No Choice

Kaylid Chronicles

Mel Todd

Bad Ash Publishing

Atlanta, Georgia

Copyright © 2018 by Melisa Todd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Bad Ash Publishing

Atlanta, GA

www.badashpublishing.com

Publisher's Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author's imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Book Layout © 2017 BookDesignTemplates.com

Cover by http://www.ampersandbookcovers.com/

No Choice/Melisa Todd. -- 1st ed.

ISBN 978-0-9905182-4-2 (paperback)

Ash – No Kissy Stuff, promise

I wasn't born a cat, but it is what I am now.

―McKenna Largo

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Live on Police!

Chapter 2 - WTF, Over

Chapter 3 - Bigger than a Breadbox

Chapter 4 - Viral

Chapter 5 - After Action

Chapter 6 - Paparazzi

Chapter 7 - Animal Magnetism

Chapter 8 - Q&A

Chapter 9 - Dilemmas

Chapter 10 - Grocery Shopping

Chapter 11 - Research

Chapter 12 - Mountain Time

Chapter 13 - New Reality

Chapter 14 - Showing Off

Chapter 15 - Establishing Roles

Chapter 16 - Home Life

Chapter 17 - Daily Grind

Chapter 18 - Lion Riot

Chapter 19 - Talk About It

Chapter 20 - House Hunting

Chapter 21 - Premeditated

Chapter 22 - No Good Deed

Chapter 23- Setting Up

Chapter 24 - Show Time

Chapter 25 - Avoiding Tests

Chapter 26 - Hospitals

Chapter 27 - Moving On Up

Chapter 28 - Ah Ha Moments

Chapter 29 - Summer Day

Chapter 30 - Taken

Chapter 31 - Sit Rep

Chapter 32 - Training Starts

Chapter 33 - Consequences

Chapter 34 - Compartmentalize

Chapter 35 - Chance

Chapter 36 - Roll the Dice

Chapter 37 - Red in Tooth

Chapter 38 - Calvary Arrives

Chapter 39 - Finders Keepers

Epilogue

Prologue

Triggered light years away, the wave flowed on its path towards the small planet. The planet cycled in and out of the wave's trajectory as it traveled through space, moving ever closer to the target's orbit. Full of tiny pods, there was no thinking, no intent, only programming. Heedless of anything coming their way, which included the solar flare that erupted and seared across their breadth. But radiation caused corruption, changes in the programming, and as the pods hit the atmosphere of the blue and white planet, most of them had been corrupted, changed, altered from what their creators intended.

The pods burned away in the heat of entry, tiny flares so small not even the most powerful telescopes registered them as more than dust. Releasing their payloads as they dissolved.

Free, the tiny passengers spread out, guided by their existing programming, unaware of how they differed from their original intent.

The troposphere welcomed them, and they spread out, but a fraction of their original numbers. Tiny but packed with information, instructions, and possibilities, they slipped into their targets with every breath. Some died, rejected by their host's biology, some never found a viable host, and some found the target incompatible. But a fraction, a percentage, found the home they were looking for and invaded, determined to fulfill their mission.

Chapter 1 - Live on Police!

It's a gorgeous sunny day in the Sacramento Valley. The sun flare that started late yesterday, and is still hammering Earth today, hasn't impacted anything other than a single satellite, so enjoy your summer, Rossville. ~ KWAK News radio station.

Officer McKenna Largo felt the eyes of the camera on her as she walked out of the convenience store. She stopped with her hand on the door of her cruiser; for a second, she closed her eyes, caught in the foreboding that came every time she saw the damn camera.

What if something bad happens and they film it, and I screw up? What if I have to do something to protect people and it all goes wrong?

She shook her head, her ponytail lashing at her.

Enough, you will do your job, just like you always have. You've already proven you'll never be like Mom. Hell, at this point you're seven years older than she was when she….

As always, her thoughts broke off, and she refused to think about her mother anymore. Instead, she worked up her indignation about having a camera crew following her around. The only way to make it through the day would be to get her mood up.

"Why me?" McKenna kept the fake whine in her voice obvious as she slipped back into the patrol car, a bottle of water in each hand. She ignored the smirk from her partner, Joseph Daniel Davidson, known as JD to everyone, as she handed him one of the bottles.

"'Cause you got tits." His response sarcastic, and he didn't look at her as he worked on the laptop filing a report from their latest traffic stop. His short brown hair streaked with red from the laptop reflection as he typed, his huge fingers making the keyboard seem dainty. A fidget spinner sat on the dashboard, and she eyed it, wondering if she could toss it out the window before he could stop her.

"That qualifies as sexual harassment. I could report you," she pointed out, though she didn't even have enough energy to fake outrage. Between her worry, stress at the damn TV cameras, and the way her body ached, she just wanted a nap. With her luck, she was coming down with the flu. Pushing that aside, she wove her long brown hair into a tight French braid and secured it with a band, tired of getting hit with her hair in a ponytail.

"Then who in the world would you partner with? You really want to be stuck with Gruder or Samuels?" The amusement in his voice showed his lack of concern, even as he picked up the spinner and started to flick it. "And don't even think about grabbing this."

How in the world did he notice me looking?

"Oh god, no." She shuddered. Gruder smoked like a chimney, and nothing was going to make him stop when he only had two years left, and Samuels couldn't be quiet for more than two minutes. He'd single-handedly ruined three stings before they busted him back to patrol.

"Then I think my career is safe," JD commented as he looked out the window at the camera crew for Police! waiting for them. "Maybe you'll get lucky and we'll go someplace they can't film." The whirring of the spinner strangely soothing though it normally annoyed her.

"Like where? They got approval from half the city." McKenna knew her voice had hit full teenage sulk status, and she didn't care. Being the star of an episode of reality TV had never been in any of her career plans. "I still don't know why I'm the one they have to film." JD started to answer, but she jabbed her finger at him. "And don't say 'cause I'm a girl."

He shrugged huge shoulders. "Truth hurts. You're pretty, got boobs, and even better, Native American heritage. You're a ratings dream. 'Sides, you jiggle when you run. I bet it helps their viewer demographics."

She could clearly see his smirk and debated shooting him, but he was right; the last thing she wanted to do was get a new partner.

"Arrgg." McKenna slumped against the steering wheel. Well, as much as you could even think about slumping with a bulletproof vest and all her gear on. "I just want to do my job. Why do they make this so complicated?"

"Politics. Smile and bear it."

"Easy for you to say, they don't focus the camera on you as much."

"A female cop who is half the size of some suspects is much more interesting than a cop that towers over and outweighs them by a hundred pounds."

"So lose weight," she snarked back, a familiar joke between them.

"I don't think so. I'm on track to lift eight hundred. Any weight I lose would be muscle, and you know it." JD tapped his firm belly and cast a grin at McKenna.

She rolled her eyes, but admitted every pound of him was muscle and bone, all three hundred fifty pounds and six-feet-eight inches. He had to get a special waiver to even be a cop, but the fact that he could ace every test, physical and knowledge, without much effort, went a long way to help justify the waiver. Unlike her, who had more than a few curves she'd give almost anything to get rid of.

"Fine, all valid points. How much longer do we have as part of this reality TV farce?"

McKenna knew the numbers, but hearing him say them made them sound shorter than when she replayed them in her head.

"Three more shifts of twelve hours, so thirty-six if we don't include today."

"Let's not, I'd like to pretend today is already over." She sighed and glanced in the mirror to make sure her make-up hadn't run. She'd been informed if she wore eyeliner and some lipstick the camera would not wash her out as much. McKenna hated wearing make-up on the job. Hazel eyes with dark green eyeliner peered back at her with narrowed annoyance.

This whole thing sucks. But if I refuse, I'll fail. I refuse to fail. I am not a quitter. No matter what they thought.

JD started to reply as the radio crackled and pulled her from her thoughts.

"RVH11 we have a Code 211S from 1st Central bank. You are the closest unit, please respond."

McKenna growled at the radio, H was created just for them. For Hollywood, she hated it with a passion, but none of that changed anything. Besides, it had been made very clear to her, by the captain no less, that her opinion didn't matter. She would do her job and even smile while she did it. Or maybe bare her teeth, that might be more accurate.

"RVH11, Code 1," she acknowledged and buckled in even as she flipped on the lights. She turned them on earlier than she would have under normal circumstances, but it had been made very clear she could not lose the camera crew of Police! when they took calls. With quick keystrokes she pulled up the address on the GPS, glanced to see that JD had buckled in and that the film guys had at least gotten into their van. With that she tore out of the parking lot, hoping maybe they'd get a flat tire or something.

I never have that type of luck, the good kind.

"Silent alarm from a bank is not a good thing, you know," JD remarked as he checked his equipment, ignoring the weaving of the squad car with practiced ease.

"Silent alarms almost never are. But it should make the rest of the shift go fast, right?"

"If we don't get killed." His voice remained dry even as the car tore around a corner, lights and siren creating a familiar soundtrack. One she loved.

JD snorted, and she glanced at him sideways. JD was a great guy, like her brother. He had become her best friend, family almost. Though she would have denied it if anyone asked. Family made you vulnerable. They had kissed once, and that was enough to convince both of them they were siblings from different mothers. He would have been a great catch though—smart, fit, good career, and all the stupid women he fell for couldn't see past his downright homely mug. There really wasn't any justice in the universe.

"One mile out," his voice calm as they hit that marker.

McKenna flipped off the siren and continued with the lights still flashing.

"Next block." JD's voice her anchor as he called out the distance.

The lights flipped off as they pulled up to the sidewalk across from the bank.

"See anything?" Her gaze darted around, taking in the few people looking at them curiously as they walked down the street. There was no screaming, no one seemed out of place, and it seemed normal.

"Sedan, two-door, dark red, parked on the side street, idling, no driver."

She glanced to where JD pointed, and her eyes narrowed. "I see it. Getaway vehicle?"

"Most likely."

She mentally acknowledged the camera crew coming to a screeching halt behind them and scrambling out of the van, cameras at the ready.

"We still don't know anything. I'll call for back up, then maybe we can casually walk up and see if it is all just a false alarm."

"Yep. I'll get out and scope and see if that causes any reactions."

McKenna snorted. Sometimes just having JD appear could cause some of the idiots they dealt with on a regular basis decide to cooperate.

"Central - RVH11, at location. No activity. Calling for backup while we get out and check."

"Ten-four RVH11, units ten minutes out."

Damn, what else is going on that backup is ten out?

McKenna shook her head, blinking at the wave of dizziness that followed that. Getting sick right now would just not be good.

Suck it up and do your damn job. You can be sick later.

She slipped out of the car, looking around, hand on the grip of her weapon. "I'm going to approach the bank, see if there's any activity."

"I'll cover."

With a brisk nod, she glanced both ways and walked across the street, trying to make it casual, though a few people paused to watch her walk, their steps slowing as she approached the bank.

Her eyes took in everything, and the only thing that seemed out of place was the idling car — which while unusual, people were still stupid and left idling cars if they thought it would only be a minute — and that no one had walked out of the bank since they arrived.

Tuesday, 11:30 in the morning, there should be people doing things on their lunch hour.

The sound of the glass doors shattering kicked off an automatic reaction, and she dove behind a car. Her movement swift and sure, she came up holding her pistol, a Smith & Wesson M&P 9, aimed at the building. She saw a man standing between the now-shattered double glass doors, with what looked like an AK-47 in his hands, though from the quick glance it might have been an AR-15. Another round of bullets hit the side of the car she was hiding behind.

Dammit, what the hell did I walk into?

"Central - RVH11, 998, one perp so far, unknown subjects. Need back up." She rattled off the code for shots fired and needing assistance, but the dispatcher was slow to respond. A delay that sent more chills up her spine.

"Roger, RVH11, backup delayed."

What the hell?

None of this made sense, but McKenna would be damned if odd things made her not do her job. She refused to be the weak link in the blue line, no matter how much she wanted that backup. Lifting her head, she took a cautious peek over the car.

"This is the Rossville Police. Please put down your weapons and come out with your hands up and no one needs to get hurt." Her voice loud enough to carry over the silence that reigned in the streets. Most people had scattered when the first shots were fired, though she could see people scurrying out of the corner of her eyes.

"Wait, is that a film crew?" the shooter asked, his voice cracking, and McKenna glanced behind her to see the cameraman risking his life, filming all of this.

Bloody morons.

"Sir, please put down your weapons and no one needs to get hurt."

"Hey, guys, they're filming us. We're going to be famous," he called back into the bank, which if nothing else verified she had more than one idiot to deal with.

The desire to beat her head against the pavement in frustration surged higher than ever, matching the wave of nausea that she had to fight to swallow back. A glance to her right showed JD, coming up low towards her, using the cars and angles of the buildings to hide his presence. She nodded in appreciation even as she wracked her brain for how to control this before anyone got hurt.

He's got at least two other people in there, and figure it's now a hostage situation. Joy.

The bank window blinds, which previously had been closed, blocking any visibility, opened, and she saw two other men, both in balaclavas, peer out. She could see at least four adults sitting on the floor in the bank, one a woman with two kids huddled next to her. Three people all stood, their hands raised high above their head behind the teller desks.

Oh shit, kids.

"Hey, fat pig bitch. Stand up and come over here," the man in the door yelled, his voice rising and falling oddly.

I am not fat!

McKenna's mental voice was cranky at that slap; yes, she had curves, but she met all the physical requirements tests, she just put on weight without trying.

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't do that. If you put down your weapons and come out I can guarantee that it will help your case with the courts."

She didn't stick her head up too high above the car when she called out; no reason to provide the suspects an opportunity for a head shot.

"You okay? They hit you?"

JD's whisper at her ear almost caused a squeak, but she fought it back, appearances were everything.

How the hell does a man that large move that quietly?

"Yeah, they must have been aiming high, 'cause I didn't get hit, and if they had any abilities, they could have killed me."

"Where's backup?"

"I don't know. Dispatch said they were delayed. The dispatcher is slow and sounds off, I think for right now we're on our own."

JD frowned and cast a look up at the sky above and behind us, then shrugged.

"What was that for?"

"Figured I'd see if I saw any bombs going off, mushroom cloud, stuff like that. Don't see it, so let's just figure Murphy's Law has kicked in full force."

McKenna's mouth went dry, and she scanned the skies, too. But they remained blissfully bright and sunny, the brilliant blue sky almost obscene compared to the stress ratcheting through her body. The scream of a child wrenched her attention back to the door where the gunman had stepped out, holding one of the two kids against his chest, having switched out for what looked like a 9mm Glock.

"Get your piggy ass out here or I cap the kid."

Dammit. I can't let that happen, I can't.

She didn't want kids, they terrified her, but she remembered all too well being one, with no power, no ability to get adults to listen, and letting them get hurt wasn't an option.

"There's no way either of us can take a shot, not from here, without risking the kid. A sniper on the roof, yes, but our angle sucks."

JD's voice was icy calm, he snapped into a Zen state whenever shit when down, though later he'd throw a fit. McKenna had been there for one or two of them. They were worse when kids were involved, but then so were hers.

"Cover me." Her voice had slipped into a flat tone as she prepared to do whatever needed to be done. "I'm coming out."

McKenna stood slowly from the cover of the car, her gun in front of her.

The man grinned, a big wide grin that she could see even with the balaclavas on. It hid details, but not the methamphetamine-rotted teeth or the wild look in his eyes.

"Meth users," McKenna muttered directing her voice towards JD, and he cringed as he caught her words. It meant dangerous and unpredictable. She refocused on the man.

"Let the kid go. We can get you help."

"Drop the gun, or I see if kiddie here can live without an intact brain." The man snarled, his entire body jittery with either the drug or the need for the drug.

"Okay, okay." She bent down slowly and put the gun on the ground, kicking it back towards JD, who still hid behind the car. If they were very lucky maybe the bad guy didn't know about him being there.

"Strip," the voice was harsh, and the kid whimpered as the bad guy held the child tight, hand wrapped around the kid's throat to help keep control.

McKenna blinked and looked at him. "What?"

"You heard me. Get rid of all that cop crap; the belt, vest, pants." He paused as if listening to something. "I want to make sure you aren't wired. If you're naked, then I can make sure. Plus if I decide to put a bullet in you, I don't need to worry about no vest."

Joy, a moron and a paranoid pervert.

McKenna shrugged and started to strip, slowly. She took the time to fold her uniform and lay it on the ground int a neat pile. Every minute she delayed gave her backup time to get here, and being naked on TV… her mind stuttered a bit as she glanced at the crew. Sure enough, they were obviously filming though most of them were hiding. With a mental growl, she had to force herself to continue stripping. She unstrapped her holdout piece, located at her ankle, laying it on the top of the pile of clothing, stalling as much as she could.

Great, every bit of fat, cellulite, and stretch mark I have is going to be on TV for the world to see. I'll never get laid again.

The dark humor kept her moving, even as she reflected that of course today would be the day she had worn her comfortable functional undergarments. Beige bra, worn and stretched out a bit, and the microfiber gray panties that were comfortable with no lines, but created negative effects to any sex appeal. Being without any weapons at all made her more uncomfortable than she would have been stark naked.

The waves of dizziness weren't helping either.

Dammit, I don't have time for this.

She pushed the vertigo down and instead focused on the kid and the idiot holding the child.

"Oooh, maybe you aren't such a fat pig after all." The excitement in his voice was all the more disturbing as he held the child as a human shield.

"Why don't you let the kid go, and I'll let you touch." McKenna focused on the man, walking forward slowly. Her eyes darted to the sides to take in the other men, now ogling her also.

I've never hated being a woman more than at this moment.

Her skin all but crawled, but she moved forward, her hands up, and stumbled as the world tilted on its axis.

"Hey, pig. No funny stuff." The man snarled as he stepped back a bit into the bank. "Come on in, so we can have some fun with a slut pig."

Keep it together, Kenna. You can get sick as much you need once backup is here and everyone is safe.

Her world narrowed down to walking into the bank, glad they let her keep her socks on as she crunched through the broken shards of glass. Pieces cut her feet, but not to shreds as she always wore thick boot socks. McKenna looked for something large enough to use as a weapon, but all the glass had broken into pieces no bigger than her fingernail, or a sheet that was too unwieldy to even think about using.

Once fully inside, it felt like her vision narrowed, or started to go gray on the sides. She took in the three men. All young, two were white, but the third she couldn't tell, he stood too much in the shadow and wore gloves so she couldn't figure it out. But if any of these idiots were over twenty-five years old, she'd write all the reports.

"Okay, so now why don't you let the kid go. You've got me."

The man blinked and glanced at the kid in his arms as if surprised to see a person there. The kid had gone deathly still, and only the vivid green eyes locked on her reassured her there had been no harm done.

"Oh yeah, I don't need the rugrat anymore." And with that he dropped the kid and lifted the gun, aiming at the child.

"No!"

McKenna's scream mixed with a scream from the woman she assumed to be the mom and then everything changed. Her body felt like it had been wreathed in fire and for a second she felt like she was being boiled alive. Her vision went black then came back, blurry and odd, but the room reeked with smells that she knew had meaning, though the only one she recognized immediately was fear.

Her point of view had lowered, and she felt like she was on all fours, but the man in front of her snapped into immediate focus. His wide eyes and trembling hand had the gun pointed at the kid on the ground in front of him. The kid seemed to be grabbing his leg in pain. Everything else in her world ceased to exist. She exploded forward, legs propelling her towards the target, and a glimpse of paws with needle sharp claws leading the way in the front of her vision as some resistance across her chest snapped and she noted a piece of fabric falling to the ground.

Part of her mind gibbered in terror, but for now she locked it down, nothing mattered but the kids and the rest of the hostages, you don't hurt civilians. And you protect kids at all costs. With that thought it was as if her body reacted to an imperative, and she only added the intent, she had to do her job.

Claws swiped across the man's arm as teeth clenched around his throat and closed with force. Hot, salty blood flooded her mouth and it tasted good. She wanted to rip and tear, to sate her blood lust on him, but there was still more prey to deal with. Her jaws opened without actual thought, dropping the dead man. She turned to where the other one, the one in the shadow had been, and she charged. She heard screaming around her and the man lifted his gun, aiming it at her. Part of her mind, the part that was sitting back watching, confused and fascinated, noted he seemed to be Hispanic and filed it for the report that this would generate.

His hands shook so badly that even though he pulled the trigger the bullets sprayed everywhere and before he could focus enough to aim, her body had leapt at him, knocking him down, and hind claws ripped through the jacket and t-shirt like it had been tissue paper, ripping open his abdominal cavity even as front claws shredded his chest. The gun dropped from flailing hands as he grabbed at the organs spilling out of his body and screamed.

Dismissing him as no longer a threat, McKenna turned, stalking over to the third gunman, noting another big cat curled around two children. Its posture defensive but not threatening. Her mind noted this, but focused on the man, his breathing rapid and hands shaking with palsy as she stalked forward, and awareness that she existed in the body of a cat clarified.

"I give, I give, don't kill me." He dropped the gun and fell to the ground in a ball, the scent of urine acrid in her nose. She turned to look at her prey, her kills, and then movement at the window caught her attention.

A man with a camera stood there looking at her, eyes wide as the camera panned all over the bank.

"Holy shit, I'm going to get the Pulitzer for photography for this."

The words were a whisper, but she heard them as if he had shouted, and a weird screaming sound came out of her throat, and the humans in the bank whimpered in terror. The cameraman went even paler but his hand remained steady as a rock.

"Officer Largo, do you remember me? I'm Clay, one of the camera guys for Police!?"

The name, the words, caused a cascade effect and suddenly the different parts of her mind, the animal, the human, and the part that just wanted to freak out, all snapped together, overlapping and merging into a coherent whole.

Oh, holy moly, what just happened?

She turned to look at the jaguar curled around two human children, ears back, glaring at her, but it didn't attack or even hiss. There was a sound from another side and her head whirled, noting that all the windows had been shot out by the wild shots, and a bear shambled up to the window, remains of a police uniform hanging from it. It huffed at her, and the scent of it wrapped around her. Her mind matched it to JD. Confused, she blinked, memories of him working out, the scent of his sweat, the subtle cologne he wore, all combined to scream JD, layered with bear.

A cold chill passed through as she realized what was probably keeping backup away. A large tongue swept out licking chops covered in blood and it tasted good.

Her stomach roiled with that knowledge and she looked at the two dead humans on the ground and a feeling of dread swept through her.

I just killed two people. And as a…

Her mind trailed off and she turned, twisting, looking, and there one of the glass walls was still standing. Moving with silent grace she padded over and froze, looking at the reflection of a cougar looking back at her.

How in the hell do I fill out this report?

Chapter 2 - WTF, Over

Breaking news: We are having strange reports of animals being seen across the state. The theory is a zoo lost its animals. And from the sounds of it, one of them found itself in the middle of a bank robbery. We'll have more shortly, but if you see a wild animal, please remember it is probably more scared of you than you are of it. If you think you are in danger, call the authorities. ~ KWAK radio station

McKenna sat in the entryway to the bank, JD beside her. She watched everything and everyone. Growling at anyone that made a move in or out of the bank. The cameraman never quit filming, but he didn't act threatening, so for the most part McKenna ignored him.

The jaguar licked the two kids, but there was maternal action in that, not food, so again she ignored it. She had to keep control of the scene, at least that was her excuse for the moment even as the squirrel part of her brain was running in circles freaking out. It seemed a valid option.

You're a cougar. A freaking cat. And JD is a bear. What the hell is going on?

Statement, statement, question. And she couldn't answer the question at all, or make the statements not true, no matter how much she really wanted to.

The sound of sirens filled the air, and she almost sagged in relief, then growled as a thought hit her.

How the hell am I going to convince them I'm me, and who JD is? I really don't want to get killed as a wild animal.

The urge to flee, to escape, had her rising up, body bristling, but a glance at jaguar wrapped around the siblings halted her in her tracks.

This is my damn job. And I'm going to do my job.

She snarled and sat back down, tail twitching. She glared at the cameraman who gulped, but seemed to get it. And he walked out to the front of the bank, putting his back to them and stood there as the backup came screeching around the corner, lights and sirens creating a cacophony of sound that hurt.

Ears laid back she tried to look nonthreatening, but from the reactions of the cops pulling up she didn't think she succeeded. JD huffed, and flopped down on his side, and she had to resist snapping at him with her teeth. He always acted so calm and cool.

"Holy shit, there's more animals here."

That comment confirmed her hunch, and she didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing.

How the hell do I become human again? I don't want to stay a cat.

The act of thinking the question provided the answer, information flooding into her brain. She could hear the cameraman talking, but sensation and heat took over, and a weird ripple of pain and resettling flesh, and she stood in front of the bank.

"Huh," the human sound came out, and she patted her body down, noting she was stark naked.

The cameraman had an odd look on his face, he had been talking to the cops, but the camera was trained on her and JD. He swallowed hard and then hit a button on the camera.

"Largo, that you?" one of the cops asked.

"In the flesh." Her voice sharp as she looked around. "Can you get my gym stuff from the trunk of the car? JD's, too."

Jeff Simmons gaped at her. Not moving.

"Did you not understand my request?"

"But, but, you were…" he trailed off, swallowed, and nodded at the bear. "Is that thing safe?"

Lord save me from morons.

"That thing is JD. And I'd like to see you tell him that to his face."

"Oh." His head bobbed up and down. "Yeah. Gym stuff, got it." Gun no longer pointing at them, he backed slowly towards their still-idling squad car.

Mike Romero, an older heavyset cop, standing behind the door of his squad car, looking at the bank and the two of them, spoke. "I will say, I didn't think this was how I'd get to see you naked, Largo."

The normal deadpan voice made her smile and brought a sense of normalcy to her world. Romero had been her first partner when she got the job, and the tease made her feel less awkward. At almost retirement age, his teasing had nothing sexual in it.

Another siren came rushing towards them as Simmons approached, bags in hand. Before McKenna could start pulling on her clothes, a car marked with "Captain" came tearing up to the bank, and her stomach clenched tight.

Great, just what I need.

Even in her own head the sarcasm was dripping from the thought. She pulled out her gym shirt first, pulling it over her head. Captain Greg T Kirk was a weasel of a man in every sense of the word. Lean build and wiry, with a sharp face and light brown-colored hair. He always seemed to be looking for a way to get ahead, to make himself the focus of everything. He hated anyone addressing him Captain Kirk, due to the old TV series, and tried to come across as a good old boy. She thought he usually came across as a used car salesman.

"Largo, why the hell are you out of uniform?" his bellow came bouncing over the other sounds as the car door slammed and the captain stalked towards her, then froze as JD stood up. "Dear god in heaven, there's a bear behind you!" His voice had risen, and he started to pull his weapon.

Still trying to pull on shorts to cover herself, McKenna hopped a bit to the side, blocking his view. "That's JD, so don't shoot. Besides, I'm pretty damn sure your 9mm won't do anything else but piss him off." At that, JD rose up on his hind legs, which put him at over eight feet tall, and even McKenna flinched back.

"As to the nudity, that would be because up until three minutes ago I seemed to have been a cat. Well, a cougar to be exact."

"You what?" Captain Greg Kirk stammered as he looked around. His eyes widened, and McKenna figured he must have caught sight of the jaguar in the bank. He took a deep breath and turned to focus on her. "Largo, what the hell is going on here?" His voice cold and calm as he holstered his gun, fully under control.

"I have no idea, Captain Kirk. Give me a minute, please." McKenna was too exhausted and confused to worry about placating the captain. She finished slipping on her sneakers, leaving them untied for the moment, and managed to cross back over to JD, who had dropped back down onto all fours.

"Hey. Not going to say this will work, but I asked how in the world to become human again and the answer flooded into me. Try it?" She knew it was weak, damn weak, but she didn't have anything else to go on.

His massive head tilted one way, then the other, then heat shimmered from him and his body shifted, flowed, fur pulling back in as bones moved, tilted, skin thinned, and his body changed, leaving a naked JD panting on the sidewalk.

McKenna looked at him her mouth open. She had lived through it, but watching it brought it all in too-sharp reality.

"I'm not sure if that was the most disturbing thing I've ever seen or the coolest." Her voice sounded hollow, but she swallowed, ignoring the metallic taste in her mouth.

He stood, a bit woozy, rising up to his full height, he looked exhausted and like he'd run a marathon.

Which means I probably look the same.

"I'm tossing you to the wolves…" her voice trailed off for a moment as the possibility of that now being a real possibility crossed her mind and she shook her head. "Deal with Kirk before I get fired. I'm going to go talk to the jaguar."

"The wha?" JD slurred a bit as he blinked his eyes, trying to focus, his face pale as he tried to think.

"Her." McKenna nodded towards the cat in the bank, and all the humans had inched away from her, terror on their faces as their gazes kept drifting back and forth between the black cat and the dead bodies on the floor.

I have no idea what I'm doing, or what is going on. One foot in front of the other. Protect people, do your job. You can freak out later.

"'Kay," he muttered and walked towards the captain who stood there with his jaw open.

She watched long enough to see him grab his gym bag and the captain start to make odd sounds out of his mouth, then entered the bank.

The smell of blood, rich and coppery, assaulted her and saliva pooled up in her mouth as it wrapped around her. She had to swallow it down, fighting to not be sick. Not at the smell of blood, but at the intense desire to lick it up, feel the warmth of it flowing down her throat.

Not now, I'll deal with that later.

She moved over to the jaguar who curled up tighter around the two kids who were white and frozen, glaring at her. Jeans lay tattered around her body, and a bra hung oddly off her, making her look a bit ridiculous. One of the kids had light red indentations on the neck.

She probably grabbed the kid and pulled it back when I attacked. Smart woman.

The jaguar was stunning, black with grey cloud marks on it, it would have been the star of any Nat Geo special. As McKenna got closer, the cat hissed at her, trying to back away from her, but not let the kids out of the range of her claws.

"Oh, god, that animal is going to kill those kids." A panicked voice screamed, and McKenna flinched, whirling on the woman who was starting to go into hysterics. Her fashionable business suit was splattered with blood and her face was white as she hyperventilated.

"Shut up," McKenna snapped.

"Look at it, it's going to kill them," the woman shrieked, her voice hitting a pitch that felt like a knife in McKenna's ears.

"That animal is their mother, and right now I suspect the only person here she is thinking about killing is you." The snarl came out deeper than McKenna intended and the next words were something she'd never have said in anything approaching normal circumstances. "Because right now I am really tempted to put you out of my misery. So, shut up!"

The stupid idiot gulped and fell back, quiet and panting.

McKenna took a deep breath, trying to get her own emotions under control, and crouched down in front of the jaguar. "Look, I know you're probably terrified and concerned about protecting your kids. But I need you to focus. Think about how to become human again."

Hey, it worked for JD, maybe it will work for her, 'cause I don't know what else to do.

The cat hesitated then closed lids over luminous green eyes. There was again that heat, and her body shifted and moved, and then a woman lay on the floor, long black hair tumbling over her body and two kids that turned into human leeches as she reverted.

"Mommy!" The twins cried and arms wrapped around her, and the woman reacted the same way, wrapping them tight. She lifted her head to look at McKenna and gave her a shaky smile, with wide eyes that kept darting towards everyone even as her grip never loosened.

"Thanks," her voice a whisper as her body shook in reaction.

"No prob. I'll see if we've got some clothes for you."

The woman nodded, distracted, as she checked over the two kids, both shaking, but looking unharmed. She didn't let them out of her arms at all.

McKenna rose to her feet and moved about confiscating weapons, then walked back out of the bank as EMTs started to show up.

"Largo, get over here," Kirk called as he looked at a now-dressed JD and a cameraman who gestured wildly, though to McKenna's eyes it seemed like a performance.

"You can't take my film, you don't have the right," the man protested.

"Police investigation, you can't stop me. You'll get it back after the case is reviewed."

"That'll be too late," but the level of protest just sounded false, and an itch ran down her spine.

"Officer Largo, we need to figure out what the hell happened here. Hopefully that video will help. I'm loathe to believe what I just saw, but I just saw it." He glanced at the two of them. "I don't know what happened, but for all our sakes I'm placing you on suspension until this can be investigated. Turn over your weapon when you get to the station. Get out of here, I don't want to see your face until this whole thing has been investigated. You, too, Davidson." The captain watched them, his body tense and wary. His eyes kept darting to the bank, and the EMTs wheeling two bodies out.

"Yes, sir. Let me report to Ramirez. I assume he'll be taking over the scene?" McKenna kept her voice polite, though part of her resented losing her case, still. This wasn't normal.

"Yes. Make sure you go to the station, file your reports, and turn in your weapon, then you're on suspension. I'll let you know when it's been lifted. Though if this has happened elsewhere… Hell, how do I cover an officer-involved killing with claws?" Kirk shot them a half smile, eyes dark, then turned and stalked over to the director of Police! who had an odd smile on his face even as he waved his arms.

"What just happened? Kenna, we got gassed, and all that was in my mind, right?" JD sounded on edge, and his hands twitched.

"I have no idea, but I'm okay with being sent home. This is crazy. Did you see that? I-" she broke off and shook her head. "Suspension sounds like the best idea ever." She fell silent as she picked up her clothes and service weapon though she tucked her backup weapon in between the pile of clothing.

"I can hear you thinking. But what?"

"I have no idea how to answer IA's questions. And if it happened here, what's happened elsewhere?" Neither of them had an answer to that. She got clothes for the mom, brought Romero up to speed, gave her version of events with the phrase 'then I turned into a cougar' that still had everyone choking. The third suspect was almost catatonic, and her level of caring hit non-existent. Her ability to cope had almost locked up, and she just moved on automatic, refusing to examine the crystal clear memories of what she did. Though the change itself remained out of reach.

As she finished up with Romero, the jaguar walked up to her. Well, the woman who had turned into a jaguar. Her face had a gray tinge to it, but she held herself upright with tight muscles and one hand holding onto each child with white knuckles, though neither child looked like they minded at all. With clothes on, she was a striking woman, dark black hair, still in disarray.

"I'm Toni Diaz and I just needed to say thank you, Officer Largo."

McKenna shrugged, "I'm not sure what I did to say thanks for. This seemed to have gone sideways in the worst way possible."

A dry laugh, just bordering on hysteria, escaped the woman, and she pulled her kids a bit closer, but she gave McKenna a real smile.

"True, but you dealt with it with a calm I sure as hell didn't feel, and you got me back to human and prevented anyone from doing something… regrettable. You saved my son." She pulled one of the kids even closer to her. "So thanks."

"Not a problem. Take care."

McKenna flashed an almost-real smile at both kids, who looked at her with half-smiles as their mom pulled them away.

"Let's get back to the station, finish up the paperwork, and enjoy our enforced vacation." JD muttered a bit. "I get that this is an unusual situation, but I hate that we're being punished for something I sure as heck couldn't control."

McKenna shrugged. "Life sucks. We know this. We still need to do our admin stuff and follow the rules." She flashed him a smile. "There is one good thing about all this."

"Oh really? And what would that be? We turn into dragons next?" JD said as they walked to the squad car.

"No more film crew!" her voice gleeful as they walked to the car.

JD chuckled, shaking his head, some tension leaving his body. "Point. Though I'm not sure all your video problems are over."

McKenna shrugged. "They aren't following me right now, and I'm going to ignore the fact that they taped me naked. Not like anyone will ever see it."

"Maybe. Come on. I want to get back to the station, get real clothes on, and go home. This day is one for the record books."

Chapter 3 - Bigger than a Breadbox

911 systems across the nation are reporting a huge influx of calls, and wait times are skyrocketing. Emergency response officials acknowledge that there seems to an inordinate amount of calls about wild animals. They are asking right now, that unless you are in active danger, to lock your doors and stay inside. If by some odd occurrence they are in the house with you, please go to your car and stay there, then call the authorities. If there is a life-threatening issue, please provide first aid and hold until someone can get with you. ~KWAK News

She couldn't argue with that and they got in the car, pulling out quietly, letting all the other officers deal, as they headed back to the station. While the radio was on, they didn't talk or say anything. Her mind running around like crazy and just skittering off the reality of what happened today. Her clothes and other possessions were piled neatly on JD's lap. The jangling ring from her phone startled her, and JD had to dig for it, still on her belt in the pile of clothes.

He held it up to her, displaying a number she didn't have in her phone, but had the prefix for the station. "Answer it, please."

"McKenna Largo's phone," his voice curious as he put it on speaker.

"Davidson, good. Is Officer Largo there, too?" a female voice asked, one that sounded vaguely familiar but that she couldn't place.

"I'm here. Who is this?"

"Officers, my name is Abigail Thomas, I'm a dispatcher for the 911 system here. I need your help." Her voice sounded low and whispered, and McKenna shot JD a frown. Officers were never contacted directly by dispatchers, it always came over the radio system.

"I don't understand, why are you calling us?"

"I heard about the bank and saw the vid on my phone. But the news is being contested. I've got a domestic where the husband is freaking out, saying his wife turned into a fox. No one wants the call as there's been a shit ton of weird stuff today. Can you take it please? I don't have anyone else to send, and you two are the only ones that might understand what's happening at that house on right now."

What video?

McKenna pushed the question back, trying to figure out exactly what was going on with the world today. Even with every moment crystal clear in her mind, it still seemed unreal.

"Please? I'm really scared for him, but since the caller is crazy freaked out and I don't have anyone else to send, I'm worried." Her voice cracked a bit. "I know I'm breaking every bit of protocol, but something has happened to a lot of people, not just you and Davidson. Please?"

McKenna sighed and glanced at JD. He shrugged and flipped on the siren.

"Give us the address and names."

"Thank you!" Abigail rattled off the street address and name of the caller. "Hurry?"

McKenna pushed down on the gas as she headed towards the address. "We can't show up in gym clothes. Where can we get changed?"

JD glanced out the window, looking around. "There, AM/PM, you can use the bathroom. My clothes kinda got shredded.  I'll let you take the lead."

A quick nod, she crossed to the lane needed and pulled in, leaving the lights running. She sprinted to the bathroom, ignoring the looks of staff and customers, and did the fastest change job ever. Two minutes later she jumped back in the car and headed towards the address.

"I feel like we're going in blind. Kirk will have our heads if he ever finds out." Her voice remained flat as she drove.

"Probably, but neither of us could live with something really bad happening if we didn't go, either."

"True." McKenna shook her head as they pulled up at the house. It looked quiet, but everything today had not been what it seemed, so she placed no trust in it.

They emerged from the car, listening carefully, and approached the door. Still not hearing anything that struck her as odd, she knocked, calling out loudly as she did. "Rossville Police. We received a report from this location."

There was scrabbling inside, a weird high-pitched yipping, then the door was pulled open by a man, Asian in heritage, with wide eyes, hair ruffled so badly that it stood up almost straight, and stress lines at the corners of his mouth.

"Thank god you're here. The first two operators told me they didn't have time for pranks. I don't know what to do. My wife turned into a fox and that makes no sense. That can't happen. She doesn't even have nine tails." His voice cracked on that last part which made no sense to McKenna at all. She focused on the parts that she did understand.

"It's okay, sir. May we come in?"

"Please, please." He stepped back and waved them into the house. "She's in the kitchen—well, the fox is in the kitchen. I don't know if that's my wife anymore or not." He choked as he said the word, and the amount of pain in that voice made her heart clench.

"It's still your wife. I promise." This much McKenna felt sure about promising. She had never not been her while she was the cougar. Confused and disoriented, yes, but still her.

The man bit his lip put nodded and pointed down a hall. She could see at the of it a white countertop. "Please stay here, sir." McKenna glanced at JD, question in her gaze. He shook his head and made a walking motion with his fingers. She nodded, figuring he wouldn't have any issue with this. Though she had no idea how fast she could shift if she needed to, but she shouldn't need to. Domestics were always dangerous, and she had handled many, she could handle this one also without needing anything besides her training.

"What is your wife's name?"

"Mei," he stammered out, then shot them a fast look. "I don't want her hurt, I just want my wife back."

"No worries, sir. I have no intention on hurting anyone today."

After all, it's just a fox, not a wolf or a cougar like I became.

Redirecting her focus to the bit of the kitchen she could see, McKenna walked slowly down it. When she had reached the threshold of that room, she called out softly, remembering how sharp her hearing had been.

"Mei? I'm Officer Largo. I'm here to help, it's okay. I'm going to enter the kitchen now." Her voice remained low, soothing, as she turned the corner and blinked. There in the corner was a red fox with brilliant black tipped tail and ears. It looked like a normal fox, except that it had to weigh upwards of a hundred pounds. Normal foxes rarely got above thirty pounds, and this one, well, if she had run across it any other day, it would have scared the daylights out of her.

But given the day she lived through, this only surprised her a little. It helped that the fox huddled in the corner, wearing a skirt around her middle, looking terrified, which looked odd on a fox's face.

"Mei, I want you to listen to me. I know this is scary. I really do know." The fox tilted her head watching McKenna, and she saw the disbelief in the arched brows and laid-back ears. "I changed a few hours ago. But you can change back." The fox froze, complete attention on McKenna.

"I want you to think about being Mei. What it feels like to have fingers and arms, to be able to talk, to stand. Remember what it feels like to be human."

With a flick of ears forward and back, the fox closed its eyes tight.

Please let this work.

Even though it had twice, she still couldn't believe it was that easy, but in a moment the fox began to melt, merge, and shift into a woman. In two minutes, there was a half-naked woman crouched on the floor, breathing hard. McKenna grabbed a shirt from where it lay on the floor and handed it to her.

"Mei, are you okay?"

The woman looked up at her, eyes wide, lips trembling. "That didn't just happen. What just happened?"

"You changed into a fox. But I don't know why. You should be okay now." McKenna had no idea how to console her or answer those questions. They were the same questions in her head.

She rose and walked over to the door. "Your wife is okay. You can come in."

The husband rushed in, and his wife started sobbing as she threw herself into his arms. McKenna slipped out of the kitchen and over to JD.

"I say we leave. There was no crime, we aren't officially here, and I just want to go home."

"Station first, but then yeah."

McKenna and JD slipped out of the house, headed to the station. They filed their reports in a vacant room, avoiding other officers by unspoken assent, snagged the desk sergeant, turned in the paperwork and the suspension forms, which had been waiting for them in their emails. So nice of Kirk to be so efficient.

Getting out of the station took a weight off them, and they stood outside looking at the parking lot.

"Fudge, I got a lift to work today, as my oil is getting changed," JD said as he looked at the parking lot, missing his distinctive ride.

"Need a ride home?"

"Please?" JD said.

By unspoken consent neither of them turned on the news radio, preferring to drive in silence. She even flipped her phone to mute, not wanting any more last-minute calls. Might as well enjoy being suspended.

"So I turned into a bear." JD broke the silence as he looked out the window.

"Yep, and I turned into a cougar."

"And when we turned back, we were naked."

"Yep."

"You enjoy it?" His tone made it obvious he was trying to lighten the mood.

McKenna snorted. "Well, I didn't run screaming. And you've got no room to throw stones. I'm pretty sure every moment of my nudity was filmed."

"True, though they probably got my gorgeous ass, too." JD flashed her a smile, and she rolled her eyes even though she smiled. McKenna recognized him avoiding as much as she was, because she couldn't think about this, not yet.

She left it at that, let him off at his small house and then headed to her apartment. McKenna had no desire to have any of the responsibilities of a house owner. Her apartment had everything she needed, which right now was whiskey and quiet.

Letting herself in, she dumped all her stuff in a pile on a chair and headed straight for the shower. The hot water washed off the blood, the smell, and made her feel more human. A phrase that had totally different connotations for her now.

Dressed in a tank and leggings, she poured herself a tumbler of whiskey and sank down into her chair and stared at the wall.

"What the hell just happened?"

Chapter 4 - Viral

The animal sightings we reported earlier have been verified, but no answer is forthcoming from the authorities as to the source of these animals. Speaking of animals, have you seen that video that popped up? The fat cop chick stripping and turning to a big cat. You know it has to be faked; I'm waiting to see what movie it is a trailer for. But I have to admit the best special effects I've ever seen. Maybe Sony got hacked again, and the hackers released parts of the film pretending it was real? ~ Harvey Klein radio show

McKenna's mind didn't find any answers as the whiskey disappeared. None of this made any sense, and even worse, she couldn't seem to focus on it, her mind kept shying away if she poked at it.

"Enough. I need to figure this out." She set the tumbler down and stood, pacing across her living room.

"Fact, I became a cougar. A huge impossible cougar, but I was me. That was not possible, but it happened, on video nonetheless; therefore, it is possible."

The words hung in the quiet room, weighty and solid. And nothing she did could change them.

With a sigh, she sank back down, there weren't any answers, and she didn't know if she had just done something to get herself fired, or worse, maybe put in prison. Seeking to avoid any of those thoughts she gave in and flipped on the TV, the idea of a comedy or something distracting vaguely on her mind.

The TV snapped to life on news, and an image of her naked, the explicit bits fuzzed out, jumped out at her from the screen, and she scrambled to un-mute the TV.

"… here we see again the video record live of a police officer shifting into a huge cat, viciously killing two men, and then shifting back to a nude state. The video has yet to be verified by our experts, but so far it looks like the real thing. Given the other reports across the US and even into other countries, this could be the first of many such sightings. The White House has remained silent on this issue so far." The news anchor, a man in a starched shirt and dark hair that looked like it had been molded into the up-do, fell silent, reading something on his display. "I have news that this video has already gone viral, hosted by the Police! Website, and has reached over a million views. At this time the name of the officer hasn't been released yet, but we expect to have her name shortly and hope to reach her for an interview."

McKenna hit mute, her mind blank as the video showed her stripping out of her uniform, walking up to the bank, then shifting into a cat and moving faster than she could have believed, leaving two men dead as she stalked the third in under a minute.

She swallowed hard, the memory of the blood, the thrill of killing the men rushing through her, and she ran to the bathroom barely making it to the toilet before she threw up, retching mostly red tinted bile that made it worse as a part of her wanted more blood to run down her throat.

Shrinking from violence had never been an issue in her life. Her childhood had ensured she had no issue fighting for herself. But to almost get aroused at the thought of drinking the blood of another creature was hard to swallow.

With trembling fingers, she stood, brushed her teeth and then headed back out into the living room and started digging for her phone. Why hadn't anyone called her?

Her phone, buried under her clothes she had dropped on a chair as she came in, was flashing missed calls and messages.

Dammit, how the hell did I manage to mute it?

She scrolled through the missed calls. Most of them were from numbers she didn't know, so she just ignored them. Two from JD, one from the station, and then a text from JD.

*I'm on my way over, you'd better be okay*

*I'm fine. Just had phone off.*

She typed rapidly, but he didn't respond.

Crap, he's probably almost here.

Her door thudded with heavy blows, and she headed to unlock it with a sigh.

JD stood there, tight t-shirt, utility kilt, and a grim look on his face. Relief flickered across it as she opened the door.

"Where in the world have you been? Why haven't you answered the phone?"

McKenna stepped back to let him in. He strode in, familiar with her house, heading towards the fridge for a beer. While she didn't drink the stuff, she usually had some cold for him. His kilt snapped a bit as he moved, but for once she didn't grin or take up the familiar joke of him wearing a skirt, and his offer to prove it was a kilt. They fit him though, making him look more like a warrior than an average person.

Neither of us seem to be average anymore, I'm a cat, and he's a bear.

The thought still caused her brain to hiccup for all that she didn't let it slow her down.

"Phone got silenced, never heard any of them. Mostly just been sitting here thinking."

"Hmm," he tilted the beer back and took a long swallow. "Come to any conclusions?"

"Outside the fact that this is crazy as hell? No."

"Well, work wants us, and I suspect you don't have long before you have newsies parked in your parking lot."

"What?"

He looked at her the way you look at a particularly stupid animal. "Kenna, you have watched the TV, right?"

She shrugged. "I just flipped it on, saw the video of me in all my unglory on the news. And? They said other people have reported things happening."

JD looked at her, took a deep breath, and then in a slow cadence, something that always managed to piss her off when he pulled out his 'you're missing the obvious' voice, started to talk.

"You've gone viral. You're the first, if not the only, shifter to be captured on film from beginning to end shifting. You killed two men, rescued a child, and were naked. You're famous. People are already calling you the Shifter Queen and rallying around you. Reporters are starving to find out more about you, and people already want everything from you."

Her mind locked up, again, as she tried to process that, but no matter what she did the information seemed like it would only happen to someone else, someone beautiful, smart, sexy. Not McKenna Largo, orphan, beat cop, no one special. This was something she didn't know how to process, so she pushed it aside. It was stuff she'd deal with later.

"Work?"

"Yep, better get dressed, the captain wants to see us. He's been blowing up my phone since they couldn't get a hold of you."

McKenna rolled her eyes. "It's been what, two hours since we left the scene? We're suspended. I think they'll live." But even as she spoke she headed back to her bedroom, digging for some clean clothes, something that made her feel good.

She pulled on a pair of form-fitting jeans, a bra, and a long-sleeved collared shirt in dark red. The color made her smile. Maybe it would remind them of the blood she'd already spilled today, and the captain at least would calm down a bit. Her nerves were frayed enough she didn't know if she could handle him going off on her today. She sat down and pulled on her boots, her tax return splurge leather boots.

"JD?"

"Yeah?"

"If I start to change, you think I'll shred my boots?"

There was a pause and then his voice echoed from the kitchen. "Doubt it. Cougar paws should be smaller than your feet and just slip out."

McKenna cast another glance at her boots, then sighed and pulled them on. Walking back into the kitchen she gave him an evil eye as he put together a sandwich. "If they get shredded I'm blaming you."

"Hey, I didn't cause this. 'Cause really I would have chosen to turn into something cute and adorable, not a bear which is huge and terrifying."

"Well, it does fit."

He cast her a mock glare and tossed a piece of cheese at her. She grabbed it and popped it in her mouth, and her knees almost buckled. The taste of the cheese triggered a wave of hunger she almost couldn't withstand.

She turned wide eyes to him, and he nodded. "Yeah, first bite does that. I've already cleaned out my fridge. I was actually surprised to see food in yours."

It took an effort to not grab the sandwich from him and shove it in her mouth. "No, only had some whiskey, and it didn't trigger this."

"Here." He handed her the food, and she took a huge bite, for once not caring about the mayo he slathered on it, something she normally despised. Now she craved every bit of fat and protein she could shove into her mouth.

She'd never been a big eater, regardless of what the scale said, but now she couldn't seem to get the food into her mouth fast enough to satisfy the hunger that wracked her body.

"Here." She looked up from the last bite of food to see JD handing her more. "This should ease the worst of it, but I suggest we stop on the way to the station to get some more food."

McKenna didn't reply, just chewed and swallowed, feeling the ravening hunger start to fade. She was still hungry, but it wasn't the overpowering level it had been just minutes ago. The last few bites disappeared into her mouth, and she sighed.

"I seem to be asking this non-stop, but what the hell was that?"

JD shrugged, working on his own sandwich. "No idea. I came home, showered and grabbed some chips and a beer, and the second that chip hit my mouth I almost fell apart. It was like I had been starving but unaware of it until food hit my tongue. I cleaned out most of my kitchen, I guess I ate about six thousand calories and still that just seemed to blunt the hunger." He finished his food and McKenna swiped a bottle of water, thirst also seemed amplified.

Part of her just wanted to curl up and wail, but she had learned a long time ago that didn't change anything, so it wasn't worth the effort.

"We should get going, Colonel's chicken on the way?"

"Yeah. Though I hope this gets under control because otherwise my food budget is going to break me."

McKenna snorted. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"

JD frowned and shrugged. "Maybe. Let's go."

The ride in was spent listening to news reports, and nothing she heard made her feel any better. The reports were full of stories about people changing into animals across the US for sure, but that was only what they had heard so far. Most of Europe hadn't woken up yet, so who knew what information would start coming across.

Getting four large boxes of chicken each, surely that would leave them some to eat when this meeting was over, they headed towards the station.

"Is it just me or are the streets really vacant today?"

"It isn't you." JD said, his eyes tracking everything as he drove. Usually she made fun of his vehicle. A huge Hummer that didn't know the meaning of gas conservation, but this time she rather appreciated the weight and strength around her.

Rossville was a city of about a hundred thousand. It had low crime, high level of active people, and normally she loved its quiet streets and laid-back attitude. But today she swore she could hear the tension in the air, and the way everyone was looking at other people, as if everyone was an enemy about to pounce.

The station, however, was a hive of activity, but everything changed as they parked and walked towards the doors. Male and female officers stopped and looked at both of them, and the looks made her skin crawl. As a woman on the police force, being looked at sexually had quit bugging her years ago. But the looks were a mix of lust, fear, suspicion, and a few of naked greed that just felt wrong in a way she couldn't put her finger on.

"Do you think they've all seen the video?" her voice a low murmur to JD as they walked in.

"Yes." His tone short, and if anything, it seemed like he was trying to block people from seeing her.

"Stop it." She snapped, her temper already frayed. "I don't need protecting. Let me do my job."

"I know." He sounded exasperated. "But this isn't your normal job and I'm not protecting you."

"Yes, you are. Stop it. I can deal with a few funny looks. And I'm a cop, at least for now, so it is still my job."

"Stubborn woman," he muttered, but backed down, and more and more people slowed to a stop to watch her as they went through the lobby.

"Yep. Stubborn and capable of doing my job."

The entered the office area, and the sergeant gave them a narrow-eyed stare. "Head on in, they're waiting for you in the captain's office."

McKenna arched an eyebrow at him but headed in anyhow. Most likely it was just their shift supervisor with the captain. It wasn't. Or at least not only the shift sup.

Their shift supervisor, Anne Holich, an older heavyset woman with short brown hair going gray. She sat in a corner, her face carefully neutral. A brisk nod at the two of them as they came in was the extent of her reaction.

The unpleasant surprise was Police Chief Thomas Marchant. An older man with steel gray hair, McKenna hadn't met him outside of one or two official functions, where their entire interaction probably consisted of ten words each. Having his gray eyes latch onto her as she entered and really see her, disconcerted her to a new level.

Captain Kirk sat on the edge of his desk, projecting calm confidence, but his gritted teeth gave away his annoyance with the situation. Everyone knew he wanted Marchant's job, and would do anything to manipulate his way to it. The joke in the department was he just didn't want to be 'Captain Kirk' and Chief Kirk had to be better and less fodder for jokes.

"Officer Largo, Officer Davidson," the chief said, his gray eyes not missing a thing, "Thank you for joining us. Please take a seat." While the words were gracious, the tone and the wave towards the aforementioned seats made it clear it had been an order.

Repressing an unusual flare of resentment, McKenna sat. JD did too, but the seat creaked alarmingly as he wedged his bulk into it and smoothed down his kilt.

Marchant arched his eyebrow, glancing at the kilt, his mouth opened, then shut, casting a glance at Kirk.

JD sighed. "My thighs are huge and most jeans won't fit. I have to have my uniforms specially altered so I can fit into them. For off hours this is more comfortable and easier."

Marchant processed that for a moment, then nodded. "Makes sense. Though that isn't really what we are here to discuss." He turned his gaze on McKenna who had to resist the urge to squirm in her seat like a naughty school girl. Annoyed at her own reactions, she sat up straighter and met his look with an arched eyebrow of her own.

One corner of his mouth tilted up a bit, and he seemed to recalculate something in his brain. "You have a good record, Officer Largo. Top 10% of your academy class, no complaints against you the entire time you've been on the force, and you've been short-listed for the detective exam. Both of you." He nodded at JD who looked as surprised as she felt. "This situation has taken us a bit by surprise and the unfortunate incident you were caught in has developed unexpected aspects."

