more scared then talking with Ruby about Marcus's proposal. Mya would occasionally come by and check on me and once the date was announced we all gathered for the pretrial meeting. This was also the first time Marcus would be working right along side us seeing as since getting out of the hospitals he either worked from home or met with the district attorney.

As Marcus entered the station's conference room he took the seat at the end of the table and me and Ruby purposefully sat at the midway point which made the district attorney raise an eyebrow and once everyone was seated she addressed us. Now the district attorney was a young lioness with green eyes and was wearing a black suit.

"So before we get started I have to ask, is there something going on among the team that may cause conflict or distractions leading forward? Tomorrow is the court date and I want to lock this scumbag away and throw away the key." asked the district attorney with her paws on her hips and I could swear she was looking at me Ruby and Marcus when asking the question.

"Madam District Attorney, I believe my team is able to keep their personal issues outside of the room and focus solely on the matter at paw." replied Marcus standing. It was at this point that I realized his arm was in a sling. "Everyone in this room has the same goal as you and wants to see Mr. Makers locked up as much as you."

"Tanks Lt. Squirrel with that all I need to know now is there any of you who aren't ready to take the stand and present your evidence as an expert in your field?" asked the district attorney placing her paws on the table and facing the whole team.

"About that madam district attorney, none of the team actually have degrees and despite that I have full faith in my team to know what they're talking about and that they can handle the stand." started Marcus only to pause and look my way before adding, "With that said I don't think it'd be a good idea for Damien to take the stand seeing as it may reopen emotional scares from his past if not cause new one."

"Noted Lt. Squirrel, but sadly Mr. Makers Jr. is a key witness to putting his father away for good." replied the district attorney and it looked as if Marcus was about to argue when she asking, "Is this request one based on personal or professional feelings?"

    "Are you questioning my determination and dedication to this case madam district attorney?" asked Marcus standing bold and unmoving. It was actually very sexy the way he was defending me. It actually was turning me on so much that I could feel myself starting to get an erection.

    "Well rumor around my office is that you've got eyes for two of the people on this team and seeing as the cat and mouse have been hanging all over each other since they got here. As for Detective O'Hare him and the panda have been holding paws since arriving which only leaves Mr. Makers Jr., Ms. O'Hare, or the two paw selected rookie officers. I think its safe for me to rule out the rookies seeing as they haven't been on the team that long and were only added shortly before your accident." drilled the district attorney, "Also there are records of Ms. O'Hare and Mr. Makers Jr. visiting you in the hospital. Now they don't seem to want to sit by you thus meaning there is personal matters not settled that need discarded or dealt with now!"

    "When did the district attorney's office start dealing in rumors?" snapped back Marcus and I was forced to nudge Mya who was next to me and give her a help me face as I tried to hide my erection with my paws. "If it wasn't for the expert work of this team here you would still be sitting on twelve unsolved cases of cub molestation, four cases of cub abduction and murder, and two cases of rape. You'd only get ten years for him shooting me and that's still without the testimony of Damien. So if you want the evidence to pin Mr. Makers to the prison wall then Damien doesn't take the stand!"

    "I don't doubt your team's skills. The reason I need Mr. Maker Jr. to take the stand is to testify on the grounds for which you acquired his DNA." replied the district attorney with a smile, "Or was there something about that in which you failed to record in your report concerning that?"

    "My DNA was acquired by a voluntary blood sample of which Ms. O'Hare acquired via a finger prick while I was on a sanctioned tour of the seventh precinct's CSI lab. It was after my visit was through that my DNA sample registered as a partial match of that of multiple open cases." I explain from my seat I try not to let any one else see my erection while Mya tried to think of something.

    Marcus and the district attorney glared at each other for about ten minutes and we all just waited to which she finally sighed, "Fine he doesn't have to take the stand."

    Marcus then sat back down and we all review the case and got ready for tomorrow. In fact I was really glade that I wasn't going to have to take the stand and it even seemed odd that Marcs would've even suggested it unless he somehow knew more about what my father did to me. Just then as we all were wrapping up the review my erection had slowly went down for every time Marcus spoke his voice just hit the right spot to spark it back up. Looking at Mya I just waited for everyone to leave hoping she'd stay and help me with a reason for waiting.

    Just then Marcus approached me and placed a paw on mine but not in a romantic way that I'd hope for, no it was more of a comforting way. I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his hoping he'd not look under the table or that Mya would break free of Mia quicker to come to my aid.

    "Damien I know its going to be hard to face your father tomorrow and that's why I've asked your mother to be there with you. This is a demon you both have to watch finally be caged and locked away forever. You'll be safe with the extra guards but I've also had two bulletproof vest acquired for you and your mother's protection." explained Marcus with a smile.

    "Does that mean you want yours back?" I sadly ask. I liked having it and have really enjoyed sleeping with it. No I can't sleep with it on but I put it on a pillow and cuddle it. I know I'm weird but hay get over it.

    "No, there will be two officers that will great each of you when you arrive at the court house. They will help you put the vest on and then will take them back off once the case is over and you leave the courthouse." explained Marcus, "Any questions?"

    "Can't you help me put mine on? It was amazing the way you secured the straps the last time." I charmingly replied hoping he'd take the bait.

    "Sorry that was a one time deal." replied Marcus and my heart sank.

    Could he really mean it? Has he chosen to just move on past me and Ruby? After all he's been working from home and the few times he came into the lab he hasn't talked to either me or Ruby other then to give orders or get case related updates. No flirting. No charm. Nothing.

    I sigh as I watch Marcus leave and I think Mya could tell I needed more then just an excuse to stay behind. So our excuse talk turned into are girl talk of which she helped encourage me for tomorrow's court date and watching my father be hauled away for good but more she gave me hope to just trust in my heart and that Marcus will either come around or she'd make him come around. In the end I felt better and though part of me wanted to snuggle my pillow with Marcus's vest on it my heart ended up hurting too much to even bring it to bed with me.

    The next morning the case went completely as planned except the defense called me to the stand and proceeded to try and make me an accomplish and say the only reason I was trying to become a lawyer was to help my father get away with our crimes. I could see Marcus was ready to jump over the rail and cause great bodily harm to the defense attorney for his accusations. In fact I found out afterwards that the only reason he'd remained seated was that Ruby and Ray had paw cuffed him in place the moment I was called to the stand.

    When the district attorney questioned me she allowed me to straighten the story out and explain that the real reason I wanted to become a lawyer was to help lock up people like my father if not one day gain to courage to lock away my father. So in the end the judge gave my father the maximum which was like four life sentences with no chance of parole. It was a happy day other then the fact that once things were over Marcus took off while I was getting my bulletproof vest off.

    Half sad that he left us my mom tried to cheer me up by taking the whole gang out for dinner. She said it was going to be on her but I still don't know how she could've afforded such a meal. At least one of my fears has been faced and there is a spark of hope at the end of the tunnel.