"There was anything about this entire situation you expected?"

Marchant grimaced a bit. "We've had officers filmed doing their job before, and sometimes people have gotten killed. We thought we knew how to deal with that aspect. However, an officer turning into a giant cat and killing two people is a bit outside the norm."

McKenna choked, "A bit?"

"Far outside the norm," Marchant granted. "However, while that is something we are still working on, the truly interesting part is what happened after the Police! camera crew uploaded that video on a video hosting site, it went viral. And I don't mean locally viral, I mean over a billion people have seen that video already."

She felt the blood leave her face and whispered, "A billion? You mean a million, right?"

"No. A billion and it's climbing. Right now, you're the hottest thing on the planet. And to be frank, I plan on using your popularity. A few other interested people will try to do the same."

Okay really, I need to start tracking faster, I can't keep being caught flat-footed but…

"What the hell are you talking about?" The words burst out of her mouth, and she didn't even have any guilt at not censoring them.

Chapter 5 - After Action

Information is filtering in from all over the globe. Reported changes from people in all walks of life, ages, and races. So far no one has seen a pattern, though there may be a family connection. Right now, most of the focus is on a city in Northern California called Rossville. A police officer, McKenna Largo, was filmed shifting into a cougar. This seems to be the first recorded incident of this happening anywhere. Two people were killed by her in the form of a cat and all of it was caught on film. The video has gone viral at this point and no one has come forth with any proof it is a fake. ~ TNN News Channel.

Marchant's smile, while not cruel, had a shark's edge to it, and McKenna braced herself for information she really didn't want to hear. "As I'm sure you're aware, this was not a localized incident, and at this point most countries have reported some form of people shifting into animals. The U.S. seems to have been hit first and the hardest. Data is still being gathered, but right now you're the poster child for all of this."

There was a lot she could tell he wasn't saying, but for now she just filed it away. Instead, she just nodded for him to continue.

"First, we need to deal with the dead men, but given everything that was on camera, and the fact that cameraman was too brave and intelligent," Kirk choked a bit at that, "for his own good, there is little doubt that bank robber would have killed the boy. So we're good on that, the question is, could you have done something else? Then we need to get this in front of the press. There's the fear issue that's moving like wildfire through the country right now, and the Governor has already contacted me asking that we do something to help assure people that you don't turn into a ravening animal. Unfortunately, the average viewer watching your video, it seems like you attacked for the joy of killing."

"I didn't," McKenna protested, the words slipping out before she could think twice about saying anything.

A half-smile flickered across Marchant's face. "I didn't really think you did, but can you tell me what happened? We need to hear it."

McKenna swallowed and looked around. "Shouldn't I have a lawyer here, my union rep?"

The police chief paused and shrugged. "Yes and no. This isn't a formal inquiry, and nothing said here is being recorded or can be held against you. Mostly that's because I, well, we, need to know. How in control are you?"

JD shot her a glance, and she shrugged minutely, closing her eyes while she ran over the options. "Let's play this safe so that both the police department and I are covered. How fast can you get a lawyer in here for me, and a union rep? So it can all be on the record."

Something odd flickered across the chief's face, and he nodded. "Fast." He turned to Kirk. "Let's move this to one of the conference rooms. Order some food and drinks while we're at it. Get recording equipment, video, and we'll cover all the bases."

Kirk jumped into action, and Anne stood. "Come on, you two. We'll head down there." She didn't say much as she led them to the conference room, only stopping long enough to grab her purse, a few legal pads, and some pens until they were in the room with the door closed.

"Smart move, McKenna."

McKenna wasn't big on needing praise, but Anne's comment lowered her stress a little, she had known it was a gamble, but you never could tell which way to go on something.

"Thanks, I figured this was a political game and not having it on records was the bigger risk."

"You're right. Marchant is a decent man, but he's still in the political game, and Kirk is a better captain that you think, but he gets the politics. Watch your step. Here, I've got some make-up and a hair brush in here. You're going to be taped so do what you can for some armor."

It made sense, and McKenna quickly made use of the products, adding a hint of eye shadow, some color to her cheeks, and brushed then braided her hair. Even she had to admit she looked more professional with that little bit done, and it had the added advantage of making her feel more assured, secure in what and who she was. A cop, and a damn good one at that.

In minutes the rest of their party started to show up. First was a lawyer. She recognized him in a passing-in-the-halls sort of way. The name escaped her, but he always came across as competent, but she didn't know much else. Before she could talk to him or anyone else, Shelby Drake, the union rep, walked in. A tiny woman who normally smiled so much McKenna felt buoyed just being in her presence, for once she seemed serious and just nodded at McKenna.

Kirk and Marchant showed up.

"Food and drinks will be here in a minute, and the tech is bringing the video equipment. Officer Largo, this is William Jones. He's agreed to represent you today pro bono, and any further activity will be between you two, or at that time you can get another lawyer should one be needed," Captain Kirk said, actually sounding polite and helpful, which helped to throw her off-balance.

"Officer Largo, it's great to meet you." William held out his hand and McKenna took it on automatic. He kept his head shaved clean and his skin always reminded her of ground cinnamon, but his most arresting aspect were light brown eyes that seemed to catch everything.

"Thank you, Mr. Jones, but why are you doing this pro bono?"

He grinned, flashing nice teeth that she knew he had spent money on. McKenna pushed down the urge to cover her teeth as she talked. She had good teeth, just not perfectly straight and white. Wards of the state got basic dental coverage, not the high-end stuff.

"Just Will, please. And so I can hear the real story. It would take us a bit to settle fees, and I've seen the video. So a few hours free is totally worth it." He flashed that smile again, this time looking a touch sheepish, and she had to laugh.

This much at least I get.

"Very well, glad to have you here."

As they talked, the video tech arrived and set everything up, and by the time she was settled, the video camera pointed at her, they were ready to go.

"Officer Largo, I'd like to get started."

McKenna swallowed down the lump in her throat, and forced a smile, all too aware of the camera. Lately it seemed like she was always being filmed.

"I think since everyone in the room has seen me naked, you can at least call me McKenna. Might help make this less awkward."

There was a ripple of laughter and coughs, and more than a few faces flushed a bit. It helped, a little.

The captain did the legal stuff, dating and providing the reason for this interview. Anne and JD both sat at the back, watching and providing moral support while McKenna waited, not sure how she was going to answer their questions, when she didn't really know. JD had his spinner out, moving it silently in his hands, and she almost asked for it, just to have something to do, to distract from the words.

Marchant took the lead, walking her through the call, the hostage situation and then the demand to strip. She didn't have an issue answering any of that, going through it slowly, knowing everything would match up to the recorded information. Her stomach tightened as they got closer to the key points.

"McKenna, we have the video that Police! took, the dash cam, and the bank security feeds. Everything you've said is backed up by multiple cameras. But only the Police! included sound, the rest don't. And for a lot of the action the camera man was too far away to catch the words clearly. So we know that one of the suspects pointed a gun at the child and made a threatening statement. We see your body tearing and moving into the form of a cat. Could you tell us what happened from your point of view?"

A deep breath, she wished desperately for whiskey as her mouth formed impossible words.

"I'd been having waves of dizziness, but I assumed I was just coming down with the flu, so I didn't say anything." Marchant nodded, encouraging her to continue. "When he threatened the child, something in me snapped and I thought I was going to pass out, but my vision came back from an odd angle, and…" she stumbled over the next part, not really sure how to explain. "I was aware of everything, but my actions were more instinctual rather than planned. My body, my cat form, reacted." All of this felt so odd to say, and she had to feel out each word as she said it, all too aware that it probably made her sound like she was lying. "I just moved, to eliminate the enemy. There was no hesitation, no thought about right or wrong, just the need to protect the child."

"What about the other suspect?" His voice remained un-threatening without any inflections and at that moment he earned McKenna voting for him.

"He pointed a gun and became a threat, so I acted."

"Then you approached the third person. Why didn't you eliminate him?"

"He wasn't a threat, he dropped his weapon and had curled up, I had no need to continue. He smelled weak, scared."

Where did that come from? How did I know how he felt?

"Oh, why do you say that?"

"Umm, I don't know." McKenna paused and thought. "Urine. He'd peed down his leg, and that smell along with his body language told me he was no longer a threat."

"You acted different when the cameraman spoke. Why?"

"I became me again. I snapped back into full control. Before it was like my needs controlled me, but once he called out my name, I had full control again."

Marchant exchanged looks with the lawyer and union rep, and she couldn't interpret the meaning.

"McKenna, if you change again would you attack?"

She wanted to shout no, of course not, but she bit her lip and finally shrugged, feeling everyone's eyes on her.

"I don't know. I mean JD changed, and he didn't attack anyone. I'd like to think it was just the situation, but I don't know."

Her throat got tight and her eyes burned as she fought for control.

"You haven't changed again?"

"No, all of this only happened," she glanced at the clock, "five hours ago. I've barely had time to even think about it. Much less try again."

"Any questions or concerns for anyone?"

Shelby spoke up. "I'd like it on the record that she didn't shift of her own free will, and that it should be treated as extenuating circumstances, as if she had been gassed. While I suspect going forward if it happens again there won't be this level of leniency, for the first time we need to provide a large amount of wiggle room."

"I agree. If this does get filed, it should be under the influence without consent. No charges for the attacks should happen, and honestly, if she had still had her weapon both men would be dead, and this would be set up as an officer-involved shooting." Will glanced at the officers. "From the information presented and the video, do you have any doubt the finding would be a justified shooting if that was what happened?"

There was a resounding no from all officers, and McKenna unclenched her shoulders.

Marchant actually smiled. "Thank you for your answers, McKenna. I know I'd like to know if you can do this again and at will, but I understand you might not have those answers now. We really need to give a press conference and present a sane officer. Are you ready for that?"

"No." The answer snapped out, and she saw multiple repressed grins. "But I don't have much choice, do I?"

"Yes? I can't force you, but I'd say your life is going to be easier if you willingly provide an interview versus avoiding them. It will just make them more rabid."

At this rate, I'm never going to get a date.

She sighed and stood. "Sure, let's get this over with. I've got whiskey waiting at home for me."

Marchant actually laughed. "I'll send you a case. After this, you're going to have earned it."

The slightly relaxed feeling she had gained evaporated, and she shot a frantic glance at JD. Facing armed gun men was one thing, but a horde of reporters? She hadn't trained for this.

An officer stuck her head into the conference room. "Captain? The reporters are here, and they're ready for someone to tell them what's going on."

"You're up, Officer Largo." Kirk almost looked supportive, but then ruined it with a wolfish smile, and she could just see his promotion opportunities in his eyes.

JD rose, and every eye in the room automatically shifted to him. "I'll stand behind you, Kenna. Figure I can look like I might shift if they get too pushy. After all, they saw me too. Hopefully they're wise enough to realize pissing off a bear with human intelligence isn't the smartest thing to do."

A snort pulled McKenna's attention to Marchant. "They're reporters. Don't expect much wisdom," his voice dry.

The ripple of laughter through the room didn't do a damn thing to convince her this wasn't going to be the worst thing ever. Trying hard to hold her head up and not run like a scared rabbit, McKenna followed the captain and chief to what was sure to be her personal version of hell.

Chapter 6 - Paparazzi

There is no response from the White House today regarding these changes. Most governments are not making any statements at this time, but as more and more reports appear, not all of them are positive. Some crimes are being reported as being done by animals, and some people have changed, but not changed back. People are looking for answers, and Officer Largo's name is being bandied around more and more, as she changed back and forth without any issue. So far all efforts to reach her have failed. ~ TNN News Channel.

Stepping outside where the podium had been set up, the noise lashed into her, and she flinched. JD caught her as she stumbled backwards a bit. McKenna noticed he cringed a bit too.

"Loud for you, too?" Her voice was low, but he seemed to hear her just fine.

"Yeah. Bit much. We really need to talk once this circus is over."

"Agreed."

"Officer Largo, over here." The Chief had slipped back into formal address here in front of the crowd, and McKenna held onto it, wishing she was in uniform, but it couldn't be helped. The title gave her a bit of armor as she approached the podium, JD close behind her.

"I'll kick it off. Answer what you can, and I know I'm throwing you to the wolves." He paused at that, wrinkling his nose a bit. "An expression that now has a totally different connotation. Don't answer what you don't want and don't make any comments on departmental policy. Anything about that just say, 'it is currently under review.' McKenna, I know this isn't fair, but you are the pivot point in a storm that could make apartheid look like a fight between two kindergartners. If we don't start putting a good face on it, it might tear apart this country, if not the planet. People are scared, and you are the face of this change. All I can ask is do your best and please don't say anything that means I won't be able to support you." Marchant's voice was hard, brutal almost, but she knew where he stood. They were using her as best they could to try and salvage this, but if she made it costly for them, they'd abandon her in a second.

So once again you're a pawn.

McKenna shrugged mentally. Life sucked then you died. She'd do her job.

"I'm ready," the lie left lips that were curved in a fake smile. The same one she always used with social workers. The one that made them think she respected them. She had practiced that smile for a very long time.

Marchant walked up to the podium and waited for the crowd of reporters to settle down. He introduced himself and then took a deep breath. "Officer Largo has experienced a shock today, as have people across the world. As you have surely seen, in the course of her duties she underwent an unexplained transformation and killed two suspects who were threatening civilians. We have reviewed her actions and have found no fault with them at this time. While she is still on suspension pending review, we are expecting a full clear. I will walk through the incident, so you understand what happened." He glanced down at his notes and took them through step-by-step the entire train wreck. McKenna couldn't keep her eyes off the reporters, all holding out recorders or phones, or a few rare ones scribbling something on a notepad as they listened.

He wrapped up with the statement again that at this time none of her actions was considered questionable. And she had agreed to answer a few questions for them. Marchant turned and nodded at her, waving towards the podium with his left hand as he stepped back.

Steeling herself, she stepped up to the podium, glad her height matched his, so she didn't have to futz with the microphone.

"My name is Officer McKenna Largo. I will answer a few questions."

If I know the blasted answer.

The reporters exploded into shouted questions and flashing lights and she couldn't hide her flinch. It took an effort to prevent her hands from covering her ears. Her fingers dug into the podium, creaking a bit as she focused on staying calm and not running away as fast as she could.

That is not my normal reaction.

She pushed that thought away and took another centering breath, pasting her fake smile on her face. "You there, red shirt, question?"

The woman in question popped up to her feet, in heels that matched the candy apple color of her blouse. "Cindy Smith, SacWasp, did you enjoy turning into a cat?"

McKenna blinked but answered slowly, all too aware of the multiple land mines this entire situation created and cursed the cameraman. "I didn't really have time to think about it. I had a job to do, protecting citizens. I adapted to the situation as best I could to do my job."

From the frown on the woman's face, she didn't think that was the answer she wanted, but tough cookies. She'd be damned if she handed them ammo.

The woman tried to ask another question, but McKenna turned pointing at a man. "Glasses, brown hair."

"Tony Bard, AP, do you have any desire to continue killing humans?"

"No!" the word burst out of McKenna's mouth, and she clamped harder on the podium as she moderated her instant answer. "I had and have no desire to kill anyone. I did my job the best I could, and in the amount of time I couldn't figure out any other way to react given the tools at my disposal."

Desperate to get an easy question, though she didn't know what that would be, she pointed at the next person.

"Jeff Conroy, Hotwire, will you change for us?"

Yes, an easy question.

The smile on her face almost became real for a moment.

"I do believe everyone here has seen me naked enough for one day, so no." It seemed safer to make it a joke, if they saw weakness they would attack. With a deep breath she looked around for the next person. "You, rock band phone guy."

The man, who didn't even blush at being called out by his phone case, bounced up, looking at her with bright eyes.

"Do you think changing into an animal will change anything?"

McKenna paused thinking about it and then finally shrugged. "I don't know. I'm sure it will change some things, but I don't know anything at this moment other than I turned into a cougar - naked," everyone chuckled at that. "And then turned back. Maybe it was a one-time thing, maybe everyone can do it now. I just don't know and saying anything else would be misleading." There were nods and lots of scribbling on notepads. "You," she said pointing, almost feeling like she could handle this.

"Larry Singer, New York Times, any comment on the terrorist group taking credit for releasing this virus worldwide and 'exposing the infidel as the beast' they really are?"

McKenna shot a look at her bosses who both shrugged and looked at her shaking their heads.

"Sir, that is the first I've heard. If you have any information about how this was caused I am sure we would like to talk to you."

She tried to pick out someone else waving at her, but before she could, he shouted out another question. "Does that mean you endorse all the websites sprouting up saying you are the Shifter Queen and asking you to lead them into battle against those that caused this? And what are you planning on doing about all the children and adults that have changed and haven't shifted back, stuck in animal form?"

McKenna froze, snapping her eyes to the man. "Children have shifted?" Her mind drifted to the two kids the jaguar woman had.

He smirked back at her. "Yep, apparently hit them a bit later, the reports have just started coming in. Looks like you're going to have a bunch of kids in your army, queenie. You going to declare a jihad?"

The only thing that prevented McKenna from leaping over the podium and strangling the smarmy idiot with her bare hands was years of putting on a good front.

"Thank you, I think we're done here," she snarled and turned to Marchant. It made her relax a tiny bit to see the white line of his lips, but then she saw Kirk's face and almost went back to the reporters. Kirk looked like he'd found the holy grail. He glanced at her and then the reporters, and every time he did his smile grew a fraction wider, and she knew that nothing good was going to come out of that.

"Inside." Marchant's voice was crisp, and she gladly followed him in, ignoring most of the questions being asked though she glanced back in astonishment when someone asked what sex with a cat was like.

The conference room, rather than seeming like a prison, was a haven from the noise and people, and she sank gratefully into the chair. Everything seemed so loud and bright. She glanced at her fingers and was surprised to see wood splinters in them.

"Officer Largo, McKenna, you did excellently. Thank you. The governor caught your conference and was most impressed. He asked to see you in the next few days."

At this point she couldn't even flinch, just nodded. She was exhausted and didn't know why.

"I think at this point, sir, the best thing is for me to go home. I'm still technically on suspension, and I haven't had time to really process this yet."

"True. But we are pushing this through. I would expect to be back on active duty by Monday at the latest. And be aware, you probably aren't going back on patrol." He shot a look at JD. "Either of you."

She wanted to protest, but it was a battle she would fight later. "Yes, sir." She pushed herself to her feet. The chair next to her creaked as JD did the same.

They were waved out, and she headed towards the back door. The reporters weren't allowed into the yard, which was where they had parked, so they should be able to escape.

It really bugs me that I feel like we're being hunted.

Neither of them spoke on the way to the car, though she caught the glances from people as they passed. Part of her cataloged them, anger, fear, wariness, hope, and relief. She noted them and moved on—right now dealing with other people wasn't anything she had the energy or interest to do.

The soft thud of the car doors closing out the sounds going on in the parking lot came as an absolute relief, and she sagged in the seat.

"Where to?" JD's voice was calm, but she sensed stress laying underneath his tone and manner.

"Home, please. I just need some time to deal with this."

He just nodded and started up his gas guzzler and headed to her haven.

As they approached her neighborhood, he muttered softly. "This isn't good."

"What?" McKenna had been trapped in her own head, running things through, and closed her eyes a few minutes into the drive to reduce distractions. At his words they flew open, and she saw what had caused his reaction.

"What! Really? Really?"

"Warned you."

"Bite me," she snapped back as she looked at the news vans, cars, and people clogging up the area in front of her apartment building. "Goddammit." The curse escaped, and she wanted to snarl, in fact she did. The sound shocked her, and JD cast her a glance.

"So… no home?"

"No," she muttered. "Can I crash at your house until they get bored?"

He snorted. "Sure, but it might take a lot longer for them to get bored than you think." He sped back up, turning down a road to head towards his place.

"Maybe, but at least a day so I can get some balance."

"No prob, but we're stopping at the store. I've got an idea, but I want to make sure we have food."

McKenna shrugged. "Sure."

After hitting the store, they headed to JD's house. JD owned a two-bedroom house, though the second bedroom was occupied by his fitness equipment, the couch was comfortable enough for a short while. They hit the grocery store and stocked up, going heavy on the meats and cheese, though JD threw in some fruit. The bill as they checked out was enough to make McKenna wince and arch an eyebrow at him, but he just shrugged and loaded it into the back of the Hummer.

A few minutes later he pulled up in front of his house, which was blessedly empty of reporters trying to get a story. Groceries put away, they both collapsed in the living room, JD taking his big leather chair while McKenna lay across the couch.

"So… thoughts?" she asked as she looked up at the ceiling, her mind still fighting with this.

"I think we should try to change."

"What?" That had her jack-knifing up into a sitting position as she stared at him. "Are you crazy?"

JD rolled his eyes. "No, but we don't know what triggered it in the first place. Don't you want to see if you can control it? Because if you can't, I can see some bad things coming down the road."

"Like?" McKenna was pretty sure she didn't want to know. JD could go a bit conspiracy-theory sometimes, but he did think things through more fully than she did.

"If you can't control the change, you can't drive. It would be like epilepsy. Lots of pilots, truckers, etc. would lose jobs. If this was a one-time thing, maybe it won't be such a big deal, but I doubt it. And if it isn't, well, then all of this will disappear quickly."

She wanted to, she really did, but McKenna couldn't dispute what he said. "So how do we do that? I don't need to be naked again."

JD laughed and winked at her. "Ah, come on, you don't want me to see you in all your naked glory"?"

McKenna rolled her eyes this time. "Like it does anything for you."

"Hey, just cause there's no spark at all between us, doesn't mean I don't appreciate a naked woman."

"Whatever." She flapped her hand at him. "So… thoughts?"

He shrugged. "Remember how you changed back? Why don't we try the reverse? I mean I have no idea here, Kenna. But I'd much rather control this than be controlled by it. And you know that Kirk plans on using you to further his career."

"Oh yeah. The greed in his eyes after the press conference cemented that. Okay, let me go strip. I'm not ruining any more clothes, bras are blasted expensive. Your extra bedroom is now mine."

"Sounds good, though word of advice, don't shut the door all the way. I think trying to open a door with paws might be a bit annoying."

"Point." She pulled herself off the couch and headed that way. JD followed, angling towards his bedroom.

Inside the room, which reeked of sweat and maleness, she closed the door most of the way and glanced at the full-length mirror. "Great. I get to watch myself change." But the idea kind of appealed to her. Seeing it on others, and then only having the reflection to see what she changed into, the idea of a real mirror was kind of nice. Though the video had been pretty good, there was still something about a mirror up close that had an attraction.

Fighting back nerves, she stripped and stood in front of the mirror. Looking to see if there was any visible sign of what she could do. But the woman looking back at her didn't look any different. Long brown hair with the red highlights, hazel eyes, a body with curves and muscles. Nothing great, but nothing awful either. Just a woman starting to hit middle age.

You'd think there'd be something visible screaming about what I did or something, but I just see me.

A mental sigh and she closed her eyes for a moment, needing to focus on what she was trying to do.

A cat, no, a cougar, I had paws, everything smelled sharper, I could feel my strength, the instinct on how to hunt.

In her mind McKenna reconstructed what it felt like when she had been the cat and something clicked, her body ached but flowed. She couldn't open her eyes until it was over. The pain less this time, more uncomfortable but brief. Like getting her legs waxed, pain, but by the time you realized it, it was gone.

The feeling ebbed away, and she could pull her eyes open. A cougar stared back at her in the mirror.

Chapter 7 - Animal Magnetism

There is no doubt any more our world has changed. The question before us is, are these still people? The people we loved and worked with, or have they become ravening animals and fallen from the light? These questions need to be asked before we risk our children to this depredation. ~ Pundit on Harvey Klein talk show.

McKenna sneezed. The odors of the room so strong, information came on the heels of each smell. Male, desperation, sorrow, stale and fresh, the scents surrounded her, but faded into the background as she acknowledged each one.

How the hell do I know that this room smells of desperation and sorrow?

With a huff she padded forward towards the mirror and looked at herself. She was not a naturalist by any means, but even from her passing knowledge, she was a huge cougar. Coat had the brown with red highlights like her hair, and her eyes were the same color as her human form. She made a note to do some research on cougars, but for now she just looked, amazement in her heart.

Sleek muscles were everywhere, and she knew how to do things that she had never contemplated, how to hold still until prey passed by. That both creeped her out and excited her. A yawn exposed long sharp canines, and the memory of sinking them into the throat of the bank robber flashed into her mind as well as the taste of his blood across her tongue. Lifting up her hand, or paw, she extended and retracted the claws, shuddering internally as the memory of how easily they had cut through flesh.

A huff at the door had her spinning, crouched low, tail lashing. It pushed open, and she hissed in reaction, the actions automatic and not anything she chose to do. Similar to a flinch when something came near your eye, you just did unless you consciously fought not to. The door pushed open, and a bear stood there on all fours.

Before she had acknowledged it was a bear, but hadn't really paid attention to him, this time, fighting down a weird desire to flee she stalked forward, vaguely aware of her tail lashing back and forth as she got closer. His smell, both familiar and strange reached her, and her mouth opened in a weird motion as she breathed in his scent, committing it to memory. It was JD, but different, changed, and part of her knew she'd recognize him by scent in either form now.

He stood almost a foot taller than her at the shoulder, his fur a darker brown than his hair, but not the black or brown she had seen in pictures of bears. His nose twitched as he craned his head towards her. She fought the urge to back up and allowed him to sniff even as she continued to inspect. Part of her mind noting the claws and imagining the damage they could do to someone, to her.

Stop it, what the hell is my problem? JD wouldn't hurt me.

The mental snarl pushed the thoughts down but didn't stop them completely. Refusing to let thoughts and instincts she didn't understand drive her, she rubbed her face against him, and instantly calmed. Her scent now mixed with his, marking him in a way that she didn't get, but she relaxed. JD shook his head and huffed a bit louder.

Dammit, there are some major drawbacks, how the hell do you talk to other people like this? Other animals?

She tried to see if she could make herself speak, focusing on trying to talk. Her tongue and throat did not cooperate. A weird half sound came out and JD sat back on his haunches blinking at her.

The peal of the doorbell followed up by a hard knock elicited a startled meowing cry out of her, even JD rose on his hind legs to peer towards the door.

Who the hell?

She peered around JD to look at the door, but it was solid and didn't give her any clue as to who it was. She glanced at JD and he huffed again and turned away. The knock sounded again, and a familiar voice came through the door.

"JD? McKenna? I need to talk to you."

Anne Holich's voice came through and McKenna felt her stomach clench at the sound. With a frustrated growl she head butted JD and nudged the door closed in his face. She heard his heavy steps as he headed back to his room.

She concentrated, and this time it was easier, and she flowed back into human form. She staggered a bit, trying to regain her balance and reorient herself. Moving fast she grabbed clothes and pulled them on, not bothering with a bra. McKenna left the room about the same time as JD, both of them a bit disheveled as they moved towards the door. JD pulled it open, to flashing bulbs from a man standing on the sidewalk just off his property. Anne's face grimaced.

"Sorry, I can't stop him. He's on public property." She cast a glance at their disheveled appearance. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Goddamnit," McKenna cussed. "Get in here." She wanted to snarl, but fought it down, glad JD shut the door behind Anne the second she slipped in, even though more flashes occurred as the person snapped pictures.

Anne stepped in, looking at them with an arched brow.

"I didn't think you two were involved?" A bit of censure rode in her voice.

The urge to snarl, to lash out rippled through her, and McKenna had to blink to resist the desire to slap Anne across the face, claws out. She glanced at her hand, unsure if she had nails or claws. Clean, short, human nails were attached to the end of her fingers, to mixed relief and disappointment.

What the hell is my issue? Why am I so angry?

"No, you aren't interrupting sex if that's what you're implying. We were seeing if we could change again, controlling the change this time." JD said, his voice calm, but sarcastic.

Anne had the grace to flush and nodded her head.

JD's calmness annoyed McKenna, and she had to tamp it down again, her stress level rising at how out of kilter her emotional reactions where. She always was in control, she had to be. If you lost control people could see how to manipulate you.

What is going on with my reactions? I like Anne, why did I want to shred her?

Before she could focus on that too much, JD and Anne's words registered in her consciousness.

"… did that go?" Anne asked as JD moved to the kitchen.

"We changed, but someone pounded on the door before we could do much about it." He cast a sardonic glance at her. "At least I didn't figure anything out. Did you, Kenna?" Even as he talked he was pulling out ingredients for sandwiches. Creating each on a full baguette, loaded with meat and cheese. He put pieces of fruit in a bowl, and then with a frown pulled out some honey and peanut butter.

An overwhelming hunger swept through her again, and she climbed up on his bar stools watching the food as he worked.

"No? Maybe?" With a force of will she moved her attention to Anne, even as her nose tracked all the food that was going on the sandwiches.

"Well, you controlled the change, so that's good, right?" Anne asked, leaning back against the wall, her brows furrowed slightly as her eyes flicked back and forth between JD and McKenna.

"I did change." McKenna said slowly. "I was fully me, but I didn't have time to figure out much more. But I know too much."

"You know too much? I thought you didn't know how this happened?" Anne's question was a sharp, fast riposte, and McKenna shook her head in frustration.

"Not what I mean. I'm human, I'm not a big hunter, and while I enjoy cat videos, most of my knowledge of big cats comes from Disney movies. I know only the most general info. So why do I know how to pounce, spring, gut a man with my hind legs, how hard to shake to snap the neck? Why do I know what scents mean, and can tell the difference between fear and curiosity? I know too much that is almost as disconcerting as changing into a cat in the first place." She didn't mention that she could smell more now and hear more. That she would talk to JD about later. With no one else involved.

"I see. Well, not really, but that is interesting. You think the virus is responsible for this?"

"No idea. Heck, do we even know for sure it was a virus?" McKenna was distracted by the food JD slid in front of her, and she started to inhale the food, feeling the hunger recede a bit as she ate, not even bothering with trying to talk while she ate. JD slid in next to her and worked on his own meal. Normally she might have eaten a third of a baguette sandwich and JD maybe a half. Today they both finished their own sandwiches, plus the fruit, and JD had naan that he covered with peanut butter and honey that he started to create after the other food was gone.

That didn't even sound good to McKenna, much less smell edible, so she shook her head and refocused on Anne who stood looking at them with a stunned expression on her face.

"What?"

"You do realize you probably just inhaled about four thousand calories, right?"

McKenna stopped and looked at the remains on her plate, then shot a look at JD. "You knew this would happen?" It didn't come out as an accusation, more confusion.

"No, I suspected." He sighed and sagged a bit, the stool creaking alarmingly as he did. JD cast a look at both her and Anne and focused on his spinner. "It doesn't take rocket science. There was a wave of heat after I changed, my whole body shifted, and when we got home, and I found food, I was ravenous. I suspected it was a massive calorie burn my body was trying to adjust to. I assumed if we changed again the same thing would happen. If not, well I didn't need to grocery shop for a while."

That made things click for McKenna, and she poked at the crumbs on her table. "You weren't kidding about food bills, were you?"

"No. But then I guess if you don't shift nothing will change."

She wanted to say it wouldn't be an issue, but already she wanted back in that other form, that other self to see what else she could do.

"So why did you come over?" McKenna asked Anne, not ready to dwell on the attraction the idea had for her.

"Ah, yeah." Anne looked a bit embarrassed. "The incident is still being reviewed, though JD, you'll be cleared by morning, but stay off if you want. No issues have come up, and no one is really saying anything—granted I suspect half the world is still reeling from what's being revealed."

"Which is?"

"You two haven't seen the news?"

"When? Either I was at the police station or driving, and we both had too much on our minds to listen to anyone else talk."

"Point," Anne agreed. "This is world-wide, no top age limit, though no one has reported anyone younger than six turning into an animal. And you are still the number one video. A few others have appeared, but there is something about the fact that yours wasn't staged that is pulling in people right and left. Well, that, and pretty woman stark naked is helping as well. But that's part of why I'm here."

McKenna got a bad feeling in her stomach. No matter what, she suspected she would not like what was going to come out of Anne's mouth.

"Word got out about the dispatcher that sent you on the domestic, and how you dealt with the woman with no drama or anything. That gave Kirk an idea." Holich heaved a sigh. "And I'll deny this if you ever mention it, but it might have some good aspects to it."

"And that idea is?"

"Right now, we've had two other officers either reported or have come forward admitting that they changed into an animal. We're assuming by Monday that number will be higher. We want to create a special patrol group within the standard three shifts. We're hoping for four officers, two cars, of shifters each shift. We know this is global, and putting people on leave or acting like this is anything other than permanent is going to get us in trouble. If this works, we'll pull in 911 too, probably the woman who contacted you, and prioritize your cars to shifter-related calls. You at least have some concept what might be going on, the rest of us don't."

"Trust me, Anne. I don't have the damnedest idea of what is going on with all of this."

Anne's smile had a bitter tint. "I believe you, but you know what it's like to shift, to be an animal. Most of us?" She shrugged. "I don't think collectively people have decided whether to be excited or freaked the hell out. And that's part of our concern. We don't want race, well, species riots. Not here."

"Hey, I'm still human," McKenna protested.

I think.

"I hope so." Anne voice had a flatness that matched her eyes. "Right now, I don't care. You're a sworn officer, and I need you to do your job. And I really don't care if you're an alien or a cougar. As long as you can appear human, I expect you to uphold your oath."

The words hit McKenna like a slap, and she stiffened.

"We want you to head it. You're the most recognizable right now. You've been short-listed for promotion, and a test date has been arranged next week for you to take the sergeant's test. I would advise you don't fail. Even if you did, which I know damn well would be on purpose, you're still part of this group, you just wouldn't get the pay bump and someone else will lead."

I should have called in sick today.

It was the only thought that could even form in her mind.

Chapter 8 - Q&A

North Korea has made an official statement that their country is immune to this plague sweeping the world. No North Korean has turned into a beast. South Korea, however, has reported rumors of more people fleeing North Korea and of midnight sweeps capturing people who are never heard of again. China is still silent, but in an interesting turn of events one of their politicians was seen weeping in front of a spectacled bear in a courtyard in his home. The US is still silent, but rumors are flying as to how this will be dealt with. ~ TNN News Report.

JD and McKenna sat in the quiet room, the bombshell still ringing in their ears. McKenna had been slated as the leader of the team. Even though JD had more time in, they wanted to leverage her visibility. Other members were still being selected from people who had changed among first responders. Rumors were a firefighter and an EMT would be joining their small group. Anne Holich didn't have any other news right then, and she left, giving them time to absorb the information.

"You okay with not getting top position?"

JD snorted. "Yes. Never had any desire to lead, and my mug on every camera?" He waved at his face. "Thanks, but not a chance. I'll support you, but have no desire to be you."

McKenna waved a hand at him. "You can shift naked in front of everyone, then no one will care about your face."

"I did, and they still liked you more."

If she had anything she could have thrown at him, she would have. "I suppose not much we can do about it until Monday. Not that I'm looking forward to it. Heck, what will the dress of the day be?"

JD blinked. "Never even thought about it. Fudge. Figure business casual? I've got one pair of dress slacks that fits. Hey, your first order of business can be kilts for everyone. Then you have less to take off you if you shift."

She really wanted to make a smart aleck remark, but getting out of a kilt would be a heck of a lot easier than slacks. "I hate dresses," she whined, not even caring as she dropped her head back on the sofa, sprawling out across it.

"Kilts for the win!" JD grinned.

She had to snicker. If nothing else, that would give her something to drive Kirk crazy over. "Hmm, you think we still report to Kirk?"

JD paused and thought about it, then shrugged. "He doesn't have anything to do with a state level, but I wouldn't be surprised if he used this to stay associated with us."

"Joy, not even any silver lining." McKenna heaved a sigh, only partially mocking.

"You don't have to do it, you know," JD said, his voice quiet, but she had no issue hearing it.

McKenna glanced his way in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"You could refuse, quit, throw a fit. There's only so much they'll do to pressure you into this." His voice had no inflections in it at all, and McKenna sat there frozen.

"It never occurred me, actually."

"Think about it."

McKenna settled back into the couch and did, her mind racing in circles, then she started to speak, mostly thinking out loud.

"This isn't what I'd prefer, at all. I just want to do my job, helping people. But," she paused working through the thoughts and feelings, "I think this might be important. People seem to be looking up to me, and my job, where I swore an oath, is asking me to do something that involves them. While I'd rather get shot than do this, it's important and is part of my oath - to everyone. My oath was to people, and now people that I have something in common with are looking at me, watching what I do. How can I walk away just 'cause I hate the idea of the spotlight? That would be putting my wants and needs over the oath I swore. So no, I'll do it. Not going to swear I'll be good at it, but it's my job, and I'll be damned if I do anything less than my best at my job."

She flashed a smile at him as the last words came out, solidifying her thoughts.

"That's what I thought. I knew you were the right person for this," JD said, an odd note in his voice.

"You don't feel the same."

"Social responsibility was destroyed for me as a kid." His voice held a note of bitterness, but McKenna had learned a long time ago to leave his childhood alone.

"So? You can quit if you want, or get another position," she offered, trying not to let her foreboding show. Doing this without JD would suck, but she'd never ask him to do something he didn't want to.

"Nah. While I wouldn't do it for society, I'd do it for you. 'Sides, think of the conniption fit some of my relatives will have when they see me. I'm sure I'll be receiving hate mail shortly from everyone I grew up with."

McKenna snorted. "Probably." She glanced at the darkness outside, then the clock. "Can you run me home? It's after ten, surely most of them have to be gone now. Maybe I can sneak in the back way?"

"Sure, but I wouldn't hold my breath on them being gone." JD stood up from the chair, pulling on shoes.

"I can hope. But I want my whiskey - how you can only drink rum I don't get - and my stuff. I'd like to curl up and zone out, though I suspect I'll spend the evening researching on line."

"Yeah. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I know I want to play with it some more. Want to get out of here Saturday go out to the mountains and actually play?"

The urge to say yes was strong, but practicality interfered. "What about getting shot 'cause we freaked someone out?"

"I've got a friend with a cabin up there. So no hunters and lots of empty land. If we stay near the cabin and our car, we should hear anyone else coming in."

"Sure. But let's get me home first. I need a drink."

"Fine, fine. Next time I'm at the store I'll buy whiskey, so you don't have to be tortured with my rum."

"See, I knew you were trainable." McKenna flashed a smile at him while JD just flicked his spinner faster and faster as they headed out the door.

Anne must have run off the reporter that had been waiting outside, and by mutual unspoken consent, they didn't turn on the radio, instead watching the city around them as they drove over to McKenna's house.

The city struck her as quiet, apprehensive, as if it was holding its breath to see what would happen next.

"I get the feeling even more has happened than what we've been told." McKenna said quietly as the odd atmosphere touched everything.

"Me, too. I guess I'm going to have to get online and find out what's happening. Really rather be an ostrich." JD didn't sound any more enthusiastic than she felt.

"I completely understand, but I don't think we, especially me, can afford to ignore what is going on." McKenna said, a note of wistfulness in her voice.

"Probably not." JD turned onto her street and stopped in shock. "Umm, Kenna?"

McKenna had zoned out, thinking about stuff, and his comment snapped her back to seeing what surrounded her, and she inhaled a sharp breath.

Her street and lawn in front of her complex were packed with cars and people. Every light in her complex was on, and people were arguing on the lawn.

"They didn't leave," she said numbly. Honestly, she had expected to see a few still there, but not like this.

"I think you're going to have to give in."

"Give in? Give in to what?"

"Their demands. You're not going to get in without giving them an interview. So suck it up and give them what they want?"

If she hadn't been shocked by the people waiting for her, at least she assumed it was her, she probably would have flipped JD off. But right now, she was trying to steel herself for more of this. "I said I'd do my job, and this is probably going to part of it, isn't it?"

"Most likely." His voice did not reassure her at all.

"Onward, Jeeves, might as well face the ravening hordes now as opposed to later."

"Of course, milady," he responded in a bad British accent as he stepped on the gas and slowly moved towards her place. There were two cop cars there, and they had kept the road clear, and an officer flagged them down as they pulled in.

Whatever he had started to say was derailed when he saw McKenna.

"Thank god you're here. Can you please talk to them and then get them to leave? We've got half the city blowing up, and we're having to dedicate two cars here to deal with all these guys, not to mention your outraged neighbors."

McKenna blinked, taken off balance. "Do I know you?"

The young man snorted. "No. Officer Bobby Alspect. I just started last year, and our paths haven't crossed. But trust me, at this point every officer on the force knows you by sight. You're the one they're waiting for, so please? I'm begging you."

"See, Kenna, already you got cute young things begging you," JD teased, and the young man flushed red, even as McKenna groaned.

"Sorry, ignore him. He has no manners whatsoever."

"No worries, I've got a brother. I know what jerks they can be." The man flashed a smile and waved them in. Even as they drove in, people started to swell up from their cars and seats on the ground.

"This isn't going to work," McKenna fought the squeak of panic in her voice.

"Yeah. I'll lift you up to the roof. You can stand up there and answer questions."

"You're going to let me stand on your precious vehicle?"

"Better than them tipping it to get to you. You aren't going to dent it."

"Gee, thanks." She rolled her eyes, but let him get out first and open her door. The instant swell of voices and people calling her name crashed into her like a physical force, and she was almost relieved when JD's hands wrapped around her waist, and without any effort set her butt down on his roof. She scrambled to her feet looking at the mass of people and lights that instantly fixated on her, all but blinding her.

At least this way I don't have to see any faces I guess.

Her name being shouted in many variations created an intimidation effect, but she forced a smile and surveyed the sea of lights, cameras, and phones.

"Everyone. As I'm sure you know, I am Officer McKenna Largo. As you can guess it's been a long day for everyone, and I'm sure all my neighbors would like to go to bed and forget all this. I'll give you thirty minutes to ask your questions, and then I'll ask you to leave and direct all further questions to the Rossville Police Department. This will be the only unsanctioned interview I will do. Use your questions wisely and enjoy the scoop."

That had been the only thing she could think of to prevent this from becoming a regular occurrence, and if she had to, she'd rent a hotel room for a few days.

People shouted at her, the words merging into a cacophony of sound that she couldn't interpret anything from. She lifted her hands with a sharp gesture, holding them out over the crowd which simmered down into a murmur.

"I can't hear you when you're all shouting, so if you want me to answer a question raise your hand, and I'll just point at you."

This is so ridiculous, next time I'll hand out numbers and just pull them out of a bag lottery style. Really, people.

"You," she pointed at a guy with a cameraman close behind him.

"Do you plan on keeping being a police officer now that you can shift?"

McKenna looked at him and blinked. "Yeah… I still have rent and food I need to buy, and I don't think anyone is going to pay me just to exist. What else would I do? It's my job."

The reporter didn't look happy at that answer, but before he could say anything—she'd learned from the last time - she picked someone else.

"Why did you change into an animal, specifically a cat?"

"A - I turned into a cougar, not just a cat. B - I don't have a clue. Last I heard the rumors were flying like crazy and I don't know a single fact other than the fact I did shift. Next," she said moving fast, trying to get through this.

"What is having sex as a cat like?"

She heard JD choking where he stood at the door of his vehicle, and she just looked at the man, her face blank.

"Seriously? That's your question? Are you stupid? People already asked that, and I refused to answer it then. I don't know, I don't want to know, I don't want to know if someone has the answer to that. Just grow up. Eww…" She knew that response was not really professional, but neither was the question.

She jabbed her hand at one woman, who oddly didn't look like a reporter.

"Can I come and learn at your feet, so I can also be blessed with the gift of shifting?"

McKenna just looked at her for a long moment, and ignored JD all but rolling on the ground, she finally looked at the woman and gave her the only answer she could.

"No. Next."

Fifteen minutes later, with questions like, 'Are you happy about this', 'Why did this happen', 'Do you have a mate', 'Do you have a pack', and JD's favorite, 'Will you marry me? I know I can satisfy you.' They finally finished up.

The beat cops chased everyone away, and she hopped down from the roof and looked around at all her neighbors staring out at her.

"A hotel is sounding better and better," she muttered.

"I'll take you if you want," JD said, still fighting a smile from some of the crazy questions.

"Nah, I just might sleep with my gun today. Though after seeing the claws I have, those might be scarier."

"Point." JD followed her up to her second-floor apartment, and she suspected his presence prevented some of her neighbors making comments, which did not hurt her feelings at all.

They stopped at her door and he glanced at it, then her. "You want me to stay?"

"Gah, no. I want to walk around mostly naked, with my whiskey and then cruise websites. You would totally ruin my ability to do that."

Another low chuckle emerged from JD. "Fine, fine. I'll hit you up tomorrow and see if anything has changed."

"Yeah, I know I'll need to get some more food if I decide to change, and then if we make it up to the mountain on Sunday, we'll need to get stuff."

"Yep. Kay, get inside and I'll see you later."

"Yes, mom." McKenna rolled her eyes as she went into her apartment, almost automatically checking for new scents.

She choked as her nose and mind were swamped with information, stumbling a bit.

"Everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah. Fine. I'll see you later." She forced the smile and then shut the door as JD turned away. She leaned back against the door and inhaled deeply through her nose. The scents she had not noticed earlier, her mind too overloaded with worries earlier, assailed her now.

A vanilla scent, something rotting in her kitchen, detergent, perfumes from her bathroom, gas fumes from passing cars via the open window, stubbornness, worry, all of them wrapped around her, dropping bits of information and implications as her brain catalogued everything as fast as the scent hit.

This is both cool as hell and freaking me out.

Swallowing, she walked in, and headed to her bedroom, stripping into something comfortable then went to the kitchen. The rotting smell seemed stronger as she walked in, and in a second she had identified the garbage disposal as the culprit. It took a minute to run it, the noise so loud she frowned, making a mental note to have it looked at. That helped, and she poured her whiskey and grabbed her laptop. Normally she might have headed to her little balcony to sit and stare out at the night to think. But after the questions she had been asked the idea, that someone might be watching her didn't sound as far-fetched as it might have.

With that she sat down and powered up her laptop. She didn't get on it much, really only for email or if she needed to log into work remotely. McKenna pulled up a browser, entering her email on one tab, then another and pulled up the local news site, then added on another for worldwide news.

People changing was the only story, and she instantly had a map shoved into her face with the changed shown by dots. That fascinated her, and the U.S. still seemed to be the most densely affected, but any metro area had more clusters. However, the numbers seemed low.

The current report seemed to indicate that about two percent, maybe a bit more, of people changed. The variety of animals coming in seemed wide. The question was how many people reported it? She wouldn't have if it hadn't been captured in such embarrassing detail.

Thoughts and ideas flipped through her head, she clicked on a link about the theory behind this occurrence and then clicked on her email tab while she waited for it to load.

Taking a sip of whiskey, she focused on her email and choked on said whiskey as the information registered. Normally she had fifteen to twenty emails, half spam, the rest the occasional friend or newsletter. The number on her email flashed at her. She set down the whiskey and rubbed her eyes and checked again, the number didn't change.

"I have 2,345 emails?" her voice squeaked as the words burst out of her mouth. McKenna looked at the subject lines, bolded so it was easy to scan through them.

Way too many had a subject of Shifter Queen, and then it got more diverse.

Taking a fortifying swallow of whiskey, she clicked on one, the message made her—a cop who had seen just about everything—shudder and hit delete.

"Oh, this is not good."

She started randomly clicking through her email, deleting them, then she stopped. With a sense of sick dread, she went and found what she had deleted and moved them back to her in box, then created folders.

Sick

Marriage Proposals

Threats

Shifter Scams

With grim determination she started filing the emails, reading only enough to identify what folder to put it in.

The overall feel basically drove home how public she had become and how much visibility was focused on her. The point had been driven home, and she sighed.

So much for being just a person anymore. I guess.

In between filing, she read the news, and the information began to coalesce in her mind. This was worldwide, and millions of people had shifted, but millions more hadn't. Social studies was a lifetime away, but she still remembered reading about segregation issues. If that started now, the people you were trying to segregate were living weapons, and when you corner people they fight.

Dread pooled in her stomach as more information was pieced together in her head. And while she didn't like it at all, the group of shifters suddenly seemed much more important than she originally thought.

I've always tried to do my job to the best of my abilities. I guess now it's even more important.

Chapter 9 - Dilemmas

No one knows what problems or opportunities are going to arise from this change. Is it permanent? Are people always going to be animals from now on? Will it change them? We haven't seen any short-term changes, but long term, what is going to happen to people, to families, to society? This will change the way we think, feel, and interact with others. Have you seen that video? Claws are weapons that can't be removed, and so far there isn't any indication that you can tell who is or isn't this new type of creature. Can you imagine someone turning into a cat or a wolf on a plane? There are real concerns here. Zero weapon policy doesn't matter anymore, they will always be armed. We need to think about these things now before we pay the price. ~ Opinion piece in New York Times

C-Tac Jones, Alfonso to his mother, flinched as Paco sat down on the same bench he waited on. Paco didn't look at him, instead scanning the park with predator eyes. The late summer afternoon cast brilliant light everywhere, creating a pleasant afternoon for the people enjoying the park.

The drama earlier in the day with the bank had been on all the stations, but as of yet he passed it off as a publicity stunt. Cops were always trying to distract from how crooked they were. Though the rumors were the vid had a nice-looking cop chick full naked -might be worth looking at.

He shifted his attention to Paco, who'd been silent, waiting for C-Tac.

"He wants to talk to you," Paco said, sliding a small phone across the bench to C-Tac. Paco didn't fit the image of a high-level gangster, if anything, he looked like a college prep boy in his designer jeans that fit well, polo shirt and nice haircut. The boss preferred people that the cops never looked at twice. Unfortunately, C-Tac couldn't pull that off as easily. At six-foot-three and black as jet, with a shaved head, cops always gave him a second glance. It didn't matter how nicely he dressed, and even if he made sure his tats were covered, people were wary around him.

Paco with his preppy Hispanic look had it made. And his role in the organization showed it.

C-Tac picked up the phone and lifted it. "Yes, sir?"

"Mr. Jones," the voice on the other end was flat, polite, and educated. C-Tac had never heard of the boss raising his voice or losing his temper. Rumor was even when he ordered people disposed of, it was as uninterested as if he was ordering dinner. "You have not been meeting your quotas of late. I do believe I told you that your baseline was five thousand a week. You only made two thousand this week. If you cannot move the product, then I am sure I can find someone else who will."

"N-no, sir. I'll get my numbers up." He flinched both at the stuttering and trying to figure out how in the world he'd get his numbers up. The only market share he could think of that he hadn't leveraged was children. And yes, he read marketing books, the boss rewarded those who got degrees, but he'd never be able to afford school. The problem was his momma would never forgive him if he started marketing to school kids. He found himself caught between his momma and a killer.

"Good. Remember I am always open to new ideas or marketing plans. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to remove obstacles in your path." With that the boss hung up. C-Tac slid the phone back to Paco. The weird thing was, boss was serious. If he came up with an idea or something that would make money, the boss would seriously consider it. The guy didn't give a damn about anything except profit. He had no ego, only facts. And he scared C-Tac half to death.

"Any questions?" Paco asked, still paying more attention to the surrounding people than C-Tac.

"No, I'm good."

Paco nodded once, got up and strode away, a relaxed easy stride that made C-Tac grind his teeth. With a sigh he let the irritation at the younger man being over him go and focused on his issue. How the hell was he going to get revenue up?

Oh sure, if you were higher up you got benefits and bonuses, but he was a low-level guy, with only six people under him, mostly teenagers who'd done so much meth their brains were as rotted as their teeth. Which meant they screwed up regularly, and he had to deal with it. He needed better territory and better people, but he couldn't do that unless he proved he could push the product.

A vague memory of a phrase that described his situation floated through his brain, but he couldn't pull it up. After a minute he shrugged and let it go. School had bored him and dropping out at seventeen seemed like the smart thing to do. Now he wasn't so sure. He had money, but he could feel himself slipping down further every day. Something had to change, but what?

He sat on the bench in the park, staring out at the grassy area and the playground. While he got a few looks, no one approached him. He smirked as a woman made a wide berth around him. Scaring the normals was always amusing, especially when the cops couldn't roust him out of here. It was a public park, and he didn't have a single thing on him that was restricted. So they could come and leer all they wanted, he didn't have to move even one foot. It provided a constant source of entertainment.

With a sigh he shook his head and ran his hands over his bald pate. He had decided after seeing the mistakes his brother made, to never get anything done that couldn't be covered up with a shirt if he needed to appear 'professional'. When he started working for the boss that decision had been a life saver. Literally.

He needed to figure out a new market for product, and most of the local areas were already claimed by someone. Or he had to come up with something completely new.

Various ideas popped into his head, but they all seemed stupid or required too much capital. But nothing seemed to click. At this rate he'd either get fired, or killed, or have to get a real job. The last option almost sounded worse than the first.

A woman caught his attention, she was pretty with that American Indian sort of coloring, he'd always thought that was sexy. A documentary he had watched last night about some group of people and their slaves, bodyguards raised to be there for their lifetime, flashed through his mind. He leaned back, far enough way he could watch her without it being obvious, and enjoyed the movement of her body. He liked his women strong and slim, and she fit.

Two kids came running up to her, dropping down like boneless jellyfish on the blanket she had spread. C-Tac rolled his eyes, kids were not anything he wanted to deal with. Distracted he watched, but no longer saw as he went back to dealing with his problem. He needed to get some better dealers to move his product. Elementary schools were out of the question, but the local college presented possibilities. Thinking, he pulled up who ran that area. A jerk if he remembered correctly. Always kept to the same routine, never pushing the boundaries because he made enough with the constant flux of students into the school.

A slow smile spread across his face, and he picked up his phone, clicking a contact that just said Bacon.

"What?" A voice answered, brisk and annoyed, and an odd level of stress he'd never heard before.

"Got a tip for you about a dealer at the college."

"What's he selling?" There was a half-note of interest, and C-Tac grinned.

"The pot isn't the issue, but he's got some stuff that has been laced with LSD. His special stuff. He'll be at the college coffee shop tomorrow from nine a.m. to ten a.m. for people to pick up their orders. Young guy, hippy sort. You can't miss him."

"If you're sending me on a goose chase, I don't have time for this."

"Swear, he's selling bad drugs. You know I don't give you bad info. And he might have some coke stashed in his car. A kilo or two."

"You also don't do anything for free. What's in it for you?"

"Just a future consideration. You know how I like to help the authoritays." C-Tac drawled out the last word and the man on the other end snorted.

"Sure. Whatever, I've got to go. Don't call unless you've got something good, something worth my time to bust." The line dropped and C-Tac grinned. Now to make plans to step into the space and take over that territory. Then he'd start making some real money. College kids never seemed all that smart to him, for all the classroom-learning they paid for.

A shriek of surprise and stress yanked his eyes back to the woman and the two kids, and his attention sharpened. Something was wrong, the kids were on the ground writhing, and the mom wasn't yelling anymore, just standing there, her hands covering her mouth as she watched.

"What the hell?" he muttered and stood, curious now as to what was going on.

The shifting that he saw didn't make sense until it completed, and two black cats were laying on the ground struggling with the clothes that now bound them. The mom dropped to her knees and helped them out of their clothes. In a minute, two large cats, well, large compared to house cats C-Tac supposed, wobbled in front of her.

The news that had been blaring everywhere clicked back into his mind, and he leaned forward. If he had to guess from her body language, he would have said the woman was resigned, not upset or scared. If he had thought he could get closer, he might have, but instead he pulled out his phone, lifted up the camera and made use of the zoom feature. He watched the two cats cavort around, fully in control of their bodies, and then saw them shred the blanket with their claws. Claws that even from where he sat looked sharp as knives.

For some weird reason, he could never figure out how his brain worked, the two cats made him think how cool it would be to have full grown jaguars guarding him. Completely loyal, dangerous cats, with the intelligence of humans. Now how cool would that be?

Wait, could he do it? Raise children to be loyal guards, protect those they were put with? Kids were animals for the most part, and you'd want to treat any bodyguard well. They'd never be abused or hungry. Hell, some third world countries might even sell them to you, knowing that child would have a better life.

Ideas started to spark in his mind, and C-Tac leaned back, watching and thinking. At this rate he might have a viable business venture to offer. If all the pieces would come together.

If nothing else, the pelts would sell a pretty price. After all, if you killed them while they were an animal, you weren't really hurting a child, right?

Chapter 10 - Grocery Shopping

It has been three days since the video and the event that changed the world. We still have no idea what caused this, or how it affected multiple continents, but none of that matters in the long run. Change has happened to our society, and we have to deal with it. While no one knows the numbers yet, rough estimates are that about two percent of people might have changed. The Pope has promised to speak tomorrow to the people gathering for mass in Saint Peter's square. Fires are raging in Jerusalem right now. There are reports of an Iman changing during prayer and the backlash has been extreme with sects splintering even more as the question of becoming an animal fractures belief. ~ Report from NPR

McKenna probably drank a bit too much the night before, staring at the screen and all the stories coming in from across the globe, sipping on the whiskey as she tried to get a handle on the information. But not enough to create a headache. Her eyes flicked open at five on the dot, and she sighed.

"Day off and I still can't sleep in. Figures," she muttered and pulled herself out of bed.

A shower and coffee later, she stood looking at a distressingly empty fridge.

"Crap, I guess I'm getting out. And..." She looked around thinking. Normally she didn't eat that much, but if this kept up, JD's comment about her food bill skyrocketing would prove too accurate. Which meant cheaper to buy in bulk, but that also meant a freezer.

With a sigh, she gave into something she had been resisting for years, buying a Sam's Club membership. Standing there the minute they opened. McKenna bought the plus membership and found herself walking around Sam's with a new card. She'd paid for a chest freezer that would be delivered shortly. The delivery had cost her extra, but it was worth it.

She was standing and looking at the array of meat as she calculated her budget and the capacity of the freezer when a voice spoke behind her.

"Officer Largo?"

Cringing just the tiniest bit, McKenna steeled herself and turned around. She almost instantly relaxed when she saw Tonan Diaz, at least that was how the official reports listed her, standing there with her two kids.

"Hello, Ms. Diaz." She looked her over, Tonan looked a bit tired, but overall well. Her eyes turned to the kids and frowned a bit when she would swear they were a bit taller than last time, but she dismissed that. There had been a lot going on, and perspective from a cat wasn't the best basis for memories. At least not yet. It was on the list of things to work on. "You and the kids seem to be fine."

A half-smile creased the woman's mouth. "Please call me Toni. I keep looking for my mother-in-law when you say that. As for the rest, I guess. Turns out I wasn't the only one in my family to shift." She cast a glance at the two kids. "They both turned into jaguar cubs, at the park of all places. We went there after the bank, they needed to run off energy, in more ways than one I guess." She shook herself. "I wanted to introduce my children and say hi and thank you again."

McKenna shrugged, the last thing she needed was more thanks, which meant paying attention to children was preferable. Which had to be a first.

"Sure." She focused her attention to the two kids who were watching her with odd expressions on their faces, ones she couldn't interpret.

"Jamie, Jessi, say hello to Officer Largo." Toni said, nudging the two kids.

Sharp green eyes looked out from identical faces though their hair was worn differently. One of them had their hair back in a ponytail, the other, not quite as long was worn loose and messy.

The ponytail child flashed a sudden grin up at McKenna. "You turned into that cougar. And protected Jamie. That was awesome. Mom turned into a jaguar and that was cool too, but what you did wow. I wanna grow up to be a police officer like you."

"Hmm, you must be Jessi then?" McKenna asked, amused by the child staring up at her.

"Yes. I'm seven and a half. Jamie is my brother." Jessi asserted still looking at her.

"Being a cop is hard. You have to work at it," McKenna warned, not sure she was the right person to be giving career advice.

Toni smirked and mouthed 'thank you' to McKenna, who fought to keep a straight face.

"What about you, Jamie? What do you want to be?" McKenna asked, not sure what else she was supposed to say.

Jamie shrugged. "Don't know. The cat thing is cool. Can anyone be a cat?"

McKenna blinked. The kid was right, who knew how this change thing worked? "I don't know."

Toni laughed. "Jamie, this is a brand new world. I don't think any of us know. So for now, yes? I guess?" Toni just shrugged.

Jamie glanced her then away and grabbed Jessi's hand and dragged her towards the cage of balls. They instantly started arguing about which color was the best. Jamie leaned towards purple while Jessi wanted green.

"They seem like a handful."

I have no idea what to say, I don't do kids. Kids are complicated and messy. I hated being a kid.

"You have no idea." Toni glanced at the two, quietly arguing. "Though I have no idea what I'd do without them. They're impossible, but they're also mine."

McKenna frowned. "No father in the picture?"

Old pain flashed across Toni's face. "My husband was officer Jeffery Diaz. He was killed in the line of duty three years ago."

McKenna closed her eyes.

Way to go.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't start until two years ago."

Toni shrugged. "Trust me, that's an old wound and nothing you did or didn't do would affect it. So yes, my kids tend to get the brunt of my attention. I assume they'll hate me for it between thirteen and eighteen, but I can live with that. Heck, the cat thing almost doesn't bug me. Gives me another layer of safety. A cat can be nasty when cornered." She cast an amused glance at McKenna. "As most of the world has seen."

"Ugh," the groan slipped out before she could stop it.

Toni chuckled a bit. "I get it, but I can't help but be grateful. If this sticks around, they'll have one more weapon, and one no one can take from them."

"You're a lot more bloodthirsty and realistic than most civilians I deal with," McKenna noted, watching the woman carefully.

Toni shrugged. "I've never been a pacifist. Technically I'm a Marine, did four years including two tours. And right now I'm a 911 operator, so my view of the world might be a bit skewed. But all in all, I'd rather have my children on trial for murder, than dead as a victim."

McKenna blinked. She'd never heard anyone state that so bluntly, but she couldn't really argue. Finding victims, especially children, had to be the hardest part of the job.

"Just makes me glad I'm not a mom," surprised a bit at herself for the comment, but she didn't take it back. "So have you played with this," she waved her hands a bit to encompass everything, "at all yet?" She hadn't talked to anyone beside JD and she definitely wasn't going to ask any of the crazies that had sent her emails, so in a way that made Toni the safest person to ask.

Toni glanced around, and McKenna had to fight not to be embarrassed. Talking publicly about something that was still a hot bed of craziness might not be the safest thing.

"A bit. I got the kids home pretty quick and let them run around the apartment." She looked a bit embarrassed. "We were saving up for a house, but never got one and the money, well," she shrugged. "Let's just say life doesn't always work the way you think it will. But after they changed back, I swear they about ate me out of every bit of food I had. Hence being here," she waved at her overflowing cart that finally dawned on McKenna looked a lot like hers with a bit more sugar. "I'm not willing to let them run around outside yet, not with the news right now. So I don't know. I want to play but I'm not willing to go out right now. So Catch 22, I guess."

McKenna nodded and bit her tongue. The idea JD floated sounded better and better. And she rather liked this woman but offering up an outing was going a bit far. Maybe later.

"Would you be willing to exchange numbers and maybe talk occasionally?" Toni asked, her eyes on her kids who had navigated over to the books, still staying quiet but definitely having an intense discussion.

"Yes," the answer leapt off her tongue, and she was glad the woman had asked, because she hadn't known how to.

"Thanks. Just I don't know anyone else who has shifted, and they promised to keep my name out of the report. From what I could see, unless you paused and zoomed, I wasn't that visible in the video. But," Toni's voice caught, for all that her face remained calm and composed, "I just don't know who else to talk to."

"I totally get that. Here, give me your phone."

Toni did, without even blinking, though McKenna had to admit it wasn't like Toni didn't know exactly who she was and how to find her if she needed. With a few quick taps of her phone she had sent herself a text message. She handed back the phone, then sent one to Toni, identifying herself only as Kenna. Why she didn't want to think about. But this had nothing to do with her job, which was a rarity.

"Thanks. I'd better get going, before they come to the conclusion that changing in the middle of the store is completely valid."

McKenna fought a smile and nodded. "Yeah me too. I've got stuff to do today, and I'd better get on it."

They exchanged half-tentative, half-hopeful nods and then headed back on their own paths. When she had picked up her phone, McKenna realized how behind she was and quickened her pace to try to finish shopping. She needed to get home before they delivered the freezer.

Heading to the car, she focused on her car, her mind running through a million things she needed to do when she got home, high on that list was eating. Her stomach and head were telling her she needed food. She'd taken a few of the samples in Sam's but in many ways she thought it might have made it worse. Her body clamored for food, and she really couldn't figure out why, but at this point she just wanted to get home and scarf down the chimichangas she had purchased, and she was rapidly approaching the point where she didn't care if they were cooked or not.

"Hey, bitch. Or is it pussy?" An insulting voice cut across her thoughts and she stiffened as she realized she'd completely zoned out, focusing only on her list of things to do, instead of watching her surroundings.

Her training snapped in and she started thinking about the danger she was in.

About time, moron. What? You thought your notoriety was just going to disappear?

Her own mental voice castigated her as she turned to face two big beefy rednecks, who had to outweigh her by at least a hundred pounds each. And from the way they carried themselves, they knew how to use their bodies to intimate others. A third guy hung back a bit, an unsure expression on his face.

"May I help you gentlemen?"

The leader, a big boy with red-blond hair shrugged, pushing back his baseball cap a bit as he strutted closer. "Maybe, I've always liked girls with a wild side. I figure a pussy that can really become a pussy would be as wild as I can get."

McKenna sighed internally.

Really, I get redneck morons on top of this?

"Gentlemen, as you know who I am, I assume you also know I'm a police officer. So why don't you just go away now, and we'll forget this happened."

The leader shrugged. "So? My brother's a cop, and he says he knows you. That you're a frigid bitch who just needs a hard cock to be personable."

That comment stung. Having random idiots call her names didn't faze her, but the idea that another cop would think that way about her cut deep, deeper than she expected. The sigh was a bit more forced than she expected it to be, but she exaggerated it even as she took a better stance to be able to move, nudging the cart so it bumped against her car, resting there gently.

"Really, just go home. I don't have time for this, or the desire." She tried one more time hoping maybe they'd go away.

"Guess he was right. Even becoming a cat hasn't heated this pussy up."

McKenna blinked. "How long did you have to work to come up with that?"

The leader paused for a minute, off-balance. "Huh?"

"I mean really. Pussy for cat, in heat, I mean did you sit at home and work on your bad double meanings?"

He just looked at her, his face blank.

"And you didn't even realize you did it. Go home," she ordered, now just completely exasperated with this whole situation.

"I don't think so, I want to see what a cat looks like naked." He moved forward, his two friends flanking him and McKenna groaned.

God, the paperwork on this is going to suck.

"Well, this should be good. I wonder if I'll get over a million views in the first ten or first fifteen minutes." Toni's voice came out as the men were approaching McKenna, everyone turned to look where the voice had come from.

Toni stood there, her phone in front of her, holding it steady as she continued to talk. "Oh, I already called the police and I'm live streaming this on social media, mentioning the local police station. Oh look, I'm already getting responses that units are on their way. So please continue, I'm sure Officer Largo won't mind the extra publicity, after all she's already one of the most recognizable women in the world." Toni's voice never changed from calm and disinterested as she filmed. "Smile, guys, I'm sure people are going to want to talk to you afterwards, and you're about to become famous, or is it notorious?"

McKenna didn't know if she wanted to fall down in laughter or start beating her head against the pavement. The men all started looking at each other with uncertain looks.

"Oh, Steven, apparently your wife is watching and wants to let you know she'll be talking to you when you get home, but if she has to bail you out of jail, you can wait for the divorce attorney."

One of the men, with short dark hair, paled and took two steps back. "Sorry, dude. I'm out of here." He ducked his head down between his shoulders and quickly weaved his way between cars and disappeared.

"Fuck this shit. I'll catch you later." The blond leader snarled, and he and his friend both took off running, the sound of police sirens chasing their departure.

The stress drained out of McKenna and her head spun to the point she had to reach out to her car and let it steady her. Toni put her phone away and glanced behind her. McKenna followed her gaze to see two faces peering over the back seat of a small Honda sedan.

Toni walked over to her a wry smile on her face. "I guess it's reassuring to know that assholes never change."

McKenna choked on laughter then tried hard to not pass out as the world spun.

"Frack. Here, eat." There was a soft tearing sound, and Toni shoved a protein bar into her hands. "Your sugar has bottomed out. Eat."

McKenna did, the first bit of it on her tongue helping as the cop cars pulled into lot and headed their way. The sirens and lights actively hurt, and she wished she had ear plugs. The sound clicked off as the cars stopped in front of them was a relief.

An officer McKenna recognized but didn't know stepped out, a sardonic look on his face. "You just can't say out of trouble can you, Largo?"

She snorted. "Yeah, like that was how I wanted to end the day." She cast a nod at Toni. "You can thank Ms. Diaz here, though, for both of us avoiding a ton of paperwork. They weren't going to leave me alone."

"Yeah, we were listening. She got it up about the time you were pointing out the heat and cat pun. Good thinking, Ms. Diaz. That probably saved everyone."

Toni shrugged. "Seemed appropriate, given that social media got her into this mess."

McKenna snorted, and she noticed at least one of the officers fighting a smile.

"Well, then, if you don't need us, we're going to head out. Keep an eye out, Largo. These probably aren't the only idiots around."

"I wouldn't be that lucky. Will do." The officers waved and then pulled out. McKenna shot a look at Toni, who was fighting a smirk. "I guess I owe you."

"Not even. You saved my child's life. I'm never not going to be in your debt. Besides, that was amusing." Toni grinned. "We both have groceries thawing, so I'm going to get going. Call me, seriously." Toni smiled at her then turned away to finish loading her purchases into the car and left.

By the time McKenna got home, the delivery guys were waiting for her with the freezer. She ran up the stairs to let them in, then headed back down to get the metric ton of groceries out of her car and into her apartment.

She waved at the men leaving, they had plugged in the freezer and it was already cooling as she trotted back down for yet another trip. She'd have to super stuff her fridge and freezer before she could start putting stuff in it. The delay in cooling she hadn't counted on.

Maybe I'm over-reacting, but as it is, it's all I can do to not start eating now. My body can wait another fifteen minutes.

She kept repeating that mantra as she returned with the second to last load of bags. As she moved back to the stairs, Mrs. Kellerman came out of her ground floor apartment, worn cane held tight in hands knobby and worn by her decades of life.

"Hey, Mrs. Kellerman. How has your day gone?"

In the two years McKenna had lived there, she had gotten to like the old woman, her dark hair now all but white, and her cookies that reminded McKenna of a life lost. While not a friend, she'd been friendly and good neighbor over the years.

Mrs. Kellerman turned and kept walking, not paying attention to McKenna's hello.

Well, that was odd.

She ran up the groceries and returned as Mrs. Kellerman hobbled back from the mailbox, her worn yellow house dress hanging on her frame.

"Hey. You doing okay? Sorry about the crowds last night. Hope they didn't disturb you too much." McKenna said, reaching out to help her up the curb.

Mrs. Kellerman shrank back from her outreached arm, her thin lips drawn back in a sneer. "Don't touch me, you animal. I saw what you are. Get away from me before you infect me with your disease." The words were hissed out. Spittle flew from her mouth.

McKenna flinched back, her heart stuttering to a stop. "Mrs. Kellerman? What are you talking about?"

"You're an animal. You hid it, but it figures you'd be a nasty beast. Stay away from me. I'll be contacting the property manager to try and get you out of here. Us decent humans shouldn't have to deal with animals like you in the very place they live." She all but spit the last words at McKenna as she disappeared into her apartment.

McKenna stood there, throat tight, and fought to breathe normally. Mind locked down, refusing to explore what just happened, she grabbed the last of her stuff. Locked the car and headed back to her apartment. Once in she shut and locked the door, and for a first time in over a year clicked the security bar into place.

She zapped three chimichangas and inhaled them, but they only blunted the hunger. With a sigh she threw a pan of frozen enchiladas into the oven and worked on organizing and dealing with all the food she had purchased. Thirty minutes later, food had been put away and the enchiladas were done cooking. Sitting down with the whole pan, at least four times what she would have normally eaten, McKenna pulled up the web and started reading the news even as she put the too-hot food into her mouth.

The interaction with Mrs. Kellerman unfortunately didn't turn out to be a fluke or something specific to her. Reports were filtering up on hate crimes against those who had come out. Or 'Shifted,' as it was being called. Already sides were being drawn, and her email was flooded with requests and offers and other things. Her folders were overflowing, and she didn't know what to do.

Overloaded with info, she shut off the computer and taking the half-eaten pan, she grabbed her whiskey, not giving a damn it was only two in the afternoon. She went out to her small balcony and took a large mouthful, eating mechanically. It wasn't all that good, she made much better. But time and convenience had won this battle.

What do I want to do?

The idea rattled around in her head. But she kept hitting a wall, she didn't know anything. Not about the shifting or the abilities once shifted. There really wasn't any other option. If she didn't get control of this, she was going to be buffeted around by everyone and everything with no control.

McKenna didn't do 'not in control.' She'd been at others' mercy too much as a kid, she had decided a long time ago to make sure she was in control of her own life, which partially explained her career choice.

That being decided she got up and started dinner, the enchiladas had just been lunch. A roast with veggies, which might allow her to have leftovers, was thrown in the oven. It would take about three hours to cook.

She pulled her curtains over the sliding glass doors and set her phone to do not disturb. With a mental sigh, she stood, still dressed in jeans, tee, and tennis shoes.

I guess I'd better learn what shifting in clothes means and see how much damage I do.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused on being a cat, again.

Chapter 11 - Research

Two students at UCLA were found dead today. The police still aren't sure of the cause of death. Drugs were found on site, with evidence of use. Both students were known to have changed and were seen around the campus yesterday appearing healthy and in good condition. But their bodies were found withered, thin and dehydrated. All evidence points to starvation over years. Police are still investigating to see what caused the deaths. ~ KWAK News Radio

The change this time was smooth and easy, her bones and muscles shifting and realigning, and it almost felt normal this time. Almost. McKenna managed not to fall over, but the clothes bound her weirdly. Her shoes just slipped off, so that was good to know, but the socks felt wrong in a way she'd never experienced. Her jeans caught on the bend of her knees and she had to struggle for a minute to slide out of them.

Good to know, basically stretch and they fall off, but what the hell am I going to do about the underwear, bra, and shirt?

Her boy shorts were hung up, with her tail going down the hole with her left leg, and her haunches caught them oddly. She squirmed for a minute trying to get out of them.

Dammit, I really don't want to shred my clothes every time I need or want to change.

After another minute of squirming and stretching, she managed to get them off in once piece and was very glad there was no one around to watch that performance. But the t-shirt and bra weren't giving. Before she had just snapped it, not caring in the need to get to the kid, but bras were expensive. Finally, by catching the shirt with her teeth, she managed to pull it over her head by holding it down with one paw and backing out of it, the bra she just decided to ignore, shifting back right now would just be a pain, and she didn't have anyone she needed to fight with at this moment. The bra hung oddly on her body but didn't prevent movement as her cat chest seemed narrower than her human.

Dang it, JD's idea of kilts is sounding better and better. He'll never let me live this down. That, or a stripper's wardrobe where I can just rip everything off.

The idea that she was thinking of this as a long-term option struck her. And she chased it down. It had started to feel normal, a part of her, and something that would be around for a long time. Why in the world would that idea have sunk in so quickly?

Pushing that away as something to discuss with JD and maybe Toni later, she closed her eyes and just listened and felt them twitch as she focused on different sounds. She could hear so much. People upstairs talking, the TV playing, the cars driving by. Her apartment had decent soundproofing. She could occasionally hear yelling, usually during football games, or the random slammed door, but that was about it. Now, she knew her neighbors were talking about what they wanted to do tomorrow, and if they could skip church.

McKenna opened her eyes and looked around her house. Tilting her head as she thought about what she saw. Her walls were a normal beige, and that color seemed about the same. But her green and blue couch and the bright curtains seemed dull and washed out.

Her vision got blurred more as she looked down the hall. What she could normally see clearly from where she lay, seemed blurry and out of focus. A curtain twitched from the draft of the air conditioning, and her head snapped to it the second it moved.

Well I know I react to movement, and I think I read cats have good night vision, but definitely not for distance work, I can't see much more than fifty feet clearly. Things start to get fuzzy around the edges.

All the information got filed, and she went back to her nose, having saved that one for last, as she already knew it was hypersensitive. McKenna took a deep breath in through her nose and was flooded with smells and information. It was the information that confused her. She had no idea what worry smelled like. The sharp spice of the cumin and tomatoes made sense as did the urine smell from down the hall.

I swear if JD doesn't stop splattering outside my bowl, I'm going to make him go outside.

She put a mental note to clean the bathroom when she shifted back.

More than ever she wanted to be outside, to take in the smells. Even an open window right now would have been nice, but she'd closed everything up in preparation for this.

Sense check. Not going to worry about taste or touch, but I need to look at these new weapons. What I can do will have to wait until I'm outside.

With another internal sigh, remembering the pictures of the man she had eviscerated, she flopped on her side and pulled her paw towards her. Somehow, she knew how to extend her claws, it was a natural action to have them extend from her paws. They were almost an inch long, a dull yellowish color to her cat eyes. without conscious thought her tongue darted out and licked along the length of her thumb claw, and instantly she tasted blood.

Ow, how the hell do cats do that. Why in the hell did I do that?

She swallowed down the blood; the gash hadn't been deep, and the blood had stopped welling almost instantly. But it proved how sharp her claws were.

But what else can they do?

That went down as another thing to check on in the mountains. Just how much damage could she do with these claws?

Turning in a way that her mind screamed should hurt her back she arched to look at her hind paws, the claws extended. She realized she could wiggle them, but they didn't retract completely, and long-ago biology information snapped back into her brain. Hind claws on cats didn't retract fully like the front claws.

I guess this is something else to research. Great.

Her tail lashed, and she startled, flying up from the ground in a single move to stare at her tail.

Well, I guess I know why cats get startled.

She lashed it experimentally a few times and nodded as she thought.

Okay, lots of experimenting and figuring out how much I want to share with the world, 'cause they aren't going to let me be a private person anymore, and anything I can do to help stop some of the hate I'm seeing just in what I've been exposed to will be a good thing. Maybe Monday I can see this team and what we'll need to do. Wonder if they're anyone I know?

McKenna shook her head, which felt decidedly different as a cat than as a human. She did it again, feeling her ears waggle a bit. Amusing.

Right now she didn't have anything else to do, so with a mental effort she shifted. This time it did feel like yoga, assuming a position, slow deep stretch, but right somehow.

Standing in her bra and nothing else she rolled her eyes at her own silliness. Picking up her discarded clothes, she tossed them in a hamper and dug for something else to wear. A pair of denim shorts and a tank top with a built-in bra sounded good right now.

Pulling on the shorts, which were way shorter than anything she would ever wear in public, she paused as she zipped them up, easily. These had always been snug but now they were buttoning with no effort, a full inch of space between her and her waist.

McKenna blinked as she thought, and pulled her tank off, looking at her breasts in the mirror. They seemed firmer, higher, just different. She didn't spend a lot of time staring at her body, usually she avoided mirrors with a passion. Why get reminded of your flaws? But this time she looked. Then she went and got her phone, and after stripping again, she took a snapshot of herself standing there naked from all the angles she could pull off. Another minute to lock it away in an app, she got dressed and headed back out to the kitchen. Dinner had started to smell good, but it still had a ways to go.

Grabbing salsa and chips, she sat down in front of her laptop and started to research, eating as she went. She couldn't afford to not know anything at this point. And it looked like she had a kilt to order.

Chapter 12 - Mountain Time

All hunting has been suspended in the US per federal mandate and in conjunction with all states. At this time anyone found shooting an animal will be charged with murder. Until all animals have been identified there will be no hunting permits or licenses offered. All animals larger than a dog have the possibility of being human. This ruling will be updated as more information is discovered. ~ Notice from US Fish and Wildlife Service

McKenna heard him before he knocked, and she paused for a minute thinking, trying to remember if she had ever heard him before this. The answer came back as a resounding no. Giving an experimental sniff she identified a smell she'd never consciously been aware of before, but one she associated with JD.

She undid the locks and pulled the door open before he could knock.

"Morning, JD."

"Hey, Kenna. Ready to go play as animals?" He beamed at her, dressed in a kilt, sandals and a t-shirt proudly exclaiming his ability to 'bench press your honor student.'

She rolled her eyes at his shirt. "You know those t-shirts of yours might be part of the reason you can't get a date."

JD glanced down at this shirt and shrugged. "If a woman hates my t-shirts and my kilts, she probably isn't the one for me anyhow."

"Oh, so that's your litmus test?" She grabbed a small bag packed with water, jerky, dried fruits, and protein bars. Passing out from hunger ranked up there with things she didn't want to do again.

"Works for me." JD shrugged as they headed back down the stairs.

"Except it isn't working," McKenna pointed out, giving him an arch look. "You aren't dating anyone."

"Hey, pot, watch out who you're bashing on. And I might not be dating, but at least I'm not dating the wrong woman."

With a smothered laugh, McKenna climbed up into the beast of a vehicle, though after the last few days her liking for it had increased greatly.

"So you let your friend know we're coming?"

"Yep. He told me where the keys are hidden. It's pretty isolated, and this is the wrong time of the year for hunting, so we should be fine to play and explore."

"Good. JD, have you noticed your normal, well, your human senses to be sharper?"

He started up the car and pulled out before he answered. "Maybe. I notice some things are sharper now, and a few foods I never minded I can't stand because of the smell - balsamic vinegar is way up there. But I don't know about the rest. But I did notice I think I've lost fat. Not muscle, but fat."

"Yeah, my clothes are definitely looser, I don't know if I'm more toned, but I feel healthier, if that makes any sense."

They drove for a minute in silence, and she could all but hear the gears turning in his head. JD thought more than McKenna, and that made them good partners.

"It might make sense, I've got an idea or two, but sheer speculation at this point. Nothing I want to even voice until I've got more evidence." The streets were quiet, normal for a Sunday morning, and he opened up the gas guzzler as they got out of town. McKenna rolled down her window and let the breeze, laden with scents, blow across her face.

"So, remember the mom from the bank?"

JD cast a lightning fast glance at her, then back to the road.

"The one that became the big black cat?"

"Jaguar, but yes, her."

"I'm pretty sure the events of that day have been engraved into my memory for all time."

McKenna rolled her eyes at him. "A 'yes' would have sufficed."

"No, I'm pretty serious. I don't think I'm ever going to forget anything that happened that day, it is almost like it's in Technicolor in my brain."

McKenna then thought back and realized he was correct. Every moment was clear as crystal, except for the change itself, that never seemed to stick.

"Hmm, you're right." Nothing else in her memories even came close. But this, from the minutes before the change, about the time she started feeling the heat waves, until she changed back, it was as if she sat in a theater watching it. "I'm not sure what that means or doesn't mean."

"Me neither, but it is an interesting effect."

"Yeah." She fell silent replaying the day in her mind. It took her a second to realize JD was talking to her.

"..about the mom at the bank?"

"Oh, yeah. Both her kids changed as well. And she seems kinda cool. Her husband was a cop."

"Was?"

"Killed, line of duty. Jeffery Diaz?"

"Oh shit, that was his wife? I'd never met her except at the funeral, and no one looks normal then. He was a nice guy. Damn. You saw her again?"

"Yeah, Sam's. We chatted for a few, exchanged numbers. But she totally saved my ass in the parking lot. Or at least saved me a hell of a lot of paperwork." McKenna's voice was wry as she went back over that memory. It didn't have the sharpness of the first time, but it still seemed more movie-like than her previous memories.

"What happened?"

McKenna told him about the idiots and the video, and Toni's action.

JD chuckled. "She sounds amazing. You like her?"

"Umm, not like that. I do prefer dicks, regardless of the talk behind my back," McKenna retorted rolling her eyes as JD blushed and looked away. "But yeah. She seems cool."

And lonely. I should know, I recognize that all alone vibe.

"Besides, kinda nice to have someone else to talk to about this stuff. Someone that's both a woman and a cat." McKenna shrugged, not sure what or why she felt the kinship with the woman, but she wasn't going to argue.

"Makes sense. So, let's invite her." JD said, his tone neutral, which set McKenna on edge.

"Maybe later. I'm not jumping into anything, even a friendship. Let's try this and see what we can learn before we get in any deeper. Monday all hell is going to break loose. We need to know what we're dealing with before we get blindsided."

"Agreed. We should be there in another ten minutes. Any idea as to exactly what you want to do out there?"

"Yes, actually." McKenna stuck her tongue out at his sideways glance. "I've been thinking about it. Just because I prefer to do, instead of overanalyze, doesn't mean I don't think about stuff. I want to see the range of my abilities. How fast I can run, move, attack. I want to see what else I can see or hear and make sure I'm fully in control of myself in that form. I'm still a bit weirded out by how well I seem to know how to use that body. I should be fumbling around and unable to do much more than stagger."

"Point. I've been more focused on the physical changes. The calorie burn and what actually happens when you change, to think about that. "

"Yeah, granted that's an issue, too." Something was tickling at the back of her mind about that, but she couldn't pull it to the front. With a frustrated shake of her head, she moved her attention to the landscape, her mind trying to figure out how this new body would react with it. Changing in the country as opposed to the city would be different, right?

JD turned his Hummer onto a gravel road that led through pines. It always amazed her how quickly the landscape in California could change from rolling grasslands to mountains in the space of a few miles. He pulled to a stop at a gate across the road with what looked like a combination lock and clambered out, his bulk making the Hummer rock a bit as he emerged. A minute later, the gate propped open, he pulled through. Once in, he got out to lock it again, then they proceeded up the driveway. It was a nice area, trees, but still some clearings. A simple A-frame cabin stood up next to the tree line. Looking like a big isosceles triangle with a door in the middle like a mouth, it was a typical A-frame cabin design, the sharp angles of the roof preventing any snow build up, and they were easy and fast to put together.

"Come on, let me get the key and we can change in there and then go play." His voice had an odd note of half-worry, half-excitement.

Her pulse spiked, and McKenna had to swallow past the sudden lump in her throat, but she got out of the Hummer, refusing to reveal her own conflicting emotions.

She followed him into the neat interior. It came across as a vacation home, a place to disconnect from the world. She hadn't seen power cables or telephone cables coming in, and she checked her phone. Yep, only a single bar. That didn't really break her heart right now. She wanted a chance to be the animal and see what it could do.

"Take the bathroom, I'll strip out here." JD's voice was distracted, and she glanced at him to see him staring outside, a faraway look on his face, and she knew what he meant.

"Okay." She headed in, leaving the door ajar so she could get back out. The importance of thumbs had never struck her until all this.

It took short work to strip and then let the cat come forward, and it flowed into her, fitting in a way she would never be able to explain. A good stretch to snap her mind into this new body, and she headed out of the bathroom. JD stood there – well, a bear stood there, the door open, he turned to look at her, chuffed, then padded out the door, his long claws ticking on the wood of the cabin floor.

She followed then turned to pull the door mostly shut with her paws. He had continued down the steps and headed towards the tree line. He moved in a slow ponderous manner, but the power hiding there couldn't be missed. She followed, marveling at the scents wrapping around her and the sounds. Her ears darted every which way as she caught the sounds of critters moving around them and the birds in the foliage.

McKenna realized her feet didn't hurt, and she took a minute to look at her paws, the thick pads softer but more than enough to protect from where she walked, but she still made a mental note to make sure to avoid anything like stickers or ant hills.

JD stopped at a pine and reared up on his hind legs and she felt a spurt of fear as his power went from unrealized to obvious. He lifted his paws and marked the tree up as high as he could reach. She'd have to come back later and measure it, but she didn't have any doubt it was over eight feet high.

He dropped down on all fours and turned to look at her, she shrugged and padded past him, heading into the forest. A tumble of downed trees caught her attention and before she could make a conscious decision, she found herself bounding up them in a few expertly placed leaps and standing at the top surveying everything.

What in the world? How did I just do that?

McKenna's mind spun as she processed that. Instinct? Thought equals action? Or something more. Another thing to file and think about later.

JD stood below the mound looking up at her, and she swore saw him sneer at her, but maybe she couldn't read bear faces. She turned her back on him and looked around, and realized while her vision wasn't the greatest, her ears and nose were dumping a deluge of information, most of which she didn't understand. Smells that had meanings, but ones she didn't know, sounds that she knew were prey she could snack on but weren't worth the effort to chase right now. With a tail lash, she sank her claws into the dead wood and pulled. The wood shredded beneath her paws and the tugging and stretching of the tendons attached to her claws felt so good she did it again and again, the destruction and the stretching creating a feedback loop of pleasure.

A chuff and a shake of the trees caused her to scramble for purchase. She looked down to see JD scratching his back against the pile she stood on, shaking it with his bulk. With a snarl of annoyance she pounced.

What the hell am I doing, he's my friend!

Her mental voice shrieked in panic, remembering what those claws had done to the bank robbers.

She landed, but her claws didn't extend, instead she launched herself off his back in a smooth move that she knew damn well she couldn't have figured out how to do, but it was effortless. McKenna landed next to him, and he gave her a look she completely got. It had that 'what are you doing' vibe to it, but she didn't have the slightest idea.

Oh, thank you, I would've never shifted again if I had hurt him.

Her heart and head pounded, but the stress and anxiety she expected weren't really there. Just adrenaline and excitement. Her tail whipped back and forth, and she found herself sprinting towards a tree before she had actually decided to move. She hit the tree in a smooth move and bounced off to land in front of a small bush.

Shuffling sounds from behind her indicated JD followed though at a much more sedate pace. Giving in to the urge, McKenna just ran, springing off of logs and soaring over bushes. The feel of her muscles flexing and doing these leaps amazed her. She reveled in it for a bit before enticing scents pulled her attention away.

With a chuff of exasperation at herself, she came to a stop and lay still listening to the sounds. She held motionless, not even letting the tip of her tail move, though that took actual thought. The soft sound of JD walking she isolated and dismissed, and focused on the new scents and sounds, listening to all the different noises and trying to identify them. Then match up the scents. But she couldn't - too many she just didn't know.

McKenna narrowed her world down to the scents and sounds in front of her, so when a paw kicked her she lept straight up, coming down around snarling, hackles up to face a surprised JD sitting back on his haunches, blinking at her. She hissed at him before she even thought about it, the desire to get away from this bigger predator lashing at her.

He huffed back and stood up slowly sniffing the ground where she had been sitting motionless.

Oh, he probably didn't see me. He could smell me, I bet but ignored that scent the way I ignored him.

A sense of rightness flooded through her, and her blood ran cold.

How do I know this? How do I know that's the right conclusion?

It seemed to be a constant question lately, and she raced through her mind, trying to figure out what had made that info seem right. But all she could find were logical pieces that all fit together. With a snarl, both mentally and physically, she shook her whole body, lifting her head and raising her lips to draw in scent. An action that both seemed weird and completely natural at the same time.

More smells flooded her and one of them had her saliva glands kick in. It smelled good, soft sweet, and like it would taste delicious.

I suppose I should know how to hunt. I probably won't get anything.

The justification sounded good and gave her a reason to slake the need to stalk, to hunt something. Growing up in foster care in the city, she had rarely been in the woods, so most of her knowledge was based what she had forced herself to learn in the last couple days. The only critters she was exceedingly familiar with were mice, scorpions, snakes, and bugs. The only one she hated were those damned scorpions. Vile things.

With an intent interest she figured was being driven by the cat side, she started to stalk the sweet scent of animal, moving with slow grace through the undergrowth. There seemed to be a sharp smell associated with it also, but it was faint and easily overridden by the allure of the meat she wanted, even not being hungry, she wanted it.

Another rustle through the leaves and a whiff of something that made her wrinkle her nose, but the stronger scent was of soft warm flesh, and her entire being focused on it to the point that she couldn't think of anything else behind her.

A step and a warning huff registered, but she didn't care as she sprang towards the black and white fur. The easy prey turned, tail lifting towards her, and a burning sensation hit her squarely across the eyes and nose. She landed with her paws splaying outwards as tried to back away and swipe the awful stuff from her face at the same time.

The small animal, black with two white stripes flicked its tail at her and trundled off into the bushes as she frantically swiped at her face, eyes burning and nose screaming at her.

A skunk, a freaking skunk. It burns, it burns so bad.

She blinked hard and fast her eyes watering as she tried to wash the burn out of her face. The sweet smell of the skunk firmly implanted into her memories as—Do NOT hunt. A weird sound caused her to turn and see JD laying on his back, a loud choking sound coming from him as he rolled back and forth.

McKenna had no doubt at all the bear was laughing at her. Growling, her nose and eyes burning she sprung, and before he could react she had rubbed her skunk-soaked face all over his fur.

He growled an, odd choking sound, which stopped as he sat up and glared at her, lips drawing back from teeth. She just snarled at him, then went back to trying to get it out of her eyes.

The fun of the afternoon had faded, and she just wanted the smell to go away. Standing up, she started stalking back to the cabin, then paused. She had absolutely no idea where to go or where they had come from. And right now, all she could smell was skunk.

She turned and huffed at JD who still growled at her but stood up and started heading back to the cabin. McKenna followed, the odor of skunk coloring everything, but she noticed she could still hear everything, and her mind struggled to place all the sounds and plants.

I'll have to study up on this, but once I know it I seem to remember it. I'm never being tempted by sweet flesh again. Not that I could hunt anything right now, no animal alive is going to let me get within fifteen yards of it now.

Her tail lashed nonstop as she moved after him, suddenly exhausted and just wanting to be clean. JD led her to a stream and growled at it, with a jab of his claw and McKenna sighed. It made sense to get the worse of it off before she shifted. She hoped they had some shampoo or perfume or something.

With a snarl at no one and everyone, she walked into the water and almost jumped back out hissing. It felt awful. All the fur on her body being pulled in different ways, creating sensations she couldn't track, then they got heavy and pulled downwards and she felt cut off from her environment. It took everything she had not to jump out. Until that moment she hadn't realized how much information her fur had told her, the waves of air currents passing by her. She dunked her head in the water and realized her whiskers were even worse. Her body and mind felt like she was tearing herself apart trying to obey the animal and the human. She kept reminding herself what was happening, and the panic finally faded as she started to interpret the information differently, rather than as being cut off from information, she received different information. It became easier the longer she was in, both adapting and understanding the sensations.

McKenna padded out walked over to JD and shook as hard as she could. Water sprayed all over JD who just looked at her with a look that even on his bear face she recognized. She flickered her tail at him and walked up to the cabin, still smelling skunk everywhere.

Once in the bathroom, hoping silently the smell would disappear with the fur, she shifted back into her human form and was immediately assaulted by the smell of skunk. She looked around the bathroom, there was a shower, but she didn't see a hot water heater, cold it would be.

A knock on the bathroom door pulled her attention from the smell and lack of hot water.

"You'll need this." JD's hand came through the door holding a large jar.

"What is it?" McKenna took the jar even as she asked.

"Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, dish detergent. Scrub with it. Let sit for five minutes, rinse, then do it again until you can't smell the skunk anymore."

"Hmm, this might get you forgiven."

"Hey, I tried to warn you, I recognized the scent."

"Oh." She stifled the rest of her comment, like the fact that the smell had been too intoxicating to ignore.

Dammit.

McKenna sighed and began scrubbing every inch of her body to try to remove the scent. She still had to go work tomorrow.

Chapter 13 - New Reality

The announcement from the Pope yesterday is still causing ripples throughout the world. In his mass, he stated, "God has created us all, if this gift expresses itself in children, it must come from the creator as he would not allow the devil to taint those still innocent." This statement is still being torn apart by everyone. In a stark contrast, a prominent Iman has stated the ability to transform into a filthy animal is proof of Allah's grace fleeing those who do not believe. Experts are expecting a schism in the faith that may eventually end up redrawing the borders for the Middle East yet again. The effects of these two statements will be felt for years to come, already Egypt has become a refuge for Muslims who shift, its government supporting them. ~ TNN News Anchor

Monday morning, her alarm went off at five a.m., and McKenna rolled out of bed, wrinkling her nose at the still faint scent of skunk that remained.

I swear that stuff won't come off for anything.

Heaving a sigh, she headed for the shower, planning on scrubbing down again, and maybe putting perfume on today. A flicker of something caught the corner of her vision, and she jerked her head that direction to see it, but nothing appeared strange.

Frowning, she spun around slowly but saw nothing that didn't look like her normal sane world.

Huh.

She shook it off and proceeded to shower, liberally using her sandalwood body wash, even if her newly sensitive nose wrinkled. It would be better than Eau de Skunk riding around the edges of her senses for the rest of the day.

Dress uniforms had been requested for the day, as they would be meeting others, and the mayor and the governor were coming up from Sacramento to talk to them. Normally she hated wearing skirts, but now with the shifter aspect, a skirt let her change much easier.

McKenna froze as she realized how much she wanted this changing form to be a permanent thing.

What happens if it goes away?

A pang of loss, sorrow, followed that thought, and she shuddered and instead focused on hair and make-up. Professional she could do. With luck, Kirk would be pushed to the background.

Walking out to her car, a practical sedan, she blinked as something floated across her vision.

"What the hell?"

McKenna blinked rapidly a few times, and the lines disappeared, but a cold chill ran down her back. A quick glance at her wrist told her she didn't have time to worry about this. In her car, she turned on the news, and terror wrapped around her heart even more as the stories started coming out of the speakers.

Pulling into the parking lot, she saw JD standing next to his Hummer, his eyes locked on her car. As she got out, he strode over to her, his face grave. "Any idea about this?"

"Not really. I don't know who else changed. I don't know if this means everything changes or nothing. Holich mentioned what they thought, but that was two days ago, and after listening to the news on the way in," she stopped looking at him.

"Yeah. I listened to the news too. People are freaking out." JD paused and looked at her. "Why aren't we?"

McKenna shrugged and started moving towards the building, being late never looked good. "Because we know we're still us, even with paws? It's everyone else having the meltdown. Though after listening to what's going on in places, I'm not sure I'd let everyone know I could change."

JD snorted. "I think that cat is out of the bag for both of us."

"Literally." They both chuckled a bit as they walked in, then slowed as the station fell silent around them. Every officer, ones they'd known for years, and those they barely knew in passing, paused and looked at them. McKenna swallowed and fought not move closer to JD. Even more terrifying, she fought not to hiss at them. As if she was a cat warning off intruders.

Instead, she stiffened her spine and went on the offensive, always a viable option.

"Yes? Is there a question you have?" She hit the sarcasm hard. "I'm sure you've all seen the video, so I don't think there's anything I have left to hide. So is there a problem?"

Half the room blushed and dropped their heads, focusing on work. The ones that didn't, McKenna put those faces into memory. Their expressions ranged from fear and trepidation to hate. One glance from a woman McKenna couldn't put a name too immediately made her shiver. Lust, pure lust radiated from her eyes, and sex didn't come into that lust.

The strange tableau existed for an eternal minute before JD coughed and started walking towards the meeting rooms. McKenna moved too, a half-step after him and ignored the wave of relief when Anne Holich stepped out of one of the rooms.

"McKenna, JD. Come on in. We're waiting for two others." Her voice calm as she stepped back into the room. They followed, and the walls breaking the line of sight removed the feeling of having people stare at their backs.

A young woman, at least five years younger than McKenna, stood in the far corner, her body tight, hands clasped together so hard white showed at the knuckles. Her short brown hair was spiked up, and her arched eyes and dark caramel skin indicated Egyptian heritage. A symbol flashed across McKenna's vision, a weird thing, ears, and a pointed muzzle. It made no sense, but before she could focus on it, it disappeared. She blinked her eyes furiously, but the symbol didn't reappear, and she had to focus on what Holich was saying.

"Officer Kala Mansour, this is JD Davidson and McKenna Largo."

The girl's mouth half twisted in a smile. "Yeah, I know who they are. I think everyone does at this point." But she walked forward offering her hand. "Nice to actually meet you though."

McKenna shook her hand and wondered if it was odd, or maybe the new social norm to ask what she shifted into, but figured she'd wait until the others appeared.

Anne looked up as two men walked in and nodded at them. "Gentlemen, please come in and take a seat. That goes for everyone. We're waiting for one more person, then I'll get us going - ah here he is. Please take a seat," she said as a large black man walked through the door.

Glancing at the men, symbols flashed in front of her face, and she blinked, throat going dry. This time she got a vague impression of what they were but couldn't pull them out. Something like a paw?

Please don't tell me I'm going insane on top of all this.

McKenna clenched her hands together, so she didn't rub at her eyes, looking like a raccoon would not help right now. She took a seat with Kala on her left and JD on her right, as she looked over the newcomers. The three of them couldn't have been more different. A dark stocky man with curly black hair over beige skin, wearing lieutenant bars, sat at the far end of the table as Anne took the head of the table. The remaining two men sat on the other side, and McKenna inspected each of them, trying not to judge, though everyone looked very snazzy in their dress uniforms.

The huge black man, who matched JD in height, though was a hundred pounds less, sat on Anne's right. He had an easy smile and McKenna nodded at him. He wore a firefighter dress uniform though, which struck her as odd as she had thought they were only doing police officers.

The other man radiated assurance as he flashed her a perfectly white smile, made even more striking with his Latino good looks and raven black hair. He came across as a lover boy, and she just nodded back as he turned the same charm onto Kala.

Anne cleared her throat and McKenna changed her attention to the woman who pulled out a tablet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending. As I'm sure you are aware, the changes sweeping the globe right now are creating ripples across societies and nations. You are the only shifters, and that is the word currently being used, that we know of on either the police force or the firefighters." She nodded at the firefighter at this. "We realize some people may not be willing to expose themselves, and that is fine. At this point the Rossville government is treating your ability to shift like your sexual preference. It's your business. But given the visibility of this change, which is verified to be worldwide…" A sudden sardonic smile flashed across her face. "They even had someone stationed on Antarctica shift."

McKenna couldn't stop the snort. That pretty much did make it worldwide given how few people were ever on that continent.

"We don't want there to be issues, but you all have a better insight as to what it means to shift, what the ramifications of it are." Anne took a sip of the water in front of her, glancing at her tablet. "Thanks to the information Officer Largo provided us, we - and by we, I mean this police department and our higher-ups - are aware that your intelligence and awareness stay the same. However, people aren't going to know that or necessarily react as if you are a thinking animal. Watching the video of Officer Largo changing, I'm pretty sure I would have panicked and freaked out if she came towards me. We are working hard to train people, but frankly you react at an instinctual level when a cat or a bear," she nodded at JD, "comes at you. We want all of you to be our primary responders for any difficult shifter cases. You can at least comprehend what they're going through. However, you notice there are only six people in this room, and that is actually above the average. Right now we should've had only about three, but I'm not going to complain. Our goal was to have people on each shift to deal with shifter calls, but with this few, it isn't going to work." She sighed and shook her head. "I'm getting ahead of myself. JD, if you would start, introduce yourself and gives us some details." She nodded at JD, who McKenna just knew wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't, though he did play with one of his smaller spinners to give his hands something to do.

"I'm JD Davidson, a patrol officer for the last two years. I did two tours in the Army, and I have a Masters in Criminal Justice. As everyone has seen I turn into a small black bear."

The firefighter choked a bit. "That was a small bear?"

JD shrugged. "Yeah, as far as I can tell weight stays the same, and I only weight about three-fifty, a full-grown brown bear ranges from three hundred up to over a thousand pounds." Moving the spinner from hand to hand as he talked. The urge to slap at it made McKenna grit her teeth.

"Oh," the words came out small, and the man looked at JD with a kind of wariness that made McKenna want to scream. But she didn't, she just smiled and started to speak.

"As you all probably know I'm McKenna Largo. I've been on the force a bit over three years. I have a bachelors in CJ and obviously, I turn into a cougar or puma, depending on your culture." She left it at that, after all, they had all seen her buck naked, and from the leer on the Latino's face, probably more than once.

Kala cleared her throat, and McKenna could hear her swallow hard. "I'm Kala Mansour. I've been an officer here for six months. I'm still on probation. I'm twenty-five and I, um, turn into a jackal." Her voice dropped a bit and McKenna saw her clench her hands together to stop the trembling.

What has her so terrified?

The question bounced around her head even as she turned to listen to the lieutenant speak.

"I'm Larry Canolia, a lieutenant over in homicide. I've been a cop for twenty years, ten here in Rossville. I'm having issues with all of this, being a devout Catholic, but I'm not making any decisions yet. For what it's worth, I turn into a boar, granted it's a huge boar, but I'm not a cat or bear."

He fell silent with a shrug and McKenna realized she needed to pay more attention to religion, it hadn't really occurred to her that some people would have conflicts. Her eyes darted back to Kala and her overly tense frame.

"I guess that means I'm next. I'm Raul Hernandez, I've been here five years. Single, enjoy a good pick-up game and line, and I turn into a hyena." His mouth curled in a moue of distaste. "And this whole thing is fucking crazy. Excuse my language, ladies."

He smiled at all the women, and McKenna fought to keep a straight face at his player attitude.

The big firefighter shifted in his seat. "I guess that leaves me. I'm William Johnson, and as you can tell," he waved at his uniform, "I'm not a cop. I've been with my team for five years and a firefighter for eight. Honestly, I doubt I'd be here if I hadn't changed while on shift and had it witnessed by damn near everyone in the station. I turned into a wolf, a huge one from the pics they took after they quit freaking out." He half smiled at that memory. "When they asked about shifters, my captain told me to come." He fell silent and sat back a bit, seeming to shrink in on himself.

"Now that we all have names to go with people, here are our thoughts. McKenna, I know this is uncomfortable, especially given the content of the video, but at this point, you are one of the most recognizable people on the face of the earth."

"Wait, what?" McKenna interjected. The comment made no sense, and she couldn't get that idea into her head.

Anne glanced at her arching an eyebrow. "I take it you haven't looked at your video?"

"Gods no. Why would I want to do that?" The words blurted out before she could consider the political weight of them.

Holich snorted. "Well, at this point it's been viewed over five billion times. You've broken most counters."

She felt like someone had hit her in the chest. Her brain locked down and she couldn't speak.

"McKenna, we need you and JD back. We can't afford to not have you out on the streets, being our visible face. As such, the investigation has made some… shortcuts. The board over the weekend viewed the video, your dash cam, and the bank security cameras. The consensus is that you acted as appropriate given your unusual situation. With this information, we're clearing the case. You still need to be re-certified, and you are required to see a counselor, but other than that, you should be able to go back on the job afterward. Any questions?"

McKenna shook her head, no active thoughts going through her mind.

"With that said, William here is staying with the fire department, but will be on call if you have a situation that needs another shifter. Though at this point I can't even imagine what might come up. Lieutenant Canolia will be staying with homicide at this time." Anne turned her gun metal gray gaze on McKenna. "You've got the highest scores, and the best record of anyone here, plus the whole PR aspect." She ignored the huff from Raul. "We want you on days with JD, and Raul and Kala, you're going to be partnered and be on second shift. If something odd pops up, McKenna, JD, expect a call to get you to deal with it. The rumors we're hearing from other areas are not good. California, well, Northern California has never had major race issues, and it is the determination of the department that even with this change there won't be any discrimination."

McKenna ducked her head, remembering the looks she got as they walked in. This battle would not be an easy one.

"That being said, you've got new call signs. McKenna, you and JD are RVS01, Raul and Kala, you're RVS02. William - if we need you we'll call for your station and just say FDS11. If you're not on a call, your captain has agreed to let you roll out in whatever vehicle is available. The odds are if we're calling you, bring the paramedics with you." Her voice carried a grim tone that caused shivers up and down McKenna's spine.

What does she know that we don't?

"Please socialize among yourselves, the governor should be here in the next half hour. We have a session arranged for all active duty officers who aren't on a call right after that. Figure mostly second and third shift, with anyone who can come by. It'll be in the auditorium."

"Wait, what?" The words were blurted out before McKenna could stop them, but she stood fast looking at Anne.

"Kirk's idea, not mine. Give your coworkers a chance to ask their questions and help us all." Anne stood up, casting a quick glance over the room. "Have fun, I'll be back when I bring the governor in." With that she exited the room, leaving McKenna staring after her.

"That woman. Remind me why I like her?" She demanded of JD whose spinning level had gotten faster.

"She doesn't stare at your chest?" JD's automatic response landed in the room with an audible thud, and he froze, turning his head glacial movements to look at everyone staring at him with wide eyes. "Oh, fudge."

William choked out a laugh, breaking the sudden tension. "It's so nice to know I'm not the only man who inserts his foot so firmly into his mouth. Thank you."

"My pleasure," JD muttered, sarcasm dripping off of each word.

McKenna glanced up and caught Raul glancing at her chest, visibly biting his tongue. It bugged her on a level she couldn't identify. Rather than dealing with something she knew had no good outcome, she turned and focused on Kala.

"I noticed you seemed a bit stressed out by all of this. Are you okay?"

Kala ducked her head, then stiffened and lifted it. "This has created some issues. But I don't think I'm alone. My family never agreed with my choice to become a police officer, they agree even less with my..." She trailed off and shook her head. "This curse, gift, blessing, freak occurrence? I don't know what to call it, but I changed in front of them, and they're outraged." Kala sighed and forced herself to sit up straighter. "This country saved my family, it is an honor to be able to serve. I'm proud of the job I do. I do not believe Allah would curse me, but my family says I've been cursed because I've strayed. So be it." A fierce glow entered her eyes. "I don't know what this will bring, but I will honor my oath."

McKenna sat back, all she had to deal with was her own confusion, the idea of adding a family in on top of it had never occurred to her.

"Good for you. If you need help, let me know. Just remember, you are always you, no matter what the form."

"Well, I have to say I like both of your forms." The voice of Raul interrupted their conversation, and McKenna turned, while not stunned, still surprised at the blatant innuendo.

"I'm sorry. What?" JD said, even as she felt him rise and loom over Raul who had come up behind her and Kala.

"Nothing, just saying that both of you are fine examples of women in uniform. Would that everyone could see the fine specimens like you?" His smile oozed charm, and all McKenna wanted was to slap him hard enough to wipe the smirk off his face. She clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms to resist the urge.

But there wasn't anything she could really call out about the words. Heck, JD's earlier comment had been much more provocative to the casual observer. The difference was she knew JD and knew exactly how he meant the comment. Raul's comment didn't feel even remotely the same.

Before she could figure out how to respond, Larry walked over, his rank casting a welcome sobriety on the conversation. Raul dropped his smile and McKenna relaxed as it faded.

"I must say, part of me wishes I was still in the field to deal with this brave new world. Then I realize I'm not sure I'm up to it anymore. I'm having enough cognitive issues just dealing with my own changing, the idea of facing it over and over again seems unimaginable."

McKenna quirked a lip at that. "I envy you then. I suspect I'll have it thrown in my face for the rest of my life."

Larry barked out a sudden harsh laugh. "If it makes you feel any better, and please don't report me for any level of harassment, you looked much better nude than I have in multiple decades." His grin made her laugh as he patted his obvious belly.

"I'll take that as a compliment, no matter how much I wished my coworkers had no idea what I look like nude. But I'll also not be offended at all if my video is never mentioned again." Her eyes swept the room, and everyone but Raul grinned at her. His narrow-eyed look made her glance back at him, but it disappeared before she could verify what she saw.

Before she could respond, Anne Holich came in. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce the Governor of California."

Chapter 14 - Showing Off

More and more people, some stars in the public eye, and even a few politicians have come forward to prove they also have the ability to change. One of the interesting things has been a few people who shift into animals that haven't existed with humans for over thirty thousand years. An NFL linebacker changed into a Homotherium, a cat that went extinct over twenty-five thousand years ago. No one has come forward with any suggestions as to what it means. The NFL player has refused all requests for interviews about this. ~ASPN All Sports News Channel

The meet and greet with the governor went fine, boring but McKenna hadn't expected anything else. What had her stomach doing backflips was facing her peers in an informal Q&A session.

"I think I'd rather face the reporters again," she muttered to JD as the six of them headed to the auditorium. Usually, where they did awards ceremonies and training, it wasn't that big, only holding a little over a hundred people.

She stumbled as she walked in, the place was packed with people, probably pushing the fire marshal limits.

"Oh, this is not good. Please tell me no one is armed?" The look JD gave her let her know it was a stupid question. In their dress uniforms they didn't have their service weapons with them, besides, she and JD weren't officially off suspension until Holich filed the paperwork, which meant they hadn't picked up their weapons yet. Everyone here to listen to them looked like they were on duty or had just gotten off.

"I really, really, really hope I'm just being paranoid, but I can't see how this is going to go well. You think they'll ask us to change?"

JD blinked at her. "I suppose they could ask, but they couldn't force it, I don't think. Besides, this whole getting naked thing is going to get old fast."

"Or we're all going to become nudists."

"Hubba, hubba," JD said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

The snicker slipped out, and she felt better for it. "Thanks, moron."

"Hey! I'd like to point out I have the master's, while you have a lowly bachelor's. I don't think moron is appropriate."

Tilting her head, McKenna acquiesced. "Fine, I'll give you that. Jerk?"

"That is probably still accurate. Jerk it is." JD's smile lit up his face, and she laughed. Their banter had eaten up the walk to the stage and distracted her from the looks they were getting. The six of them, led by Anne, walked up on the stage and lined up behind her.

McKenna kept shifting on her feet, wanting to be anywhere but up on this stage with everyone staring at her. Anne was talking quietly to Larry while people milled about, but everyone kept shooting looks up to the stage.

"Stand still. Do you need one of my spinners?" JD said in a low voice offering her a smaller spinner.

"No and put that away, before I give in and chuck it somewhere," she snapped back. All the stress of the last few days made her more snappish than normal.

Luckily JD treated her bad mood with the same irreverence as always. "Oooh, do I get to call out targets? Because, since Kirk is heading in, I think he'd be a perfect target."

Her eyes fastened on the figure of Kirk striding through the room. He had on his smug, confident smile, and McKenna tensed even more. The three times she'd run into that smile it hadn't ended well for her. The last time had been right before that blasted press conference.

He walked up to the stage, traveling up the three steps in a brisk pace and strode directly to the podium. Everyone quieted as he stood there, and her stomach clenched even more.

"Everyone. Thank you for coming to this informal Q&A. I'm sure you've all heard the rumors, seen the video, and wondered how much of that video was faked or exaggerated." McKenna felt like he had just slapped her in the face. Why would she fake something like that? Much less allow anything of her nude to be filmed. For that matter how would she fake it? The video quality showed every stretch mark and excess ounce she had as well as the blood dripping from her muzzle.

With a jerk, she forced herself to pay attention to what Kirk said.

"With that in mind, we have the focus of that video here to answer your questions, as well as other members of our department who have come forward with a similar skill set. I open the floor to you, members of this police force, to ask the questions you need to make sure you respond correctly to people in this situation." Kirk turned, still smiling that smile that made McKenna's hand itch to slap it off his face. "Officer Largo, if you would." He waved her towards the podium.

McKenna looked at him and seriously considered quitting.

Money, food, rent.

She closed her eyes and then opened them, stepping to the podium and putting a smile on her face.

"This is a bit of a shock to me, so I don't have anything prepared. What questions would you like to ask?" Her hands gripped the podium until she felt her nails digging into the wood, trying to not lose her cool.

There were mutters and shuffles with people glaring and watching her with worry. One officer, male about thirty-five, pushed his way to the front.

"I've got one. How much can you understand when you turn into that animal?"

"Everything. I just can't talk, or at least I don't know how to talk. The tongue doesn't seem to work the same. But I was still me, I knew who I was and what was going on."

There was a subtle ripple that went through the room.

"Why did you kill those two bank robbers?"

The question shouted out from the back caused a low murmur, and McKenna took a deep breath. She had gone over this previously, but even now she didn't understand how she had known to use her claws and fangs so expertly. But telling anyone else that, or mentioning that she felt guided, would be a huge mistake.

"They had a gun pointed at a child and implied they were about to kill the boy. The change hit right then, and the person holding the child hesitated. I didn't. If I had my weapon, I would have pulled the trigger. Instead, I used what I had available at that moment. I did my job to the best of my ability to protect the people in the bank."

And she would never admit the bloodlust and thrill at stalking them, bringing down her prey. The memories washed through her mind, and her nails dug tighter into the podium.

"How do we know this wasn't all a scam?"

McKenna shrugged, trying to appear unconcerned. "You don't. But given the news that's coming in from around the world, I think assuming this is a joke would be on par with assuming the world is flat because you can't see the curve of the earth." Her voice had gotten a bit sharp with that comment, and she felt JD move up a little behind her. The stage wasn't that big, so he must have exchanged places to put himself at her back. Just knowing he was there calmed her down. She didn't have the answers to this crap. Why did they think she did?

"You should be fired."

The words came from the densely pack crowd, and McKenna saw Kirk and Holich's heads whip to the crowd with her peripheral vision.

An officer McKenna recognized only in passing pushed his way to the front. A detective from his suit, his hands on his hips and his face flushed with fury or fear. She didn't really know which.

"Detective Carmichael, you are out of line." Kirk's voice snapped out like a whip.

"No, I've got a right to protest working with a dangerous animal. We all saw that video. She went berserk and killed those two men, ripping them open when she turned into that thing." His voice rose an octave as he ranted. "Anyone that can do that should never be a cop."

McKenna might have blown him off, but for the number of looks people were giving her that made her think this wasn't an isolated thought.

"Officer Largo gave us a full report on the situation and her actions. The board met over the weekend, and the bank video cameras back up her testimony. Other than the unusual nature of her weapons, and the limits placed upon her by the situation, there is nothing she did that we find questionable. While killing the men was regrettable, if she had been armed we have no doubt the conclusion would have been the same."

"What, two people eviscerated?" the detective demanded, not backing down.

"No, two perpetrators dead because of the choices they made." Kirk's voice came out hard, uncompromising. McKenna almost liked the man right then, it never occurred to her he might have her back. "Men who were about to shoot a child. Remember we have this all on video, and everyone agrees if Officer Largo had not shifted when she did, we would have had a dead child, and probably more, killed."

Kirk turned his attention on the crowd, his voice firm. "Let me make this clear, any discrimination towards those who shifted or can shift will be dealt with as if it were discrimination against someone's race. Any attacks against those who can change their form will be treated as a hate crime." His voice dropped an octave, and he leaned forward a bit, his eyes latched on to the detective's face. "And if I hear of any member of my department acting in a way that would foster resentment or hostile work conditions for any other officer, I will have that shield on my desk before they know what happened. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." The words were muttered, but the man didn't look away, and McKenna saw a hint of regret flash across his face.

Kirk lifted his gaze and ran it over the audience. "I assume my words are very clear. This has been discussed with the mayor and the governor. As far as we are concerned, this is a no different from their religion or skin color, there is no discrimination based on this. Now, are we setting up a special group with these officers, yes. Is this special treatment? Only in the same way we pull in women to deal with female rape victims and pull in people of the same faith when there has been a faith-based hate crime. Not because those people are somehow better or special, but because they have an instant level of rapport with the victims. That is what we are doing with this group. As far as I'm concerned, nothing else has changed. If you have any issues, please feel free to come discuss them with me."

The wolfish smile was back, and this time he showed all his teeth. For once McKenna was glad to see it.

"This Q&A is dismissed," Kirk ordered, and McKenna sagged a bit against the podium where she had a death grip on it.

"You okay?" JD's low voice sounded in her ear.

"Yeah." She watched Kirk stride off and frowned. "Now I am really worried the world might be ending though."

"Oh, why's that?"

"I actually respect the man now."

JD gave a choked laugh, but she noticed him turn his head to watch Kirk too. "Yeah, me too."

They broke off the conversation as Kala and Raul came over. Larry had pulled Anne aside, and they were talking quietly but with sharp gestures that left no doubt as to the intensity of the conversation. William had drifted over to talk to a few EMTs off to the side.

"Am I going to face that?" Kala's voice was soft. "I choose to give up my hijab to try to blend in. Is this going to make me stand out again? So many people make assumptions because of my heritage already."

"Probably. And don't give up your hijab if you don't want to. You're allowed to wear it."

Kala shrugged. "I know. But it restricted my vision too much in some situations, and I'm not willing to wear it while in uniform." She sighed and moved back and forth a bit. "I have to meet Allah on my terms, and I'm okay with my own choices." She rubbed the back of her neck looking at the ground. "This scenario is not one I've prayed about until recently."

McKenna grinned at Kala, she enjoyed her quiet strength. "Then you'll be fine. People are assholes everywhere."

"And some of us appreciate women in all their variations and would never want to see any so pretty discriminated against." Raul's too smooth voice reminded McKenna of his presence. Kala blushed at his words, but McKenna looked him over trying to figure out his game. "But then some women are always the center of attention." His voice held a hint of snideness as he shot a glance her way.

She didn't even stop the roll of her eyes this time. "If you'd like the attention, please feel free to strip, walk down Main Street naked, then shift into a hyena. I can promise you'll have all the attention you can want." Her smile featured most of her teeth and she saw him start to shift his weight forward, then catch himself.

"True, but I don't think the department would approve of that level of undress from me." He capped the comment with a subtle leer that had McKenna's nails itching to turn into claws.

Before she could respond, and she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing, William walked over followed by three EMTs, two of which were women.

"Officer Largo, these are few of the paramedics I work with, and we were discussing the change, and what it means for medical support, and they have a question."

A large woman, with long dark brown hair, tattoos, gave her a wide grin striking against her on her rust-colored skin. "I'm Mary Three Rivers, and what Bill means is I have a totally inappropriate request."

While from Raul that remark would have made her hackles rise, and it was disconcerting to realize in her other form she had hackles, this woman didn't set off any alarm bells.

"And what would that request be?" McKenna relaxed, curious as to what the woman would ask.

"We get this is a new reality, at least for now. But I haven't seen anyone shift, and I want to make sure I can either recognize it or know what happens." She nodded at the woman standing next to her. "Gracie and I were hoping you might be willing to shift for us in the locker room, so we can actually see what happens, and get over our reactions, if any, now."

Grace standing next to her nodded. "Yeah. We get not wanting to do it public, but were hoping with just two women you wouldn't mind too much? I mean I get this is odd, but…" she trailed off.

They what? Well, okay, yeah, the video was good, but it makes it distant. And they do need to know not to freak out if they see it. But what happens if it goes wrong? I hate logic.

McKenna snorted a laugh, frustrated more with her own thoughts than anything else. "Sure. It is a valid point, but I hope no one is going to think I'm making a habit of this. Come on, and I'll strip for you." She said it with a sigh but shivered a bit at the leering look she caught from Raul.

"That isn't a bad idea," JD's said, looking at the other EMT. "I'm willing to offer up my body if you need me to."

The man blinked and grinned. "That'd be great."

"You mind if I watch?" William asked a bit diffidently. "I mean, I've shifted but I don't really know what it looks like from the outside. And besides, it hurts like crazy."

JD shrugged. "The first few times, but afterwards it really doesn't, it just feels like a weird stretch."

Everyone there paused and looked at them. "You've done this multiple times?" Kala asked, her voice hushed as she glanced around them.

JD and McKenna exchanged a look and then both of them nodded.

"Sure," McKenna's voice was calm as she looked over the shocked faces. "Four or five times."

"May I watch also, Officer Largo? I've been too scared to shift again." Kala's voice could barely be heard over the general noise.

McKenna nodded. "Sure, not an issue." She turned and headed to the locker room pulling out her phone. "Five pizzas?"

"Better make it six, at least two carnivore'd and add some cheese bread for me, please?" JD said as he walked alongside her to the locker rooms.

"Who are you feeding? An army?" Raul mocked, even as he followed.

JD turned, shooting him a look that must have been intimidating, given that Raul faltered a step before starting to swagger again.

"If you'd changed since, you'd have realized that you burn calories like crazy. Food afterwards is almost mandatory."

McKenna nodded. "Yeah, I've lost about ten pounds in the last few days. Nice, but weird." She put in the order, and set it to deliver to the station ASAP, with a note for JD only to pick up. She figured the desk sergeant might steal a slice, but he wouldn't let anyone else take the boxes of calories.

Mary and Gracie looked at her. "You've lost weight?"

"Yep, clothes aren't as tight anymore."

"Huh, I think I just became very jealous."

"Don't get too jealous. This keeps up and my food bill is going to be more than my rent." McKenna said as they paused at the two doors. One labeled Men, the other Women.

"Well, everyone who wants to see me naked, come on." She turned and headed towards the locker room.

Chapter 15 - Establishing Roles

An interesting note, all the animals so far identified have been predators or opportunistic eaters except for the red panda and boar. This raises many questions as to what the link is between who changed and the animal they turned into. A young girl who had changed into a wolf and then was hit by a car was autopsied over the weekend with the permission of her parents. She did not shift back to human upon death, and the only difference between her and a natural wolf was her size and her brain configuration. Scientists have no answers, but no one is suggesting human experimentation at this time. ~ AP Article

McKenna pushed open the door to the locker room, heading for her locker. She needed to hang her uniform up.

I'll be damned if I rip this outfit, dress uniforms cost too bloody much.

She had stripped to underwear and bra before she turned around and blinked at the number of women standing there. Looks on their faces ranged from curious to paranoid to suspicious.

Anne Holich, as well as Kala, were standing there, trying to look calm.

"Okay, I didn't expect this. Um, hi?" Her voice cracked a bit as she looked around.

A mix of chuckles and snorts met her comment.

"Okay, I don't have an issue doing this for an audience, though I am beginning to feel ridiculous. Question - how many people are armed?"

At least three women raised their hands, and she thought she saw one do an aborted hand raise.

"Look, I don't want to get shot. Can everyone please either lock their weapon in a locker or disassemble it. I'm not willing to let your own reactions put a bullet in me."

"Do it, people. It's a valid request, and I'll be at the front. So if Largo here goes crazy, I'll be the first one disemboweled, if that helps," Anne said in a no nonsense voice.

"What? Not worried I'll use this as an excuse to attack you?" McKenna asked, mostly teasing, but also curious as to how Anne would respond.

"Please, if you wanted to attack me it would have been a long time ago. You like me, admit it."

McKenna laughed and felt relief at the low chuckle running around the room. Two put their guns in lockers and clicked them shut, others, with quick expert motions, disassembled their weapons, laying them on benches.

She inhaled trying to soothe her nerves. Other than the first unexpected time, no one had watched her change. Anxiety rippled up and down, but she pushed it down, pulled off her bra, and stepped out of her underwear.

And once again I'm nude in front of people. How did this become my life?

"What happens if you leave it on?" someone asked.

"It rips. Or binds me up. Either way, unless I'm getting a significant raise for being a shifter, I can't afford to keep shredding my clothes. As it is, I'm about to start lobbying for kilts."

"What? JD finally convince you?" Anne asked, a half-smile on her face.

"No and yes. Let's just say changing in jeans is a pain, a kilt is a lot easier to get in and out of. If I have to change, the time it takes to get out of the jeans might be an issue."

Anne's eyes tilted up to the left as she chewed on her lip. "Point. I'll take it under advisement."

Well, that was unexpected.

Pushing that thought to the back, McKenna took one more glance around the room.

I'm going to be really pissed if I get shot.

Blocking out the people, she reached for the cat and let it flow into her, and she into it.

Her eyes opened, and her hackles raised without conscious thought at the women staring at her, at least half of them choking back a scream. They were scrambling backward, eyes wide, faces pale, and she huffed out a breath. Shaking her shoulders, she got her hackles to relax. With a single move, she jumped up on the bench and sat down, wrapping her tail around her haunches.

She heard faintly, a roar, a muffled scream, and a huff of a bear, a familiar sound.

Nice to know the guys aren't fairing any better.

"Dear gods, it's real." Mary's voice was hushed, almost reverent. "Skin walkers are back."

The name didn't mean anything to McKenna as she tilted her head, ears flicking forward.

Mary shook her head. "Sorry, old legends. That was fascinating." Gracie nodded in agreement, and McKenna noticed Mary, Kala, and Anne were the only two who hadn't backed up as far as they could get when she shifted.

"Is that what it looks like when I shift?" Kala whispered as she moved closer. "It both looks so horrible and fascinating at the same time." Her hand reached out, then paused a few inches away from McKenna's muzzle. "May I?"

I swear if anyone scratches me behind my ears, I'm scratching them.

With an internal sigh, she shoved her face forward and let Kala run her hands over her muzzle and ears, soft questing fingers feeling the fur. McKenna realized she had no idea what her own fur felt like to human fingers.

Kala pulled her hand back rubbing her fingers together. "Thank you, that was amazing."

"McKenna, may I do a basic safety exam of you?" Mary asked as she moved slowly over to her. A basic safety exam was a pat down to make sure there were no broken bones, lacerations or pain from the victim. It was a valid request and no more invasive than a basic pat down she did on people.

With a half-rumbled purr, she stood up on the bench and heard gasps around the room, but no one had reached for a weapon that she saw or put one back together. With the enhanced hearing as a cat, she would have heard the clicking if anyone reassembled their weapon.

"Thank you," there was an odd reverent quality in Mary's voice and it rippled through McKenna, making her grasp at an idea that slipped just out of her mind's grasp. Strong firm hands slid over her body, impersonal and efficient, in a minute Mary stepped back and nodded.

"It's all real. You're a cat," Gracie almost whispered the words, her eyes wide as she watched.

Anne laughed. "Well, I really didn't have any doubt about it after the video, but I will say seeing it in person has a visceral intensity I didn't expect." Her voice seemed shaky, and McKenna decided she'd had enough show and tell for the day. Resisting the urge to sink her claws into the bench she called herself back, the human her, the one with fingers that could speak.

Her body moved, and she tried to pay attention to the way her body shifted and reformed, but it was like trying to pay attention to water across your skin, you got the general sensation, but weren't able to pull out specifics.

Standing there, human once again, she stretched, making sure everything worked the way it should, and started pulling clothes back on.

"Thank you for this, really. I know it had to be uncomfortable and embarrassing." Mary said, as other women grabbed their weapons and headed back out, the discussion low but fervent.

Then why did you ask?

The words almost slipped out of her mouth, but McKenna managed to focus on buttoning her shirt instead.

"I think it helped in multiple ways, so not a big deal. Have to see what JD experienced with the men."

"You were gorgeous, you know?"

That didn't make any sense to McKenna, and she paused tying her shoes to look up at Mary. Only Kala, Mary, and Anne were still there, and Anne tilted her head a bit at that comment.

"Ummm, thanks?" McKenna wasn't sure what to say. She'd been hit on by women before, but this really just seemed odd, and she had no idea how to respond.

"Oh, no. Sorry, not hitting on you." Mary blushed and shook her head, clarifying. "Your puma form. I've seen them from a distance occasionally, and pictures. I had just never realized how stunningly gorgeous they were. Just getting to touch one, well you, but you as a cat, that was incredible. So thank you."

"You're welcome." McKenna stood, grabbing her coat as her phone dinged. "Ah, pizza's here. Good. I'm starving." She headed out, ignoring everyone else. The idea of food made her salivate, wanting to taste cheese and meat. She paused to pound on the men's locker room door.

"JD, food's here. Come on before I either eat it or give it away."

The door pulled open under her fist as JD walked out, his jacket over one arm, and a large smirk.

"How'd it go?" she asked, more because he so obviously needed to share than anything else.

"Two screams, one diving for his weapon, and one urination." The grin on his face sparked wicked hope in McKenna.

"Please, please say it was Raul."

"I might have lunged a bit and roared slightly, and he might have squeaked and had an accident."

"Ah," McKenna kept walking, the smell of pizza driving her, and told herself the grin was focused on the pizza. Really.

The sergeant sat at the desk with a delivery driver standing there, the huge pile of pizza boxes in his arms.

"These all for you, Davidson?" he asked, giving JD a look.

"Me and Kenna, thanks," JD said, reaching for the stack of ten boxes as McKenna verified the amount on the app, adding a tip.

"Anne, may we use the conference room we were in?"

"As long as I get a slice."

"Sure, I ordered a few extra. You too, Kala, I think you've got questions."

JD led the way, both of them feeling the need for calories claw at their bodies, making it hard to be polite. But she knew she had to be polite and didn't demur when Raul and William joined them in the room. Though Raul had changed into a regular uniform.

"We hope everyone enjoyed the show," she said, looking at William and ignoring Raul. His sneer at both of them was making her finger itch.

That thought a second time made her pause and glance down at her hands.

Nah, I'm being silly. Hungry.

She handed two pizza boxes to JD, and took two herself, after verifying at least one of them was the meat lovers.

"So, you've done this over and over again?"

McKenna held up her hand. "Kala, give us a few, we're at the can't function point. And dammit forgot drinks."

JD grunted, he already had half of his pizza gone, not wasting time while McKenna tried to be polite.

Screw that, I'm starving.

She grabbed a slice, folded in half and took a huge bite. The mingled cheese and sauce exploded across her tongue and amplified her hunger. Four bites and she reached for another one, the food in her stomach not enough to even begin to slow the cravings. Three pieces later, the overriding FOOD need had settled, and she looked up to see everyone in the room staring at her and JD. He'd finished his box and had started on the next one, though like her, JD surfaced enough to start to chew normally.

"What?"

Raul smirked. "You keep eating like that, and you'll live up to your thunder thighs nickname."

McKenna froze, that had been something from high school, a lifetime ago.

Did he know me from then?

"Are you always this much of an ass, or only when you aren't being fawned over?" JD asked, as he finished off a slice of pizza. "Kenna's never been fat, and if you haven't noticed, we've both dropped fat in the last few days. As near as we can figure the shift burns thousands of calories, and you're driven to replace them."

The look he gave Raul covered all the thoughts McKenna had, and she stuffed another piece of pizza in her mouth to keep them there.

"Oh, is that why I was so hungry the next day? I thought it was just an after-effect. And tried not to eat too much." Kala said, glancing at her hands under the table.

"Well, technically, I guess it was. But mostly, and this is our assumption, but we haven't seen anything to contradict it, it's your body trying to replace all the calories you burned to shift," JD answered, as McKenna finished the last piece of pizza in the first box and opened up her next.

"So no guilt at the food?"

"NO," both McKenna and JD almost shouted the word in unison, then glanced at each other and smirked.

"Food isn't an enemy, or at least not for us right now." McKenna shrugged, finishing off a slice. "Enjoy it I guess."

"Well, I'm certainly envious. If I ate more than this single slice, I'd regret it for the next month." Anne glanced down at her piece of pizza and sighed. "But this also tells me we should start packing squad cars with high-calorie bars. Both for the officers, and if they run into someone who's shifted."

"Huh," JD muttered around a mouth full of pizza. He swallowed and continued. "Good idea, we knew we needed to keep some bars on us but hadn't thought much farther than that."

"I'll add it to my list. Anything else I should know?"

"It doesn't hurt?" McKenna offered.

"Bullshit," the word exploded out of Raul's mouth and everyone glanced at him. He'd shredded the piece of pizza in front of him, looking like he'd only eaten the meat. "When I changed it hurt, tearing my body apart reforming it into a creature. I have no plans to do it again."

McKenna sighed and took a small bite of her pizza. "Yes, it hurt the first time, the second time too, but now it just feels like a weird stretch that your body once knew. And you said you turned into a hyena. That has to have some cool aspects. Playing around I know I hear better as a cat, and the sense of smell is insane." It was a peace offering, she still had to work with him. But McKenna made a point of not mentioning that she had noticed her human body performing better in those areas too, no sense in giving away everything.

"Try it a few times, prepare and be ready for the change. You might find it isn't as bad as that first time," JD offered, and Raul sneered a bit pushing back from the table.

"Sergeant, if you're done with me I'd like to get my new schedule and work out needs with my partner," he smiled at Kala and McKenna bristled at the smile.

"Hernandez," Holich's voice turned ice cold. "I don't give a damn you have seniority. You will not do anything to make officer Mansour uncomfortable. If I hear any rumors of you trying your playboy moves on her, I will press charges. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, Sergeant. Don't worry, she isn't my type anyhow." He sneered, giving everyone a mock bow as he stomped out of the office.

"He comes across as a complete ass, Ms. Holich," William said, the first words he'd uttered since they came in.

"Just Anne. And he is. But he's also a decent cop. Knows the rules back and forth, has no violence complaints against him, and most of the women enjoy his flirtations. But I've never known him to be partnered with a woman." Anne turned to Kala. "I've got no reason, except what he has said lately, to believe he'll act in a method that isn't professional. But flat out, you are still on probation. You have any issues, you come see me. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Anne shook her head and popped the last piece of pizza in her mouth. "Okay finish up, JD, McKenna, go change into your uniforms then go get re-qualified on your weapons, fill out the paperwork, and schedule to take that damn test. I don't want to have to deal with Hernandez on this crap." She stood up, swept the room with a look and stalked out.

"Few more slices and I'll be ready to go." JD offered as he finished the box he was on.

"Might if I stoke the furnace?" asked William. "I'm thinking I might go home and try this out. See what my roommate thinks."

"Help yourself," McKenna waved at the food, snatching a last piece before heading out to change and deal with paperwork.

By the time they finished getting re-certified, getting their guns back, paperwork filled out, not only was McKenna wrung out, their shift had ended. Per the rules, they still had to see a counselor, but no one was available until tomorrow. She and JD headed to find Holich.

"Crap, I was afraid of this," Holich admitted. "We were worried about scheduling." She sighed and looked at her desk. "Okay look, I can't afford not to have you out there. I'm already getting pressure from the ACLU and the governor's office. I'll make appointments for both of you. After shift tomorrow, you must go talk to this person and set up a regular schedule. Technically I'm not even supposed to let you back into the field before you've been seen by a counselor, but at this point I'm going to have to roll the dice. The pressure on us about this is extreme." She lifted eyes that had dark rings under them and nailed them with her glare.

"Promise me you'll make this appointment."

"Promise," McKenna murmured. At this point she might have agreed to anything to get to go home. Holich gave them a sharp nod, and turned her eyes back to her desk, dismissing them.

Too tired to deal with anything, McKenna just waved at JD as she started the car and drove away. The idea of home, a hot bath, and letting the stress get burned away, sounded like heaven right now. People were still antsy, but that created a desire to stay home, safe and protected. Which made for low traffic and a quiet drive. McKenna listened to the news as she drove, and what she heard did nothing to raise her mood or make her feel better about the craziness that seemed to encircle her world.

She pulled into her parking space and got out gratefully.

I'm pretty sure I've got some whiskey and some enchiladas I can toss in the oven while I soak in the tub.

The idea sounded so good, she could almost feel the hot water soaking into her bones. After all the pizza she didn't have hunger clawing at her, but she could still eat without any issues. Head whirling with various thoughts, and still mulling over the ramifications of the events of the day, she didn't consciously see it until she had reached for her door.

"What the hell?"

McKenna stared at her door, feeling something inside her crumble, something she thought the years in a foster home had destroyed.

Chapter 16 - Home Life

Most people have returned to normal, the markets are back open, and life is slipping back into the shape we knew. But here in Rossville where we know the cops can change, are we safer or in more danger now? Can an animal control itself? We all hear stories of police brutality, how will that be exacerbated now that some cops will always have weapons? Do I want an animal living next to me? No way. ~ caller on Harvey Klein radio show

This is so great, we have people with real live super powers and they aren't scared to use them. The only thing I'm sad about is I'm not lucky like they are. They will help change us for the better, I just know it. ~ caller on Harvey Klein radio show

McKenna's door had a pile of shit in front of it, smeared over the knob, and written in something that smelled like menstrual blood was the word 'Animal' and lower down 'Get Out.'

Slow deep anger and rage welled up in her, and she felt the cat coming to the forefront. With an internal snarl, she pushed it down. Focusing on her breathing, she analyzed what she would need to clean it up. She didn't allow anything else to cross her mind. Going back to her car, she pulled out latex gloves from her emergency kit and some bleach wipes she kept just in case. Cleaning off the knob, she let herself in, got the rest of the supplies and set to cleaning up her door. She listened as she cleaned. The entire complex was silent, no one played music, no one talked, and she could hear everyone listening for her response.

So be it.

Once her door was cleaned up, she shut and locked it, threw food in the oven and poured a bath. With a glass of whiskey in one hand and her phone next to her, not on mute, she sank into the tub and let everything wash over her. Raul, the governor, Kala, her job, and now this. Listening to the news hadn't provided any sense of things getting better.

She sipped the whiskey and thought about the obvious message being sent with the scene at the door. The question was, did she want to fight or just walk away?

Dammit, I thought I had friends here, the kids usually smiled and waved, I helped if someone needed it. I mean no one came over for drinks, but I'm not that type of person. I work, I come home. Nothing else.

The utter truth of that statement rocked her, and she took a larger sip of whiskey and it went down the wrong way, leaving her coughing and choking. It took a minute to get the whiskey out of her lungs and she sat back wheezing.

"I need friends, I need a life." She thumped back against the tub and tried to figure out what the hell she wanted to do about all of it.

Her nose told her food was done before she had figured out any answers to her questions. Slipping on a long t-shirt she dished up the food, then sat in front of her desk, her out-of-control email blaring at her with a number with six figures. With a sigh she closed it, unable to take more of the proof of no intelligent life on earth. Instead, she pulled up a document and started listing things on it.

I need a social life.

Do I care about this place enough to stay?

What happens if we - shifters - become second-class citizens or hunted?

What do I want?

That last question taunted her as she ate mechanically, her mind considering it over and over again. JD, and that was it. She didn't have any other friends.

Friends.

She pulled out her phone and looked at the lone text message she'd sent herself from Toni's phone, then shrugged and started to type, after all, what did she have to lose?

*Hey Toni, it's McKenna. Wanted to check and see how everything was going.*

The message blinked then sent, and she put the phone down and thought about the door again. She understood fear and figured this would blow over after a bit and when people quit panicking. What if it didn't?

That worry ate at her.

A ping from her phone had her heart racing. She picked up and smiled at the words.

*Heya. It goes. Munchkins are driving me crazy. But that's normal. I'm headed out the door to work, so I won't be able to talk much.*

McKenna glanced at the clock, frowning.

*Now?*

*Yep, work nights. I'll talk to you later. Dinner or something? Be nice to talk about this weirdness.*

*Agreed. I'll see. Enjoy work.* The words came easy, maybe this friends thing wasn't as hard as she had made it out to be.

The simple conversation did much to improve her mood. But the housing situation still needed consideration. Checking finances and credit score left her a bit more secure in what she might be able to do. But she wasn't doing anything right now.

Her phone rang, and she sighed as the number appeared without a name. She hit decline and let it go to voicemail, right now she refused to answer any calls that didn't come from people she knew.

The voice mail indicator popped up a minute later, and with a sigh she hit play.

"Get out, bitch. You aren't wanted here. We don't want to live with animals." The message ended, and McKenna didn't even feel offended, just deeply tired.

I can get all pissy about this, track down who did it, make a fuss. Or…

Her thought trailed off, and she looked at her phone for a long time, then pulled up the computer and did two things. She made a new email account and sent it to JD and Anne. Then she logged into her bank and started the processing to be approved for a home loan. It might be time to try to take charge of the drama in her life. At least the parts she could control.

Chapter 17 - Daily Grind

Prejudice in all forms will always be prevalent as long as we humans have nothing else to focus on besides our own internal petty squabbles. This is proving itself with recent service issues. People saying they don't want to serve shifters, or denying them employment based on some other spurious reason. Humans are tribal and until we can reach the point where all humans are the tribe against some other force, I don't see it changing. No matter how many laws, rules, or other things we put in place to try to force our brethren to act like enlightened adults, history has shown us we will always devolve back to 'us against them.' ~ Paper intro in Sociology Today

Sliding into the squad car, two coffees in her hands, and JD typing on the laptop, felt like coming home.

"Lucy, I'm hoooome," McKenna crooned as she handed JD his coffee.

JD took the cup, not looking up from the laptop as he responded. "Ricky, what happened to you? When did you get, gasp, boobs?" His voice remained flat though he did close his eyes in appreciation as he took a sip of coffee.

McKenna laughed as she shut the door and buckled in. Being here, with JD, was more comfortable than anything else was, and the feeling let her lead into the conversation she needed to have. The thoughts that had been bouncing around her mind since yesterday.

"So, remember that conversation we had about two months ago?"

JD lifted his eyes to her, a sardonic expression on his face. "Since we talk on average eight hours a day, five days a week, and have for the last two years, the answer to that question is probably yes and no. So yes, I probably remember the conversation, but I have no clue which conversation you're talking about."

"Weak, just weak," she muttered, but had to smile. McKenna secured her coffee. "Normal patrol route?"

"So far, yes."

She backed out of the lot and started to drive, eyes scanning on automatic as she headed to their assigned area.

"Soooo? Which conversation?" JD asked about ten minutes to the drive, and she smirked.

"I knew you couldn't resist."

"Yeah, yeah. Spill. What's up?" His hands moved, the spinner flicking back and forth. The sign of normalcy helped.

"Remember you told me a while ago, the house a ways down your neighborhood might be coming up for sale? Had a few acres at the back of the house?"

"Sure. He put it up for sale about a month ago, Jeremiah is being picky for some reason." JD shrugged, then she saw his head turn to look at her instead of scanning the streets. "Why? I thought you liked having an apartment, not needing to deal with anything."

McKenna chewed on her lip for a second, then decided. "I had an unwelcome invite left on my door last night."

"A what? Spill, Kenna, what are you talking about?" Ninety percent of the time, his protective tone would have rubbed her the wrong way, but today, it felt nice to know she still had a friend.

She described what had been left for her, and the words fell into the car like thrown bricks.

"Those incredible jerks. Do they know how much safer their apartment has been because an officer lives there? You should press charges, or let me come and make sure they know my displeasure." His voice held a low growling tone that made her blink and then smile.

"No. They aren't worth it. I have nothing there worth fighting for, so why stay since I'm so obviously not wanted. Nah, I think it's time I take all the money I've been hoarding and get a house. Besides, if I keep eating like I have been, land for a small garden would not be a bad thing. I started pre-qualification paperwork last night."

JD rumbled, a deep vibrating sound, but he subsided. "I know the seller, nice old guy, he just doesn't want to sell and have someone turn around and make it into an apartment building. He's been resisting. I'll introduce you if you want."

"Please? While I still like the idea of an apartment, with everything that's going on, the idea of land, someplace that's mine to do what I want with, sounds very attractive."

JD stilled, even his spinner froze, and he eyes narrowed. "Huh, that is a good point. I hadn't really thought about it like that." He sat frozen as McKenna drove for a bit. She recognized his overdrive thinking mode, it tended to be the only time he went completely still, or when they were about to be shot at.

McKenna didn't track how long they rode in silence, but they were halfway through their first sector, and her coffee had disappeared before the spinner started moving.

"Yes, good point. Let's head there after shift, well, after shift and counselor. And I think I need to start making some changes to my house too. If this ability stays, I'm not sure I'll need a weight room anymore."

She almost hit a trash can as she whirled to look at him, pulling the wheel as she did. Another quick jerk of the wheel prevented that, and she was damn glad the streets were quiet. Moving a bit more calmly she glanced at him. "You what?"

"Oh, please. You heard me. I'm more toned than I've been in years, even when I was working out three hours a day. And I haven't touched a weight in a week." Her head jerked towards him at that, but she kept her eyes on the road. "Yeah. And with what I've been eating you'd think I'd have softened. I haven't. If anything, I've never looked this good. So I think you're right. I'd been so focused on whatever this is I hadn't thought about ramifications."

McKenna felt like one of her pillars of certainty had shifted. JD loved to lift, loved the strength it gave, made him feel like he had something to offer a woman when his face didn't grab them. You'd have to weigh upwards of three hundred for him to not be able to sweep you up and carry you away. One night after a few too many drinks, he had admitted he always wanted to give a woman that feeling of being tiny and precious.

She broke the mood by jabbing her head at someone waving them down. "JD," her voice quiet as they pulled over.

A man, Caucasian, mid-sixties, going bald, walked over, his hands empty and a smile on his face.

"Heya, officers. Anything going on?"

"I think that's what I should be asking you," McKenna replied with a smile.

The man tilted his head, then his eyes widened. "Ah, you're the cop that killed those idiots that were about to kill the kid. Shifted into a cougar I believe?"

McKenna blinked.

Stupid, stupid, I should have expected this, and for some reason it never occurred to me, even after Anne told me.

She tensed but replied with a smile. "Yes, that was me."

"Ha," the man slapped the door of the squad car, making both McKenna and JD jump. "Good riddance to bad rubbish. Threatening kids just isn't done. Well, just wanted to say hi. Have a good day, officers." With a grin wreathing his face, he ambled off on his morning walk, leaving McKenna looking after him a bit dumbfounded.

"Nice to know not everyone hates me," she said, still watching the man amble off.

"Did you think everyone did?" JD asked, darting a look her direction.

"Me, specifically, no - shifters, well, maybe. The news has been pretty dark." She stepped on the gas and pulled back out into the street.

"The news only reports the dire stuff. You know that. So, you aren't going to hear about all the places that aren't having issues where people are just accepting and moving on."

"That isn't here."

"Not yet," JD admitted. "But you're one of the people who could make it like that. So back to the house. You sure?"

McKenna went over her thoughts again as they drove. She knew she had the money, and the idea of her own place sounded good. But if she walked away, did it mean she ran? Did it make her a coward?

No, I am just not willing to spill blood or cross lines for this. It doesn't matter. I need to quit avoiding life.

"Yes. It's time."

JD flashed a smile, then his head whipped to the right as a small two-door, a blue sedan coasted through the stop sign. "And our first traffic stop of the day. That qualifies as too blatant to ignore."

"Yes, it does." With a sigh, she flipped on the lights and siren and moved after the person. Normally she didn't mind traffic stops but with everything going on it seemed such a petty thing to worry about. But if he didn't see the cop car driving right at him, he probably wouldn't have seen a child either.

The car pulled to the side, and she pulled up behind him, JD logging everything, and placing the call to dispatch to let them know. Nothing about the car screamed danger, but she followed protocol, getting out and approaching from the side, hand on her pistol.

"Sir, do you know why we pulled you over?" She asked as she approached the driver's side door, hearing JD get out of the car behind her.

"Sorry, officer, I wasn't paying attention, distracted by the news," the man said as he turned, handed his ID to her then froze. "It's you?"

McKenna blinked, not sure what to make of that comment. He was younger, light brown skin, shaggy brown hair and brown eyes. About twenty-seven if she had to guess.

"I'm sorry?"

"You're the crazy cop bitch that changed on TV. Killed those two guys. Just ripped them apart. What kinda of monster are you?"

In a weird way, the vitriol made her more comfortable than the praise had done. This she knew how to handle, they trained to handle this.

"Sir, I need to ask you to keep a civil tone. Now may I have your license please?"

"Fuck you, no animal can tell me what to do. I'll call my lawyer."

Is he high? What in the hell?

By this point JD had come up on the other side and leaned down to glance in, the guy didn't notice him.

"Sir, please let me have your license." Her voice remained calm, but she had unsnapped the strap on her holster.

"Oh, hell no." His hand dropped inside the door, and she had her gun out and pointed at him.

"Sir, please put your hands back up where I can see them."

He looked like he would say something, but at that point JD rapped on the window on the other side with his asp. The guy glanced over and paled as he took in JD's size.

"Fine, but I'm going to protest this ticket in court with a lawyer." He shoved the ID and registration at her, then glanced to JD and away.

"That is your right, sir. One moment."

McKenna went back to the cruiser as JD stood there and loomed. He had excellent skills in looming. Running his license, the man, one Tony Gordon, was clean. She printed up the ticket and walked back. Taking the few minutes needed to make sure he understood everything and handing him his citation and license, she stepped back and watched him peel out.

JD walked over, looking at her. "You okay?"

McKenna snorted. "He didn't even faze me. No better or worse than being hated because I wear blue. This at least I know how to handle. If this is part of the ramifications of changing, I can deal with that. Hell, I deal with it anyhow, they just have something new to hate me for."

JD searched her face, then nodded. "Got it. Not a damsel in distress."

"Oh please," she snorted, "I've never been that. And you know it. Go rescue someone else, I don't need it." She flashed him a smile and pulled open the car door. "All I need is a friend."

"There's more to life than friends," he pointed out as he moved back to his side of the car.

"True, but not for me. It isn't anything else I need right now." She forced a smile as she got back in, buckling up. Trust was something she couldn't do, it had been ruined for her decades ago.

The day went routinely, and the routine felt great, real, solid. But that didn't mean everything made sense. Every so often she'd glance at people and those strange symbols would flash across her vision. But she could never focus on them fast enough, though she got vague impressions, but not enough to be sure.

Maybe I should start recording these, making a note of what I see.

The idea made her cringe. Document her insanity. That didn't sound like a good idea.

Still trying to figure out what to do about the weird images, it took a second for the radio call to register. JD answered before she could.

Get your head out of your ass, McKenna. This isn't the place to zone out.

"RVS01, we have a situation with people arguing outside a pizza place that put up a 'No Animals Served' sign." The dispatch rattled off the address as McKenna flipped on the lights and the siren and headed towards the location.

Chapter 18 - Lion Riot

The President in a press conference last night has confirmed that the ability to shift has no impact on your status in America. While the legalities of this are still being weighed and the Surgeon General has raised some concerns, there will be no policy change. While the military is publicly ignoring this all together, there have been rumors of bonuses and extra training for anyone already enlisted who wants to join some special groups. But at this time, that is all it is, rumors. ~ TNN News Anchor

The lights and sirens had them there in minutes, and she pulled up, flipping off the siren but leaving the lights going. The blue and white strobing over the small group of people shouting outside the pizza parlor created a disco effect.

"Log it, I'll go over and see what's going on," she told JD as she opened the car door.

McKenna could hear him calling in and logging the time of arrival and that they were investigating as she shut the door, turned down her radio, and walked over to the crowd with slow measured steps. The day had turned into a hot one already, and by one p.m. the temperature would be over a hundred. At eleven, the bright sun and ninety degrees plus served to make her already hot, and amped up her awareness.

The people hadn't seemed to notice her, or at least deemed her not worth worrying about right now as they yelled at a man standing in front of the pizza joint, arms crossed over his chest and a truculent look on his face.

"I'm telling you, it's my business and I can serve damn well whomever I please. If I can say 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' I can also say 'no fur'. So go fuck off." His dark hair and eyes seemed to glitter, and the more vehement the people got, the more he resisted.

McKenna saw at least two, what she assumed were employees, hanging behind the man, looking more and more uncomfortable, but all she saw were figures, not enough to even pull out gender, just indistinct shapes.

"You can't refuse to serve someone because of something they can't control!" a woman shouted, her short blond hair flying around her head like a yellow dandelion.

"I can refuse to serve anyone I want, it's my business," the owner insisted, his fingers clenched into tight fists, the knuckles turning white.

"Ladies and gentlemen, can you please explain the problem here?" McKenna interjected before they could start another round of shouting.

"This asshole thinks he can refuse to serve people because of their ability to shift," the short dandelion woman said, her finger jabbing towards the owner.

"It's a private business, I can choose who I serve."

McKenna wanted to close her eyes and sigh. The law got tricky quick when it came to discrimination and private businesses. Instead, she looked at the man and asked a question.

"Why do you not want to serve them?"

He looked at her like she had spoken in Greek or Latin. "Health concerns. I don't need fur everywhere, and how do we know it isn't contagious or spreadable via air or body fluids?"

Huh, point. I hadn't thought about the body fluids stuff. Crap, I wonder if Holich has.

The thought ran through her mind lighting fast, but she didn't let anything cross her face.

"Do you refuse to serve people with AIDS or tuberculosis?"

The man paused, then shrugged. "If I could tell who had it, probably."

You can't cure stupid.

The reminder didn't make this situation any better. She could hear a few more people coming up and cars coming to a stop behind her, but pulling her attention from this scenario wasn't possible at this point.

"How can you tell if someone is a shifter if they aren't in animal form?"

The man blinked and opened and closed his mouth, then his eyes narrowed, and he sneered at her. "Maybe not, but I know you are, and I don't have to serve you."

Good grief. This is a thing for lawyers. How the hell do I diffuse it?

"Sir, I can't answer as to whether that's legal or not. That's for the courts to decide. But for now, having a shouting match with people outside is impeding the flow of traffic and causing a ruckus, and that is a problem I can answer." McKenna shifted her attention to the woman, her hands on her hips and her hair a yellow fluff. "Ma'am if you wish to take him to court that's your prerogative but standing out here screaming at him won't accomplish anything. Everyone needs to disperse."

"I don't think so, he can't refuse to serve me." A low deep voice rumbled from behind her, someone she hadn't sensed approaching with all the other noise and traffic. McKenna turned and a ripple of worry as a symbol flashed across her vision, a paw of some sort, and disappeared but this time she didn't worry about it, instead focusing on the man glaring at her. Hispanic, gang tattoo on his face, and a sneer directed at her and the pizza man. But what really caused her tension level to ratchet was JD standing against the car, talking rapidly into the radio, and the twenty people who had appeared around her, raising it from a small group of people to a dangerous crowd. Various symbols flashed in her face, but she completely ignored the vision distortions right now.

"Sir, is this really something worth going to jail for? This applies to all of you. Do you want to deal with this via the courts peacefully or risk going to jail for disturbing the peace?" McKenna pitched her voice to carry, but the mood had already shifted.

People began to shout back and forth, and she realized half the people were supporting the owner, half protesting against him.

And more were showing up as she saw cars parking and people piling out.

Crap, crap, crap, crap.

She tried to move towards JD, but the crowd had gotten too big. Following training she moved backwards, getting her back against a wall, even as she projected her voice.

"Everyone, this has now become an illegal gathering. Please disperse immediately," her voice rang out, and people turned to look at her with stubborn resistant looks on their faces.

"No, we need to stand up for our rights now, before someone takes them away."

She couldn't see who shouted that, but the mood of the crowd started to turn, and more people kept showing up.

Damn, damn, damn, this is not good at all.

McKenna could see JD over the crowd, but his plowing through to her would make it even worse. A gun in this crowd would not be a good thing and forcing her way through the crowd would put her too much at risk to have her weapons grabbed. The cat pricked at the back or her mind, demanding her to react to move, to push people away from her. She snarled internally, pushing the animal down, and an odd feeling of confusion pinged at her, from something that wasn't her mind. But now she didn't have the time to figure out where that the feeling had come from.

Once more she tried to get control of the crowd. "Everyone, you need to disperse, or we'll start having to arrest people."

It didn't help, and people started pushing and shoving, tempers flaring as the mood of the crowd changed.

Dammit, I'm going to be involved in another issue my first day back on the job. Wonder how long I'll be suspended this time.

The strident sound of the bullhorn feedback cut into the noise.

"Everyone, you will disperse the area now. This is not a lawful gathering and you are impeding the flow of traffic." JD's voice boomed over the noise. McKenna raised herself up on tiptoe to peer and saw indeed they had blocked off the street. People around her looked a little spooked at JD's words, but she heard a muffled shout.

"Hell no. No bear is going to tell us what to do!"

She could see people moving towards the squad car. This entire situation was going from bad to worse quickly.

JD's head disappeared from her view, and she heard the whoop whoop of the siren, as he tried to move the car towards her, but people rushed the car, she could see their heads and the whooping stopped. She cranked her radio up just loud enough she could hear it.

"I'm blocked, Kenna. I can't get to you. How much danger are you in?"

She turned, looking frantically, people were glaring at her, but the violent ones seemed to be focused on the car.

"Enough, but not immediate. How far out is backup?"

"Too far, at least five minutes."

What is it with me and backup never being around?

"You need to come with us, bitch. Show you how a shifter cop should be treated." The Hispanic with the gang tats loomed in front of her. She didn't remember seeing him move, but he materialized out of the fluid mass of people without a ripple, and she pressed back further against the stone wall.

"You don't want to do this."

"Oh yes, I do. I've never had a cat before."

Exasperation mixed with anger and fear.

What is it with people wanting to have sex with a cat?

Reaching for her weapon, she prepared herself for killing someone, because if her pistol cleared the holster, she'd shoot to kill. Before she could draw her weapon, a roar shattered the developing riot. The sound so loud it made her flinch and the people all fell silent, eyes wide. The roar sounded again, and she could hear anger and stress in the primal call. People panicked, screaming, yelling and fleeing away from the source of the sound, the sound that rippled through her body, deep and primal.

McKenna spun, her hand still on the butt of her weapon, searching for the source of the panic inducing sound. The pizza owner, standing stock still, eyes wide and mouth open stared at a lion in the door of the pizza shop. Remnants of a pizza t-shirt hung around the body of the tawny cat, and it moved one step closer to the people and opened his mouth displaying sharp teeth, letting lose the cry again.

Every fiber in her being wanted to turn and run, to avoid the animal that made that sound.

"Kenna?" Fear and stress were clear in JD's voice.

Moving with slow, sure gestures, she clicked on the microphone. "I'm fine, give me a minute."

She then glanced at the frozen owner. "Get out of here. Move slowly."

His head bobbled up and down, and he started to back up, only to come to a wobbling halt as the animal growled.

"What's his name?" McKenna whispered fiercely, for all that she never glanced away from the lion.

"Jason, Jason Frema." The pizza guy's voice was high squeaky, and the scent of urine wafted over to her, even as the crowd kept running. The rumble of the great cat all but vibrated through her bones.

"Get," she said and stepped in front of the shifter, blocking his view of the man stumbling away. She watched him in the reflection in the shop windows, noting how many people had fled. She caught JD driving forward with the obstacles gone, even as she focused on the lion.

"Jason, hey, remember me? My name's McKenna. I'm the cop that turned into the cougar? The one in the video?"

The lion stopped and looked at her, and she swore she saw him flinch, his head dropping a bit.

She crouched, lowering herself to the eye level of the huge cat, his short shaggy black mane making him look a bit woebegone, like a lion version of Eeyore.

"Hey, Jason." His ears tilted up at that. "It's okay. In fact," she glanced around at the almost empty street. JD had pulled the squad car up to the door behind her. "I think you did the best thing ever. Look around. Everyone left, no one got hurt, and maybe some people have learned a lesson?"

The lion sat up a bit straighter, his chest puffing out, then sagged again, glancing back at the pizza shop.

"Ah, yeah, you probably don't have a job anymore. But really, did you want to work for a dick like that?" She nodded at the sign in the window, and Jason growled, then snorted.

The whine of sirens sounded in the distance, and McKenna relaxed a bit more.

"You aren't in trouble. No one got hurt, and a lot of that is because of you. You want to change back to human?" She repeated the important parts, making sure he understood. No injuries meant no charges.

The lion bobbed his head up and down, and McKenna smiled. "Think about being human again, the feel of fingers, and arms. Remember what it means to be you, the human Jason."

His eyes closed, and his body sagged, twisted and morphed into a human male. As the last bits of fur receded, JD tossed a pair of sweats at him.

Jason opened his eyes looking at McKenna. "No one got hurt?"

"Nope, you scared them all. That roar was damn impressive. Made me want to run."

A boyish grin lit his face even as he turned to grab the sweats. McKenna stood up and turned around, letting the kid pull his sweats on in peace. She looked at the people hiding behind cars and running even further as the other cars came flying into the street, lights and sirens blaring.

"Better late than never, I guess." McKenna remarked softly to JD.

"Yeah," he said, his voice soft, and his troubled look matched the feeling in her heart.

Chapter 19 - Talk About It

In India a massive riot is going on, and it has spread to engulf the business district of Calcutta. The cause seems to be pointed back to a man who shifted into a tiger and killed a cow. People have been rioting for hours, and the death toll has already climbed to the hundreds as fighting goes on, and shifters have fled the city in animal form, leaving chaos in their wake. This shattering of the beliefs of many Hindus that cows are sacred may tear apart the city. ~ TNN Breaking News

The amount of people the aftermath involved drove McKenna to the point that she flirted with the idea of letting the cat come out, just to see if people would go away. She didn't.

No charges were pressed, though as she got back into the squad car, the sign in the window had disappeared.

She shut the door, buckled and looked at JD, who sat gazing out at the now quiet street. His spinner twirled once or twice in his hands, but the low-pitched hum sounded relaxing.

"Ready?"

"I think so." His voice sounded off, and McKenna shot him a sideways glance.

"What's wrong? Well, besides the fact that backup took way too long, we had to talk down a lion, and bigotry has raised its head once again?" Her tone wry as she watched him, eyes narrowed.

JD snorted and turned to look at her. "All that and everything else. But mostly wondering how the hell are we going to explain this stuff to a counselor?"

"Meh, you won't have to. You were my partner, I'm the one that killed people. I think you'll be fine staying with the basic answers. Me, this is just going to be something I have to get through." Putting the car in drive she headed out, they still had two hours of their shift before shift change, and the counselor meeting.

"You okay with killing those two?" JD's voice broke into her mental woolgathering and she had to think about it a moment.

"Honestly, and I'll deny this if you ever say anything, I don't care. I don't think about it. And that bugs me more than anything else. While I was the cat, he was a threat, something to be eliminated, and I did. I don't have any emotions to the action at all." She took a deep breath, her hands tight on the steering wheel. "That actually concerns me, but I think it's an aspect of the animal."

JD shifted to look at her this time.

"Why do you think that?"

"I've been researching. Most animals live in the now, the present, and they don't really have morals like we do. Or at least we assume." She shrugged. "I don't know. I just think this is more than just magic or something random. It seems too coherent."

The radio squawked before JD could respond. The rest of the shift flew by, and when she pulled into the parking lot, her exhaustion level seemed insurmountable.

"Come on, we have hours left to go yet. Talk about your feelings, talk about a house, talk about plans for the future."

"Please. Right now, if I had my preference, my only future plans would be bed," McKenna muttered even as she pulled herself out of the car and into the station.

Holich waited for them as they checked in and dropped off paperwork. "Good. You have counselors waiting for you."

McKenna didn't let herself groan, but she did rub her eyes, thank god she didn't have to wear make-up anymore.

"Thanks. Where?"

"Largo, you're in my office, Davidson, you're in the conference room. I'm going home. Talk, get it out, let them find you sane, and maybe I can get more than four hours of sleep a night." Holich nodded at both of them and with an almost desperate air headed to the door with a quick stride.

"Huh. Think there's a lot more going on than we know about?" JD asked his voice so low she could just barely hear it.

"Yep, and I don't know if I'm happy or not that I don't know."

"Point." He shrugged, and the impression of a bear came through with such clarity she blinked but pushed it away. "We might as well get it over with."

She didn't have the energy to even respond, just followed him down the hall, waving as he turned one way and she turned the other. The door to Anne's office stood open, and she rapped on it.

A woman, a few years older than she, with traces of silver in her hair, looked up and smiled. The smile made McKenna like her. It wasn't fake, it was an 'I'm exhausted, I want to go home, but I won't be rude' smile. That smile McKenna knew all too well.

"You must be Officer Largo?" The woman rose and came around the desk holding out her hand. "I'm Julia Conner."

McKenna shook her hand, small bones, but a strong grip.

"McKenna, would make me more comfortable."

Julia waved at the chair. "Sure. Sit, please. And normally I don't sit behind a desk, but this office won't even let me pull the chair out from behind it."

That elicited a soft laugh. The office won prizes as the smallest one in the department, but Anne refused to move.

"Not an issue." McKenna sank into the chair and tried to dredge up a positive attitude. Counseling was mandatory in any officer-involved shooting, this just fell under that umbrella. But she'd never shot anyone before and had no idea what would be required. Not to mention she didn't know enough about the strange things going on to know what might or might not be valid reactions.

"So here's my spiel - I'm hired by the Rossville police department to provide counseling and assessment as to the officer's ability to return to duty after any incident. While you do have an expectation of privacy, anything said that I believe affects your ability to perform your job will be relayed to your chain of command." She provided a few other points and handed McKenna a paper that listed them all out. McKenna signed and handed it back, and Julia relaxed.

"Whew, I hate all the official crap, drives me up the wall, but I do have one more thing I need to make you aware of." Julia raised her eyes to meet McKenna's and smiled. This time there was something else to it, a bit of joy? "I also shifted. I'm a red panda."

It took a full minute for the words to register with McKenna, and she started laughing.

"Something funny?" Julia tilted her head to look at her.

"Do I want to know how many favors they called in to find a shrink who changed?"

Julia's mouth twisted a bit. "A few. I tend to do a very select practice, but when the governor calls personally to ask you to help, it's hard to say no. I live in San Fran, so coming up here isn't that hard. This does happen to be my specialty. I normally work with veterans with PTSD and battle fatigue. What you tell me won't be a huge surprise. Plus, I did a tour in the Army and spent time in the sandbox." The slang comment for that area of the world told McKenna a lot, and the relief she felt lifted her exhaustion.

"So what do we talk about?"

"Normally, I'd ask you that. But in this case the questions will be a bit more structured. Are you having any issues with killing those two men?"

McKenna had to fight not to shrug. Looking too nonchalant might not be a good idea, but lying would probably get her in more trouble. But she had learned after years of dealing with Child Services, how to lie while telling the truth.

"I know that I should feel some remorse or guilt over taking another life, but the cat-shifter, world-changing stuff has overwhelmed any other thoughts. Then add in what's going on here and everywhere, plus my 'fame,' I really haven't thought about it."

For a second, Julia's eyebrows rose, then she frowned a bit and nodded. "That makes sense. Think about it now. How do you feel?"

"Frustrated." The word was out of her mouth before she had time to censor it.

"That's an unusual word." Her voice was noncommittal, but McKenna didn't think the shrink was going to let it pass with just that.

With a mental growl she explained. "I didn't want to be filmed, I didn't want to have to choose to kill a man, and I didn't want the death of a child on my mind. Am I upset I killed him? No, not really. The dashboard cams, the bank videos, even my video all showed he had tightened his finger on the trigger. His weapon was loaded, and he'd killed before. Though I knew none of that at the time. But he forced me into a situation where I still don't see what else I could have done. And honestly, if I hadn't changed into a cougar, he wouldn't have been distracted, and then a child would be dead, probably me too. So yes, frustrated. Frustrated it happened, frustrated there weren't any other choices at that moment, and frustrated that I'm oddly okay with it." By this point she couldn't sit still and had gotten up, pacing back and forth in the tiny room. The silence that fell after her last words made her think about them, and she realized what she had said.

Oh shit.

Julia looked at her, then very deliberately lay her pencil down, her eyes never leaving McKenna's. "Part of it is the cat, isn't it?"

Her throat went dry, and she had to fight to swallow. "What do you mean?" She had stopped, back to the wall, and she pressed against it watching the shrink intently.

Emotions warred across the woman's face, but she leaned back, her eyes still steady and started to talk. "I'm an OCD-type personality. I like things just so, obsessive about documenting data, always have lists of stuff I need to do, and sitting still for any length of time is almost impossible if I'm not also knitting, watching TV, and surfing the net all the same time. I'm regimented about my food, my free time, everything. It's why I'm a good psychiatrist." She took a deep breath, but still McKenna couldn't sense any dishonesty from her, even if she didn't understand why Julia told her this.

"I'm telling you this so you understand what I'm like. I spent part of this weekend as a red panda as my animal self."

McKenna nodded, remembering the mountain, and the skunk.

"I had planned an hour for it, then had stuff I had to do, things to check, lists to work. Then I moved into the panda, and none of it mattered. While the items on my all-important list needed to be done, they could wait a day, a week, a month. My need to move to do things right then disappeared. I played, I slept, I ate all the fruit I'd purchased as an experiment. I still remained aware of the list and could think about it, but the imperative was gone. Now I didn't need to. Now I needed to lie in the sun and enjoy the heat on my fur." She smiled slightly at McKenna. "That's the problem you're having? The cat did what needed to be done then, and now it isn't of any importance."

McKenna sank back into the chair, torn between relief and worry. "I think so, yes. I'm still me, but my emotional reactions are different, I have different priorities, but I'm still me. I still know the difference between right and wrong, I just… " she trailed off unsure how to explain.

"Just all the worries that come with being a human in society today are pushed back."

That was it exactly, and McKenna nodded. "Yes. All the stupid stresses, nudity, social games, they just don't seem to matter. Only thing that matters is what is going on now."

Julia nodded, then sat up and folded her hands, giving McKenna an intense look. "I'm going to clear you. And I'll deny this if asked, but I think being the cat when you killed made it something you could move past much easier. An animal doesn't worry about what was done, only what needs to be done now. I'm not saying it's healthy or right, but for now I don't have any other insight except that you're handling everything being thrown at you remarkably well, and that yes in the scheme of things, two bank robbers dying is the least of your concerns."

McKenna snorted. "You have no idea. Finding out that five billion people have seen me naked is causing more concern."

"Five billion?" Julia repeated slowly, then blinked as McKenna nodded, wrinkling her face. "I can see why that would be cause for discomfort." Julia shuddered, then shook her head and refocused. "Five more mandatory meetings in the eight weeks. And after this we can talk about whatever you want though I'll do a check in about the deaths each time. But for now," she glanced at her watch, "go home. That's where I'm headed as soon as I log our session. The rest will be a full hour, but for tonight we've covered what we need to."

Feeling like her leash had been cut, McKenna sprang to her feet. "Thanks. This wasn't as bad as I feared."

"Rarely is. Night, McKenna."

McKenna headed straight to her locker. She needed to change into her new kilt, and a t-shirt and out of this vest and thirty pounds of crap hanging at her waist. Five minutes later she was dressed, and rather enjoying the feeling, though after a few minutes had realized some anti-chafing would be necessary. For the moment she grabbed her deodorant and rubbed it on her inner thighs. Moving experimentally, she decided it would do for now. While her thighs still rubbed together, what the weight shifting burned off seemed to be mostly fat. Maybe someday she would have thigh gap.

The thought made her grin as she left the locker room.

The kilt with her sneakers and shirt felt interesting as she moved, but the kilt had pockets, being one of those utility ones. And her phone, keys, and a few other things had slipped in just fine.

"Huh, this is actually pretty comfortable." McKenna muttered looking at herself in the mirror. The heavy fabric didn't make her feel as exposed as skirts normally did.

With a mental shrug, she headed out to see if JD was ready yet. The conference room didn't contain him, or anyone for that matter, so she leaned against the wall to wait.

Before she'd even had time to do more than think about what she wanted to ask the owner, and hoping the house wasn't too expensive or unlivable by her standards, JD walked out. He stopped mid-stride as he looked at her from the locker room door.

"You're wearing a kilt," his said. His jaw had gone slack and his eyes wide.

McKenna glanced down at the beige material, then back up at him. "Yep."

"You. Are. Wearing. A. Kilt," he said again.

She glanced sideways trying to contain a smile. "Looks like."

"Yes!" He pumped his hand in the air. "I have corrupted you. One down and seven billion to go." He did a half jig, and she lost her internal battle laughing out loud. It felt good, then JD started laughing, and they both stood in the hall drawing the occasional glance from the few officers still there.

Gasping for breath, she looked at him. "I needed that. But we're adding to our already tainted reputation. Ready?"

"Yep. Want me to drive and take you home, and I'll pick you up in the morning?"

"Sure, just grab coffee on the way to get me. Your choices are better than from my place to the station."

"Yep. Come on, Kenna. Let's go talk to a guy about a house." JD led the way out, and McKenna climbed into his Hummer, finding it easier than it had in the past.

How much ease is from my body changing with the cat, and how much from the kilt? Or is it both?

The cat question changing her rocked around her mind as they drove to JD's neighbor's.

Chapter 20 - House Hunting

Zoos are coming under fire from shifters who are claiming they now understand exactly what the animals feel. A new group called the Animal Comfort Group has formed. A few zookeepers worldwide have joined it, and they have started to actively lobby for better environments for the animals they have in their care. Also, people have been coming forward and explaining some of the reactions animals have to certain things. Proponents for this change say the understanding of animals has jumped forward decades in the last few weeks, just from being able to experience things from inside an animal's skin. ~ TNN Headline story

Neighbor stretched the truth a bit. In reality, the house JD took her to ended up being about three miles from his house in the small subdivision. This house still had land, and with two other houses near it with land also, there were only two other houses in a thirty-acre space. But across the road sat a subdivision, and five miles away stood a strip mall. The land would be worth more as land than as a place to live, but McKenna didn't want to make money by buying and selling, she felt the need to find someplace safe. Someplace where she could protect those she cared about.

She shied away from examining that idea and instead surveyed the house and land. Typical land for the Sacramento valley, it lay out flat and unruffled by any swells, golden with dry grass. Stepping out of the Hummer, she scanned the layout and realized she could live with it. Then she focused on the house and cringed.

Older, built in the seventies at least, it looked like a rambling ranch. Avocado green, dark brown trim, it looked in decent shape, but she hoped it the inside didn't match the outside.

I'd so have to paint that. Though at this point I have no idea what colors I'd want. Just not that.

JD led the way to the nice front porch, big enough to hold some chairs and a table, but nothing sat on it. She could see a side door in front of the garage. He knocked on the door, then leaned against the railing and waited. McKenna shot him a look, but he just shrugged and looked unconcerned. Three minutes later, she timed it; the door pulled open and an old black man peered out at them.

McKenna rarely applied the adjective old to people, most people were just older than she, but this guy was ancient. His face reminded her of a wizened crabapple, teeth gone, hair whiter than the snow caps, and sharp eyes that didn't miss a thing.

"JD, you finally corrupted others to your silly fashion choices?" he asked in lieu of greeting, even as he stepped out on the porch.

McKenna figured he'd shrunk over the years, but still walked without assistance, and he scanned her up and down before shifting his attention back to JD.

"Not silly, practical. Otherwise I'd never have gotten Kenna to try it. How you doing, Jeremiah?" JD had a grin on his face and watched the old man with affection.

"Haven't died yet, so I figure damn good." Jeremiah turned to look at McKenna. "So you're this mythical partner he talks about. How do you put up with this lout?"

"Lots of patience and caffeine," she replied almost without thinking, a smile at the corner of her lips.

"Ha! A mouth on you. I always liked women with spunk." Casting his glance back at JD, "What makes you drag your sorry ass here this evening?"

"Wanted to know if you still wanted to sell this dung heap. Kenna here might be in the market for a house and a piece of land."

"Is that so? What do you want it for?"

Do I tell him the truth or fudge?

The idea of lying to this man just seemed wrong, so she shrugged and told the truth. Not like most of the world didn't know who she was.

"I'm the cop that shifted on video. Since then my welcome has been a bit less than warm. I need to find a home, someplace I can make a refuge. I don't know what's coming up but  I suspect I'll be a target. I'm too visible not to. I like the idea of land, maybe a chance to run as an animal."

Jeremiah tilted his head one way then the next. It felt like he sized her up.

"Huh. Well, come on in then. Might as well know what you're getting." He turned, pulled open the door, and walked inside, not bothering to see if they were going to follow.

She darted a glance at JD who shrugged and waved her inside. Hoping she didn't get swamped with old folk's home smell, her newly sensitive nose really couldn't handle that, she followed him inside.

Two steps in she paused, the scents that surrounded her were an oil, woody, and the faintest of beeswax. As she walked in she saw why. The place was filled with hardwood floors, heavy wood furniture that gleamed with care, and mini-blinds on the windows. Jeremiah led them into the kitchen, while not top-notch modern, it had been remodeled in the decade or so. No harvest gold or avocado green. McKenna let loose a sigh of relief.

Jeremiah had sharp ears because he barked out a laugh. "No, the inside doesn't match the out. I had this place updated oh, about nine years ago. I like microwaves, but the range is natural gas. Runs off a tank out back. I get it filled about twice a year." He pulled out three glasses from the cupboard then reached into the fridge and pulled out a large glass jar filled with clear brown liquid.  With care he poured out sun tea for all of them and nodded.

"Keep walking, deck is through the living room."

JD grabbed two of the glasses as McKenna followed Jeremiah's instructions and walked through a nice kitchen nook with a breakfast bar with four stools, into a large living room with a wood stove in one corner and sliding glass door at the far end.

The place, while not modern, called to her, and she could see herself living here. She'd been living like a monk for the last few years, and scholarships had paid for college, and she'd invested most of her money, playing with stocks, so she had the money. She took a seat on the large deck on that back that looked out to the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, the land house-free for a few miles from this vantage point.

Jeremiah dropped into a seat and speared her with that look. "I'll be straight, missy. I don't want to sell." That caused McKenna to flinch and dart a look at JD who frowned but didn't say anything. "But I don't have much of a choice. I'm 94 years old, I have an inoperable brain tumor and no desire to go through the hell they call chemo. My granddaughter wants me to live with her until I can't anymore. I figure I've got about six months more and I won't be me no more. But I'll burn in hell first before I let this house where I married my wife, Octavia, raised my kids, and buried Octavia, get bulldozed and turned into a bunch of 'shroom houses. I saw that vid of you. My great granddaughter thinks you are the best thing since Wonder Woman, and that's saying something. So I'd rather you have this place and make it a refuge, than any rich-ass developer. So let's bargain."

His white teeth cut through the blackness of his face. McKenna laughed, and they started to talk money, plans, and maybe she let herself hope for a bit.

They were still hammering out details when Jeremiah winced, rubbing his head. "Damn headaches. What made me finally go to the doctor in the first place."

McKenna frowned. "Do we need to leave?"

"Nah. But I probably need to call my Olivette, my granddaughter. Give me a few minutes."

He walked into the kitchen, slow but still functioning and McKenna felt a pang of sorrow.

"I like him."

JD nodded. "Me, too. Hummer got a flat outside his place, and he came out to talk to me while I changed it. That was a pain in the neck. Got roadside assistance next day. Much easier with a tow truck. We became friends. I'll miss him. But having you live this close to me will be nice."

"Yeah." She looked out at the view and something tight inside her unwound a bit. "This would be a good place to have barbecues."

"Yes! I love grilling. I claim grill duty." McKenna laughed at JD. Her phone pinged at her, and she went to grab it. On the screen sat a text message from Toni.

*Hey, McKenna. How goes?*

McKenna smiled and looked around the place. The image of two dark-haired kids running around it flickered across her mind.

*Good. Actually looking at a house to buy. Has land.*

*Wonderful I know I love our house, though wish it had more land.*

*Yeah. Dinner tomorrow? JD and me?*

*Give me a minute*

The text pinged and there wasn't a response. McKenna shrugged and put her phone back away.

"Anything interesting?" JD asked finishing off his ice tea.

"Maybe, just don't make plans for tomorrow night?"

"Oh, yes, let me check my social schedule." He pulled out his phone and made a show of checking it. "What do you know, my social life is almost as non-existent as yours."

"Almost?" McKenna teased back.

"Yes, almost. I at least have lifting competitions. Well, I used too. Still don't know if I'll keep that up with these changes."

"Ah. Yeah." She fell silent as Jeremiah came back out.

"So, you interested in renting this place for a while?"

"I'm interested in buying?" she responded, confused.

"Yeah, I know. But my daughter got some test results, and they don't think I can be alone any longer. And since the whole world has changed, I can't just offer you my hand and shake on it anymore. Figure legal crap will take a few weeks and well, I don't want this place to end up bulldozed. So want to rent for a month or two until we can get all the selling stuff figured out?"

McKenna felt her heart leap.

That will solve some of my problems. Give me a place to live and time to get the funding nailed down.

"That would be perfect. When?"

"I'll lay money my Olivette will have me out of here in forty-eight hours." His voice held wry humor and deep love. "JD, you mind doing some writing and help us draw up a contract?"

It took them two hours and Olivette showed up thirty minutes in. But by the time they were done she had copies of the keys and Olivette promised the house was hers with most of the furnishings and she could move in by Friday. Her love for her grandfather was clear, and McKenna was elated that something good was going on in her life. She would have a place to rent and could slowly move out of her current apartment and give the notice she needed. It meant she'd be paying rent in two places for a month, but she could do that. It would give her time to get this place updated to what she wanted. She liked the furniture, but curtains and some brighter colors would help.

As they walked out to the car, her mood light, she asked JD, "So what color should I paint the house?"

Chapter 21 - Premeditated

The Hartsfield Jackson Airport was shut down for four hours today, when a young boy, probably about seven, got scared at the security checkpoints, shifted and took off running in cheetah form through the airport. Between security chasing him, people freaking out at a juvenile cheetah rushing them, and the overreactions, thousands of people missed their flights, and the child was injured when fleeing from security chasing him. Grow up people. Kids don't tend to understand how to react normally. If they had cleared the mother and let her go get him all of this would have been avoided, and the child wouldn't have been rushed to the hospital with a broken leg. Really, he turned into a cat! Where did you think the seven-year-old was hiding a bomb? ~ Harvey Klein radio show

In the days that passed since his epiphany in the park, C-Tac researched how to condition people to blindly obey, and excitement grew with the confirmation that children were easier to manipulate than adults. Now he just had to find a place to keep them, train them, and then sell them. With that idea in mind he put the word out on the streets that he wanted a self-sustained location to keep people. Everyone had assumed he meant chicks or illegals, and he didn't see any reason to dissuade them from the idea.

His plan to get the person on the campus busted had worked perfectly, and in the last few days, he'd stepped in and taken over without a ripple with either the students or the boss. He made sure to keep his nose clean, and the cop in question had not been around, something big going on. The boss didn't care as there was no proof C-Tac had anything to do with it, and he made sure no payments were missed. The boss hadn't said anything, so C-Tac figured it either had escaped his notice, doubtful, or he had no issues with it, more likely.

Increased sales meant more profit, more trust, and more power. C-Tac had figured even if the boss didn't accept his proposal, or he couldn't find a good location, having a backup location fully stocked with supplies and damn near impossible to find, had no downsides.

Working on some ideas for drumming up some sales from the rail yard he had the TV running in the background, listening, but not really paying attention. The boss demanded simplicity and elegance and preferred PowerPoint. It at least meant C-Tac could use a computer for more than surfing for porn, which sometimes made him think something else was going on, but mostly he enjoyed seeing his ideas in bullet points.

The word lion caught his attention, and he turned up the volume. C-Tac sat in his chair, watching the news story about the riot and the lion. Lately with all the shifter stuff, it was better than TV. There was that chick cop again, saving the day. He admired her in a way, her poise. You had to have poise knowing everyone in the world had seen your hoo-ha, and you couldn't do a damn thing about. Hell, she didn't even get paid for showing off her tits. With that many views on the site she would have made a fortune per click.

But what caught his imagination was the way people reacted when the lion roared. Fear, terror, almost uncontrollable as they fled the creator of that sound. If you owned the animal, the smart animal that could cause that reaction, you'd never have any issue with your minions. Ever.

"Dammit, I'm sure this idea would work if I had someplace to get them trained," he groused as he turned back to the computer, but his phone rang before he could get too deep into the sales figures for the last two weeks.

"Talk or hang up," he snapped as he answered. Text messages were so much easier. You didn't need to pay attention to them until you wanted.

"Hey, C-Tac?" A thin reedy voice said, he recognized Joli Simps, one of his nickel bag dealers. Strictly small stuff, high school, nothing ever on him that qualified as a felony. Mostly he sold five dollars' worth of weed or joints. The cops never bothered 'cause they knew these little ones never had anything worth busting, unless they were truly stupid, in which case good riddance.

"Yeah, what's up, Joli."

"You remember you was talking about needing an out-of-the-way place to maybe stash some people, girls even?"

"Yep."

"Well, got dragged to see my great gramps today, and as usual he was ranting out of his mind in the nursing home. No one pays any attention to a word he says, especially not my ma." C-Tac bite down any reaction, but wished the kid would hurry up a bit, but Jolie rambled, and derailing him only made the story last longer. "Well he started going off on this bomb shelter he bought back in the sixties, when they had all that cold war stuff going on. Started talked about how he put it at the base of the foothills, a few miles away from I-80. Talking about how it was between the two bears, and that he hid it from his greedy ex-wife by claiming it under his sister's name. Now she died back in the seventies or maybe eighties, but it seemed awfully specific for rambles. Granted that was about an hour worth of rambling, interspersed with some cussing that even made me blush. But thought I might pass it on. Don't know if there's anything to it, though."

C-Tac, by this point, had started taking notes and thinking. "And his sister's name?"

"Oh, um, something weird and old fashioned, Abby, Allison, no Agatha, that was it. Agatha Granges." Joli's voice lit up in excitement at remembering.

"Odds are he lost it in a poker game in the eighties, but I'll look. If it's there, I'll toss a reward your way."

"Shit, thanks, C-Tac. I gotta go, mom's yelling for me. I'll be by to pick up my stock tomorrow."

C-Tac just grunted as he hung up. Like he cared when the kid came by to pick up his weed, when he paid him his cut was a much more important date.

It took a few minutes to call up the public property records, and then search for the property, that took much longer.

"Huh, whadda ya know." Property owned by one Agatha Granges glowed at him from the screen with the address, and the fact that if property taxes weren't paid in the next week, it would go to auction. He glanced at the taxes and shrugged, five thousand and change.

"I think I should go for a drive," he commented as he stood. His little apartment lay quiet, living with people drove him nuts. The risk of them getting all holy or legal too high to tolerate. Going to his supply room, he filled a small backpack with a flashlight, some batteries, some food, and water bottles. Grabbing his jacket and keys he headed out to his little blue Toyota sedan. One of the pieces of advice given to anyone who reached his level included the fact that flashy cars from people in low-class digs and clothes drew attention. Attention got you killed, one way or the other. So sock the money away, buy little things, take vacations, and act like a normal blue-collar schmo.

It took two hours to drive up there, and another half hour of hiking. Thank god for smart phones or he'd have never found it. There was signal there, barely, but enough for the GPS to get him to the right place. Another ten minutes of looking, and he found the entrance. Not hidden, but unless you were looking for something, you'd probably never find it.

The lock wasn't as old as he feared, and his old skill of stealing cars came in handy. He had it picked and pulled open the damn heavy door. A rush of stale air came out, and he stepped back coughing.

"Might want to give it a few minutes." While he waited, he walked around, looking at how it could be defended. Middle of nowhere described this place perfectly. Even if someone escaped and ran, they'd have to head the right direction for a long while before they hit a major road or people. Which suited his purposes perfectly.

Flipping on the flashlight, he put a rock in front of the door to make sure it didn't close and slowly went in. The light revealed simple concrete steps that led down, and he tested each one as he went, but they seemed sound. It ended at a landing that had an open area and another door, this one a vault type that you had to turn the wheel. Looking it over, C-Tac put some muscle into it and moved it. The door needed oiling, but it unlocked and swung open, the air not all that stale. There must be an external air vent. He'd have to find that and make sure it had a good return, suffocation qualified as a nasty way to die, not to mention losing his experiment would annoy him.

Stepping in, he flashed the light around quickly, then back again taking in every nook and cranny. As he did his smile grew wider. The light beam revealed a large room with bunk beds on the far end. A small galley kitchen to one side with a space for a table, and lots of cupboards in the kitchen for storage. There were two doors on the other side of the room. Moving over he pulled one open and saw a small bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink, with a linen closet in the corner. He lifted the light to the ceiling in the bathroom and in the main room and saw lights. Was it set up to have power and running water?

He opened the other door and grinned. A circuit box lay there, and a sump pump, an electric hot water heater, and from manuals, the equipment looked like it had never been used. A few minutes of work found the line that had been run into the room, still undamaged by time or elements.

It would need work, but this couldn't have been more perfect if he asked for it. Pulling out his phone he started taking notes, listing everything that needed to be done, and what supplies he would need. And who he'd need to bribe to make this property his. He had a lot of work to do. He needed to get Joli to convince his great-granddad to sign something, not hard as the old man was off his rocker, pay off the taxes, and get the power turned back on. But one way or the other this would be a great hideout.

He might have to eliminate Joli at some point and make damn sure only the people he could control ever knew about this place. Making a mental note to slip Joli something with a 'special' kick down the road, he kept making notes.

On top of all that, he need to create one hell of a presentation for the boss to convince him to fund this venture. Or at the very least give him some space to pull it off.

Chapter 22 - No Good Deed

Public opinion is still out as to if this is a blessing or a curse, but already we are starting to hear strange stories about what were previously considered permanent injuries being healed or at least improved after that first forced change to an animal form. However, just as many people are declaring it the work of demons and declaring anyone who has the ability to change is a tool of Satan. While we know we have zealots among us, I, for one, am sad to already see people using this as a reason to hate and harm. I fear it won't be long before lynch mobs are forming, not based on skin color, but on an ability we still don't know how originated. I keep hoping we as a race are evolving, and I keep being reminded we are still Neanderthals. ~ Local talk radio host

Her phone alarm went off with an extreme amount of noise. McKenna couldn't get it to shut off fast enough.

What the hell was that? It's never been that loud before.

She shook her head, trying to let the adrenaline fade. With a deep breath she padded into the bathroom, not bothering to turn on the lights, she knew the way well enough. Once in the bathroom she hit the light switch, and nothing happened. Blinking she flipped it up and down, and it still didn't work. Frowning she backtracked and flipped the light switch for the room, nothing. A sour feeling grew in her stomach as she peeked out the window. Sure enough, power was on for the rest of the neighborhood, and she could see the lights above the carports gleaming.

I need to get out of here. Wonder if JD wants a roommate for a while?

With a sigh, she grabbed her gear, slipped on gym clothes. It took a few minutes, but she found her large duffle and packed everything into it she'd need for a few days. With that done she locked up the apartment and headed to her car. McKenna called the landlord on her way in, leaving a voice mail for him.

"George, this is McKenna Largo, tenant. This is my official notice, I'll be moving out. I'd already planned on giving my notice, but due to harassment from other tenants I'm making it immediate. Please restore my power ASAP. All damages from the loss of any food will be removed from my last month of rent. Call me if you have questions."

With careful actions, she hung up, resisting the desire to chuck it through the window. She didn't really think she'd lost any food. Her appliances were good quality, and the power had been on when she got home last night. A few hours without power wouldn't cost her too much, she hoped.

By the time she got to work, her blood pressure had lowered, but her mood made Smaug look cheerful.

Stalking into the station, needing coffee, a shower, and her stuff, she ignored all the reactions, headed straight for the locker rooms. The last thing she did before her shower was text JD.

*no power, at station, need coffee, LOTS of coffee*

That sent, she headed for the shower and sighed as the hot water cascaded down her body, rinsing away some of the grumpiness and sleep from her, not enough to put her in a good mood, but enough to help. Getting dressed and heading out to the muster room, she garnered the occasional glance because she never showered there, but she didn't care. Hot showers were important.

She'd wait for JD and knock out some reports. The station coffee didn't qualify as ingestible per her definition.

Slumping into a chair, she pulled out her tablet, logged in and started to kick off the paperwork that drove her job, even as she counted the seconds until coffee.

*outside come get some*

Those words made her jump from her seat and head towards the door.

"Largo, got a minute?" Holich asked.

"Not if you want sane me answering your question," McKenna replied, not breaking stride.

To her surprise and amusement, Holich fell in step with her. "Do I want to know what the issue is?"

"No power at apartment, showered here. No power, no coffee. JD has it." Her words were clipped, and all she cared about was the sweet caffeine JD had waiting for him.

"Ah," the word held a wealth of understanding. "I'll just come with. Probably safer to talk outside anyhow."

McKenna grunted as she headed out to the parking lot in time to see JD getting out of his Hummer then leaning back in to grab a cup of heaven.

"Yes!" she crowed grabbing it, leaning back against the Hummer and letting the hot sweet nectar of the gods wash through her. Three swallows later she cracked open an eyelid to look at Holich.

"Dang, it must be important if you're still here waiting for me to get caffeinated to talk to me." McKenna cast a wary glance at Holich. In her experience superiors waiting for you rarely meant anything good.

Anne took a deep breath then released it, and McKenna's feeling got worse. "The situation with the lion yesterday made it to Kirk, Marchant, and the governor."

"Come on, no one got hurt, I never drew my weapon, and we got the crowd dispersed with no one getting arrested. What more can they ask for?" McKenna fought to keep the whine out of her voice, but today's start had not been good.

"Nothing." The word fell flat, and McKenna glanced at her coffee and drank more. The caffeine wasn't working yet.

"So? If I'm not in trouble, what's the issue?"

Holich half laughed, leaning against the Hummer. "The dash cam was close enough this time to catch everything you said to the lion, and there were a few other snippets of video from phones, etc. that have made their way to us, and you're an internet sensation again."

McKenna moaned and decided there wasn't enough coffee in the world to make this a good thing.

"Okay, and?"

"And the department has received an official request from Good Morning America to interview you," Holich held up her hand as McKenna began to protest. "And everyone has agreed to it, they'll assign you to PR if you don't agree, and agree with a modicum of grace."

"Son of a bitch," McKenna muttered as she held the coffee to her protectively. "They don't really expect me to go to New York, do they? Isn't that where it's filmed?"

"Normally, yes, but they agreed to interview you out here, so that you're not pulled away from your duties for too long." Anne flashed a smile that McKenna read equal parts commiseration and frustration. "JD's presence has been requested, too, but you should only miss the day. When you get back, you need to take the detective exam. Both of you. We'll have it set up and waiting. You're in the public eye, enjoy your last few days as a patrol officer, you won't be one much longer." She paused and looked at them. "I'm sorry." Then Anne turned and walked away.

McKenna really wanted to throw something, with a longing that made her teeth ache, but the only thing at hand was her coffee, and that wasn't happening. She took another life-giving sip and glanced at JD.

"I didn't want this."

"Nope," his answer laconic as he leaned back drinking his own beverage. "But you'll do a great job. You always do. What was up with the coffee?"

McKenna growled, then flinched at the realness of that sound, even JD jumped a bit. She shook her head. "I'll explain on the way. You up for a roommate until I finish dealing with Jeremiah?"

"Ooh, that bad?"

As they checked in and headed out, she filled him in on the harassment going on at her apartment.

"You can do something about it you know, you're a cop," he pointed out, his voice neutral, but the spinner created little flashes of reflected light, highlighting his annoyance.

"Yep, but I don't need any more grief. With all the attention on me anyhow, the last thing I need is this to blow up. Can I just crash at your place for a while, put everything else in storage until I get a place to live?"

"Sure, I'll clean out the second bedroom today. I don't need the weights right now anyhow. I'll need a storage unit too. Rent one today?"

"I think so. I need to move out before this escalates. I think right now Kirk and Marchant might strangle me if anything bad happened." McKenna tightened her hands on the steering wheel trying to figure out how to do all this with the next few days going crazy. She barely had time to do her job, much less do anything else, like take care of personal crap.

"Kenna, you're overthinking again."

McKenna glanced at JD with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"You don't have to do all this. Hire a moving company, explain that due to harassment you need people to pack your entire place and put it in storage, putting all your clothes and toiletries in a suitcase for you to pick up. We can meet them there, let them in, you grab what else you need, back-up weapon, etcetera, and be out by tonight."

It sounded so simple, maybe he was right. Scary thought.

"Movers do that?"

"Sure, if you hire the right ones. A bit more expensive, but do you really care?"

She didn't. Before she could focus on it any more a call came in, an alarm at a local pawn shop. The place looked quiet as they pulled up, but it felt like the bank, so she and JD called it in as they approached carefully. The door opened when she tugged on it, so she walked in scanning the place, trying to sense anything off kilter. The woman at the counter looked up at her with raised eyebrows.

"Is something wrong, Officer?"

McKenna moved all the way in, looking around, but the woman didn't read as tense or frightened. JD came in behind her, moving the other direction looking around.

"We got a silent alarm from this store."

"But I didn't," the woman paused and sighed. "Carly." She shook her head. "That child will be the death of me. You can follow me if you want, Officer." She lifted the counter gate, and McKenna followed her into the back, where a child of about two stood up on her tip toes gleefully pushing the red alarm button on the wall.

"You, child, are supposed to still be taking a nap," the woman said in mock exasperation as she swept her up in a hug. "I am so sorry, Officer. I think I'll put a flip cover on that. She's been sick, so I figured she'd still be sleeping."

McKenna grinned. "Not a problem, ma'am. I'm glad it was something so simple."

The woman tilted her head then her face lit up in recognition. "You're the shifter cop. Wow, that must be pretty cool to do that. And become a cat at that. Sounds like everything I ever wanted." She led them back out into the main area, and McKenna waved JD over.

"We found our alarm ringer." McKenna said, avoiding the subject, instead nodding at the child as JD approached, holstering his weapon.

"Ah, a vicious criminal, I see."

The woman grinned. "She's a master of disguise. She looks sweet and harmless, but trust me, she can be a terror." The child in question had her head laying on her mom's shoulder, watching both of them with big blue eyes.

"I can see that. Ready to go, Kenna?"

"Yep. Take care." She waved at the two and they headed back out to the car. Her phone pinged as she got in. With an arched brow, she pulled it out and looked at it.

*McKenna, sorry I took so long to respond. My children decided to see if my phone was waterproof. It wasn't. Dinner sounds great. I need to be at work about 8. Want dinner this evening around 6?*

She grinned as she looked at the message.

"Ooh, you're smiling. Got a hot date?"

"Oh please, that is an impossibility. I'm pretty sure I'll never find a guy who wants to deal with me, my job, my cat, and now all this publicity. Or if he does, all he'll want to do is have sex with a pussy." Her sarcasm dripped from the words. "Thanks, but no. It was Toni. I'd asked if she wanted to have dinner. Figure we have multiple things in common, and well… " McKenna trailed off, and JD nudged her.

"Kenna, you need friends. You've just lived this damn job since I've known you. You don't talk about family, your childhood, or even memories. You talk about work. About the people we meet, about case studies, but until this whole Police!, cat, viral thing, you've never talked about you. Tell her yes."

"Like you're any better," she shot back her feelings a bit hurt.

Truth sucks.

He gave her a half smile but didn't refute it.

The phone lay in her hand, innocent and serene, but she felt like it would bite her if she made the wrong move. "Will you come with?"

JD widened his eyes at her, adopting a mock horrified expression. "Dinner with two beautiful women, please don't make me." He dropped the act with a half chuckle. "Yes, of course." He paused then glanced back at McKenna. "But only if she's okay with it." He got back into the car without looking at her.

"If she wants to be my friend, she will be," McKenna muttered as she texted back.

*sounds good, been crazy day. Mind if JD comes?*

She tried to not be anxious as she waited for a reply, heading back to the squad car instead and securing her seatbelt.

Her phone pinged before she even got the car into gear. The response glowed bright on her screen.

*sure, how about Markey? about 7?*

A local restaurant, Markey's had good food and a quiet atmosphere. McKenna hadn't been there in a while, but it wasn't too far away.

"Markey's work?" She asked JD, phone in hand as she waited.

"Uh, sure." He nodded, typing on the laptop as he filed the false alarm report.

*yes, see you then* she typed on the phone, slowly. To be proficient at texting, you needed someone to text, and thus far her life hadn't encouraged that.

She pulled out, and they headed down the street when her phone rang.

"Damn, you're popular today." JD teased, and she rolled her eyes.

"If it's someone else wanting an interview, I swear," she muttered as she glanced at the phone. Her landlord's name displayed. "Frag."

She pulled back over and answered the phone, the wariness clear in her voice. "This is McKenna Largo."

"McKenna, what's going on? What happened?" Greg's voice came out worried, anxious even, and McKenna didn't know if that made her happy or not.

"Hey, Greg. I figured my voice mail explained it. "

"Yes, it did, but it didn't. What the hell happened? Why am I losing you rather than kicking the rest of their sorry asses out?"

"Because it is just me, and I'm making them uncomfortable. And it isn't worth the fight. I have a place to stay for a while. But this is my official notice. I understand that I was supposed to give you sixty days' notice, and really I was going to give notice anyhow, but given the circumstances, I'd ask you to wave it."

"Not an issue. McKenna, I saw that video and the one from yesterday. I'm sorry. I didn't realize I had rented to bigots." It was a small building, only ten apartments, and Greg had taken a personal interest in most residents, being willing to trust and not expect people to be perfect. Part of her felt bad for ruining his faith in the others.

"I don't think you did. I think they're just scared. Look, I need to get movers in, but obviously I'm working. Would you mind letting them in once I set it up?"

"I can do that, and I'll check out damages and get your electricity fixed too, headed over there right now. This doesn't make me happy."

"Well, life is unpredictable. Give them time." A few more pleasantries and she hung up, catching an odd look from JD.

"What?" she asked even as she pulled back out. "Though we need to run by tonight to pick up stuff from my place. I'll call the movers at lunch."

"You're taking this awfully well. A week ago you'd have been livid. Most likely you'd have been figuring out ways to press charges." JD's voice was soft, but she heard the concern in it.

"Quit being a mother hen. It just doesn't matter. I turn into a cougar. Who knows why. I keep seeing strange things, they want me to be on TV, and my co-workers fear me. Compared to all of that, some small-minded idiots don't seem all that important." McKenna rolled her eyes, concentrating more on the cars around them than the conversation.

The familiar whine of the spinner halted, and JD's voice grabbed her full attention. "You're seeing strange things?"

McKenna jerked her eyes to him, her mind replaying what she said, and a sudden feeling of doom grabbed her around the heart.

"Oh. Maybe." She pulled her eyes away from him and instead focused on the road and cars.

"Pull over now." Feeling like she watched an inevitable train wreck she did so as they pulled over and JD called in a break, letting the dispatch know they'd be unavailable for calls for a bit. He shifted in his seat, his mass making it awkward as he faced her. "What do you mean, 'seeing things?'"

The last few years of working with the man let McKenna know avoiding the subject wouldn't work. Swallowing past the hairball-sized lump in her throat, she forced out words.

"I keep seeing symbols flashing across people, but so fast I can't lock on to them. And they don't repeat, or at least I can't figure out how to make them repeat. I don't think I'm imagining them because it happens too often, but not consistently." She looked out the window, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. "I think everyone I see the symbols on is a shifter. I think I'm seeing a symbol of what they turn into. But I never see it again to know for sure." As she said this, she looked over at JD and a symbol flashed up, she gasped and focused even as part of her noted that his eyes widened, and his fingers clenched on the spinner, bending it.

The symbol hovered there, giving her time to see, to absorb, a paw print matching those he had left in his wake as they walked through the forest. It faded slowly, burning into her mind.

"Holy shit," she breathed out, her eyes wide.

"What, what just happened? Are you okay?" JD's words spilled out fast in a tumble and McKenna had to blink to refocus her eyes to him, and not the strange out-of-focus stare she had needed to see the symbol.

"Yeah, I just saw it again, and it looked like a print of your paw. But I don't understand."

"Understand what? That you're seeing things? That you shouldn't possibly be able to tell who's a shifter and who isn't?"

McKenna shook her head. "No, well yes, but no. Why did it show up now that I asked? Then stay long enough for me to sear it into my mind?"

The question hung in the air and JD growled. "None of this makes any sense. But the idea of a virus doesn't jibe with what we've been seeing."

"Well, what does?" she challenged. JD opened his mouth then snapped it shut.

"I don't know. But track this, I've got a vague thought. But you need to record everything."

"So you aren't seeing these symbols?" Her voice quavered, and she forced out a harsh grunt to remove the weakness.

JD shook his head slowly, and her stomach fell a bit more. "No, I've never seen anything that I didn't actually see." Each word fell like a nail in her soul.

Maybe I really am going crazy.

Chapter 23- Setting Up

While many of the people now either blessed or cursed with this ability are begging for the limelight, those who are the real focus of the shifter world, people like movie star Miranda Light, NFL Linebacker Perc Alexander, and Senator Franklin Johnson, are avoiding the requests for interviews and instead doing their jobs, making the rest of us wonder just why they are so reluctant to let their voices be heard. Someone must have known the right strings to pull though because Officer McKenna Largo has agreed to a live interview on Good Morning America this week. I'm sure half the world will be tuned in to hear from her own mouth just what killing a man with her claws was like, not to mention her sudden fame. ~ TNN News Anchor

McKenna pushed back the fear, the clawing need to not be like her mother, forcing a smile on her face. "Doesn't matter, maybe just a weird ESP-like thing I got. We have a job to do, dinner this evening, call movers and then swing by my place to get stuff. I'll worry about this later. If it doesn't come back, nothing to worry about." She kept her tone light, even as she chewed over the symbols and made mental notes in her head, now even more terrified about writing it down.

JD looked like he didn't believe her, but before he could comment, a call came in. The rest of the shift went that way, too busy to let them discuss this, and yet quiet enough she didn't have to worry about getting more attention. At a quick lunch break, she'd called the movers, and they agreed to meet her at the place this evening, giving her just enough time to check out, run to her place, sign things with the movers and then make it to dinner with Toni. If nothing went wrong, of course.

"McKenna," Anne's voice caught her just as she turned in the last of her reports, and she couldn't stop the flinch as she halted and faced Anne.

"Oh, stop it. This isn't a death sentence." Anne snapped, her voice sharp.

McKenna just looked at her, her face blank.

"Okay, maybe it is, but too bad. Fine print of your employment contract. Here's the address of the studio, it's in Sacramento, and you need to be there by five am, in regular uniform. The test will be here all day, so others can take it, but you two will take it the second you walk back in. And if this goes well don't be surprised if you get some more attention." Before McKenna could even start the smart-ass remark on the tip of her tongue, Anne cut her off. "And no, that isn't permission to blow the interview. The eyes of the world are on you right now, don't screw up."

The amount of self-control she had to expend to not blow up and let loose all the words, the frustration, the fear that ate at her, left her shaking.

This is your job, just because it has aspects you didn't expect doesn't change that this is your job, the one you chose.

"Okay. I'll be there." There wasn't anything else she could say. Anne just nodded, handing her the paper, then turned and walked away.

"She knows you don't want to do this. But I bet her ass is getting chewed regularly." JD's comment seemed idle, but McKenna couldn't erase the look of stress that wreathed her features. In the last week Anne had aged at least a decade. It took the wind out of her anger sails and she slumped.

"Yeah. Come on. I'm crashing at a hotel tonight. I can't take the risk of not getting up tomorrow. If you let me drive, I'll dump you off here after dinner and movers and I'll just get a little closer to Sacramento. Make the morning less of a hassle."

A nod from JD and they headed to the car. He always looked so squished in her car, but he did fit - barely.

By five-thirty, having gotten off at four, and managing to escaped work by five, they pulled into her apartment. A dark-complected, whipcord thin man stood leaning against a car with the logo of 'We Move U' on the side, marking things down on a clipboard. He looked up as they pulled in, straightening as she got out, walking over to him.

"Ms. Largo?" McKenna nodded, and he flashed her a smile. "John Marks. I promise we'll get you packed and in storage with no issues."

She walked him to her apartment, packing two suitcases with quick efficiency as she listed out what to do, and he made notes. Fifteen minutes later, the price agreed upon, they were talking about how to meet to be let in when she heard Greg call from the front door.

"McKenna, are you sure about this?" he asked as he wrung his hands a bit, looking at her.

"I can't stay. Not after that, and it isn't worth the effort. I'm closing on a house, and this just forced some decisions on. Greg, can you meet these guys here at nine a.m. to let them pack and oversee everything? I'll be busy all day, but I need this done ASAP."

"Anything. And I'm waiving last month's rent. You'll see the money was returned to you in your checking account." His smile had a little coldness to it. "And all the other renters will find their rent has gone up by fifty dollars."

Part of her felt like she should protest, but she didn't. Some things were an odd sort of karma.

Ten minutes later, her bags packed with everything she would need over the next few weeks, including her computer, Kindle, and her headphones, they moved back to the car and to Markey's.

They had both changed at the station, and part of her wondered at the pair they made walking in, wearing kilts. Something not common outside a ren faire. But at this point she didn't care. It made her feel a bit more in charge of her life, and she'd be damned if she gave it up just because some fashion police wannabe had an issue with it.

Even though they were there about ten minutes early, Toni waited for them, sitting in the little waiting area, her face lit up with a real smile as they walked in, tilting her head a bit as she saw the kilts. The image of a paw flashed in her vision, slower this time, and McKenna locked her smile into place trying not to react at all.

"Hey, I'm so glad you texted me, McKenna." She rose as they walked in and flashed that same bright smile at JD moving over to him and holding out her hand. "I'm Toni. We really didn't get to meet last time."

McKenna watched with amusement as a light flush rose in his cheeks as he took Toni's hand. "Hey. I was at Jeff's funeral. But not exactly a good time to remember people."

Toni made a face, but McKenna caught the flash of sorrow in her dark eyes. "No, it wasn't. All I got that day was a sea of blue and sore hands. But thanks. Come on, I'm starving and I've got to work in two hours."

The hostess seated them, and McKenna looked at Toni. "So where are the kids?"

"At home, probably driving Carina crazy." Toni choked at the look JD and McKenna gave her. "Sorry. I have a pretty big house, it was my parents', and Jeff and I lived there, four bedrooms, three baths, a den, and a small back yard. When I realized I needed to go back to work, a friend of the family told me about Carina who was going to college but needed a cheap place to stay. Her parents and mine were friends, so I knew her kinda. She gets two rooms and her own bathroom for living and studying, and she watches Jessi and Jamie in the evenings and is there at night while I work. It's worked out great and at this point she's more like a big sister than anything else. I'd never be able to pull this off otherwise."

They ordered, and silence fell as the server left. McKenna shifted, suddenly awkward, searching for something to say.

"I have to ask. What's with the kilts?" Toni said into the silence. JD and McKenna glanced at each other and broke up in laughter, leaving Toni sitting there looking at them like she wasn't sure if she should run or not.

Coughing, McKenna picked up her water, and they calmed down, fighting back the occasional hiccup of laughter.

"You explain, JD. It's all your fault anyhow." As she listened to him explain, McKenna thought about the symbols and fastened them into her memory, trying to make sure she could tell all the differences.

Food came out and conversation turned to her incident at the apartment.

"Oh, that doesn't make me happy." Toni looked actively worried as she tore apart a piece of bread.

McKenna tilted her head, oddly aware of the scent change from Toni. She itched her nose to try to dispel it. "Why? Are you having issues at work?"

"No, most people don't know I changed. My name ended up as a casual mention, not pointing out that I turned into the jaguar caught on film. No, more worried about the kids. They keep changing at school." She shivered a bit. "The school has been calling me, and usually I can get them to change back, but already some parents have complained, and the kids can't understand why everyone is so upset. They firmly believe this is the best thing ever. And I don't want to make it into something taboo, but if it happens again, the school is going to throw a fit. I'm trying to put it to them like stripping naked. You just don't do it at school."

JD snorted. "True. But aren't there other kids that shifted too?"

"I've only heard of one other, but that's just at this school. Not like they're sending letters home to parents telling them. I know 'cause Jessi said she saw a wolf the other day running from a teacher. At this point I'm assuming if I see a wild animal at the school, it's a kid."

"Probably a safe assumption. I mean I'm going to be more hesitant with a wolf, but still, if they aren't looking freaked out or are huge, I'm going to assume it's probably a person. Can't afford to think otherwise. But I'm missing something, why does what happened to me worry you about your kids?"

Toni flashed McKenna a wry smile. "If you think your neighbors overreacted, you've never seen the PTA in action. This means at some point I expect to see any and all the following: separate school for shifter kids, demand they are pulled out of public schools, cries to have a shifter-only classrooms set up, the word muzzle at some point, and some sort of indicator that this child shifts so other kids are warned." By this point the bread had become a pile of crumbs on her plate and she pushed it away with a sigh. "Oh well, I can't deal with it until it happens. I suppose I should have expected that. People always fear what they don't know." Toni shook her head and looked at the two of them. "So normal shifts for the rest of the week? I didn't see anything today like that lion thing yesterday."

McKenna groaned, and JD snorted, leaving Toni glancing at the two of them again.

"Okay spill, what's up this time?"

The whole story with the lion, the interview, and everything else tumbled out, JD much more amused than McKenna.

"Eeww. Yeah, I get the not being excited about the TV stuff. But look at this way," her smile was lopsided, pausing a bit as they were served their food, "as long as you're up there being all perfect, it gives me ammo to not penalize my kids and try to keep them out of school. And lets me know maybe I can enjoy this too."

McKenna blinked as she looked at Toni and slowly grinned. "Thank you. That's the best reason I've heard all week to put up with this stuff. I've been reminding myself it's my job, but proving to others that this is just a new skill and no reason to treat people different is a much better reason."

Toni laughed. "Glad I could help. But I need to eat. I'm both starving and need to get out of here soon to get to work. And you have a long day tomorrow. Good luck?"

McKenna grinned wryly. "I'll be happy if it's a boring day, and they decide not to air any of it."

JD and Toni lifted their glasses in a toast, and they focused on eating, and becoming friends.

They parted with waves, and McKenna felt for the first time in a long time, she might have started down the path to having a female friend.

"You sure about staying the night in a hotel?" JD asked as they pulled into the parking lot, his Hummer hunkered in the corner like a looming beast.

"Yeah, you don't have your spare room ready, I really don't want to sleep on the couch before dealing with this. There's a hotel about five miles from you, want to just pick  me up there and I'll drive down? "

He wrinkled his nose, looking at the cramped inside of her car. "I'll drive. Just in case."

McKenna huffed. "If someone wasn't a giant, this car wouldn't seem so small."

JD flashed her a smile as he got out. "Nope, would still be small. I'll pick you up at 3:30?"

She shuddered at that time but nodded. "That works, bring coffee. It'll take me longer to get ready than you."

The usual joke didn't come back at her, he just nodded and slid out of the car. "Will do. Night, Kenna."

He closed the door before she could respond. Feeling lonelier than ever, she drove to a nearby hotel, checked in, and then started to figure out what she needed tomorrow to look presentable.

Please let all this be worth it in the end.

Chapter 24 - Show Time

Businesses catering specifically to those who can shift are popping up everywhere. A new social media site called Furspace is gaining popularity. But it isn't alone. Plus a dating app called Shifted, allows you to filter by animal, so you can get dates with only those who are the same type as you. While the numbers of two percent seem to be holding strong, it is suspected there are a lot of people who are hiding from the animal within. In other news, research on what caused this worldwide phenomenon is in full swing, and preliminary results are expected in the next few days. ~ TNN News Anchor

The alarm blared at McKenna, signaled the arrival of her day from hell. It provided a welcome distraction from her dreams. Dreams full of Hollywood movie creatures, scenes from alien worlds, and those strange symbols as patches on shoulders. Waking, even in a strange hotel room at two-thirty a.m., proved a relief from the emotions the images generated.

Taking a few deep breaths to clear her mind, she levered herself out of bed and started to get ready. She'd laid everything out the night before, so she didn't need to dig for anything. Thirty minutes later, showered, dressed in a pressed uniform, hair in a neat French braid, and the lightest touch of make-up, she grabbed what she'd brought in and headed down to check out. It didn't make any sense to stay when she had no idea what the day would bring, and a hotel closer to the station would be more practical at that point.

Walking out the door, she saw JD pulling up in his Hummer. His window slid down as he pulled up.

"Perfect timing. You mind if we toss my bags in the back? I don't want to leave them here in case my car gets broken into."

"No problem." He hopped out, the engine still idling and tossed her bag in the back. With her car locked up tight, McKenna climbed into the front passenger seat.

The fragrance of coffee filled her nose as she shut the door.

"You're forgiven for all the bad things I've ever thought about you," McKenna stated as she grabbed a cup and took a long sip of his offering.

"Sure, you say that now, until the next time I annoy you."

"Of course, you're only as good as your next cup of coffee." He pulled out and onto the freeway, empty at this hour of the morning. "I can't believe they want us there at five a.m."

"They want you there at this awful hour. I'm just refusing to let you go alone." He sounded like he tried to be light and flippant but worry coated the back of his tone.

"Thanks. Really." She shifted from the topic, not wanting to dwell on another interview. "So what did you think of Toni?"

She saw his hands tighten on the steering wheel, and when he spoke his voice had dropped two octaves.

"Kenna, if you're trying to set me up with Toni, I swear by my badge I will never speak to you again, and ask for an immediate transfer." There wasn't an ounce of humor in his voice.

"What? Wait, NO!" the words burst out as she spun in her seat so fast she almost dumped coffee on herself. "No, not at all, no way, I would not do that to you. Ever. I just meant, she seems really nice, and since both her kids change she might like to come with us on another mountain trip. No setting up, never occurred to me, at all. She's just, well, funny, smart, and sarcastic. Of course, I'd like you to like her." She almost babbled in her haste to convince him. "Really, I just don't have any female friends, and I wanted my best friend to like her."

JD's hands relaxed, and his body let go of the tension. "I'm your best friend? Okay." He cleared his throat not looking at her. "No, I liked her. The conversation intrigued me, and I'm going to be watching a bit more closely at what's going on in the schools. I think it would be fun, and I suspect the kids would be a hoot to watch in the woods."

"Yeah, cool. Thanks." McKenna fell silent, frowning a bit, and shooting glances at her partner. "Did you really think I'd do that to you, in such an underhanded way? I mean I'd set you up if I found someone I thought you'd like and was worthy of you, but I'd be a hell of a lot more blunt about it."

He blew out a breath, silence draping over the interior like the San Francisco fog. "No, I guess not. I jumped to a conclusion when you asked me what I thought."

She snorted and focused on her coffee. "No biggie, but I won't ever do anything like that. Ever."

"Thanks," the word held a wealth of pain, and she decided at that point to just be silent, never a bad choice in her life. Instead she focused on the images, the strange dream she had, and worried about what her superiors were going to do with her next. The temptation to blow the interview so badly they never asked her to do anything again still floated in the back of her mind. But Toni's words about her kids wouldn't stop echoing in her mind. Besides, she'd never be able to live with herself if she did less than her best.

Companionable silence kept them company until they neared their destination with about fifteen minutes to spare. Security waited for them and waved them through, then escorted them to the studio where they would be filming.

A woman, a few years older than McKenna, walked over to them, a black headset stark against her dark blond hair in a pixie cut. "I'm Helen Adams, director. You must be Officers Largo and Davidson. Thanks for being on time. We need to get you into makeup and then we can get you into the studio. The hosts will be here in about another ten minutes. Is there anything I can get you? We have almost anything you would like." She kept up a steady stream of chatter as she ushered them into a room where ten people waited, and a dizzying array of cosmetics and other beauty instruments lay waiting for them.

"But I put on makeup," McKenna protested even as she was ushered into a chair.

"And I don't wear makeup," JD said, holding up his hands and trying to back up away from the approaching makeup artists.

Helen replied with an amused tone. "You do now. If we don't you look half dead on camera and that completely ruins the effect we are going for, of upstanding heroes."

McKenna found herself in a chair and her face and hair being redone, and the only way to get out of it seemed to be physical violence, so she subsided and suffered. In the mirror she saw JD come to the same conclusion and they both suffered. Powder, foundation, lipstick, her hair redone, all with a speed and artistry and that made her just sit frozen.

Helen appeared in the reflection behind her. "You look great. Come on, you two, time to be the star of the show." McKenna kept her emotions off her face and stood and followed her, JD close behind.

The smiling face of the host, Melinda White, greeted them on the huge TV screen as they walked into a little room, her perfect smile scary at this scale. "Okay you two, just wait here, and once we have the audience in and seated, you'll be ushered in by me. Take the seat we point at and remember this is supposed to be fun." Helen flashed them both a smile and rushed away as another young man came up.

"Would you like some coffee? Tea? Something to eat?"

She and JD glanced at each other, then in one voice, "Coffee and protein?"

The young man tilted his head, then a smile flashed across his face. "Ah, yeah, you don't have to worry about the camera non-stop. Sorry, don't normally get real people here. Give me a few." He disappeared as fast as he showed up.

"I'm really worried that eating food makes us real people."

"I'm more worried about an entire group who regards real people as something unusual," JD responded, his eyes still looking out the door. He hadn't bothered to sit in any of the chairs, they weren't made for his bulk.

Before they could say anything else the young man hustled back in. He came back holding two cups of coffee and a largish bag. "Here you two go, you've got about ten minutes before you'll be called. Please don't spill. I put sugars and creams in the bag. Enjoy."

Before either of them could respond he had disappeared through the door. McKenna set her coffee down and opened the bag, then grinned. There were two bagel sandwiches, with sausage, egg, and cheese piled onto the bagels. Along with little creams and sugars in the bottom of the bag. They both inhaled the food, sighing with relief as it hit.

"We're going to have to prioritize food a bit more, I think," she muttered as she carefully finished the last few bites, trying to make sure she didn't destroy the work of the studio people.

"I'm getting that feeling. Coffee until lunch isn't cutting it." He frowned, and she thought he had an idea but before he said anything Helen came striding in.

"All right, let's get you on stage." A smile on her face and McKenna felt the food curdle in her stomach and wished she hadn't eaten.

Both taking one last gulp of coffee they followed Helen out onto the sound stage, where the recognizable hosts were sitting chatting, and the audience was all talking. People fell silent as they walked in and Helen directed them to a chair.

"Smile and relax," were her last words before she headed back off the stage, leaving McKenna trying not to panic at all the eyes looking at her.

"And we are on in five, four," someone off stage began to count and she felt her pulse begin to race as her fingers sank into the armrest of the chair.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine." Melinda White whispered, even as her co-host John Richmond winked at them, then the hosts turned to the camera with a bright red light on top of it, wide bright smiles on their faces. The other cameras shifted and followed.

"Two, and action." The voice dropped to a whisper at that last bit, and the audience fell silent, watching her, it felt like.

"Welcome to a special edition of Good Morning, USA," Melinda said in an overly perky voice that had McKenna cringing. "We have special guests here this morning that I'm sure you'll recognize. Please join me in welcoming Officer McKenna Largo and Officer Joseph Davidson." McKenna felt JD flinch at the use of his name, and the bubble of amusement helped. "As I'm sure everyone knows, Officer Largo featured in the video that first showed shifters to the world." Melinda turned those bright blue eyes and perfect cap of blond hair to face them, the smile more predatory than what McKenna had seen in her own mirror. "Welcome, Officer Largo, to our show."

The raptor focus of the audience kicked every instinct she had into flight or fight, and the flight option ranked high in her personal preference. Instead, with a calm coolness she didn't really have, she smiled and responded. "Please call me McKenna. Most of the time when people are calling me officer, either it's my boss or someone who's about to get a ticket."

Melinda responded with another wide fake grin, and McKenna wondered why people bought it.

"Well, McKenna, I'm sure you've seen the video many times. What can you tell us about your thought process as you attacked those two men as a cat?" The chirpy pleasantness almost masked the innuendos inherent in her statement.

"Actually, I've only seen it once. Seeing yourself strip down naked on camera is only pleasant for actors, I believe." The audience let lose a soft gasp, but she kept her smile fixed on her face. "As to my thought process? I focused on protecting the child by any means necessary. Given that my tools had been removed, I used what was available."

Melinda's smile dimmed a bit, but she cranked it back up. "So have you found any difference in your sex life since you've become a cat?" The salacious remark garnered sharp intakes of breath from the audience.

This time McKenna let her smile slip and growled. "What is it with people and asking me about sex? I don't know, I don't want to know. At this time I'm celibate, not that it's anyone's business. I've been focused on dealing with these changes to my life and trying to do my job well, not seeing what life as a real furry is like." She almost regretted it as soon as she said it, but the widening of the host's eyes and John Richmond's snort of laughter made it worth it.

"McKenna," John said, trying to keep his lips from twitching as Melinda tried to regain her footing, "what are your thoughts about some of the segregation efforts in schools at this time?"

"Don't." Her voice flat, still trying to fight down the annoyance at the stupid sex questions. JD choking silently next to her didn't help at all.

"Could you elaborate?" he prodded. "I see you don't have children, but isn't there more to consider than don't segregate?"

"I don't have kids, but I have a friend with two children that do shift. And they're the same kids they were before. Segregation is only going to lead to an 'us versus them' environment and create a divide where there doesn't need to be one. At this time, I don't know of any issues that would justify that sort of change. Heck, while I know they think it's going to be identified as a virus, they haven't said if it's spreadable, and if it turns out it is, well, then we'll have something else to consider. But for now," she shrugged, "they're kids. Don't worry about the fact that when they get naked they tend to grow fur."

The ripple of laughter through the audience didn't make her feel good. But she figured the laughter encouraged acceptance as opposed to something else, something darker.

"Do you think this has impacted your ability to do your job?" John asked, as McKenna got the feeling Melinda was sulking.

"Impacted? No. Affected, yes." John made a go on indication with his hands, and she fought to figure out how to say this. "I'm more recognizable, and that's letting people create snap judgments of me based on what they think they know. But it also has allowed me to create connections where there might not have been any before. So altered, but not impacted."

Melinda smiled and leaped in with a question. "You mentioned you were celibate, does that mean there is no special man in your life? Not even the handsome JD sitting next to you"?"

Her control failed and a groan slipped out, as JD choked a bit at the blatant lie that fell from Melinda's lips. Her mind raced as she tried to come up with an answer that wouldn't get her fired.

"And commercial."

She lifted her head to the sweetest words she had ever heard.

Thank the gods. Now to set them straight on what I will and will not answer.

Preparing herself for a fight, she turned, her mouth open, but a scream of rage and something else that she couldn't even assign a name to rang out though the studio. Her head jerked up to track to the sound even as she stood moving in the direction it had come from. Part of her noted JD up and moving too, but she didn't slow her head rotating until her eyes locked on a man rushing down the aisle, an object held high above his head even as he screamed, racing incredibly fast towards the stage and the two TV personalities frozen in horror.

McKenna's boots hit the floor as she moved to intercept, her mind calculating the angles before she even finished processing the thought, and she launched herself at the oncoming man. Her body tackled him in a textbook tackle. With barely a thought, she rolled with the motion, flipping up and over the man, pinning him beneath her as she wrenched the knife out of his hands and cuffed him all in one move.

Wide eyes darted up to look at JD who looked at her with the same expression she knew her face held.

What the hell was that? That move is not policy, I should have told him to freeze, and there was no way in the world I should have been able to pull that off.

They both set their faces into calm masks as McKenna started to read the man his rights, and all the people in the studio started to freak out. As she Mirandized him, JD moved over, and extracting a glove from one of his pouches, gingerly picked up the object the man had been holding. A long knife, a dagger more accurately, but not of metal, but of a black stone that glinted in the light.

"Is that seriously a knife made out of obsidian?" McKenna asked as she stood up slowly.

JD nodded as he turned it in his hand, then focused on the man gibbering at McKenna's feet. "Looks like it, and what is he saying? Is that Spanish?"

McKenna focused on the words but shook her head. "No, I don't know what it is. Sounds weird, but not Spanish."

They looked up to see security, local police, and the producer Helen all rushing at them and McKenna sighed. "At least I probably won't have to be on TV anymore."

After two hours of questioning, and the proof that the cameras had still been filming, and caught everything, backing up their testimony, they were finally allowed to leave. Their phones already had messages from Kirk, Marchant, and Holich, but at this point her patience had frayed to the point that she refused to answer them until she had eaten lunch. A big lunch.

"Isn't there a Brazilian steakhouse around here somewhere?" She asked as they walked to the exit, escorted by security who looked at them sideways as they passed.

"Sure, sounds good. Nice, quiet, and maybe we can talk." JD shot her a look and she gave a sharp nod, knowing he wanted to ask about that takedown, but neither of them said anything else.

The door was held open for them as they walked into a crowd of people, more reporters, and who knew who else.

One of the security people spoke up. "We'll walk you to your car." JD pointed where they parked, and they moved towards it, giving half smiles and nods at the people surrounding them.

"Let me take a guess, the footage got leaked?" McKenna commented wryly, her voice low.

"Yes, ma'am," one guard said, his face blank.

"Great." She turned her head to scan the crowd, a bad feeling creeping up her spine.

"McKenna, look out!" JD's shout had her turning too late, and two needle pricks hit her neck, then lighting coursed through her body. She opened her mouth to scream, but the cat took over, sweeping upwards and out of her, the pin pricks popping away as she faced the crowd, the cat in full control.

"Kenna!" The voice sounded familiar, safe, and she lunged towards the voice, the friend, only to trip on things binding her legs, her arms, and another shout, then pain blossomed in her side, and it all went dark.

Chapter 25 - Avoiding Tests

Violence against shifters, or those who have publicly admitted to being able to shift is on the rise. A few riots in some areas of the world where people were killed. At least three reported instances of people who shifted being killed by their neighbors. In Egypt, safe zones have been created by the government for shifters. An interesting side note from Africa, there are multiple reports of people who shifted becoming the leaders of their people, and in some cases being worshiped as gods. Which might not be as far from the truth as we would like to believe if more information about the healing abilities is proven. ~ TNN World News

Pain rippled through McKenna, and she tried to move away from it, but it followed her like a bad dream. Everything felt weird, heavy, and she tried to lift her head the pain spiked higher, making her cry out.

"Kenna, can you hear me? Kenna, listen to me."

JD, I'm not alone. What happened?

The relief cooled the pain, and she stopped struggling as much, if JD talked to her, it meant everything would be okay.

A heavy weight landed on her arm, but it didn't feel right, that wasn't where her arm lay, was it?

I need to see, why can't I see?

The thought forced her mind to clear, and she figured out how to get her eyes open. She saw a sea of feet and legs, all well away from her, and slightly out of focus. McKenna blinked, trying to get her eyes to clear, and it didn't work, everything stayed out of focus.

Oh, I'm a cat. Why am I a cat? I haven't changed in days. Did I mean to change? Why do I hurt? I never hurt before or after I changed.

The thoughts tumbled over each other as she tried to remember what happened after they walked out of the studio, but she couldn't pull the pieces together.

"Kenna, listen to me. You shifted into a cat. I need you to shift back. Can you do that? Can you become human? We need to treat you for the gunshot." His voice remained calm, but the scents of fear and worry surrounded her nose.

I got shot? What the hell?

JD's homely mug appeared in her vision, his cheek laying almost on the ground.

"There you are." He smiled, and she recognized relief on his face. "Kenna, I need you to go human. The paramedics can't help you as a cat. I need you to shift back. Can you do that?"

She blinked at him, then closed her eyes, trying to focus. The cat fought wanting to lash out, to protect, but she pushed it back, soothing it mentally, and thought of her body, her shape, the way it felt, and felt her bones and muscles move back into their familiar alignment.

"Oh, thank you." JD's fervent whisper rocked her, and she opened her eyes again to see him standing. "She's back, get her lifted up and in that bus." His voice cracked like a whip, and McKenna turned her head trying to see, to track what had happened.

How the hell did I get shot?

McKenna tried to speak, but she felt herself being turned, and looked up into two worried faces in uniforms. The sound of worried voices surrounded her. Sudden exhaustion swept through her, and she just wanted to close her eyes and go back to the darkness.

"Kenna, don't you dare pass out. Listen to me." JD loomed in front of her again, ignoring protests from the EMTs. "You need to focus. The bullet went into your chest as a cat, and I have no idea where it means the bullet landed in your human body. Looks like you get to be partially naked in public again."

Hands were pulling open her clothes and a spike of pain went through her again, but she swallowed the cry, focusing on JD. The pain cut through the fog in her brain, and she ignored the fingers probing into her chest.

"What happened?" Even in a whisper it came out harsh, demanding.

"Some lunatic in the crowd hit you with a taser and you shifted. In the ensuing panic," his voice got bitter and harsher than she'd ever heard him, "one of the idiotic security guards drew his gun and shot you."

She heard a muffled whine and tilted her head in that direction. One of the guards lay on the ground, no one touching him, blood running from his nose as he held his jaw.

"I might have decked him," JD's voice definitely resembled a growl, and she choked back laughter, and even that little movement made her body ripple in pain.

"Hold still, dammit," one of the EMTs cursed, and she looked at them. "Get her belt off, give her weapon to her partner." They were fighting with her uniform. Because of the interview, while they had worn weapons, they hadn't put on their bulletproof vests.

"Dammit," she cussed as pain spiked as her belt slid off, and they ripped the shirt open, exposing, she knew, her beige bra to the people who were certain to be filming this. "Oh well, maybe people will send me money to buy La Perla," she muttered as she tried not to move as they poked at the wound. It still hurt but compared to the pain it had been it seemed less.

An EMT snorted. "Dream on, that shit is expensive."

McKenna laughed as fought against the urge to pull away from the pain. The need to look around and find the perp that tased her kept making her jerk her head.

"Who tased me? Why?" she asked, more to distract herself than anything else.

"Don't know. Male, I think. He got away in the chaos after you shifted." JD stood near her, and she saw him constantly moving his head looking, bristling aggression.

"Dammit, how the hell is this possible?" An EMT muttered, and her head jerked up.

"What?" Her voice sharp.

"You've started to heal, but the bullet is lodged deep inside because the wound started to close around the channel. You're still bleeding, but now they'll have to cut it open to get it out." The EMT looked at her, half scared, half serious. "Remember that in the future. If you shift you heal, and it will lock it inside. And trust me, you don't want a bullet to stay in you. They're usually filthy, especially if they drug fabric into the wound with them." He turned and nodded to JD. "We need to get her to the hospital, they're going to have to cut it out, and I have no idea where it lodged. She won't bleed to death, but it could be someplace dangerous where if the bullet moves she dies." He turned a serious gaze on her. "Largo, listen to me. I know it hurts, but the bleeding has stopped. The wound looks like it happened about five hours ago. But I can't tell if you are bleeding internally, or the path of the bullet. Your shifting twisted it. We need an X-ray, and you need to get it out. So quit fussing, let your partner do his job." The words were said even as they hoisted her on a gurney and fastened her in.

"Fine, fine. JD, call the station. And…" she paused for a moment then shrugged. "Call Toni, let her know?" Jostling caused her to close her eyes in pain, pain that felt different. "I think I might be about to pass out."

The world went black, and no matter what the voice said, she sank into the abyss.

Chapter 26 - Hospitals

Information has filtered out about an important aspect to shifting. There are a few people with damaged spines that were affected by the ability to shift. Their spines repaired, and when they moved back into a human form, the damage was gone. Further research conducted by medical doctors being presented in an article for a medical journal implies that flesh wounds will heal completely. However, if the bone is broken and not aligned correctly when the shifting happened it will heal incorrectly, requiring the bone to be broken again to heal correctly. It seems at least for a few people the ability to shift is definitely a blessing. The news cuts away to follow a man who is walking again after being paralyzed for the last year from the neck down after an accident. ~ TNN News

Flickering images, bright lights, people with masks leaning over her, JD's voice, an overly sweet taste that took away her cares, then she found herself awake in a hospital room, with Holich talking quietly to JD. They both turned as she croaked out, "Wha happ'n?"

JD moved over to her, putting ice in her mouth which helped a lot. She closed her eyes, trying to marshal her energy, but hunger clawed at her insides.

"Hey, don't talk." His voice remained low, and for a minute she just listened, unable to even form thoughts. "They had to operate, because of where the bullet was in relation to your heart. They had to come in from the side and remove it. It had nicked your liver and was in danger of moving to impact your heart. They got it out and sealed it up. You should be fine. The docs said they think if you shifted it would heal faster, but they want to give you a day or so to make sure nothing else happens."

She nodded, trying to figure out how to explain the starvation clawing at her insides. "'Kay," slipped from her mouth and she licked her lips, trying to focus.

"Kenna, what's wrong?" JD leaned close, and Holich filled her field of vision as she tried to articulate the clawing need that shredded her mind and body.

"Starving," the word came out cracked and broken. Anne furrowed her brow, but JD paled.

"Oh shit." He looked at her IV, gray skin, and he paled. "This isn't good. Give me a minute." He started to turn, but Anne stopped him.

"What's wrong? You always wake up after surgery hungry. They'll let her have some Jell-O and stuff soon."

"She got tased, she shifted, got shot, then shifted back, and burned thousands of calories. She needs massive amounts of calories, like now. Let me get a nurse and a doctor in here." He left before Anne could stop him. She turned to look at McKenna, frowning.

"I saw you eat before, is it that serious?"

Hunger and the cat clawed at her brain, the cat desperate to eat and to lick her wound, the odd feelings caused a wave of dizziness and she fought to swallow past the desert in her throat.

"Don't know. Usually eat immediately after… How long since shot?" The words were scratchy and raw, and Anne offered her some more ice, which she took gratefully.

"Between surgery and your recovery, it's been about fourteen hours. It's almost eleven."

She tried to get her mind to click, that meant all she had was that bagel in the last thirteen or so hours. She tried to sit up, but the movement caused a fresh wave of pain, and Anne lunged forward.

"Don't do that, they had to cut you open to get to the bullet. You need to lay there and rest."

McKenna wanted to protest, needing to move, to shift, to eat. Everything beat at her making it harder to think. Voices in the hallway pulled her attention away from her own issues, and JD stormed in followed by a nurse and a doctor.

"I don't care what you're babbling. She can't eat for another few hours, until we've made sure everything is sealed. A human can go for a while without eating, it won't kill her."

"You are not listening to me. She shifted, that burns thousands of calories, she needs the food before her body starts to cannibalize itself."

The doctor, an older man with silvery hair and glasses, peered over his glasses at JD. "That is all supposition, none of this has been studied. She'll be fine."

McKenna raised her arm meaning to get their attention, and moaned as a fresh wave of pain hit her again.

"Dammit, now you've agitated her," the nurse snapped and reached forward, pushing a button on the machine connected to her IV. "There, I dumped in some more morphine that will put her sleep and lower the pain. I'll see if she can have some Jell-O in a few hours."

"Oh, no," JD muttered, and McKenna looked up at him as she felt the burning in her veins from the drugs.

She'd had morphine before and remembered a pleasant heaviness like a weighted vest over her. But this time it attacked, sleep and numbness spreading through her, and the cat fought back. She arched in the bed as she fought the drugs, screaming as the wound tore open. It was too much, and the cat surged forward snarling, attacking the tube feeding the drugs into her body.

"Kenna!" The shout pulled at her, and she looked for the friend, and JD loomed in front of her as she thrashed in the bed, pain pulling at her as she moved. A high whine escaped, and she turned to look at the wound in her side, bleeding sluggishly. Driven by instincts and needs she couldn't understand she licked at it, tasting the bad drugs in the wound, antiseptics, and other tastes that were wrong in her blood.

Screams and shouts made her look up and snarl, knowledge fighting with the need to run, hide, and heal.

"EVERYONE OUT!" JD's bellow made her curl up, ears back, snarling at the chaos, unable to find an escape.

"Get those damn idiots out of here, now, Holich. Then go down to the cafeteria and get all the meat you can carry, cheese, anything protein or fat-based. Hell, I don't care if it's raw at this point, as long as it's not frozen. GO!" He bodily shoved everyone out of the room, his bulk allowing no argument. McKenna twitched an ear as a part of her laughed. JD never cussed, ever.

If he's cussing, am I dying?

Shutting the door, he jammed the door wedge under it with a vicious kick, then taking a deep breath and turned and looked at her. McKenna snarled, but it wasn't anger, it was a mix of pain, fear, needs she couldn't understand, and her ability to push it down and act calm had vanished.

"I'm so sorry, Kenna. I should have made them listen. Give me a minute, okay?" She hunched her shoulders and redirected her attention to the wound, licking it, hating the tastes that coated her tongue. Part of her winced in disgust, but it soothed her, even as she tracked his movements with twitches of her ears and darted looks.

Going over to the closet in the room, he pulled out two blankets and made a nest out of them, then added pillows along the side. She paused in her licking, her two essences agreed that his actions were interesting. He stood, moving over to her.

"Kenna, will you let me pick you up, carry you over there?" He stood waiting, and she glanced at the distance. Her instincts told her she could leap that without effort, her wound and pain made her reluctant to.

She pulled away from the wound and nodded. His large arms slipped under her, lifting her body with ease.

I'm never going to be able to tease him about weight lifting again.

The thought made her whiskers twitch, but then she had to focus on not reacting as even his gentle action caused pain to lance through her. But in a moment he had settled her down on the floor. She pawed at the blankets, turned once, then curled up in them, the movements slow, but it felt good to be nearer the ground, and then he slid down to the floor next to her. His heavy hand lay gently on her shoulder as he sat next to her unconcerned about the claws and teeth. That attitude made her feel even safer, and she relaxed trying to put together why the cat reacted differently from herself.

"I'm sorry, Kenna. I should have stopped them. Though I'll admit to you, this worries me. I know you're in there. But it seems when you change without your conscious choice, the animal is in control, reacting. That isn't good, but I think we'll be fine." Absently his hand ran down her back and over her ribs.

"Ack," he yanked his hand back and sighed. "Sorry, I know you aren't a cat, it's just instinct to pet fur, I guess."

She just hunched a little tighter, not wanting to admit how good it had felt, but the panic subsided, and she tried to figure out what happened. Something in her fought the drugs and forced her to change. She had not even considered changing, but the cat took over in a wild panic over the drugs flooding her system. Why? Surely, they had given her the drugs before, why now did the cat fight?

All I have is more questions. Hell, one of the questions is, do I still have a job at this point?

Before she could spiral too hard into that mess of stress a thudding sound came from the door. JD got up and walked over.

"Yes?"

"I've got the food."

The words had her head jerking up, and then a whine slipped out as the movement pulled at the wound.

JD pulled out the wedge and opened the door to reveal Anne holding a large stock pot, with a bag hanging from her wrist. "They were making pot roast. I cleaned them out of everything meat-based even if they protested about the well-doneness of it. And I've got cheese and some bread here, I noticed earlier your human forms didn't mind, and I've seen my cats eat weird stuff."

"I doubt she'll care right now. The meat and cheese are full of calories, and I think that's what she needs." He hesitated, then admitted, "I hope I'm right, I'm just guessing here."

McKenna had already pushed to her feet, mouth watering as the scents pulled saliva from her, as her claws extended, digging into the blankets.

"I don't think she cares. Here." Anne handed him the stock pot, and he turned to see McKenna standing there, eyes on the pot.

"Me, either," he muttered as he sat it in front of her.

All thoughts fled as she stuck her head in the pot and grabbed a mouthful of meat. The flavors exploded, and she tore a piece off, swallowed, and tore another piece off. The next ten minutes were spent stuffing food into her system as fast as she could tear and swallow, fighting with herself to make sure the chunks she tore off were small enough to swallow.

The pot was empty, and she slumped a bit, but the gnawing hunger had left. She stepped back into her nest, turning once, then curling to lick at the wound, but it had healed more and was only an open raw spot.

"Here." JD's voice caused her to pull out of the now existence the cat created. He held out a chunk of cheese. With careful deliberation, she took it from his hand, chewing it, letting the rich fat coat her tongue. Apparently, she needed that because she ate everything he gave her until it was gone, then she tucked her head under her paw, trusting him to guard her, exhaustion pulled her down into a dreamless sleep.

Voices woke her, and she lifted her head to see JD talking to three people at the door. McKenna rose and stretched. It ached, but the pain of yesterday was gone.

"No, you aren't going to poke at her. Honestly, I'm still considering telling the police union to press charges. You know I'm her medical care advocate, and you didn't listen." His voice remained calm and even, but she recognized that unbending stance.

With both of them being single, and either no parents or estranged from them, they had made each other their legal medical advocates. In all the hours together they both knew what the other would want in any circumstance.

Moving with inherent catlike silence she bumped his leg, and he glanced down. "Feeling better?"

McKenna nodded, yawning. It felt good and had the added advantage of the people JD had been arguing with backing away nervously. A self-satisfied feeling ran through her.

"I got it, but you owe me. My credit card is starting to hurt." Anne's voice came through as she pushed through the people. She had two bags in her hands and the mouthwatering smell of bacon surrounded her.

"Now go away, I'm going to see to my partner as you obviously can't." He shut the door in protesting faces and leaned against it, his bulk as good a barricade as anything else in the room.

"I think you need to change back. Anne brought a ton of food. I looked at the wound while you slept, and it looks like days, if not weeks, have passed instead of less than twenty-four hours. And I'd really like to actually be able to talk to you again."

The urge to stay a cat whispered through her, but this not talking did suck, and she felt like she needed to be her again, there was the vague feeling of something else guiding her as a cat, and honestly it freaked her out.

She nodded and walked over behind the bed where the discarded gown she had wriggled out of earlier still lay. A deep breath and she called herself back, this time she had to fight for it. With effort, she pulled her sense of her human body into her mind and held it there. After a moment that lasted an eternity, she flowed back into herself, the cat grumbling, but subsiding. A surge of heat along her side accompanied the change, something she'd only noted the first time.

Wobbling a bit, she grabbed the gown, pulling it up. "At this rate I really need to get over any body modesty. I seem to spend half my time naked in front of people. And JD, we don't have that type of relationship." Her grouse had both JD and Anne smiling.

"How you feeling, Kenna?" He asked, moving forward.

"Hungry, but," she paused and pulled back the gown exposing where she had been cut. A red raised area where the bullet had gone in lay on her skin, above it a red slash where they had cut her open. She poked it, and it was tender, but it looked like it had healed for weeks, not hours. "How long was I asleep as a cat?"

"Only about six hours. It's just five a.m.," JD said, his eyes locked on the wound as she looked at him. "Bonus super powers?"

McKenna bit her lip and shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm not sure if this makes it better or worse."

"Both," Anne said dryly. "But on the bright side, I guess you don't need to take medical leave." She handed McKenna the bags of food. "Eat up, let's get the doctors in here, and then you have a test to take and superiors who want to talk to you."

The words killed her appetite. "Joy. I think being shot was better."

The other two snorted in agreement, and McKenna started to inhale the food.

Chapter 27 - Moving On Up

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After much protesting, taking two x-rays, and three vials of her blood, the hospital let her leave eight hours later. McKenna wasn't sure if the glares were from all the problems they caused, or her body not doing what they expected.

JD led the way to his Hummer as Holich told them she'd meet them back at the station. And she had emphasized that detours were not allowed.

"Want me to drive? Have you slept at all?" McKenna asked, looking at JD. The last twenty-four hours he'd been dealing with her shit, and she'd barely said thank you.

"You feel up to it?" He asked, turning to look at her, and she noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"Yes, actually. Whatever the shifting did when mixed with the food, I feel pretty good."

"And your side doesn't hurt?"

"Not really. A bit tender, like it's bruised or something, but that's it. Give me the keys, you look exhausted." McKenna held out her hand and was both relieved and worried when he dropped the keys in her hand. JD hated to let other people drive. It underscored how exhausted he must be. Guilt ate at her, but she couldn't lay the blame at her feet for this one.

Climbing in, she took a minute to adjust the seat so she could see correctly. Once buckled in she glanced and saw he already had his eyes closed and chair tilted back. With a soft smile she backed out and headed to the station. The sun peeked through the clouds revealing what would be a typical sunny warm California day. She tried to pull in the joy of having a day of beautiful weather and a job she loved, but it wouldn't come. The fear, questions, and confusion from the last few days clambered at her brain and made it impossible to talk.

Blowing out an annoyed sigh she hit the radio, wanting to see what she had missed in the last day. Harvey Klein's voice, a local talk show host, filled the car with his deep mellow sound.

"A few days ago the death of two college students raised some questions as the condition of their bodies didn't match what was known. However, the state just released the autopsy report, and their findings. The official cause of death is starvation. The supposition by the medical examiner is that a mixture of cocaine and LSD being used while they shifted back and forth caused their body to eat itself alive. So here is proof to the vague rumors filtering around the net, yes, shifting burns calories, and you can die if you don't eat. So moms, if your teenager tells you they're starving, maybe you shouldn't ask if they are doing drugs, but if they are shifting. The new questions for parents in this decade."

McKenna hit the power button and glanced over at JD. He snored lightly, oblivious to the world. "You probably saved my life. I owe you." Her words were soft but came from her soul.

The miles were eaten up by the big car, making her feel isolated from the world. Time to face the internal issues.

How the hell did I tackle that guy so perfectly, calculating exactly what to do? Why did the shift focus on healing the wound, how did my body know to spend energy there? And what are these symbols? And why only two percent of people? Why not more? Why almost all predators?

The questions twisted and turned, but she didn't have any answers, and one more question appeared.

Why the people who changed? Why did we succumb to the virus? We are all healthy, active, intelligent. Or is that the wrong question? Why did we get infected?

That question rocked her back on her mental heels and she twisted the idea even more as she drove, hyper alert to anyone following them. After the last few days, she didn't take anything for granted. But she saw nothing, and the Hummer prevented most other drivers from being aggressive to her, which was a good thing. Her temper rode a short leash right now, and it would burn away in an instant.

Nothing resolved for her on the drive, and as she pulled into the station, she just wondered how she would make this all work. So many things there were no policies or protocols for. The legal department must be having conniption fits every time they saw her name.

"Hey, we're here," she said in a normal voice as she shut off the car. JD's eyes flicked open, and he held still as he looked at everything, then relaxed and sat up in the chair.

"I see you didn't wreck my Hummer."

"Oh please, like people would let me hit them in this thing. They ran if I got too near."

He flashed a grin at her. "Exactly. Protection by intimidation. Works most of the time."

McKenna laughed as she climbed out and headed to the station, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that JD had grabbed from her clothes, she felt under-dressed and out of place. The fact that the jeans were loose on her hips didn't help at all, though a small part of her, the part that thought she was fat, clapped in glee. Annoyed and realizing her day had just begun, they walked into the station, and once again were met with silence. But just as she had stiffened her back to deal with it, someone started clapping, then another, and soon the entire station clapped, everyone looking at her with if not a smile, at least not a glare.

She stood there frozen, unsure until the desk sergeant growled at her, his version of a friendly voice, "You did good. Took down the idiot, didn't kill the idiot who tased you, and got shot through no fault of your own, and yet here you are. Hale and hardy, and ready to go back to work. That's what I call a dedicated officer. Now get your ass down to the conference room and take the damn test."

The station chuckled as the clapping died away, and she nodded her head in a half-thanks half-embarrassed gesture as she headed to the conference room with JD laughing softly behind her. The sounds at her back made her feel welcome and at home, something she hadn't felt here since the change. Sure, there were probably a few people that still had issues with it, but knowing her co-workers as a whole supported her, healed something deep inside, and helped to steel her spine.

Holich looked up as they walked in. "You don't look like you just got shot yesterday. Was starting to wonder if I'd imagined the whole damn thing, but the pile of paperwork on my desk proves I didn't." She gestured to the man sitting in the corner. "This is the union rep, he'll proctor the test since you missed it yesterday. Both of you sit, and I swear if you don't pass it, with flying colors I might add, I'm going to skin you both alive in your animal forms and use you as rugs." Her glare held amusement and seriousness, and McKenna swallowed and nodded, sinking down into the chair as JD took the other one across from her.

The proctor rattled off how much time they had, the rules and then told them to begin. McKenna opened the test and started answering questions. Time disappeared in the scratch of pencil on paper, and question after question. The last essay question loomed up at her, and she looked at it, reading it multiple times.

If you had to choose between being shot and allowing a child to be hurt, which would you choose? Explain your rationale and how you would handle the situation.

The question made no sense. There was no choice. Again, she reread it, looking for the catch and couldn't find it. With a shrug she started to write, wondering how anyone could ever answer for the child being hurt.

The last question done, she set down her pencil and looked up. Three hours had passed, and exhaustion from the traumatic day snuck up on her, and she closed her eyes as she waited for JD to finish. The scritching sound from JD's work acted as a lullaby as she waited, and she found herself dozing lightly, aware of what was going on but not paying active attention.

Everything kept moving fast, but if she slowed down, she knew she'd go careening out of control. She had to follow up on buying the house and see if the movers moved all her stuff as she'd been out of touch. Talk to Toni and let her know what happened. And find out why someone tased her, the shooting part at least she could comprehend. Not to mention the crazy guy with an obsidian knife. Who the heck used obsidian knives?

The click of a pencil being laid down pulled her out of her musing, and she came back to the real world to see JD looking at her, then turning his head to look at the proctor.

"We good?"

"Yes, Officer Largo finished a little bit ago." The man stood, collected their papers, checked them over quickly, then nodded. "Thank you. I'll turn them in."

With a sigh of relief she stood, stretched, and headed back out. Anne Holich stood in the hall waiting for them.

"Good, Kirk is waiting for you."

She bit back a moan, this so wasn't what she wanted to deal with. At this point she really hadn't processed what happened. It seemed like days ago, but she knew it had barely been twenty-four hours. Her feet felt like they had Velcro on the bottom as they walked towards Kirk's office, JD behind her. She could tell from his pace he wasn't any more excited than she was.

Heading to what she knew would be their doom, McKenna just tried to figure out what she could be in trouble for, but drew a blank. Giving into the inevitable, she knocked on Kirk's office door.

"Come in." His voice clear and calm, and at this point she'd take any advantage she could get. She pushed open the door, stepping in a bit.

"You wanted to see us, Captain?" While she still thought he was an ass, his comments the other day had raised her opinion of him, at least a bit. Who knew, he could always lower it again.

"Largo, Davidson, come on in, take a seat." Kirk said with a wry smile on his face, and waved at the two chairs. His office presented the opposite picture of Holich's tiny office. Large, spacious, but even McKenna couldn't say he didn't work. The desk had piles of paper, his computer screen showed an email inbox that looked worse than hers at home. His hair had been ruffled more than usual, and he had shadows under his eyes that rivaled Holich's. Her stomach clenched as she wondered how much of that pointed back to her.

She started to sit, but Kirk stopped her. "Not to be inappropriate, but would you mind showing me where you were shot?" His voice stayed flat, and she couldn't read anything into it.

"No." She lifted the side of the shirt exposing her side, and the red marks where the bullet and subsequent surgery had broken the skin.

"I heard, I didn't know if I believed." He shook his head. "Sorry, please sit."

McKenna sank into the chair, and JD took the one next to him.

"You seem to attract strange situations like ants to a picnic," he said, his voice wry as he looked at them. "But so far everything we've looked at you've handled with professionalism and grace that I don't think I could have pulled off. But be that as it may, you are one of the most recognizable people in the world at this moment."

She flinched, closing her eyes. Fame had never been a goal of hers and having it didn't make her feel anything but revulsion.

"I'm sorry, Captain." And to her own bemusement, she actually was sorry. The headache she must be causing them had to be incredible. "Do you need me to resign?"

"Gods no," the words burst out of Kirk before the echo of her own words had faded.

The words made her jerk back a bit, and JD stiffened at the same time.

"Look, let me explain." He stood and walked over to shut the door, then sat back down, his eyes serious, and for the first time McKenna wondered if maybe she'd underestimated this man. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair again. "I know most of the station thinks I'm a self-aggrandizing jerk who only cares about promotion, and that calling me Captain Kirk pisses me off. I am interested in promotion, and I think it's hilarious that people call me Captain Kirk, but it's a safer thing to be prickly about and let people poke at it. Safe for everyone."

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, then opened them, looking at McKenna. "My great-grandmother lived in France during the Holocaust, she helped people flee the Reich because she knew no one should be punished for what they are. Her sister was a lesbian, which at that time was unheard of. Her sister was killed, shot by German soldiers when she refused to come with them, to wear the triangle. My great-grandmother came here and raised a family. I loved that woman, and she made damn sure that I knew that all it takes for evil to succeed is good men to do nothing. I doubt I'm a good man, but I'll be damned if I let this, this," he waved his hands in the air, "curse, blessing, gift, mutation, whatever it is, provide people a reason to isolate or punish others. If people like me, people in power, don't stand up and say no, then people like you will become the next Jews in the Holocaust, and I'll go to hell before I let that happen."

His intense tone, direct eyes, and absolute conviction rocked McKenna back. All of a sudden she wondered if she had been too harsh on the man.

"All that being said, you've done nothing but behave in a manner I wish all my officers would." He took a deep breath. "But you have managed to cause more paperwork in the last week than most officers have in the last decade."

McKenna winced a bit, all too aware of the accuracy of that statement.

"However, you are so public I have to make use of you to make sure people don't think your abilities have any bearing on your job. Conversely, you've had so much stuff happen to you that we don't even have policies on, that at this point I can't have you back on regular duty." She winced a bit, but nodded slowly. "Heck, technically you should be on medical leave for the next six to eight weeks. But I'm going to use you," he nodded at JD, "and Davidson too."

If he had said those words to her a week ago, she probably would have already been protesting. But the last week, not to mention her fears she really was going insane, tempered that reaction.

"How is that, Captain?"

"There are some ground roots issues with children who are shifting. Parent groups are throwing fits as there have been a few cases of biting or scratching from kids. We want to make it very clear that children who shift are to be afforded the same rights as all other children. We would like you two to be part of our ambassador team. A bus that picks up shifter kids in different districts and spends a day with them, showing them some of cool parts of being a shifter, reassuring parents that shifters can hold responsible jobs, and can be normal people." His eyes crinkled at that. "Or at least act like normal people. Right now, you, out of all the people in the world, are the most visible shifter there is. And everything you've done has gone viral."

"What?" She knew about the original video, but what was everything?

"You didn't know? The lion video was compiled into an almost seamless visual and went viral, and someone caught the guy tasing you, your shift, getting shot, and Davidson here decking the idiot who shot you. Though right now with the image of him curled up next to your cat form and calling your name, I expect lots of theories about you as star-crossed lovers."

McKenna cast a horrified look at JD, who had a matching expression on his face, and Kirk burst out in laughter.

"Well, I think that answers that unspoken question. But yes, all of that went live. Everyone knows who you are if they know what the internet is." He shrugged. "I'm sure you've already had some of the fallout get to you from what I've heard. Something about an impromptu press conference?"

"Uh, yes, sir." She shrugged.

"No worries. But starting tomorrow you are on a Public Relations assignment until the department can get some policies written. Hernandez and Mansour haven't had any waves, and at this point I don't believe the public knows they can shift, and if possible, I'd like to keep it that way. Tomorrow will be some basic training, and find out if you're both doing this as sergeants or not," his steel-eyed gaze made it clear he expected the promotions to come through. "Then you get to hang with kids." He paused a worried look on his face. "You two can work with kids, right?"

JD coughed and McKenna smiled. "Yes, Captain, we're fine with kids."

"Good. Then get out of here unless you've got anything else for me?"

"No, Captain, I think we're good." McKenna rose. "Time to report tomorrow?"

"Eight a.m. should be fine. Thank you, both of you. Officers like you are one of the reasons I don't mind the Star Trek jokes." McKenna felt her face flush as he grinned and shooed them out of his office.

They walked out, nodding at people, then stopped at his Hummer. "Dammit, Kirk keeps that up and I might actually like and respect him."

JD burst out in laughter, then nodded. "Agreed. Maybe the world is ending. Where to?"

"Crash at your place? I don't care anymore, and I'm exhausted and even your couch is looking good."

"Oh, I should have an empty spare room and a bed you can use if you'd like?" McKenna shot him a look, he shrugged. "I made phone calls, got crap done, while you were busy being lazy and sleeping."

McKenna flashed him a smile. "Thanks. Yeah, I just want food and sleep. And a bed sounds great."

JD climbed up, and she followed him.

What in the world is going to happen next?

Chapter 28 - Ah Ha Moments

With the rise of people of all backgrounds with this new ability, more people are starting to claim that shifters have unfair advantages. Besides the obvious loss of weight and becoming healthier almost no matter what they eat, some tests have implied they might be faster or stronger than regular humans. If this is the case how can we share this gift with everyone? Why should one small segment of the population be gifted with something the rest of us can't have? The question isn't should they be protected from discrimination, but should we be preventing unfair advantage of these shifters when competing for jobs or positions? ~ TNN Talking Head

C-Tac leaned back and grinned at his notebook. One thing you could say for the boss, making people present documented plans concentrated your focus wonderfully. He asked questions that were insightful and sharp, and if you didn't know the answer, the consequences could be worse than simply having your suggestion dismissed. The boss tended to judge how worthy someone was of their spot and had no issue giving territories to others with better plans.

Fortunately, his proposal had been accepted, and the increase in sales in his new territory of 245 percent had also helped with that. At this point he had everything there he thought he would need. Even the increased food requirements that had been reported for shifters as well as a system to disperse knockout gas. In many ways that had been the hardest part. From the movies you would have thought knockout gas was something anyone could get. Not so. But he had cracked that problem, apparently dentists who bought illegal street crap were willing to barter for their drugs. Useful life lesson.

Another week and he'd be ready. But he still hadn't overcome the biggest challenge.

"How the hell do I get a bunch of kids, and someone to train them?" His voice sounded overly loud in the quiet room. He hated working with music or anything. Besides silence allowed him to be aware of the world around him.

Kidnapping kids one by one really wouldn't work, and they needed someone to deal with them, who either wouldn't get attached or who was expendable. Someone they would listen to, either because they feared, respected, or loved that person. But he needed a way to control that person too.

The conundrum sat in his mind as he worked on the profit-and-loss sheets for his week. Reports were due the first Sunday of the month, and he'd learned the hard way that if he waited until the end of the month, it took him forever to get everything updated. Weekly only took an hour or so.

The whoop-whoop ring tone of his phone made him look up. His friendly cop calling. C-Tac took a minute to think if he had anyone he could offer up, but right now things were tight and controlled, maybe some extra good drugs would work.

"Yes?" He never answered with his name, simply a question. Much safer that way.

"I need some weed, some good stuff, and a few lines. If I don't blow some stress I'm going to kill someone, namely a stuck-up too-good-for-me bitch of a cat."

The stream of words surprised C-Tac, Bacon had never been so verbal before. He must really be upset.

"Bitch of a cat?"

"That cop, Largo. They hand her everything just because she has tits and an ass and turns into a pussy. Like she has any idea what it means to be a cop." The snarl in the voice made C-Tac blink. He had to be talking about the chick that was on the videos lately.

"Didn't she just get shot?" He thought he'd seen something about that, but honestly he didn't pay much attention to the news story besides just a random thought. He had too much other stuff to do.

The snort of derision on the other end tested his self-control to not start laughing. The last time he'd met anyone this pissed off, it had been his mother when the woman who had slept with her then-husband had showed up at church wearing the same dress as his momma.

"Likely story. She showed up the next day, fit as a fiddle, and they held the damn test for her. She was probably holed up somewhere fucking that troll Davidson. Swear women swing their tits and people fall over themselves to make life easy for them." He trailed off, and C-Tac could just imagine him stewing.

C-Tac figured he needed to distract before the guy had a stroke and removed an excellent asset. "So I've got some extra weed, primo stuff. Would you like it?"

"Hell, yes. Add in some coke too. I need something to prevent me from removing this stupid bitch from my space. Would you believe they gave her this cushy PR job, working with all the shifter kids? Getting them on busses and driving them around to show them they're just fine. It should have been mine. I've got the seniority, and do you know how much ass I could have gotten with all those mommas looking up at me to protect their babies?" An inarticulate scream on the other end made C-Tac wonder how much Bacon had been hitting the bottle already today, or what other modifiers he'd indulged in. But what was more interesting was the idea of shifter kids on a bus.

"So what? She just drives around in a bus and only shifter kids get on? Like the short bus for furries?"

"Ha, that's a good one. Too bad we can't excise this crap from our systems. Who needs to be an animal, why isn't human good enough?"

C-Tac didn't answer the rhetorical questions, just let the man ramble.

"But not that lucky whore. Nah, each day is a different district, taking the kids and talking about the animals, special field trip and all that crap. They've even got it up on the website like it's something to be proud of. Fuck that. Tired of thinking of this shit. Meet me at our usual place in an hour. And this crap better be good and plentiful, or the only way you'll be leaving is in handcuffs." A click and the call dropped.

C-Tac leaned back looking at the phone, his eyes narrowed. The attitude by Bacon didn't faze him, it made the man easy to control. But the information might be the answer to his problems. He pulled a hundred out of his wallet, and purchased the coke, noting it down. For this he'd spend his own money. A certain amount of extra drugs were expected to go missing, but he didn't use, and shorting the boss was just stupid.

He pulled up the website on the computer and smiled as he saw all the information he would need. This might just work out after all. With a pep to his step, he went out to reward his cop, the drugs were nothing in the scheme of things. This plan would make him a fortune.

Chapter 29 - Summer Day

Funding is flowing into genetic research. While scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what has allowed some people to shift, even more people are interested in figuring out if there is a genetic component as to why these people develop this ability. The theories being floated around are everything from a virus, genetic mutations, research from another government that got away from them, to even the laughable alien species attacking us. Whispers say the person who identifies the trigger will be a shoe-in for the next Nobel Prize, but just as interesting will be figuring out why not everyone was affected. ~ TNN Science

The rest of the week disappeared for McKenna. The results from the promotion test would take a week or more to be validated. But either way, she felt content with her life. She'd been released to light duty mostly because she needed PR training, and even with fast healing, she still needed to give herself some time to recover. That gave her time to organize and direct the movers in packing up her apartment and then moving it over to her new house. The sale price of the house had been more than fair, honestly a bit under market value, but she'd signed a clause to not sell it again for at least a decade which made Jeremiah happy. Olivette had packed him up and had him out of there by Thursday, letting her move in.

Though after the movers, down payment, and a cleaning service, she winced as she saw her formerly very healthy bank balance take a hit. But between dealing with the new training for this PR position, dealing with the IA people and more reporters, and then moving in Friday night, she felt like she hadn't had time to breathe in forever.

Sunday she figured she'd invite over Toni, her kids, and JD. In a last minute idea she invited Kala. Everyone accepted with enthusiasm, so Sunday afternoon she prepared to use her new grill and show off her house, or at least it would be her house soon enough.

JD arrived an hour early, which fit perfectly with her plans. He loved to grill, and she had no issue letting him do the work. Even better, he showed up with twenty pounds of hamburger patties and buns. She let him play with the grill as she did a store run to make sure they had everything to go with the hamburgers.

She drove in, with Toni pulling up as she tried to get groceries out of the car.

"Want some help with that?" Toni asked as she opened her car door, letting two children scramble free as if they'd been trapped for hours.

"Sure. Just needed to make sure we had enough to eat."

Toni glanced at the food, arching an eyebrow. "We planning on shifting?"

"Planning no, but I've learned it's better to be prepared. I have a large fridge and a chest freezer if we don't eat it all."

Jessi and Jamie stood near her car, looking up at her with serious eyes.

McKenna cast a dubious glance at them. "Yes?"

"Can we help?" Jessi asked, her face somber. "We're sorry you got hurt."

"Oh, thanks. No, I'm good. But if you go around the back, JD is back there and should be about ready to start cooking the hamburgers."

"Okay," they chorused, then were gone in a flash of dark tan legs.

McKenna paused in her movements, arms full of bags. "Is it just me, or have they grown a lot since I saw them at Sam's?"

"They've grown a lot," Toni's voice was so dry McKenna wanted water just hearing it. Toni reached in and grabbed some of the other bags. "They're at the height and weight they should be at ten, not six. I think they've spent so much time as cats, they've aged faster. "

That idea rocked McKenna back. "You think they're aging faster?"

Toni shrugged as they walked into the house. "I don't know, but they are sure growing faster. Part of me wants to complain, but they're so healthy. Even their little scrapes and bruises disappear, and they're so happy with this. The teasing of the other kids doesn't bug them."

McKenna saw her cast an odd look her way. "What? I haven't done anything to encourage them, heck I barely know them," she protested at the look, feeling guilty for some reason.

Toni snorted. "That wasn't why I gave you the look. I heard you'll be at their school Wednesday, for one of the first Shifter Experience stops."

"Ah. That is their school? Hmm, will you be there?" McKenna asked as she pushed her way into the kitchen, dumping bags on the counter and starting to sort. Another load of groceries remained in the car.

"Yep. Taking the day off. Will be a zombie while I'm there, but that's been a fact of life for years." Toni glanced around. "Let me go get the last set."

McKenna nodded, sorting and putting what needed to be cold in the fridge.

"I've got the last of the groceries, and look what I picked up in your driveway," Toni said from the door.

McKenna looked up to see Toni walking in, arms laden with bags, followed by Kala, a large container in her hands.

"You made it," McKenna said, a smile across her face as she looked at the other woman. Kala released a shaky sigh, and the tightness drained from her shoulders.

"Thanks for inviting me." She turned, looking. "This is your new place?"

"Yeah, though I haven't done anything with it. I had the movers put in the bed and the TV, everything else is still in boxes. Heck, I haven't even unpacked my suitcases yet." She waved at the house. "Feel free to wander, it isn't like I have anything put up anywhere. I kept a lot of the furniture from the previous owner. It fits here and is tougher than what I own. Did you need me to take that?" She nodded at the container in Kala's arms.

"Oh, yeah." Kala offered up the container. "I wanted to bring something to share, so I made ma'amoul cookies."

McKenna peered into the container and saw lots of small pale cookies. "What are those?"

"They're shortbread cookies filled with dates and figs." She looked away shrugging a bit. "I like them."

"Ooh, they sound good. Though, to be honest, food lately just sounds good." McKenna flashed her a smile. "JD is out back with Toni's kids. Go."

"Okay, if you're sure you don't need me?" She looked torn between escaping and hiding.

"Positive. JD is tending the grill, and I'm sure the kids are either driving him crazy or having a blast."

Kala ducked her head and headed though the house, looking around as she moved.

Toni waited until the other woman had headed outside before she asked in a quiet voice, "Shifter?"

"Yep. Jackal I think she said. She seemed kinda isolated, so didn't figure it would hurt to ask. And she's a police officer, so I think you and the kids are pretty safe." McKenna winked. "If three shifter cops can't handle it, you know you're in big trouble."

Toni snorted in laughter. "Against bad guys maybe. Against the terrible duo out there? Trust me, we're outnumbered."

McKenna shot her a look, and a curl of worry pooled in her stomach as Toni laughed more.

And I'm going to deal with kids? If just two are that bad how are we going to handle a bus full of them?

Between the two of them, the fridge filled up with groceries, materials to make a Dagwood-worthy burger were piled on plates, then they headed out to where JD should be cooking hamburgers on the grill. The deck had been one of her favorite parts of the house, and her new grill sat on it in a place of honor.

The grill sat cold, and the back deck was empty. McKenna looked around, confused, when a soft chuff caught her ear. With a mock sigh she set the plate down on the large table, draping a cloth over it to keep off the flies.

"Come on, I know where they are," her voice wry as she waved to Toni, and they walked down the steps of the deck to the corner of the house.

As she expected, a brown bear with two black jaguar cubs romping on the bear and a fascinated Kala watching with her hands over her mouth, but her eyes sparkled.

"This doesn't look like cooking dinner," her voice rang out over the area, and the animals and Kala turned to look at her. The bear ducked his head, avoiding her eyes. "If anything, this looks like making sure you eat me out of every bit of food I bought." She tried to keep a stern look on her face, but it didn't work. Toni giggling behind her didn't help any.

McKenna threw up her hands in mock exasperation. "Well, go on, you two," she said waving her hands at Toni and Kala. "Go change. Empty bedrooms and bathrooms are there to be used, let's have some fun." Kala darted a look at her.

"Really? We can do that?"

McKenna turned and indicated the rolling hills, and the only houses a good mile or more away. "Kinda of why I wanted the place. Need a nice fence to surround at least the first acre or so. Will give me the privacy to change as I desire. So go."

"Are you going to change?" Toni asked, and McKenna shook her head.

"I've changed so much lately, I'd rather watch you guys play and get the burgers going."

Both women chewed their lips, darting looks at the kids, then back and McKenna. She waved her hands at them in a shooing motion. "Go. I'm getting myself a drink, something alcoholic, going to get the grill going, and enjoy this."

That last comment pushed them over the edge and they took off towards the house. Five minutes later a gorgeous jaguar crouched at the corner of the house, tail twitching softly as it tracked the antics of the bear. McKenna had pulled a hard cider out of the cooler on the deck, moved a chair so she could see everything, while the grill heated up. A smile curved the corner of her lips as she watched the jaguar get ready to pounce.

With an elegant leap, one that made McKenna wonder if she looked like that when she jumped, the black creature soared, hitting the bear on the side and knocking it over, as she landed with poetic grace and licked a paw.

The expressions on the two cubs faces made her ache for a camera to capture all this, but she didn't move. Some things didn't need to be shared with anyone else.

A high-pitched yip came from the deck, and McKenna looked over to see a dog-like creature standing there. Long legs, and ears that rivaled a jack rabbit, but larger than any dog she'd ever seen.

"Kala?" She felt stupid asking, but she'd never seen a jackal in person, and only a few on the occasional Animal Planet show.

The animal dipped its head, then with a quick tail wag, trotted over, almost diffidently to the others, as if asking for permission to join. The shyness evaporated when one of the cubs pounced her. In their cat form McKenna couldn't separate them at all and didn't try. But she did grin as the cub and jackal tumbled over and over, the cat less than half the size of Kala's form, but the wrestling match looked pretty well-matched. And it was wrestling, no one had claws out, and snaps of teeth were pulled, and laughing in animal form echoed off the walls of the house.

With a pull of her cider she got up and started tossing hamburgers on the grill.

"I hope we have enough," she muttered, but mostly she watched her friends play, and marveled at the world she existed in as she cooked.

When the plate was full of burgers, she went in and grabbed other stuff, potato salad, chips, veggies, and fruit. Loading the table took only a moment, then she walked over to the play. Well, what remained of it. At this point only the cubs were still bouncing and even they looked tired. The heat of the California summer beat down, and the cat and bear each lay in the shade while the jackal who didn't seem distressed by the heat, chased the cubs nipping at tails with a high yip.

"Food's ready. Why doesn't everyone come change, and get some cold drinks and food?"

All the animals turned towards her, and in a moment there were five animals trying to get into the house to change. McKenna laughed, grabbing the set of shorts and tees that the kids must have shed, and JD's shirt, sandals, and kilt. She walked in, dropping the stuff in each room for the person and closing the door. Still laughing, she headed out and began to build her own masterpiece of a burger.

In short order everyone had gathered around the table and began to inhale food. This time, her hunger wasn't of the same level, so she could watch, and see what others saw when you ate after shifting.

Chapter 30 - Taken

Tragic news over the weekend about the deaths of too many children. In four separate incidents, six children lost their lives this weekend, and the only thing they had in common was they were all shifters. Two teens killed themselves in a suicide pact after relentless bullying at school when it was revealed they could shift. They stole guns from friends and shot themselves, their bodies discovered by one set of parents when they heard the gunshots. Two children were killed by religious parents in Utah when their children shifted in front of them. They were beaten to death by their own parents, declaring that they were abominations to God. Another was shot by a scared home owner when they saw the wolf prowling through their yard. The final might be the most tragic. A young girl shifted and darted out into traffic to be hit by a passing car that never stopped thinking it had just hit an animal, not a child. This change is affecting all of us, even those who don't shift. All we can do is hope in the wake of such tragedy, people take a closer look at their actions and remember what you see might not be everything. ~ TNN Op Ed piece.

The smile from the weekend remained on McKenna's face, even through two days of scheduling, planning, and dry runs. Watching her friends, the word had an interesting taste on her tongue, play and laugh and just exist, made for one of the best days in a long time. Year-round schools in the area meant that if this worked, they'd just cycle through kids until things had stabilized a bit more.

Even as they went over dry runs for protests, possible riots, or even just a parent getting upset, she focused on the laughter she had shared with friends and wondered why she had avoided it for so long. Years in foster care had taught her to never get attached, and then with working full-time in college, friends had been a secondary situation. And at work, even today being a female cop was hard, and staying remote and untouchable had been the safest way to go. But now?

Her grin widened a bit more, even as she filled out the last of the forms.

"Hey, Largo?"

She looked up as Holich walked in. "Yes?"

"Hernandez took a personal day today, and we really want to do a positive shifter police presence. We're adding Kala as another person, figuring the extra female will help lower any concerns." McKenna frowned at her, and Holich shook her head, exasperation clear on her face as she sat down in the chair next to her. "Yes, I am well aware of how sexist it is, and I hate that we're pandering to it. But reality is that women are regarded as more child-oriented and less dangerous, even when they can turn into a giant cat with claws and fangs." Holich flashed her a quick grin, and McKenna snorted out a short laugh. "Given that, I'd like to have Kala on there with you, JD can run as your back-up. To be honest, we aren't expecting anything. Most of the people raising a fuss are bored housewives with nothing better to do. Besides, she's young and non-threatening. You've hardened up a lot in the last few weeks."

McKenna tilted her head, frowning at Holich. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't see it? Huh, I suppose not. You're all muscle, lean, and you move like a cat now. You've always been a strong woman, but now you radiate health and strength. It's a bit intimidating. Speaking of which, you really do need to spring for new uniforms, those are baggy on you at this point."

Shit, she has a point. All of my clothes are falling off of me, I just haven't wanted to deal, I just keep tightening the belt more, and switched to wearing my sports bras.

"Noted. I think my weight has stabilized, or at least I haven't lost much in the last few days. I was trying to wait and see what happens. Uniforms are not cheap."

"No, they aren't, but you need new ones. And soon, PR remember?"

"Got it." McKenna glanced at the paperwork she was finishing up. "This was the last of them. Kala here? I think we're ready to go."

"Yep, she was changing when I left her. JD is waiting for you, and the driver has prepped the bus."

McKenna glanced down at the schedule again. Pick up kids at three schools, for a total of fifteen children, along with two parents from each school, making for nineteen people, plus JD, Kala, the driver and herself. They were then going to head to the zoo where they had set up a special presentation focusing on animals and how they worked and interacted with others and talk about the kids and their animals. They had decided to push the idea that there was nothing wrong with being able to shift, and also that it didn't make you better than anyone. Trying to walk the fine line between 'you're okay' and 'you're better' than others would be a pain. Part of her worried they were overreacting, but with the news being what it was, everyone was worried about young kids at risk.

All we can do is try, and we're doing that.

She rose, grabbing the odd gun. Because they were going to be around kids all day, it had been decided to forgo their normal service weapons, and they would only carry tasers. It was a low risk assignment, and to make them seem more approachable, even the bullet- proof vests had been left behind. Not wearing one left her feeling too light, off balance almost. But it made sense, besides a day working with kids would be exhausting, adding the heavy vest would have added to it, and made her less flexible.

Gathering up the rest of the stuff, she headed out to the bus where JD and Kala were already waiting for them. JD hadn't managed to convince anyone to let them wear kilts, so they were all in normal patrol uniforms. The bus however was a sight to see.

How in the world did I find myself in an episode of the Magic School Bus?

It had been painted green with animals prowling around the base of it, images of all the shifter types that had been identified so far. And the idea was the kids would find themselves in the animals. The zoo trip was so they could see the animals they could be and learn though McKenna had kept silent about the strange symbols she kept seeing. No one else had mentioned it, and she didn't need to lose her job because of concerns about her sanity.

With a quick shake of her head, she shut that fear down, refusing to even acknowledge it, instead walking up and giving everyone a smile.

"We ready to do this?"

"Yep," JD replied with a half nod. He had his coffee in his hand even if it was almost nine a.m.

"Kala, glad you can come with us."

She flashed McKenna a smile, more at ease since the weekend. "Thanks. Raul got sick, I guess, so this should be fun. Different at least."

With one last glance around, they climbed into the bus where a taciturn old man by the name of Alfred nodded at them, and started it up, and they headed to the first school.

The first two schools were quick, picking up a total of ten kids and four parents. The first one was a middle school, then two elementary schools. For now, they had decided to think of something different with the high school, but no one could agree to anything else. But McKenna was looking forward to their next stop where Toni and the kids would be getting on.

Kala was in back with the older kids, and the chatter going on back there sounded fun and lively. JD stayed mostly with the driver though his very presence encouraged good behavior. As the bus pulled up to the last school, she scanned the small group, and picked out Toni and her two kids almost immediately.

Jessi was all but bouncing in place, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and Jamie scuffing his feet trying to look bored, even as he darted looks at the other kids. One of them, a slightly older kid stood a bit apart, white blond hair, and clothes that looked worn hard and not well-cared for.

They pulled up, and McKenna stepped out to welcome everyone, her practiced speech flowing easily at this point. The forms were turned in, liability and that sort of stuff, then the last set of kids and parents climbed in and they set off towards the zoo.

Toni dropped into the seat behind McKenna as the five kids that had boarded all streamed into the back, the twins babbling and talking about animals. The other parent, a dad, took a seat near JD and they fell into talking about something. McKenna didn't focus enough to pay attention, but she thought it might have been sports.

"You look exhausted," she told Toni.

"Well, it is the middle of the night for me. And these two have been bouncing off the walls all morning. I'm surprised their teacher didn't strangle them. I was about to. How about you? How's this working out?"

"We'll see. I'm hoping to get back to patrol, but until this dies down, and I can quit being in the public eye, it isn't going to happen."

"True. This will be fun though. They've been looking forward to it, like you wouldn't believe."

"Good. I have no idea what the zoo has ready for us, but it should be educational and fun."

The ride passed with the chatter of kids and adults until they arrived at the zoo. The zoo had gone all out, and one of the zookeepers even changed for them into a wolf, the other zookeeper explaining the different parts of the animal and how they matched up to human body parts. By the end McKenna was impressed and had learned a lot about her animal too. They had lost track of time after a late lunch and were running late as they finally left the zoo after four. The day had been quiet and there hadn't been more than a few random comments on social media about the outing, and most of those were positive. The kids were mostly glowing, and even the twins had settled down.

"Come on, everyone inside," McKenna cajoled as the bus pulled up in front the doors swinging open. Kala led the way with the six younger kids, and the parents hung back still chattering about what they had learned. From the day McKenna had realized only Toni and one other parent shifted. The others were the only person in their family that did.

She paused walking up to the bus, something catching her attention, and she didn't know what. She stood frozen trying to figure out what was eating at her, but then shook her head and climbed up into the bus.

"Okay, everyone is right behind us -" she broke off as she took in the scene as the door shut behind her. The six kids sat on the benches, eyes wide, faces pale, and a man she didn't know sat in the driver's seat, and another stood behind Kala, a wide smile on his face and a gun to her head. A third sat on one of the seats to the side, behind Jessi and Jamie. The door closed behind her, and pounding started on it almost immediately. But she didn't pay any attention, all her focus on the men in the bus.

"This should work." The smiling one said. "Drug them, get rid of the pretty one. We'll keep the famous one." He said all this with a calm voice as he held a gun at Kala's head.

The one holding the gun to Jessi's face waggled it, and Jessi's wide green eyes locked on McKenna's, fear clear in her face. The cat snarled and wanted to come up, but she held it in check, the risks right now were too great. She shifted her attention to the man who had the gun to Kala, her face leeched of all color, but her eyes were steady as she looked at McKenna.

A needle pierced her skin, and she turned snarling at the driver who had just injected her. She felt something in her body start to respond, but it was sluggish and undirected.

"Now, now. Don't get all furry on me, or some of these sweet little things might not make it off this bus alive." The cat snarled at the drug flowing through her system, but there was no option she could see to take them all. If she went for one, Jessi died. If she went for the other Kala died, if she went for the third they would kill them both. Stymied, she sat back and fought to ignore the drug, the cat, and her rage, which was quickly fading as the drugs crept up over her.

"Good kitty. Nice to know you can be taught. And they say cats aren't trainable." He motioned her over to the seat nearest the driver. Legs weighted with anger and fear, she moved to the seat, stumbling a bit as she turned to sit.

He walked Kala to the door where JD, the parents and the other kids, were all outside. JD was on his radio, Toni, her face locked into a mask of calm, had the other kids well away from the bus and behind concrete flower pots.

Her vision started to go gray at the sides, but she fought to stay conscious, waiting for the right moment. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a man giving the kids shots, as tears ran down their faces and they sobbed, but most were so scared they didn't fight. But the look on Jessi's face scared her to death. Anger and resentment as she stared at the man that had Kala at the steps.

"Here, this should keep you all busy." His voice calm as he pushed Kala down the steps. She tumbled out of the bus, trying to catch herself, but she couldn't stop the fall. The smiling man raised his gun and fired twice. From her vantage point McKenna could see the dark bloom of blood spreading across Kala's back as she slumped and fell forward.

The sound of her own scream, the cries of the kids, JD's hoarse bellow that shifted deeper than humanly possible, and the gunning of the bus engine created a cacophony that dragged her down into darkness.

Chapter 31 - Sit Rep

The recent decision of the US Supreme Court granting all shifters the same rights as everyone else, was met with mostly approval through the US, but there has been serious backlash from other nations. There is a motion in front of the UN right now to declare anyone who can turn into an animal, an animal, with no rights or protection. Plus, for the few extinct animals that people have shifted into, there is a demand for them to stay in animal form and breed to replenish this species. Most insiders expect this to fail badly, especially since there are at least three UN ambassadors with shifters in their immediate family. Iraq has declared all shifters to be 'anathema' and killed on site. And in a policy reversal from North Korea, all shifters have now been declared 'classified' and they are required to report to the nearest military installation. For the most part, however, this seems to have become the new topic of choice at the water cooler. Who could, who couldn't, would you date one, would you employ one, would you do X with one? The world for the most part seems to be waiting to see if it really matters in the long run. ~ TNN Anchor

A low whimper, a tugging sensation from her scalp, and wetness on her shirt all combined to pull her up from the darkness. McKenna lay quietly for a moment, trying to get her brain to jump start, to figure out everything.

Images, memories of what had happened flowed back into her mind, and she locked her jaw to keep from making a sound as the image of Kala and the blood flashed before her eyes.

That has happened, you can't change it. Deal with the now.

She cracked her eyes open the tiniest bit, trying to see if anyone was around, while listening more carefully than she'd ever bothered before. She could hear soft whimpers, a sob, and rustling. There was no scent of gun oil or powder, but she did smell fresh blood. Opening her eyes fully she glanced around, taking in the large room, with mats on the floor, bunk beds, and a bunch of scared kids.

"Miss Largo?" She turned to the voice and saw Jessi there holding Jamie who still looked to be unconscious. The other kids were starting to wake up, eyes large, and tears on their faces.

"Hey. I'm here. Let me get up and take a look, okay?"

Jessi nodded, her lip trembling, but eyes hard as she protected her brother from the other kids. McKenna pushed herself up and stood to inspect the room. A galley kitchen, two doors on one wall, and another door on the other wall. Sleeping mats, and up in the ceiling video cameras. Her blood chilled as she calculated the angles of the camera, realizing they could see almost everything in the room. This time she accepted the knowledge of how to do that and didn't take the time to worry about it. Other things were more important than her sanity.

She turned and looked at the kids, running over in her mind who and what they were.

They were all elementary school kids, none of the teenagers had gotten on the bus.

Jamie and Jessi both seven and in first grade.

Charley Davis, a third grader and a white wolf, had been the kid she noticed earlier. Standing to the side, his clothes worn, his blue eyes open, as he watched her and the others. But he didn't move, taking in the situation with a wary expression. His calmness both set off warning bells and told her he might be someone she could lean on. Though she fought with the idea of trusting a nine-year-old with this level of responsibility.

She kept looking and her eyes landed on Nam Bara, another first grader. The fragile-looking girl turned into a tiger, well, a tiger cub. She was still unconscious, but McKenna could see her chest rising and falling with steady breaths.

Paul Harnen, a cougar, third grade, a stocky boy with brown hair and hazel eyes. He shook his head trying to sit up.

The sixth kid was behind her, whimpering a little. She turned to look at him, Jalmer Johan, who turned into a honey badger of all things, sat holding his leg that was bleeding sluggishly. McKenna analyzed it, painful, but not threatening, it could wait until she finished assessing the situation.

None of the backpacks or coats had come with, just the kids in their clothes, and she'd had all of her equipment stripped. They left her in just her uniform, they'd even taken her shoes, though not the kids'.

Standing up slowly, McKenna moved over and opened one of the doors near the back. It revealed a simple bathroom, toilet, shower stall, and sink. Filing the information in her head she headed back and tried the other door. Locked, she looked again and realized the door had been nailed shut. Getting in there wouldn't be quiet or easy. That left the last door. She walked over and looked at it. The other two had looked like regular doors, this one didn't.

About four feet wide and eight feet tall, it had a weight to it, and the wheel in the middle implied it was meant to be sealed. She gave an experimental tug, but it didn't budge. Leaning up next to it, she smelled at the crack, and got nothing. Airtight.

This is so not good.

Increased sobs and harsh breathing pulled her attention back to the kids. Going to the bathroom she got the toilet paper and headed back over to Jalmer, the cold floor soaking through her sock-covered feet.

"Hey, let me take a look. You're Jalmer, right?"

The boy looked up and nodded at her, tears streaking his face, but he didn't say anything, just held his leg out for her. She wiped the blood off, it looked like a cut as if his leg had gotten snagged on something sharp.

"It's not bad. Look, it already quit bleeding." McKenna finished cleaning it as best as she could with the toilet paper and a bit of water. By the time she was done, Jamie had woken, and he sat close to his sister watching everything with matching dark eyes.

All of them were awake now except for Nam. She moved over to touch the girl gently. "Nam?"

The girl's eyes flew wide open, and she started to hyperventilate.

"Nam, I'm here. Remember me?" The words didn't make any difference as the girl began to thrash, then she started to change, stripes appearing as her body morphed into that of a large tiger cub.

Oh shit, Nam.

McKenna wrapped her arms around the girl, trying to hold the now squirming and snarling tiger cub. The girl, who for all her relatively small size—she couldn't weight more than fifty pounds—was very strong and agile.

"Nam, calm down, Nam!" McKenna inserted authority into her voice, and clamped down hard on the cat, ignoring the deep scratches the terrified girl inflicted.

"I see I selected the correct person for the job. Or should I say animal?"

The voice came from all sides of the room, and McKenna froze, as did the kids she noticed. Even Nam in her arms stopped struggling as the cub turned trying to isolate the voice.

McKenna focused in on the cameras and the bright green lights that seemed to stare at her little group.

"And what job would that be?"

Keep him talking, the more they talk, the more you learn about them. Find out everything you can.

"Ah, to train these guards. I figure intelligent animals, with the right levels of training, will forget what it means to be human, and will be the best guards money can buy. And I will be the one selling them. Young kids are so easily molded into what you need them to be, I have faith you will be very good at it."

"And why would I do that? Why would I help you destroy these kids?"

"Because otherwise, I'll shoot them in front of you, just like I shot the other cop."

His calm, matter-of-fact tone sent rivulets of ice down her spine, and the cat hissed in the back of her mind.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" She kept her voice flat, even as she petted Nam, trying to soothe the terrified girl.

"Oh, I've been reading up on that. Studying actually. The Third Reich had some excellent ideas on it. As did a number of cults. What Jim Jones did was fascinating. He managed to convince parents to kill their own children because they believed in him so much. Now I don't think I'm that charismatic. I'm not, but I bet, with you being the only friendly face these children have, the only hope they have, they'll do anything you ask of them."

McKenna hadn't thought she could get any more scared, but those words proved her wrong. Because he was right. These kids would do anything she asked, listen to her, follow her, because they didn't have anyone else.

"So let's get started. Have them all strip and shift into their animal forms, that's what they will stay in from now on." There was silence for a moment, then the voice came back. "And there is a first aid kit under the kitchen sink. You might want to clean up that blood."

A click from the speakers, and McKenna looked down at the blood dripping down her arms and on to the floor. Rage seethed under skin, but at this moment there wasn't anything she could do. All the children depended on her, so she had to follow orders, for now.

"Everyone, you need to shift into your animal forms for now." Fear and worry flashed across most of the kids' faces, except for Charley, he worried her. Too calm, too still, too aware.

Jessi and Jamie looked at each other, shrugged, stripped, and shifted revealing two black lanky cubs that cavorted around. McKenna kept petting Nam, and the cub had curled tight in her arms.

Charley pulled off his shirt, shoes, and socks, then shifted. A white wolf wiggled out of shorts and underwear. He went over and bumped shoulders with the twins, then moved to Nam, putting his head on her flank. Just resting it there.

"Go ahead you two, it'll be okay." McKenna gently encouraged the two remaining kids.

Paul and Jalmer both looked at her. "It will help your leg heal, Jalmer. Go ahead."

A bit of uncomfortable shuffling with their clothes, and she looked away to give them the illusion of privacy as she helped Nam out of the tangled mess they had twisted into in her cat form.

When she looked up, she had two jaguars, a cougar, a white wolf, and a honey badger all sitting looking at her. Even in their animal forms she could see the stress and worry in their expressions.

She closed her eyes for a moment, petting Nam, who stayed next to her, a low rumble, not a purr as much as a half growl half whine. She hadn't researched tigers as much, and other than the fact that they were meat eaters and that Shere Khan had been the bad guy in the Jungle Book. Which didn't tell her much at all.

"I'm going to need to feed them. They'll need a lot of food. Is there enough here?" She raised her voice and asked the room as she set Nam down, the girl, though tiny, wasn't light after a while.

"Yes. I prepared for that, and you will have food delivered weekly. There should be plenty of supplies for all of you."

McKenna couldn't prevent the next words that came out of her mouth, she should have, but she didn't.

"Coffee?"

"Officer, I am not a monster, I assure you. Yes, there is coffee. And I even provided treats for the children, though no sugar for reasons I am sure you can understand. Now go, investigate. I'm positive you will find everything you need." The voice remained calm and cool, and McKenna, with reluctance pulling at her soul, stood up to find out exactly what she would be dealing with for the foreseeable future.

Moving on automatic, she picked up all the kids' clothes and moved to look at the cupboards, looking for one with space to put the clothing in. With luck they would need it soon.

I have to think we'll need them.

McKenna stood at the counter, part of her attention on the sounds of the animals, the kids, behind her, and part of her struggling to get her fear under control. From what she had figured they could see her back but not her face or actions, and that gave her a few moments to not have to worry about what might show in her expression.

She folded the clothes on automatic, frowning as she came across a small square object in one of the kids clothes. She wasn't even sure whose jeans she was folding right now. Pulling it out, she looked at it, a rounded square object with a logo on it. Trax.

Holy shit, they missed this.

One of the parents had put a GPS tracker on their kid.

Thank god for paranoid parents.

She wanted to dance for glee, but she looked around and took a deep breath. Earth, dampness, and the temperature all fed into the knowledge they were underground, which since they hadn't been found already probably meant they were too deep for the signal to reach.

Biting her lip, she carefully tucked the tracker into one of the shoes, then pulled open a cupboard. She blinked to see it stuffed with canned food. McKenna spent the next few minutes investigating the cupboards until she found one mostly empty with only cleaning supplies in it. She carefully put the clothes away there, the shoe with the tracker carefully placed, and then went to investigate the refrigerator.

It, too, was full of food, mostly proteins, but also some vegetables. She looked at the various animals, trying to remember what they would eat. The cats and the wolf could eat most meats and vegetables, but the honey badger she flat out didn't know, and she couldn't take the risk of poisoning the child by feeding the wrong thing. Which meant asking for help.

Every instinct in her rebelled, but surviving right now meant being biddable, and not resisting.

"Do you know if there is anything that honey badgers can't eat?"

She had to assume they were monitoring 24/7, anything else would be stupid. So, every word, expression, and action would be noticed.

As she waited, she gathered ingredients to make a simple soup with lots of meat and the vegetables, hoping the bodies would get what they needed and that the calories would be enough.

A click from the ceiling, and the voice she thought of as 'smiling' man's voice came over the speakers. "They can eat the same thing as the other animals. You'll notice there is no junk food, though I included some fruit as treats or rewards. But for now, I am assuming the jerky will act as food rewards. I do understand they are not animals, but instead the beginning of a highly trained work force. Starving them will not achieve my goals."

She didn't snarl back, just nodded and kept cooking, turning often to watch the kids.

The four cats were all curled up together focused on the small tiger, licking and rubbing against her. The wolf was inspecting every inch of the room, sniffing along each wall, and constantly glancing up to check on the positioning of everyone. The badger sat in the middle, a bit away from the cats, but still close enough if it stretched he would touch them.

The dynamics were fascinating, and it raised questions in her mind. Though some of them faded as one of the jaguars, in cat form without looking at their genitals she couldn't tell which twin it was, trotted over to the badger, flopped in front of it and nudged the boy with its head. The badger seemed to sag a bit and rubbed noses before pulling back and rising to go over to the wolf, starting to follow and mimic his actions. With a leisurely stretch the cat rose and came over to McKenna, rising up on hind legs to peer at the food she had going.

"Uh huh. While I don't mind having helpers in the kitchen, I refuse to eat fur in my food. For now, since you can't change," she stressed the words, looking hard at the small black jaguar, "you get to stay out of the kitchen."

The cat looked at her, flicked both ears back for a moment, then dropped back to all fours and walked out of the kitchen area. With everything browned, she threw it all in a pot and set it to simmer. Hopefully with the extra veggies and some cheese there would be enough calories to make up for the change.

She walked and inspected everything this time, having achieved a calm that might allow her to not lose it. Patience had always been more JD's specialty than hers. The place was shaped like a plus sign. The kitchen in one square, a sleeping area in another, the entrance she couldn't access in the third, and the two doors one with a bathroom and the locked room in their fourth. The center area made for a large empty area. With a deep breath she headed into what she inferred was the sleeping area. There were mats, blankets, and a sleeping bag. She glanced at the walls and could see the outlines of what looked like bunk beds. It was a basic area, with only a vent up in the ceiling too small for even the badger to get into. With a mental shrug she walked into the bathroom.

A simple square shower and a flushing toilet, which had to mean a septic system, not that knowing that information gave her any advantage, but it meant fresh water. She ran the water happy at the heat that came out. There was toilet paper, but no hygiene supplies.

Dammit, thank you so much for making me ask for this. Not!

She walked back out into the main room, glancing at the ceiling. There had been a camera in the bathroom also and she kept trying to console herself with the idea that everyone in the whole damn world had already seen her naked, so the knowledge they would watch her in the bathroom didn't get them anything else of her except a thrill. Whatever. If they were watching her naked, the kids were safe, in the long run only that mattered. In an odd way the animal shapes of the kids would protect them, or at least she hoped that was the case.

Flatter them, make them like you, be diplomatic.

The thoughts ghosted through her brain, training or something else? She didn't have the energy to track it down, and just acted on it instead.

"You did really well. This place has almost everything. But unless I've missed something, there are a few items you forgot." McKenna kept her voice calm, even conversational, as she lowered herself to the carpet next to the cats, the wolf and badger were still investigating everything.

"Oh? And what would that be?" The voice sounded curious, almost amused.

She took a deep breath and petted the knot of fur that was a cougar, tiger and jaguar. The other was pulling blankets into a nest at this point.

"I will need tampons, super absorbent, and some pads for my menstrual cycle, which should start in the next three to five days, if I stay on pattern."

Granted, she only knew that because she had looked when packing to see if she needed to put her supplies in her bag or could put them in storage. Regularity defined her periods, but an app on her phone still made it a hell of a lot easier than trying to remember.

There was silence, so long she didn't know if she should ask again, but at least Nam had quit shivering and Paul - the cougar - had convinced her to start romping with him while she waited.

"I do apologize, Officer," the title made her wary and proud, "you are correct, I had forgotten that necessity. I will have that delivered prior to your cycle starting. Is there anything else that I might have forgotten?" The might was stressed, and she knew to take it easy on her demands.

"Only some ibuprofen? I'm subject to pain that might make the children uncomfortable if I don't have something to tamp it with."

Another long silence, the voice which had a tinge of respect.

"So noted, Officer. You are good at this. But be aware, I've been preparing. Have a good night, and oh - teach the animals how to use the toilet."

The speaker clicked off, and the only sounds were the padding of paws as all of them came over and curled up around her.

Chapter 32 - Training Starts

There is still outcry across the state and nation after the brutal killing of shifter Police Officer Kala Mansour and the abduction of Officer McKenna Largo, of the viral shifter video fame. To add to the stress, six children, all under the age of nine were taken also, and they are all shifters. Outcry has risen from emerging groups championing the rights of shifters and pointing out if shifter children are going to be highly sought after targets, special protection and thought need to be given to them. Others are calling this a publicity stunt by the highly visible Officer Largo. The odds of that being true seem unlikely given the death of another officer, and parents who are clamoring to have their children back. ~Local KWAK News

The crackle of a voice over the speakers pulled her from sleep, a deep darkness that had protected her from her own fears. Blinking, she looked up to stare at the ceiling and became aware of the animals curled up around her, refusing to move even as she tried to get her brain to snap into gear.

"Wakey, wakey. Time to start training." The smiling man's voice sounded way too cheerful.

McKenna fought down the urge to snarl as she pushed the kids away from her gently. After dinner last night, they had all just curled together for comfort, and the silence from above had been a blessing. She murmured to the kids as she stood and headed to the bathroom. Shutting the door, more for the kids' sake than anything, she did her business and headed out to make coffee and figure out what to feed animals that were kids for breakfast.

Dammit, I need to watch that. I think of them as animals the longer they are in that form. I can't do that.

She had to keep thinking of them as kids and hope that staying in animal form didn't have long term consequences. There was no reassuring whisper from the depths of her mind to try to keep her hopes up. That made her more depressed than anything else.

Setting the coffee maker, which had been stored under the sink, to brewing, she pulled out eggs and some chicken breasts and started cooking them. In minutes she had six sets of eyes looking at her with pleading need and she had to smile. There was no sugar, but a bit of milk, so she doctored her coffee and set about fixing plates of eggs and chicken for all the animals. A small whine grabbed her attention, and she looked to see most of them shifting uncomfortably, and it dawned on her she had no idea how long they'd been here.

"Bathroom - can you guys use it in animal form?"

The four males looked at each other, then tilted heads as if unsure.

"Well, go try. Better to know now."

The boys trotted off to the bathroom, and she ignored the rattling around in there, but eventually there was a flush and they came back looking calmer. At least that was how she interpreted their more relaxed body language.

A whine came from Jessi, at least she assumed that was Jessi as the other jaguar had gone with the rest of the boys.

"You have to try. Call out if you need help."

Jessi shook her head and shifted into human. "I'm not using the bathroom as a cat, I wanna go home." Her voice broke on the last part, and she thought the other girl was about to start changing back to human form.

"Officer, apparently I didn't make myself clear. They may not assume human form. If they can't listen, I will have them beaten and drugged. If nothing else I figure I can get a nice price for their pelt." The voice came out of the ceiling and everyone in the room froze.

McKenna felt her blood drain from her face, and she dropped to her knees holding Jessi in a grip she knew would leave bruises.

"Jessi, change back. It'll be okay."

The girl looked shaken, and the rest of the kids were staring at the ceiling with reactions varying from growls to whimpers.

Jessi's lip trembled, and McKenna pulled her close. "I know," she whispered, "but you have to change back."

Two tears tracked down the girls' face, then she shifted and she held a cat in her arms. McKenna released her slowly, and Jessi walked over to Nam. They looked at each other, then set off at a fast trot to the bathroom. More rattling, but an annoyed hiss that she was sure came from Jessi, but then again, a flush. They came out, Jessi with a wet tail and ears laid back, but they were now more interested in her activities at the stove. Though all of them seemed subdued, and she had to fight to focus on what she was doing, the image of Jessi's body covered in bruises flashing through her mind.

Time passed in a haze of food, coffee and cleaning up. But when they were all done eating, and the dishes put away, the speaker crackled again. The relaxation that had filled her disappeared in wariness.

"Now that you're ready, you will begin training today."

Her body locked into stress, but she continued sipping her coffee even as the kids all waited with similar wariness.

"You will receive a delivery shortly with all the information you need to train them. Please don't try to prevaricate. I am watching, and I expect them to learn quickly and well. I'm sure I don't need to explain the consequences to you."

"Of course not. I'm sure the children will learn quickly." Her voice calm and unruffled, even as the image of her claws sinking into his smiling face flooded her mind. His smirk while on the bus had carved into her memories. The taste of his hot blood on the back of her tongue became a craving she didn't want to resist.

"I'm glad we understand each other." A creak of metal from the door to the outside echoed through the room and McKenna whirled to face the door, but she didn't step away from the counter.

"See, I knew you were smart." The approving voice commented from the air.

The snarl was harder to restrain this time, but she did as the door pushed open revealing a vault-like wheel on the other side. Two men stood there, both with guns. One held a TEC-9 confidently in his arms, aimed directly at them, his face blank and unmoving. The other held a nine-millimeter that he holstered as he verified their locations, bending to pick up a small bag. He tossed it into the room, then stepped back and pulled the door closed. Even as he did so, she caught him looking at all of them, and the look gave her chills at the bottom of her soul.

McKenna watched all of this, using the coffee cup to help hide any reactions from the watchers. The men had both been in the bus, but she didn't know for sure if that was all who was involved in this. At least three, but she had to assume more. She could possibly block the door from being opened, but it was their only way out so it really hurt her more than it hurt them. She depended on their good will for damn near everything.

Setting the cup down and trying not to growl at her own failure in seeing a way out of this, she moved over to pick up the bag.

"You will find a binder in there with all your instructions, as well as the supplies you will need to train them. Use your creativity as I expect to see progress in quick fashion." There was a click on the other end as the voice cut off. She felt more alone, as if attention had shifted away from her, but she couldn't trust that, not ever.

You are always being watched. Remember that, always.

Again, she didn't know if the voice was hers or something else, and right now she didn't care. Her attention focused on the bag. With a mental sigh wishing for a table, she sank down on the floor and pulled out the contents.

A three-ring binder filled with sheets and a large handful of small packages of stuff. Curious she looked at the packages, her confusion growing as she identified them. In small sealed baggies there was pot, cocaine, crystal meth, gun powder, gun oil, and C-4. Her hope jumped with the C-4, but she had no blasting caps, and her knowledge of how to use it was low. She doubted she could do anything with it, besides the amount was about the size of a teaspoon. There was too little here for them to want to dose the kids, which she would have fought tooth and nail, so she couldn't figure out the reasoning behind the samples.

Setting them aside, she glanced at the kids, they were all curled up watching her, though she noticed their tails lashed back and forth betraying their agitation.

"No worries guys, we're okay so far." She wanted to pull them all into hugs, but she opened the binder instead, needing to know the crazy idea behind all this.

Flipping open the binder, she started to read and felt her heart seize. The words on the pages explained everything clearly, and worse, it made sense and would probably work from what she had already seen in her limited experimentation with her senses.

Latching on to anything to delay the inevitable, she spoke. "I don't know how to pronounce a lot of these words."

"I anticipated that. I have recordings for each of them so you can hear how to say them correctly. Though with their intelligence levels I expect they would be able to understand what was asked regardless. Otherwise that would prove this whole experiment a failure." His cool, calm voice made her want to scream. She had to figure out some way to get the kids out of here, but for now playing along seemed to be the only option.

"Sounds practical." She laid out the items, separated by a foot or so each. "Guys, listen to me. I need you to learn each of these smells, scents, whatever. Memorize them."

With tilted heads they gave her a look, but then did as she asked, even as she railed internally at them even learning it.

Look at it this way, at least they'll know for the future.

She snorted at the thought but kept reading. Then took another deep breath and started doing what she couldn't figure out how to avoid.

"Jessi, come over here, please." She'd be damned if she treated them any other way than as people. They needed to remember they were still people.

One of the jaguars pulled away and slinked over to her, tail still lashing back and forth, but her ears were tilted forward.

"Okay, Jessi. You're going to learn some commands in Klingon." The cat pulled back sitting up straight, her whiskers out to the sides. "I know, cool, right? Very Star Trek. Neat, huh?"

She half bobbed her head, moving closer to McKenna.

"Okay, so you're going to learn instructions in Klingon, on how to identify the items you scented. First command is going to be Seek." She took a second to focus and tamp down the anger. "Can you play the word please?"

A crackle, then, "Nej," came through the room.

"Nej," McKenna repeated looking closely at Jessi. "When you hear that word you need to start looking for any of the things you smelled in the packages. Can you do that?"

Was she asking too much of these kids? Could they do that?

Jessi dipped her head and flicked a tail.

"Got it? Okay, next command. Attack."

"yIHIv," came across the room. McKenna repeated it, the word feeling odd on her tongue.

"If you hear that word, you need to use," she swallowed pushing the words past her tongue. "You use claws and teeth to attack the person you are directed to attack. Does that make sense?"

Jaguar narrowed her eyes looking at McKenna, then glanced around the area and bobbed her head once.

"Last one," McKenna said, her mouth dry as she reviewed the instructions. "Stay."

"peloS," crackled in the room. She repeated the word.

"If you hear, peloS, you need to sit and wait for further orders."

Jessi hunched her shoulders, ducking her head between them.

"Good. I know you'll be very good at this." The words tasted like ash in her mouth, but she wasn't going to put any of the anger on these kids. They had nothing to do with it.

She went through each of the steps with each kid, saving Nam for last as she was in English, and it also gave her the most time to get accustomed to dealing with it. Paul's instructions were all in Esperanto, which was close enough to Spanish that she didn't have an issue pronouncing them. While Jalmer was in German, which she needed help with. Jamie got Spanish which she could mangle well enough. Then next most difficult ended up being Charley with Russian, which was almost harder than the Klingon to pronounce correctly.

That completed she looked at the next step in her instructions. She was to take the samples and hide them and get them to go look for them and find them according to the instructions. Watching these kids being treated like animals, being forced to deprive them of everything human, lashed at her, and she had to fight not to lose control, even as she acted perfectly calm. It shredded her heart with every command.

I swear to everything that exists when I get out of here I'm killing this man slowly and enjoying every single scream.

"Okay, guys, listen up. I need you to all go to that far corner and close your eyes and face the corner." She pointed where she wanted them to go. "I'm going to hide all of these items. And then one at a time, I'm going to give you your commands in your language and tell you what to seek. Any questions?"

As soon as the question left her lips she felt like an idiot. How in the hell were they going to ask if they did have a question?

After glancing at each other, they all went into the corner, and put their noses to the corner, eyes closed.

Feeling like her body had quadrupled in weight she rose and went and hid the various packages all over the area. She didn't do it easy, she did it hard, making it so they weren't gimmes. Though she didn't know if she wanted them to succeed or fail.

Once everything was hidden, she went back to where they were and closed her eyes, fighting back tears at what she was teaching them. Forcing her voice to stay level, she looked at the list and started going down it.

They followed the same pattern each time, Seek in their language, then the item.  But the kids were smart and already knew all their words and probably everyone else's.

"Buscar, pot. The signal is two yips and cover your nose."

Jamie perked up, turned around and started sniffing. It took a minute or two, but he stopped at a kitchen cupboard and yipped twice then covered his nose.

She walked over to the cupboard opened it and pulled out the pot.

"Good job, Jamie." He licked her hand and then headed back to the area they had been at and sat down.

She walked back. "Suchen, gun oil. The signal is a long whine and point at the location."

Jalmer stood up, put his legs in front of him in a long stretch, then lifted his head taking a long sniff. He turned his head left and right and then moved in a straight direction, stopping occasionally to reorient.

It took a minute, but he found it. Slowly they worked through everyone, calling out seek in each of their languages. McKenna had no idea how she would be required to train them for attack.

They spent the day training for Seek and Stay, getting them to only respond to their commands. She took time to make them lunch, give them bathroom breaks, but she kept them occupied and busy, even as she tried to think about ways she could get out of there and nothing appeared at all.

I can't get them out of here. How do I keep them human when they are being forced to stay as animals?

The thought stayed with her all day long until at the end they were curled around her and she pulled them close and fought back the tears and the feeling of helplessness as sleep pulled her down.

Chapter 33 - Consequences

While the search still goes on for the missing children in Northern California, disturbing news is emerging from China. The issues with North Korea are well known at this point, but China has instituted a new travel ban for anyone who can shift. That in itself is problematic, but what is really causing concern all the way up to the state department is anyone who comes into the country and is found can shift, is being indefinitely detained. There are stories, which have yet to be substantiated, that the families of those detained are unable to reach anyone to talk about getting their loved ones back. The State Department is in talks about having our citizens returned, but China is being unusual about this entire thing, declaring they have detained no people. - TNN News report.

The kids had covered her like a living blanket of fur in the night, and she hadn't had the heart to push them way, nor the desire to if she was honest. The blare of an alarm over the speakers pulled her from dreams of being smothered by fur.

Waking up, she stretched, pushing grumbling kids from her as she headed to the bathroom. Teeth brushed and bladder emptied, she looked at herself in the small mirror. With a sigh she removed the bra, no reason to torture herself. She hung it up and emerged back out into the main room. Already her clothes were feeling grimy. But right now, she just needed to keep the kids calm.

"Morning guys," she made her voice cheerful as she watched the kids. They didn't deserve her anger, and she refused to punish them because of her inability to figure a way out.

Paul sprang forward rubbing against her leg, followed by one of the jaguars. The others all curled up tighter in balls not wanting to move.

I so wish I could do that and ignore this reality.

"How do eggs, sausage, and biscuits sound?" She asked after digging through the fridge and pulling out the ingredients. That got a little more interest and Charley moved over, sitting back and watching, his whole body still. Jalmer didn't move except to have his badger form curl tighter into a ball. She didn't push it, they would be moving soon enough.

As she cooked, she watched them move around, trips to the bathroom, stretching, and interacting. Charley definitely seemed to be the leader, he nudged Nam and Jalmer into moving, and watched the most. She just cataloged everything as she looked around their prison again, trying to see if there was anything she had missed yesterday. But nothing had changed. They were still watched, and she couldn't see a way to get out. Trying to break down the door would be seen in a minute as would disabling the cameras. She had no way to set up loops on the cameras, and nothing else to try but take down multiple armed men without her or kids ending up dead.

With a brisk shake of her head, dwelling accomplished nothing, she served the kids on plates on the floor. They had provided dog bowls, but she refused to use them. Making the kids feel less human than what they already did would not help in the long run.

Food had the wonderful effect of grabbing all of their attention, and she ate as she watched them. Her appetite had disappeared, but she knew she needed food to be able to have a chance of protecting them.

Her goal today, keep them entertained and distracted. And try to come up with a plan. She watched Charley, he paid the most attention to everything, and she worried he might be the one to do something dangerous.

"Okay guys, laps while I do the dishes. Go, run around the area. Twenty times. Go." Keeping her voice light required effort, but she even got a smile on her face. Watching them tumble about in laps, the four cats chasing tails, while Charley just ran. His focus was absolute as he did the laps, ignoring the cats' attempts to pounce on his tail. Jalmer trundled after them, his low body moving much slower than everyone else. His head hung low as he moved, no energy in his movements, unlike the others.

McKenna just noted, if their captors didn't comment, she wasn't about to get on them for anything.

"Great job. We ready to start training today? I've got some ideas to mix it up."

"No, I don't wanna. I want to go home. This is stupid."

She whirled and looked in horror at Jalmer standing there, holding a blanket up to cover himself, a pout on his lips.

And here I was worried about Charley.

"Jalmer, you need to change back," her voice hit a strident note as she moved over to him, Charley right behind her butting Jalmer at his knees making the kid buckle and fall onto the floor.

"No! I want my mom!" Tears started to roll down his face, and the other kids watched, their eyes wide, bodies frozen.

"I know, Jalmer, I know. But she can't be here right now. And we have to obey the rules right now." The bitterness of those words coated her mouth with acid, even as she kept talking, begging him. "So, go ahead and change back and we can come up with something fun to do." She knew she was begging, and a part of her prayed that the threat had been just that, a threat and not something they would back up.

"No, I'm not doing it." Jalmer backed into a corner, pulling the blanket back against him, crying at this point which set off the other kids, and she could see a few of them wanting to change, soft blurs at their edges.

"Everyone just calm down. You need to stay in your animal forms." Dropping to her knees in front of him, she pleaded. "I know how scary this is, and I really wish we could go home. But we can't right now. And if we don't listen bad things might happen. And you don't want that, do you?"

Jalmer just shook his head crying, and the tiger and panther pushed past Charley to curl up next to him. The panther purring like crazy while Nam cuddled with him, the tiger cub cuteness enough to make her want to cry.

The creak of the door being unlocked cause her heart and brain to freeze. Turning with icy slowness she looked at the door, and a wild thought flashed through her mind.

Maybe they found us, and this nightmare is over.

The door pulled open to see Smiling Man standing there, no smile on his face this time. But what really made every bit of her breakfast threaten to re-emerge was the whip dangling from his hand.

He held it up, and she knew there wasn't a person in the room who didn't focus on it. With a handle wrapped in leather that plaited around the shaft and kept going for about six feet and lay in a deadly pool of leather on the floor.

"I had hoped I wouldn't need to do this, but I suppose when you deal with children they don't understand consequences as well as adults. I'm sure after this object lesson, none of them will forget." He didn't sound mad, if anything he sounded vaguely disappointed, and that made the nausea worse.

With shaking knees she pushed to her feet, and walked towards him, waving the kids behind her.

"No, it's my fault I didn't explain properly. I should be punished, not him." Her mind raced trying to figure out how to stop this, but behind him were two men with guns. They stayed in the shadows and she couldn't see them properly to know if they were the same ones as on the bus. Plus her eyes kept drifting back to that whip, her mouth feeling like she had been eating sand.

"Hmm, interesting. It might be worth it to use you as my lesson. Let them know that misbehaving has consequences for others than just themselves." He tilted his head looking at her, the button-down oxford and dark slacks a strange contrast to the gang tattoos peeking out of the rolled-up sleeves.

She tried to swallow, but her throat didn't work, making it worse as nothing came to mind. Getting past them without her or the kids ending up shot didn't seem possible. Even if she shifted, she couldn't move fast enough to protect all of them. But letting a child get whipped wasn't an option.

"Very well, I think this is better anyhow. Every time one of them breaks the rules I'll punish you." He stepped forward, a cold smile on his face. "And if you break the rules, I'll punish them." McKenna had to close her eyes as his words sank in.

I can't risk doing anything to piss him off, the kids will not pay for my mistakes.

"Understood." Trying to make it seem okay, she turned to the kids. "Go, sit down. I'm going to go with these men." A chorus of whines and coughs of distress across. Jalmer stood frozen his eyes locked on to the whip.

"Oh no. That would reduce the effectiveness of this message. They need to see the punishment, hear it, smell it. Strip." The last word hard and direct.

Protests rose on her lips, the kids did not need to see her naked, but intuition told her saying anything might make it worse. With numb fingers she pulled off her clothes, setting them in a pile. She looked up to see Smiling Man run his eyes up and down her body.

"If anything, I have to say the video of you underplayed your attractiveness." He glanced around the area, then nodded towards the kitchen. "There. Go grab the counter and hold on. Oh, and, Officer," he played with the sound of that word, "if you try to fight, I'll put a bullet in your brain then whip the kids to make sure they understand."

Words wouldn't come, she nodded her head in a jerky movement, and without looking at the kids walked into the kitchen. She leaned against the counter, her fingers so tight on the edge of the laminate counter top they turned white.

You can do this. It's just pain.

She'd been hurt before, she could do this.

"You ready? I figure twenty lashes should be a good number. Effective enough that the animals will understand the consequences, but I don't think it will kill you."

Breathe, in and out, concentrate on breathing.

Her world narrowed down to listening to the people in that room, the kids snuffling, the men shifting their stances and the quiet steps as Smiling Man approached with the whip.

The crack in the air heralded the first strike, but they were so close together they blended into a single thing, a crack of pain.

A startled yell slipped out of her as her skin split under the blow.

"Interesting. I had read that this was an effective deterrent to people committing crimes. I am starting to see why. Though getting it to hit is harder than I thought."

Another crack of pain, and McKenna bit her lip so hard metallic blood flooded her mouth. Crack, crack, crack. The sounds were blending together and the kids where howling in agony, and she heard words spoken though it took her a minute to understand them.

"If they don't shut up, shoot the nosiest one."

The howls stopped immediately, and all she could hear was her ragged breathing.

"I don't think I'm getting the full impact. I wonder if I move over here." Footsteps, then the crack, sharper, faster this time, and she screamed as it lashed across her back, the tip of the whip curling around to slice at her breast.

"Oh, much better. This is wonderful. Gentlemen, please double check this is being recorded. I think it will be an excellent motivational video." The idle speculation in his voice let her know they would all die before he let them escape. To be free, she would have to kill him.

After that, she could only scream. Each lash of the whip tearing skin and muscle, curling around her body and teaching her pain she never knew could exist. By the end, the only reason she still stood is her knees were locked, and she couldn't figure out how to unlock them so she could collapse.

"That was twenty. From the amount of blood on the floor I might have overdone it. I would advise you to not die, Officer. The children might not survive long if you do."

Blackness wavered in and out, and it took the door clanging shut for her to realize they were gone.

Her mind blanked, pain the only thing she could feel. A high-pitched whine made her glance down, and Charley sat at her feet, ignoring the blood dripping on him.

"Char," he barked, and she looked at him, wondering if she had died. "Char," again. And a growl of frustration as he put his feet on the counter and licked her face. As his tongue trailed across it, she realized she'd been crying. "Chag," this time, and her brain pulled out what he tried to tell her.

"Oh yeah." She reached for the cat, but it came slowly, sluggish with pain, but as it flowed forward her back burned with a new fire, and she collapsed, hitting the ground as a cat. McKenna lay there panting, pain ebbing and spiking, but compared to the pain of moments before she could think.

Her eyes opened to see all of them surrounding her, Jalmer in his honey badger form sniffling at her, licking and whining. The cats piled around her, surrounding her body, and their heat helped give her something to focus on as she tried to breathe through the pain.

I need to shift back again, to help heal.

The idea seemed too hard to even attempt, and she just lay there trying to muster the energy, the courage to shift again. It took a few minutes, but eventually she reached for herself, and her body shifted and turned, again hot golden heat tracing her back and stomach where the whip had cut, but by the time she lay there fully human, it didn't hurt. A low ache, but nothing more than that.

"Okay guys, let me get up and go check myself out in the bathroom. Then I'm going to need food." She focused on the animals surrounding her and covered in her blood from it dripping on them and the puddles on the floor. "And apparently give you a bath."

Jalmer whined and shook, and she pulled him to her, ignoring the blood, and her own nudity. "Jalmer, it's okay. You didn't know, and given how fast he was here, plus with a whip of all things, I'd say he expected this to happen. It's not your fault. We just have to follow the rules for a while." She wanted to reassure them it would be okay, but right now she couldn't believe it, and she really didn't want to lie to them.

He rubbed against her, the bristly softness of his fur reminding her of her nude state. With shaking legs she stood and made it to the bathroom, shutting the door on the whines. She lifted her head and using the mirror inspected the damage. Lines of scars crossed her back, a few traces of red lines curling around her belly and the sides of her breasts. The blood coating her body made her look like an extra in a horror movie. Moving cautiously, she started the shower and stepped in, the heated water helping with the tension in her body. With a broken sound she leaned into the water and let the tears come, crying for her failure.

Be strong, you can't let the kids dwell on this. You're alive, they aren't hurt. Suck it up, Kenna.

Scrubbing at her face with her hands, she focused on getting the blood off her body, then stepped out. Wrapping a towel around her, she'd left her clothes in the main room, she opened the door to a pile of focused animals, who all seemed to sigh when she opened the door. Charley moving over to rub against her.

"I'll be okay. But I need food. And then, how about a story?" Her voice didn't shake, too much.

There was a chorus of sound she took as approval. Moving to the kitchen she started to talk. "Some of you know my partner, JD. He's a big lug, turns in a huge bear. But he has to be the unluckiest man alive when it comes to cooking." She continued to talk, telling light-hearted stories about JD, letting the memories wash around her, and give her something to hold close to her chest.

Where are you guys?

Chapter 34 - Compartmentalize

The emergence of shifter is still slowly becoming mainstream. New dating sites are popping up; so far the most popular seem to be furmatched.com and furlove.com both of which allow you to set not only age, gender, but species you want to be matched with. There are a few dance clubs popping up that are very shifter-friendly and clothing optional, but make sure you bring your ID. Twenty-one and over only, and it is very strictly enforced. Blogs dedicated to the shifter lifestyles are everywhere. The StarPack blog is by far the most common, but it is very wolf-centric and actively encourages pack formation. The other blog that seems to be the pulse of the shifter is MyInnerBeast. It is much more matter of fact with all of this going on, and mostly focuses on dealing with "the dichotomy of animal and man." ~ TNN commentator

Days blended together, and McKenna had to believe they were keeping to twenty-four hour days, but that was just an assumption. Wake up calls signaled mornings and breakfast, and the lights being shut off signaled sleep. She was all too aware of how easy it would be to screw with their time sense, but she didn't have any way to combat the manipulation. They moved through the exercises and could seek and stay on command. On what for her was the seventh day, there was a knock and creak at the door.

McKenna had just put the last of the dishes in the sink to soak when the sound filtered through the room. She froze and turned to look at the door.

Her attention didn't waver from the door as it swung open and the two same men as last time stood there, guns at the ready. She locked onto the one with the .45 Glock in one hand, the other holding the door open.

"Come out here. We need to talk to you." The one with the TEC-9 said, his voice cold.

"Kids, go to the sleep area. Curl up and stay there, don't move." They moved at her words, eyes and ears following her even as they were curling up.

She moved to the door, her eyes now locked on the guns that never wavered from her as she moved towards them.

"What part of come out here didn't you understand? Move it." The man waving a TEC-9 at her ordered, his voice flat as his haircut.

McKenna moved forward, her body taunt and ready for anything they might pull on her.

"Shut the door," TEC-9 ordered, a leer in his voice.

McKenna swallowed, bracing herself. Silence reigned in the small area as the man with the nine mil pulled the door shut. In her mind she called him Glock, but he didn't seem as dangerous as TEC-9 did. Something about TEC-9 had all her hackles raised, even metaphorically. Though the idea of being in animal form around him made her feel much safer.

The door clanged shut with a level of finality that vibrated her bones. The silence that fell, the lack of noises suddenly felt strange, almost empty without hearing the children snuffling in the background. Until the door closed she hadn't realized the constant presence of them created so much noise. She turned taking in the space. A landing-like area with stairs leading up away from them. She could see the light at the top, but she figured they were still too deep for the tracker to work even out here. A few boxes sat in one corner, but she couldn't tell anything else about them.

The men looked at her and she stood up straighter, sucking her stomach in, watching them, all too aware of Smiling Man still present and most likely watching them.

"So how may I assist you gentlemen?" Her voice professional and measured.

TEC-9 smiled at her. "We have information for you, and an offer." His voice dripped malice and McKenna swallowed past the lump in her throat, just focusing on not reacting.

"What would that be?" She smiled, though her mind flashed up images of blood dripping off their bodies flashing through her mind. The image fascinated her, and she had to resist to focus on it and smile at the thoughts.

"We have a busy schedule and we're stuck here watching you and the four-legged ones. Waste of time. I don't think you're stupid enough to cause problems, because you know the kids would pay the price." TEC sneered at her. "But I started thinking about that. I saw your vid. You've got nice tits and an ass that needs to be smacked. I bet your cunt is just as tight as your control over your temper is."

McKenna lifted her eyes to him, staring hard, even as her stomach clenched in reaction to the look in his eyes. She caught the shifting stance of Nine who glanced at the floor and back at the door, and for a second she thought about turning to him for assistance. But that was squashed ruthlessly.

He won't do a damn thing. Just because he might not do anything, doesn't mean he'll help. Just stay the course, you can handle anything.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" she asked quietly keeping her eyes locked on TEC's.

"We'll have some more supplies for you tomorrow. But we've got some of what you need now, as well as a new training regime. The boss is happy with you. But as for me," he leaned close and leered. "I'm a bit bored, and all that pussy in there is starting to look attractive. I think I'm going to need something to keep myself from getting annoyed in the long hours of watching your ass on the screen."

In all her years of being a cop, she'd dealt with a harassment and sexist behavior. She'd learned to ignore it. This insinuation had no wiggle room, and she didn't bother to try to misunderstand. Instead McKenna turned it back on him.

"I don't have time for games. What do you want?" She never let her eyes drift from TEC's, to give him even the slightest hint he intimidated her or made her scared.

"Simple. I want to fuck that pussy of yours. Or if you aren't interested, I'm sure one of those little girls would love to know what a real cock feels like. Or are they fucking at night when we can't see everything as clearly. Are those little perverts getting it on under the cover of darkness?"

Interesting, their visibility is limited in the dark. It's something.

McKenna tilted her head. "Your boss know about this?"

While she didn't trust Smiling Man as far as she could throw him, figuring out where he stood on this might matter. Maybe.

TEC shrugged. "Doesn't matter. He's gone to deal with stuff, and I doubt he'd care anyhow. Our other guy is up there keeping an eye on the kids. Hell, maybe he'll watch this and want some too." TEC leaned closer, and she could smell stale cigarettes and beer on his breath.

Her mind filed the information away, still with no idea of if this would ever be useful at all.

Knowledge is the only power I have right now.

The thought filtered through as she braced herself, part of her hoping all of this was being recorded so when they finally got out of here there was evidence of everything. Evidence she planned to make sure would bury all of them. Having video of her being raped would not even rate on the worst of the things that could happen.

"Let me make sure I understand this perfectly." Her stomach clenched, but it didn't matter, letting the kids get hurt wasn't a valid option. "If I let you rape me, you'll leave the kids alone. If I refuse, you'll attack them."

TEC smiled, showing teeth stained by tobacco and meth usage. "If you agree, it's not rape. And I'd much rather fuck something with boobs, but I'm not picky." His breath washed over her and she had to fight not to gag. "So, you going to let me fuck your pussy, kitty cat?"

McKenna shrugged looking at him, but she noticed the other guy was paying very close attention to the stairs up. Part of her almost replied to let him know that wasn't how the law read. If he had intercourse with her using the safety of the kids as leverage, the law considered it rape by coercion. But in the long run, the way she defined it didn't change what would happen.

"Sure. Here?" Letting him inside, and the kids seeing this she would avoid at all costs.

His eyes lit up, and she swallowed trying to push down the nerves. She could deal with this, she could.

You've had sex before. Let him rape you and get it over with. The only thing that matters are the kids. Maybe you'll get a chance to take them both out.

"Gary, switch weapons with me and then move over to the side. If you see her start to fight, or shift, put a bullet in her skull." TEC said, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You sure about this?" Gary asked shifting his body weight back and forth.

"Pull off your pants and get down on your knees," TEC ordered McKenna as he stepped away. The gun didn't waiver as Gary followed TEC's orders. They moved far enough away she could never reach them, and his eyes never left the two of them.

"Oh hell, yes. I've thought about this pussy since I saw her on the vid. Besides, I've heard cops make the best bitches."

McKenna watched them out of the corner of her eyes as Gary took the TEC-9 and the other guy took the Glock, walking back over to her as she finished stepping out of her pants and underwear, setting them over to the side.

Making this hurt is stupid, you don't know when you'll press charges. Being in pain will let the kids know something is wrong, and they can't know.

She looked around as her mind raced frantically trying to think of a way out of this, but Gary stood watching them, his face blank and the gun never moved.

TEC put the Glock to the back of her head. "I don't care if you enjoy this or not, but struggling will get you killed, and then where will those poor animals be?" His voice dropped to a sadistic whisper as she felt him pressed against her. "But then, either way, I get to have my fun." With that last comment he thrust into her.

It hurt, but compared to the first time she shifted, the bullet impacting her body, her mother's body on the floor with blood pooling from the hole in the back of her skull, the rape didn't compare in her private list of worst pain. McKenna just let him do what he wanted, the tearing of her fragile tissues distant discomforts as she focused on Gary. The man stayed alert and his weapon didn't stray, but if he pulled the trigger the odds were he'd hit TEC as well as her. She'd risk it if she thought TEC would get killed, but she'd probably end up dead or so badly wounded she couldn't fight either. Not an option. Leaving the kids at these monsters' mercy would never be an option.

At least his dick is as small as his IQ.

The black humor made her smile even as she gritted her teeth and suffered through his attentions. Rape must have really gotten him going, because he was done a few minutes, pulling out of her with a sound that turned her stomach.

"You want a turn? I've got her nice and lubed up for you," TEC offered as he stepped back, the gun pulling away from her skull.

"Nah, I'm not into animals," Gary's voice was dismissive and casual.

Oddly the casual way he dismissed her as an animal got more under her skin than the rape did, but she only stood up and pulled her clothes back on.

"We done?" Her voice flat, she refused to let them see that anything they did could affect her.

"Yeah. Here, this was stuff you needed." TEC walked over, to the boxes and pushed them towards the door. "Open the door, step in, and we'll push them in there."

She followed instructions, taking the time to note the way the door opened and locked, ignoring the burning between her legs, and the liquid that oozed out. As she pushed the door open McKenna made sure her face revealed nothing of what had occurred.

The kids were all waiting for her, and she could hear the sigh of relief as she walked back through the door. One of the jaguars made as if to come near her, but she shook her head and the cat froze in mid motion, then sank back down to the ground. Charley inhaled, then jerked upright, his ears laying back even as his lips pulled back from his teeth, a low growl she felt more than heard rattling from him. McKenna shook her head at them again, and none of the others moved, though Charley kept up the low growl. From their indifference McKenna figured the men didn't hear him.

Swallowing and compartmentalizing everything, she turned watching Gary push the three large boxes in even as TEC kept the gun on her, a leer clear on his face.

"Go get your trash," he ordered, and she hesitated a minute as it would leave the kids as his primary targets. "It wasn't a request, pussy cat." He emphasized the pussy, his leer growing.

McKenna moved towards the kitchen, grabbing the large bag of trash and walking it back to the entrance, ideas flashing through her mind as to how she could use this. But by the time she got there, both men had backed up and there was no way she could get near them.

"Set it down and then go back and close the door. There's more instructions in there for you and the animals."

Bowing to necessity at this point she pushed the door closed and heard it click. She turned around to six bodies almost close enough to touch and six sets of eyes staring at her, tails lashing and ears laid back in most of them.

"I'm fine. I'm just going to go take a shower and then we'll see what is in the boxes, okay?" She pushed calm and cheer into her voice, but something cracked at the far edge of it, and Jessi started to shift to a human. Charley pushed against her, whining and licking her hand.

"No, don't. You know the consequences."

The girl halted mid-shift and her entire body shrank in on itself, then melted back into her cat form. The jaguar sat, lashing her tail until a white wolf pushed her out of the way and stared at McKenna. It wasn't a glare, not quite. His body language implied something else, but McKenna didn't have the energy to figure out it.

"I'm fine. I just need a shower, nothing more."

She stalked into the bathroom and shut the door firmly. There weren't any locks, but it didn't matter. The only people she wanted to lock out, she couldn't. With iron control that had got her through the years of foster homes, she stepped out her clothes and washed her only pair of underwear in the sink, scrubbing the blood and semen off of it with the soap there. She wrung it out to dry, then turned on the shower. Once hot, she stepped in, letting the water wash over her. With shaking hands she washed between her legs with the soap, enjoying the burning pain of the soap in the torn tissues on her vulva and labia.

Once she couldn't feel or smell him on her, she let the tears come. The water cascaded over her face, and they disappeared into the rush of water, invisible. She cried until she couldn't anymore. Not letting a sob or scream past her lips, just the tears at what had been taken.

Think it through. You weren't a virgin. He didn't take that from you. You can't get pregnant, your forethought has removed that danger. You can get tested for disease as soon as you get the kids out. And if you get the chance, you can kill him, and enjoy it.

The thoughts repeated, and she centered on herself. TEC couldn't touch her, and the only thing that mattered right now were the kids. If they had given her a choice of being lashed or the kids, she would have made the same choice.

It was the right choice. But you've wallowed long enough. Time to go reassure the kids.

The water had started to grow cold, and she shut it off. Drying off with the towel, she brushed her teeth quickly, glad he hadn't kissed her. Not biting his tongue off might have been more temptation than she could have handled. A quick comb through her hair to get out the worst of the tangles, and she was ready to go back to her job. The only job that mattered.

The underwear stayed off, she couldn't stand putting wet clothes back on. Pulling on the undershirt and pants, she pulled open the door to six animals in a semi-circle staring at her.

The smile almost felt real. "See, told you I was fine. I just needed a shower. Now let's go see what's in the boxes."

Her words calmed most of them as she moved to the boxes and found hygiene supplies, another change of clothes for her, with three pair of underwear, more food for the kids, and a new training packet.

The rest of the kids played while she went through things, but Charley wouldn't leave her side, his body laying next her as she went over the training. At his urging she gave in and petted him. The action seemed to relax him as much as it soothed the jagged edges in her soul.

Chapter 35 - Chance

In an interesting change in criminal statistics, violent crimes against strangers has dropped by at least thirty percent across the board in America. Other countries are reporting lower instances of rape and mugging. Domestic abuse has not had a similar drop, and crimes with guns have gone up. Right now, the speculation among law enforcement is that it is similar to the drops in crime rates in places with mandatory gun ownership. As one sheriff in Kansas stated—"You don't tend to mug a small female when you know there is a chance she could turn into a big cat and rip your throat out. But while that is just speculation on my part, I'm happy that rapes have dropped over seventy-five percent in my jurisdiction." While we don't know if that is case everywhere, I don't think anyone is upset to hear about such a drastic drop in stranger crimes. ~ KWAK News Editorial

The new training had more commands for all of them to learn, and complicated routines, but what would have been time-consuming for animals, the kids learned quickly. Charley still remained clingy, but McKenna didn't complain, enjoying his presence. Her biggest issue ended up keeping them busy and interested. Luckily, they tended to need more sleep, but she still chafed at all of it. If there was a way out, she couldn't see it.

The next afternoon TEC came again. Gary watching with no comment. She didn't protest, going along with his demands, occupying herself as he raped her by trying to figure out how she could use this against them. Done, he pulled out and nodded at the boxes.

"There's more crap there for you. Grab it, then get in there." He seemed more rushed than last time, but she noted their attention seemed sloppier, as if they didn't really expect her to do anything.

[They are becoming complacent.]

The thought flashed through her, and she almost stumbled, she knew that hadn't been her thought. Forcing down the hysterical fear that bubbled up in her, she grabbed the boxes and moved through the open door.

It's happening, I'm going crazy too. Oh please, don't let me lose it before I get these kids safe back home with their families.

Nothing answered her thought, and she fought back the tears.

The kids all looked at her, Charley all but attached to her, his tail tight against his body.

"No worries, guys. I just got us more stuff. Let me go to the bathroom and I'll be right back." They didn't look reassured, and she didn't want to know what they had thought about what she did out there. Or worse, if they knew.

McKenna didn't bother with the shower, just washing herself as she sat on the toilet trying not to think about all the things going wrong in her life right now.

Suck it up, Kenna. The kids.

She pulled on the clean unworn underwear washed out the other and walked out to start the training again, pretending with voice and body that nothing bothered her. Her dreams attacked her at night, but she didn't let herself scream or cry even in sleep.

The days fell into a routine of rape, training, sleep, and repeat. Her menstrual cycle didn't come, but the amount of stress she dealt with probably influenced that. To keep her sanity, she latched onto the kids even harder, doing anything to keep them occupied. Too wound up in the evenings to fall asleep immediately, they curled around her, and she told them stories. Some were TV shows, some books she had read, others old fairy tales, and most of them blended together stealing one from another.

The stress caused more weight to fall off of her, but her biggest fear centered on the kids who were acting more like animals every day.

She hated it, but the rape had become routine, even TEC seemed to be getting bored. Gary sat on the stairs barely watching them, his gun pointed loosely in their direction, but not casual enough that she thought she had a chance.

"Okay, Charley. Искать cocaine." The wolf bounded away from her, but rather than the normal under 45 seconds, he pointed at three wrong places before he found it. McKenna chewed on her lip. Since day one, none of them had made a mistake or taken that long.

Oh, please don't let them be regressing into animals.

A snort of derision in the back of her mind caused her to flinch. She pushed it away, instead calling out the next one. "Jessi, nej pot."

One of the cats, tail lashing, slinked out and went around the room. Both of the cats found things fast, with little patience for the action, wanting more to play. But the cat took five full minutes, then finally gave the signal after multiple pauses at other locations.

Other locations where she had hidden them before.

And idea sparked, and she played with it in her head as she called the kids to her.

"Let's end early today, guys. How about dinner, with jerky as treats, and I'll tell you a longer story?"

They all looked at her with quizzical expressions, but heads nodded down as she led them to the kitchen. She'd found that they still had a locked-in focus on food. For herself most of it just tasted like ashes in her mouth, so she only ate what she had to. Once they were busy eating, she walked over and lifted her head up, mostly to identify she was talking to the people watching.

"Excuse me, sir" she kept her voice quiet and meek, tossing in the honorific to stroke his ego. Outside of TEC and Gary, there hadn't been any conversations over the speakers. Even their wake-up calls were just an alarm over the speakers.

The silence stretched long enough to make her wonder if they didn't listen anymore. Then a click and the Smiling Man's voice.

"Yes, Miss Largo?"

McKenna noted that he'd dropped the officer title. She decided to take that as a positive, maybe it meant they didn't think of her as a threat anymore. The problem existed that it might mean they considered her disposable. Either way it didn't matter, she could feel time slipping through her fingers. She closed her eyes for a minute, thinking how terrified the parents were. How terrified Toni was. Those thoughts helped steel her spine.

"I am running into an issue with making the training effective."

Put the blame on yourself, keep the kids safe and out of this discussion.

Thoughts jumbled together, and she broke out in a cold sweat trying to ignore the voice.

"And what would that be?" Interest? Boredom? She couldn't tell anything from his comment.

"The packages you provided have been hidden in so many places, their scent has saturated the area. The scent is no longer distinct enough to find in this area. If you would like to make them stretch their abilities, they need a new environment, one with competing scents and unknown hiding places. I'd like to suggest to you an outside test, controlled of course, to have the packets hidden so they can search them out." She kept her voice diffident, trying to make it sound like his idea.

McKenna had rolled the words around in her head over and over as she prepared the food, this had to work. She needed one chance to get them out of here.

"Hmm, I see that this might be an issue. I had not considered that scents would saturate an area. Though from what I've seen in the tapes I've reviewed, you've done a decent job training them. They don't seem to be chafing much against their orders. But I can see that in an area that small, there might be a lack of challenge. I will consider it." The speaker clicked, and the voice shut off.

He isn't watching everything real time.

She nodded her head, trying to seem meek and subservient. Anything to help make them think the risk was low. But she couldn't assume this guy would think she was stupid. Assume he'd think this was all a trick, what might he ask?

Trying to keep things close to normal, she cleaned and thought of something to keep the kids busy. While she struggled to come up with plans to deal with any contingency.

As long as he doesn't hurt the kids. If I shift I can get out of most bonds I think.

She closed her eyes and forced back tears, the stress of trying to stay cheerful and think of a way out beating at her.

It has to work, it has to.

The day passed, and she created an Eye Spy game with the kids to keep them busy, but with foreign words, since one of the things provided had been some dictionaries to try to get them more fluent. That ate up more time than she would have thought.

The night passed endlessly, with her having a hard time sleeping. Trying to decide if she should even get their hopes up about going outside. In the end she decided no and slept restlessly as she tried to think of another option if this was denied.

By morning, she had only come up with one last-ditch effort, but the consequences of failure would be all of their lives, and she didn't know if she could make that choice.

The banging at the door as she cleaned up the breakfast dishes took her by surprise. No one had ever come this early.

"McKenna," Smiling Man's voice came through the door. "Keep the animals back."

"Come here, guys," she called them to her even as her heart leapt, she had to grab the tracker. Moving, she squatted, putting away a dish as she opened the door, grabbing the tracker from the shoe and putting it in her pocket. If she could just get it outside. She had to have faith that she did it fast enough that no one noticed.

She continued with the dishes even as the small object burned in her pocket.

Please don't let the battery have died, oh please.

With shaking hands that she tried to stop, she dried them as she turned to face the men in the doorway. There were three, not counting Smiling Man and TEC. She didn't see Gary and had no idea if that was good or bad.

"If you are ready to pay attention now?" The question held more than a hint of annoyance, and she pulled her head between her shoulders, trying to look small.

"Sorry, I didn't want the dishes to sit. The place is too small and holds the odors."

"Hmph. Well, I decided to use this as a chance to do a presentation. But as I am sure you expected there will be rules." He stood up a bit straighter, and she fought to look cowed. She'd never done that look very well.

"Thank you. I'm sure the kids will follow the rules."

"Oh, I'm sure they will. Here they are. My men are hiding the various objects outside right now, all within a five-hundred-yard radius. We will go upstairs, and I will give them the commands. They have five minutes to find each object I call out. And there are various of each hidden. If they fail, I shoot them. If they attack anyone, I shoot them. If you create any trouble, I shoot them. And McKenna," he oozed out the syllables of her name, and she thought she might never be able to stand to hear it again. "If I have to shoot them, I'll shoot you, too."

"They'll do good. I promise."

"They'd better. Your life is counting on these animals having learned everything correctly." He backed up. "Not that I don't trust you or anything, but you will stay there until we are up the stairs, and then I will call for you. If anyone rushes up the stairs, I'll assume they are escaping and shoot them." His calm tone never varied as he turned and ascended the stairs. TEC waited until he was almost at the top, then started to climb them backwards.

McKenna knelt, gathering the kids around her, letting her hands drift out and pet each one. Her voice so low she could barely hear it.

"Do your best, but if you hear me yell 'run', take off don't look back, don't come for me, get out of there, hide. Even if they shoot you, run."

She put every bit of fear and command she could into her voice and they glanced at her, their heads dipping, except Charley. But there wasn't any time to try to convince him.

"Come up now. Slowly."

Standing, feeling hope and fear tearing her stomach and heart apart, she climbed the stairs to the only chance she had.

Chapter 36 - Roll the Dice

My Baby Changed in the Womb! "My baby tried to eat his way out of me!" proclaims grief-stricken mother as she views the remains of her once human child. Read more about this horrifying experience on Page 8 ~ local tabloid headlines

The youngest change currently on record has been a few six-year-olds. There are now reports of children who did not change during the first few days of The Calling, only a few weeks ago, that are now changing. All of them are older than five. While any information about infants changing or very young toddlers is still being sought, the consensus is a minimum age is required. The big game changer about this is it means that there may be more children as time goes on, and new ones are born that may have this ability, even if they weren't alive during The Calling. The long-term effects of what this might mean on our society, on our world, are still up for debate, and the current two percent of people shifting might change. Who knows, people who can't shift might one day be the minority. ~ TNN Talking Head

Even though where they had been kept was equipped with decent lighting, the brightness of the day outside took her by surprise. McKenna squinted as she stared out onto a cloudless day. The sun hung in the sky and it already had passed eighty degrees. It looked to be midmorning, so maybe they had kept to normal days.

McKenna counted in her head how many days they had been there.

Ten days, at least.

The number made her nauseous. She knew they would still be looking for them, but at this point they'd be expecting bodies. Every fiber of her being focused on the small device laying in her pocket, innocent and the manifestation of all her hope.

She stood at the entrance of their prison, taking everything in as fast as she could, and she still couldn't take it all in or make plans before Smiling Man spoke.

"Over here." He pointed at a location off to the left of the entrance. "You will stand here, and a gun will be kept on you at all times. The animals will go to the line over there." He pointed to a rough line dragged through the ground out in front.

To her relief Charley moved first, moving over to the line, the other kids following him at a quick pace. They all took their places, apparently unconcerned by anything going on. But she could see the tenseness in their bodies, and their sharp tail slashes. It both terrified her and made her feel better. McKenna stood where instructed, her bare feet hurting on the ground.

Don't think about it, follow your instincts, and trust that JD will never quit looking for you.

TEC stood next her, sunglasses on his face hiding his expression. He held his gun out but not pointed at her, which made her smile internally. At least someone didn't regard her as a threat anymore. At this point anything she could get, she'd take.

Smiling Man glanced at her and dismissed her as he walked over to the kids all at the line. She watched his body language carefully, relieved at the arrogance and unconcern she saw there. Not having them practice attacking on anything might make all of them underestimate just how deadly these kids could be. Closing her eyes, she listened carefully, but all she could hear were the men shifting back and forth, the leaves on the trees rustling, and maybe in the distance water rushing over water. Even the air didn't carry any scent of cars or city.

McKenna swallowed a sigh and bowed her head, not having to pretend the dejection this time.

No traffic, so who knows how far away the road is, or how long it might take them to get there. It's all on me.

"I am sure you heard my instructions. I will make the assumption you can understand them. So rather than wasting my time, let's see how your skills are coming." He glanced at one of his men, who had his cell phone up in front of him. "Ready to start filming? I want to make sure this is recorded so we can show it to buyers."

"Got it, all right here. Once you view it and we edit it, we can upload it to your cloud storage."

"Good. And if not, I suppose we might be able to charge for a snuff film." Smiling Man shot her a glance as he said it, a smirk clear on his face.

The callous remark sent a shiver through her body that she couldn't completely repress, and TEC sneered at her. "Don't worry pussy cat, I'll keep you around for a while. You're too much fun to give up that easily."

McKenna ducked her head looking at the ground to prevent him from seeing the snarl that flashed across her face. As soon as her expression was back under control, she looked up to watch the kids. Her ears straining for any sound, praying to hear sirens. She would wait as long as she could, then she'd risk everything, because otherwise they were lost.

The ring leader walked over to the kids and waited, glancing at his wrist until two more men came out from under the trees. They nodded as they approached.

Okay seven, total. As long as I get TEC and Smiling Man, I think the rest will scatter. I can do this.

"All hidden. But not so far up they couldn't reach them."

"Good, go get your weapons and keep your eyes open. I don't want any of them to get the bright idea of running away." His voice dismissive as he turned to her kids, all of them sitting at that line.

McKenna wanted to scream, to throw a fit, but she remained calm, still, waiting.

"Nej, pot," his voice cracked out, and Jessi launched out, her tail lashing as she ran, but it looked like a lope, not a full-out run, and McKenna hoped the kids were even smarter than she thought they were.

In less than a minute, two yips rang through the air from some trees.

"Go, see if the animal found the pot or something else," Smiling Man ordered. One of the two thugs, a gun slung over his shoulder nodded and trotted off into the direction of the sound. Everyone waited a few minutes, men talking quietly, looking bored at the whole situation. After a few minutes, the man apparently moved slower than Jessi did, he trotted back out of the tree, the cat moving at his heels.

"Found it, right where I put it," the man affirmed, holding up a bag filled with green.

A slow, cruel smile spread over Smiling Man's face. "Excellent."

McKenna flashed to an image of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons in her mind and shuddered at what it implied.

"Throw it in the basket. Let's put my investment to the test. Suchen, cocaine."

Jalmer sprang forward this time, but still an easy lope, but this time one of the men followed him at a fast trot at a wave from Smiling Man. A minute later he yelled back. "Found it."

"I am very impressed, McKenna. These animals are exceeding my expectations."

McKenna forced a shaky smile and swallowed hard. With luck these idiots would think she had broken.

Please don't let me have been broken.

The testing kept going, and the sun crawled across the sky. After what she thought was at least an hour, the Smiling Man called a halt.

"They've found everything I hid, but I want one more test, to make sure they can actually think." He nodded at the two men. "Take these and hide them again, but this time, don't make them on the ground or easy to see."

"Sure thing." The men grabbed the items, divvying them up, then took off. The kids slumped to the ground, looking exhausted, but she could feel their eyes on her, and she knew damn well they were acting.

Her heart started to race as she could feel the precious time running out. She watched the kids, hoping. Charley lifted his head, and his ears twitched backwards, then perked up. He looked at her and then stretched out, ears pointed in the direction she thought might be the road.

Now or never, Kenna. Take out as many as you can. If the kids run they should get away, you have to believe that.

"Umm, I need to go pee. Can I go over in those bushes over there?" She'd scoped them out while she waited. A little ways away, far enough to slow down any reaction to her changing, but no so far they'd get nervous she might try to escape. If luck held.

TEC narrowed his eyes at her.

"Squat here and go. Not like I ain't seen what you've got down there."

"I don't want to make the kids uncomfortable, they need to still see me as their teacher." She kept her head down and didn't dare look at the kids even though she knew damn well they could hear her.

"Fine, fine. Just don't try nothing. I'd hate to put a bullet in your brain."

She sank her head further between her shoulders.

At this rate, I'm going to need massage therapy for a month to get the kinks out of my neck and shoulders from trying to look so meek.

It rubbed her the wrong way, but she pulled forth all the memories of the beaten wives and girlfriends she'd seen, and she tried to mimic them. Now more than ever they had to just not react to her presence.

He walked her over to the bushes, the gun pointed her direction, but his eyes remained on Smiling Man's location. McKenna crouched low, unbuckling her pants and stepping out of them completely.

With an effort of will, she made herself pee, the noise causing him to relax, even as she unbuttoned the shirt, and slipping if off. It left her naked, the bra something she hadn't bothered to wear after the third day.

Straining her ears, she thought she heard something, maybe a faint whine of sirens. Or it might have been her mind playing tricks on her, insanity took many forms, and if she heard thoughts that weren't her own, hearing what she wanted didn't surprise her at all.

Now or never, Kenna. As long as they get away, it doesn't matter what happens to you.

Taking a deep breath, she reached down and called the cat. It sprang towards her, shifting and flowing, but this time it was different, something was different.

[Calm, trust, this is needed for your vengeance.]

She didn't have time to panic or anything else as her body flowed into a new configuration. Instead of the cougar form she expected, she stood on her hind legs, seeing clearly. The distance fuzziness of the cat's vision, gone. She moved her shoulders feeling arms, not legs respond. At quick glance down her body revealed a humanoid form, but one covered with fur.

Her tongue flicked, verifying a muzzle and sharp teeth, even as her nose pulled in more information than her human one.  Looking at TEC her eyes landed on his shoulder blades, instead of his neck.

Huh, I'm shorter, a lot shorter.

She glanced down at her arms and the claws that graced each fingertip.  Claws that slid in and out as she contracted her hands.

Joy at the shape, so perfect for killing flooded her, even as she blinked in surprise at this configuration.

I don't have time to worry about it now, my window is closing.  Deal later.

She moved slightly to judge her balance. It remained the same, and that was all she needed to know right now.

Tossing everything else aside except the need to kill those that had threatened her kids, McKenna leapt at TEC.

Chapter 37 - Red in Tooth

Historically addendums to the US Bill of Rights can take months if not years to pass. However, an addendum to the Bill of Rights entered only weeks ago has been voted on and passed. This Eleventh amendment reads as follows: All citizens of the United States of America will be considered equal under the law irrespective of their gender, age, race, religion, form, disability, national origin, or ability to shift form. This historic update to the Bill of Rights is being lauded by the Rights activists as something they have wanted for a long time. There is a similar resolution up in front of the UN for consideration. Given that a few ambassadors that have shifters in their immediate family, it is expected to pass just as swiftly. One interesting caveat is a further addendum that claws and teeth will be treated as if they are knives if used in the commission of a crime. ~ TNN Correspondent.

What would have been a considerable distance for her in human form, disappeared easily as she leapt at him, tail lashing. Part of her cataloged it all in an abstract manner.

Tail, bipedal, claws, muzzle, did I mention tail.

All of fit into the stereotypical werewolf format, and the knowledge knocked around in her brain in the two seconds it had taken to transform and attack. And it added to her glee and terror.

TEC turned around, a look of horror flashed onto his face as she impacted into him, sinking her claws into his chest. With a violent yank she ripped out his heart. The terror on his face as he died warmed her down to her soul. But as good as the blood felt and smelled there was something more important.

She tilted her head back and screamed, "RUN!" Her voice came out weird, low guttural sound, and since her teeth seemed to be mostly fangs, the N disappeared, making the word sound more like "RUH" than what she wanted. But the flurry of movement from where the kids were assured her they had understood her command.

McKenna didn't have time to watch them, her attention needed to be on the imminent threat, Smiling Man. As fast as her attack and kill of TEC had been, Smiler turned, had seen what happened, and grabbed a gun raising it in her direction.

[Charge down and to the left.]

The words that were clear and crisp weren't hers, and right now she didn't care, she just obeyed. Leaping forward, she shifted her balance as she jumped, coming down towards his right hip as he fired the gun.

The crack of the TEC-9 he had grabbed from the man standing next to him sounded like a whip crack through the clearing. A sharp burn across her right shoulder heralded the crack, but it didn't weigh anything compared to what she felt inside. The seething anger seemed amplified, and nothing would stop her from killing this man who had threatened her kids.

Her hands, with razor sharp claws coming out of the top of her fingers, hit him first. Sinking into his waist and groin, unimpeded by his jeans or shirt. He screamed as her claws went in, and the only thing sweeter was the scream he made as she curled her hands and yanked across and down. The skin of his belly split like over-ripe fruit as she gutted him in one move. She lowered her face closer to his, and whispered, her words funny and malformed, but for all that every word rang with intent.

"You tink I'd ever let you hurt me kids? Tat I wouldn't kill you for layin hand on tem?"

His eyes wide as she stared into his, then she sank her fangs into his throat. The blood of righteous prey flowed down her throat, and even knowing it was the blood of another human didn't impact her pleasure at it one bit.

[There are still more.]

The words that weren't hers mixed with the scream of fright and a movement towards her, caused her head to jerk up from the throat and she lashed out with her hand in a backwards sweep. Her claws sliced through the throat of the third man, his scream turning into a gurgling protest. With a practiced move, though she'd never practiced it, she snapped his neck, then spun looking for the others. And to see if she could locate the kids, her kids.

They aren't yours, you'll have to give them back. Toni wants her children back. They aren't yours.

The protest fell flat, and even she couldn't believe the words. They were hers in a way that not even time would ever change. Even when they went back to their parents, they would be hers.

There had been seven, three were dead, the others were out there. She spun, tracking movement from the man filming all of this. He'd frozen, the phone held out in front of him. Eyes wide as he looked at her, fingers shaking. Easy, liquid movements as she stalked towards him, licking the blood off her muzzle. Terrified eyes locked on to that movement, and he started to whimper, but he didn't move, body locked in place with terror she supposed.

[He could be useful.]

The thought flashed through her mind and she jumped at him with a roar. Primal rage burst out of her throat at a decibel volume that should have torn her vocal cords. The sound echoed off the mountains, and she felt it in her bones.

The man's eyes rolled back up in his head and he fainted, leaving her standing over him blinking in surprise.

Huh, that's different.

The report of a weapon pulled her head out of the clouds, and she spun towards the sound. One of the remaining men stood behind a tree, leaning out to shoot at her, then back behind it. Either his aim sucked, or the weapon really sucked. Regardless, none of the shots were coming anywhere near her, though she could see his attention riveted on her.

With a sharp vicious kick, she snapped the knee of the unconscious man and broke his trigger finger.

A bit surprised at her own actions she bit back a mental snarl at herself.

What? I don't have handcuffs, and I refuse to leave someone dangerous at my back.

A feeling of smug pride washed over her, and her fur literally rippled in horror.

Go away, I don't have time for this, not now.

Pushing down the panic that rose at the back of her throat, she raced towards the idiot firing at her. Moving faster than she knew was humanly possible. He aimed around the tree, and she came around the opposite side, knocking him down, and with instinctive reactions, she lifted her body up over him, and kicked down with extended hind claws, ripping his body open from sternum to groin. His tactical vest not even slowing down her claws.

Useful, that. Five down, that leaves two out with the kids.

She lifted her head, flehming her lips, and locked onto the jumble of scents that could only be one of the men, too many things together. Without active thought she set out at a ground-eating lope, chasing the scent.

Her ears listened, the sirens seemed to be getting closer, maybe she really did hear them. But for now it didn't matter. McKenna skidded around a tree and came to a sudden stop at the picture in front of her. Her mind locking up as she sorted through options faster than she could come up with them.

One of the men who had been out planting the items had Nam by the scruff of the neck, a nine mil pressed up under her white fur chin.

His hands shook, and she could smell his fear and the drugs he took rolling off him with his sweat. He stared at her, eyes so wide it might have been amusing, if he didn't have Nam by the scruff.

"One... One step and I'll pull the trigger, I swear." The words shook as much as his hands.

She froze, her claws sliding in and out of her fingers as she watched him. Her tongue flipped out and licked her lips and he blanched stepping backwards a bit, trying to get more space between them. Movement flickered behind him, but she didn't let her attention waver from him, his eyes, his shaking hands.

"Your move," she said, her words mangled, but he knew what she meant, and his eyes darted to either side.

"Let me go, and I'll let the cat go."

"Nooo," she crooned, as she tensed, angles and options flying at her. At some point she knew she'd have a breakdown, and very possibly end up like her mom, with brain matter all over the floor. But for now, all that mattered was the terrified tiger cub in his arms.

He looked like he was about to speak, when he screamed instead, his arms flying out as something white and furry sank fangs into his back right leg. Nam turned, claws, front and rear lashing out and raking down his chest and arm, and he screamed again, flinging her away from him into a tree, as he tried to kick the attacker away.

McKenna took the opening, covering the distances in a few fast strides and she attacked, following the red claw marks from Nam. But she didn't just break the skin, she ripped through muscle and organ, gutting him to his spine in two fast brutal movements.

He fell clutching his shredded internal organs, and she dismissed him from her attention instead turning to focus on Nam. The tiger cub lay slumped at the base of the tree, and McKenna saw red for a moment, but she pushed it down and moved over to crouch next to Nam.

With a hand that dripped blood, she reached out and laid a gentle paw on the little body.

Nam whimpered and shook her head looking up at McKenna and sighed a small chirp of pleasure as she leaned into McKenna's hand.

Relief pushed back the rage, and she became aware of the sirens getting close and a furry body pushed against her leg with a small chirp.

"You didn't listen, Charley." Speaking was easier each time, but she petted Charley. "But did good. Tink calvaree here. Can yee get others? Still need hunt." The broken words came out, but she still fought to wrap her tongue around them. The need to hunt churned at her, but so did the need to protect the kids.

"One left. Where?" She asked, somehow knowing he'd know.

Charley whined and nodded off in a westerly direction. She turned her head in the direction he indicated. Tilting her head, she twitched her ears and caught the furtive movement of feet crunching on grass. None of the kids had shoes, or clothes, and at this point it could only be the last one.

"Fin oters, stay hide till I call you. Don't know if sirens are friendy or not. I won't wisk you."

Charley bobbed his head, then nudged Nam who gave a low half-whine roar but followed him as he urged her in a direction thick with manzanita bushes. McKenna nodded in appreciation, then turned to stalk the last man.

She needed to be quieter and faster. Unsure if it would work, she didn't know how she'd turned into this werewolf form in the first place, she reached for the cat again.

It came, twisting through her, reshaping and settling down into the familiar form. Stress lessened as she moved forward, hunting the last man in her cougar form, everything slightly brighter and sharper than it had been in the half form.

[Warrior form.]

That made her flinch and shy away causing a rustling she didn't intend.

Shush

The mental snarl so loud she thought she might have said it, but this form couldn't speak. At least she didn't think it could. Something else to worry about someday when she had a white straight-jacket around her. With focused intensity as the sirens were now so loud she didn't worry about them being in her head, she followed the last of her prey.

He hid in some bushes crouched low, looking around in fast sharp moments that reminded her of a frantic bird. Her muzzle stretched in a smile, an odd feeling. She moved slowly through the underbrush, her body with its tawny coloring blending in with the background. Fighting against the ticking clock, she had to be there when whoever was driving with the sirens showed up, but she couldn't risk letting any of them go. The price for what they had done was death, and she'd be damned if she let them get off on technicalities. It didn't matter if she had a job left when this was done or not.

Waiting until he turned fully away from her seemed to take forever, but in reality it took less than a minute. She sprang with a silent snarl, landing on his back and biting down to snap his neck, enjoying the taste of his blood sating her need to kill.

She stood for a moment, listening, and then the sudden sharp spike in noise as the sirens entered the clearing had her tearing back to where most of this had gone down, in a dead run. Hackles raised she raced into the area, looking for the children, heart slowing as she couldn't see but she could smell them. Wanting to make sure she had as much control as possible over the situation until she knew the people here would help, she moved over to the one who she had left unconscious and stood over him, watching the vehicles coming tearing into the little clearing.

Chapter 38 - Calvary Arrives

While scientists are still debating the actual cause of this new ability, current statistics are locked in at two percent of the world's population having this new aspect. The feeling and pulse of those with this ability is slowly moving from fear and anger to excitement and wonder. The common name that seems to be emerging from the blogs, chatting, and general discussion going on is—The Changed. As one blogger explained it, "… when I turned into a cheetah, everything changed. My outlook on life, my relationships, and me. So we are The Changed." There has been strong resistance to the term 'were' though those whose forms are wolves are holding on to the term more than any other group; however, shifter or shifters seems to be acceptable as a neutral term. Politicians and various governments are still struggling to figure out how to address this change in the world's status quo, people as a whole are struggling even more, torn between religious beliefs, mythology, and the new reality. For now, the only constant seems to be change, pun intended. ~ TNN Anchor

As she watched, two sheriffs' cars, three police cars, two ambulances, and the vehicle that made her heart leap with joy, a black Hummer, all pulled into the area and people boiled out of the vehicles. Police and sheriffs came out, guns drawn, looking around the area. The EMTs jumped out with bags, and stood by their vehicles, waiting, bodies tense.

The Hummer doors flew open, and two people flew out. Her eyes locked on the figure taller than most of the people around and twice as broad in a kilt, all the tension went out of her. He stood there for a minute, scanning, and as she stood up, he pumped his arm.

"Everyone stand down, that's McKenna," he bellowed and started forward so fast his kilt snapped and cracked as he moved.

"You can't know that." Someone shouted, she didn't know who they were, and didn't care.

"Yes, I can. And if it isn't, it's an insane cougar just standing there waiting for me. You want to stop me, shoot me." His pace never slowed, and she sat back licking her lips. The taste of blood on them made her look down. Her claws and body seemed to be covered in it liberally.

Oh well. They can't hurt anyone ever again.

Just hearing his voice, his scent washing over her, and even though she was miles from home, she felt safe. For the first time in way too long, she felt like it might really be over. She walked towards him, creating a bit of space from the unconscious man.

JD dropped to his knees in front of her. "Kenna, are you okay? Is this your blood?" He paused and looked around. "Where are the kids?"

Others were approaching slowly, and she heard an outcry as someone discovered one of the bodies.

"I'm going to need some blankets over here and evidence kits." He called out, even as others were still looking for more victims, bad guys, or the kids. McKenna didn't care. She glanced around, then looked at the person walking up behind JD. Toni. She wanted to smile, but at this point showing more fangs might not be a good thing, and she couldn't answer questions in this form.

Tired, hungry, and scared everything would be taken away just as she grabbed for it, she reached for herself, fighting the urge to stay in the form that could run and fight. With a creak of pain, and stabbing hunger, she flowed back into her human self. And she realized even as she became human, the other forms were her too.

A sense of satisfaction rippled across her awareness, but she shoved it away, to look at JD, Toni, and an EMT rushing towards her. An emergency blanket in his hands. She took the blanket, looking at it for a moment before remembering her nude state. Focusing became hard as she began to bottom out from the adrenaline and hunger. With shaking hands she took the blanket and wrapped it around her, even as she glanced back at the only person she had left alive.

"Kenna? Where are my kids? Please tell me they're okay?" Tears ran down Toni's cheeks, and her voice cracked as she spoke, both hands clasped so tightly together her fingers were white. JD had a weird look on his face as he ran his eyes over her.

"Frank, go grab that cooler out of my Hummer, please," he called out, even though his eyes never left hers.

Feeling like she fought to move through quicksand, McKenna lifted her head to look at the various officers.

"Tell them all bad guys are dead. Don't shoot the animals." Her voice cracked, maybe all the roaring had damaged her vocal cords after all.

JD reacted instantly, no hesitation. He stood and bellowed, his voice easily heard throughout the area. "We've got animals coming out. No one shoot, hell put your damn guns away. No one left to cause us issues." He glared at people and most of the police officers holstered their weapons though the two sheriffs looked resistant. "NOW!" His tone caused Toni to flinch, but McKenna just waited, too tired to even react. They were so close, she wouldn't take the chance someone might shoot one of the kids.

They looked like they would protest, but a police officer whispered to them, and they holstered their weapon, reluctance clear in their movement.

JD turned to look at Kenna, kneeling down again, his voice low. "Are they okay?" He didn't even try to hide the fear in his voice, and she liked him better for that.

"Kids. Come to me."

Rustling and a soft yelp came from the manzanita bushes, and then an explosion of fur, paws, and tails as six bodies converged on McKenna. Charley curled up next to her as Paul, Jalmer, and Nam threw themselves at her legs, covering her in a warm blanket. Not licking, but almost as if their animal natures warred with their human restraint, they cuddled as close as they could, tails lashing. Two black cats bumped their faces against hers for a long moment their soft purrs clear in the odd silence. With a chirp they turned and leapt into their mother's outstretched arms, knocking her over as two sixty-pound cats slammed into her, and then transformed into two naked six-year-olds.

"MOM!" they cried out in unison as they wrapped arms around her, pulling her tight. Toni wrapped her arms around them, so tight that McKenna didn't think any of them could breathe easily, and she didn't think they cared.

"My babies," Toni whispered as tears streaked her face and she held the kids as if someone might try to take them from her.

More blankets were rushed over to them as the EMT started checking out the kids. McKenna looked at the fur blanket surrounding her and smiled. "You can shift now, guys. It's safe. No one will hurt you."

The animals looked at her, then at the people surrounding them. As usual, Charley made the first move. He pulled away from her and shifted, standing into a strong young boy, who looked to her to be older than he had when this started. But her sanity was questionable, so she was probably wrong. The others followed, Nam staying shyly next to her until a female EMT wrapped a blanket around her. And then the questions started flying.

Toni remained kneeling, holding on to Jessi and Jamie, but others started trying to get the kids away, and the kids started to fight.

"No," Charley insisted. "We stay with McKenna. She protected us." He pulled away from the EMT and latched onto McKenna, and the other kids started to struggle in earnest.

"We need to examine them, make sure they're okay. And examine you," an EMT protested.

McKenna fought to stay conscious at this point. "They aren't hurt past a scrape or two within the last few minutes. I made sure of it."

A sheriff's deputy spoke up. "Please, you can't mean you've been with them non-stop since you went missing." His voice held derision and contempt, and Charley snarled at him.

Even as McKenna tried to find the words and the energy to respond, Charley did instead.

"Yes, she can. They raped her, and she never said a word, or let us see the tears." McKenna flinched at his words, but she didn't look away from JD's gaze. The only safe place to look.

Charley continued, his hard voice not giving anyone any leeway in what he said. "Since they took us, she has been there, fed us, kept us safe, told us stories, and never took out anything on us." His voice cracked. "I should know what that looks like, since I've seen my step-dad rape my mom and then feel her take out her anger on me. Trust me, we're fine. She," his voice broke, as tears started to run down his cheek, and he trembled even as she wrapped an arm around him. The silver blanket crinkled as she pulled him close and he leaned his head on her shoulder. "She protected us from them." He jerked his chin towards the man lying unconscious near them, but never quit leaning on her. "She took our punishments for us." All the kids flinched, and Jalmer let out a high animal like whine. She placed a hand on his shoulder squeezing.

"It's okay. I didn't want you guys to know," she whispered as all the kids leaned against her, touching, and glaring at the adults around them.

"I smelled it. I knew what that smell meant. Then when you came out of the shower your eyes were red. So I knew." Charley whispered, but everyone heard.

McKenna tried to focus, but her head spun, she couldn't figure out why she couldn't think straight.

"Kenna, here. You're turning gray. How much shifting have you done?" JD pushed something into her hand, the one not wrapped around Charley.

She looked at it blankly, then realized he had put a cooked chicken breast in her hand. Her stomach clenched even as saliva pooled in her mouth, chasing the metallic taste of blood. McKenna shoved it into her mouth and chewed and swallowed as fast as she could. The first few bites and swallows were torture, not enough food or calories, but every time she finished what she held in her hand, JD placed something else in it. Cheese, fish, grilled cheese, cold steak. After about the third thing she realized the kids were being handed food just about as fast, and her head had cleared considerably. She might be able to think.

Clearing her throat, the kids looked at her instantly. "You guys need to go with these people. Let them check you out and call your parents. I'm sure they're missing you greatly."

"Mama," Nam whispered. She swallowed hard and pulled away, but not before she put a gentle kiss on McKenna's cheek. She let an EMT pick her up, wrapped in silver blanket, and they carried her to the back of one of the ambulances. One by one, Paul and Jalmer were taken off, though they both looked at her as if not sure they wanted to be leaving.

"Come on, you two. I want, no I need, the paramedics to look at you also. I need to know that you're okay," Toni said, her voice still rough, and she couldn't stop touching the two kids. "And I've got clothes for you, and for McKenna."

"But what about McKenna, who's going to take care of her?" Jessi asked, her green eyes wide as she kept looking back at McKenna.

"I am." JD replied, his voice reassuring. "Me and all these people here. We're going to take very good care of her."

"They will Jessi, I promise. Do you know how I came to be here today?" Toni asked.

The two kids looked up at her, shaking their heads. McKenna had wondered that also, but in the scheme of things she hadn't cared enough to ask, at least not right now.

"JD has been incredible. He knew I didn't want to be alone, so I've been crashing at his house. We've talked about getting all of you back. I was there when the call came in that they might have found you. We grabbed the emergency kits we'd prepared and raced here. I know he'll make sure McKenna is just fine."

The two kids nodded, then yanked away, to a gasp of pain from Toni, to enfold McKenna in a quick hard hug. She hugged them back, and they returned to their mom. Toni looked at McKenna and mouthed something, but she couldn't figure out what she said. With a soft grunt Toni lifted Jamie into her arms, even as a female officer picked up Jessi. Together they moved towards the Hummer. As they got there, an EMT peeled away from one of the other kids and came to talk to them.

"I'm not leaving. My parents won't be here." Charley snorted. "Lay you money they left as soon as I was taken." His voice wasn't bitter, but instead almost relieved and McKenna pulled him tighter to her.

"Since he knows, he helped me rescue Nam, I doubt anything I can tell you will surprise him." McKenna said around a mouthful of food, too hungry to care about social niceties.

JD shrugged, but he looked at a deputy. "This is your jurisdiction, not mine."

The sheriff's deputy, a man looking like he'd spent a lot of time in the sun, with laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. "Yeah, though I might be willing to give it up this once. The sheriff is on her way, she'll be here in ten. If you can just wait, I'd rather she lead the questioning. But I must ask, what's up with the scars? Not to get too personal, but I don't remember seeing them on the videos."

Charley growled, an odd sound from a human boy, and she leaned her head against his for a moment. "I was an example to the kids to follow the rules. They whipped me."

JD bristled up, his body tense. "Please tell me you killed him."

Her smile was cold, and she saw Charley's cold smile reflected in the silver blanket, it had the same level of satisfaction.

"Yes. Too quickly, but he is very dead." No matter the consequences for this day, she'd never regret a single drop of blood she'd shed in killing them.

The deputy cleared his throat. "And what's the story with that one?" His voice more hesitant as his eyes drifted over to the man behind them with the other deputy standing next to him, and an EMT working on him."

"Figured you needed someone alive to talk to." Her eyes jerked up, and she paled. Both the sheriff and JD saw that and their eyes narrowed.

"What? McKenna?"

"He has a camera, well, a phone. He was videotaping it. It can't get out. It can't. There should be other video tape. They recorded our every move, even in the bathroom. I suspect the rapes were recorded as well." She ignored JD's flinch at the plural. "That can all be evidence. But the video of me killing them. Please, it can't get out."

The deputy looked at her for a long moment, then lifted his head to look at the dead bodies being picked up and arranged as the crime techs finished with their pictures.

"Hey, George. Will you come here for a minute?" He asked as he turned and strode a few feet away.

The other man shrugged, glanced down at the EMT. "You good?"

"Yep, dude won't wake up for a bit. After looking at the damage to his knee and fingers, I hit him with a major shot of morphine. From his track marks he knows exactly how to process it."

"Cool, yell if he starts to move."

The EMT nodded as the man walked away, over to where the other sheriff's deputy was. JD rose, his movement sure, but unhurried, and walked over to the man, there on the ground next to him was a high-end smartphone. With a smooth movement, JD picked it up and slipped into a pouch on his kilt, then moved back over to McKenna.

The relief that washed through her didn't seem wholly hers, but that insanity still had to wait.

"Thank you," the words slipped out, and she wrapped the blanket closer around her. The sheriff's deputies approached, one going back to watch by the EMT's side.

"What exactly happened to him?" The deputy asked, with idle curiosity.

"I still had to find the kids, and I didn't have handcuffs or anything and needed to make sure he couldn't get away or shoot me. So," she shrugged, not feeling any guilt. That itself a bit odd, but it simply was one more thing to not worry about.

The deputy flinched back, but before he could respond, his radio squawked and he walked away to take the call.

"You okay? You want more food? Did they hurt you with the rape?"

The fact that he didn't sound any different than when he asked if he wanted coffee, let her answer JD, though she did close her eyes rather than see his face.

"Minor tearing, obvious signs as I was dry. Last time was yesterday. But I've showered. There might be semen left, but preserving evidence didn't seem to be worth the trauma as I had no idea when we might be found."

"Who was it?" The edge of a growl coated his words, and she cracked open her eyes to look at him, a slight smile.

"That one over there." She nodded to where the body of TEC lay. "And the one over there masterminded the whole thing." Her head jerked to the corpse of Smiling Man who had another cop by him, waiting for the techs to get finished before they moved him.

JD looked at the torn-out throat and ripped open chest of TEC and a slow cold smile spread across his face. "Good, nice to see sometimes karma works."

McKenna choked a bit on a laugh and Charley squeezed her.

The deputy walked up. "The Sheriff will be here in a minute. You ready for this?"

She wanted clothes, and a shower, and some caffeine. But the clothes and shower would ruin evidence, and the odds of her having a job after this was doubtful, but it didn't matter right now. "Can I get some coffee?"

"I've got an iced one in the car. Let me get it. Charley? You want to come with? I know you know all this, but I bet Kenna might feel better knowing you were taken care of."

McKenna nodded. "Go, I told you all about JD. He's my partner and best friend. This is going to be hard enough."

Charley gave her a long look and then a tight hug before he turned to JD.

"I don't need you to carry me. But I don't have any shoes and walking seems stupid when it's just going to hurt."

"Valid point. So how about I give you a ride, but only so you don't hurt your feet and stress out people more than they are already stressed out."

Charley gave him a solemn nod. JD bent and picked him up, walking back towards the Hummer. "I threw in some of my t-shirts just in case. Would you like to wear one? Might be a tad big."

"I'd like that."

McKenna watched them walk away and then saw another sheriff's car pull into the clearing and braced herself. This would take a while, and she needed to make sure they didn't think she was crazy, it would undermine her story.

Even if I am turning into a schizo-like mom.

[You are not suffering from schizophrenia, but now is not the time to explain.]

Chapter 39 - Finders Keepers

With news reverberating through most of California, and the shock waves starting to ripple through the rest of the world with the plans for the kidnapped children, businesses are stepping up. The ability to plant GPS trackers in children that would stay through their shifts and enable tracking globally has lost much of the resistance any idea like this faced even a few months ago. The idea of their children being taken and brainwashed to use for other purposes has most parents ready to allow this. And while I understand the fear, I have two younger children myself, where does it end, this ability to track people? What happens when you get older and don't want to be tracked anymore? Can it be put in without approval? The questions begin to stack. But I am glad they found the children, and that the only damage that has been reported is to their innocence. ~ Harvey Klein Guest

McKenna went white and stayed that way through the next two hours of questions, showing them the room, transport to the hospital, rape kit, and finally being allowed to shower in the hospital room.

"We still have a lot of questions, but go home, Officer Largo. There isn't anything else at this point that can't wait," the sheriff, an older no-nonsense woman named Michelle DeSoto, said. "You know this is going to blow up for the next few weeks until something else comes up to distract people. But at this point you know how to keep your mouth shut, and I'm not going to insult you by giving you any of the bullshit. Go home, get drunk, do something. You need to seek counseling, but in my limited opinion your own house is the best place for you."

"Thank you." McKenna glanced over to Charley, who sat on the bed in the hospital room. "The rest of the kids?" Toni had come by with Jamie and Jessi to say goodnight and promised they would be over to her house the first afternoon she was home. Jessi and Jamie hugged her tight, and then Charley before they left. He hadn't said much, just staying with her. When they had to do things to McKenna, like the rape kit, he stayed with JD, but otherwise he refused to leave her side.

"Their parents picked them up, everyone except Mr. Davis here. The address we have on record for his parents is vacant." McKenna watched his shoulder flinch at that, but he didn't look surprised. "Child social services should be here shortly to take him."

The slapped look on Charley's face didn't even register before the word, "No," burst out of McKenna's lips.

Sheriff DeSoto looked surprised. "He has to go with someone, he can't stay here, and we have no idea where his parents are."

"He'll stay with me. I have room."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," a new voice said as a skinny woman walked into the room. Her hair in a tight bun, her pinched lips, low heels, and professional skirt hit every stereotype McKenna had ever run across both as a police officer and a kid in the foster system.

She's one of those who thinks kids being happy is secondary to everything else.

"Why not?" McKenna asked even as she saw Charley curling in on himself, his head scrunched between his shoulders, looking tiny and scared in JD's huge shirt.

"Yes, I'd like to hear that, too," JD said as he walked back into the room, a tray piled with food in his hands.

McKenna eyed the food. She'd eaten more in the last few hours than she would have eaten in a week, and finally thought maybe she had approached stable. Shifting into that half form, warrior form, seemed to be harder on her than into the cat.

Even so, both she and Charley reached to grab something to nibble on, while the social worker drew up in affront.

"In order to foster a child, you must pass strict background checks, so we can make sure the child is in a safe environment. He will need to come with me and stay in an emergency residence until we can find a foster family to place him with." Her officious tone was that of someone who used her power to make sure people obeyed, and McKenna had to fight to swallow the food. "Come with me, child." Her voice imperious as she glanced at her notebook.

"No."

JD and Charley glanced at her as she said the word, her voice mild almost. Sheriff DeSoto looked like she didn't know if she wanted to duck and cover or get popcorn to watch the show.

"Ms. Largo, you don't get to tell me how to do my job. The child will be coming with me, in fact he should have been remanded to our custody hours ago."

"No."

Charley had by this point crawled up on the bed with her, and sat leaning against her back, not hugging her but she could feel his body heat. She almost pulled him into a hug but finished eating what was in her hands as the social worker puffed up, her face and neck mottling red and white.

"Now see here, I am going to do my job, and you – "

"Do you know who I am?" McKenna asked, even as she had a brief internal war with herself about what she was about to do. It was a short fight, and Charley's body leaning into hers killed most of her protests before they began.

The woman's tirade stuttered to a halt as she looked at McKenna, still in a hospital gown, JD in his kilt, and Sheriff DeSoto in her uniform. The woman looked like she had decided to watch the train wreck and leaned back against the wall arms crossed, a smile hiding at the corners of her lips.

"Yes, you're the shifter cop." She stuttered a little as she said it.

McKenna smiled, and the woman flinched back. "Excellent. Then imagine your supervisor's reaction, the mayor's reaction, the governor's reaction, when I call a press conference and explain to them exactly how a child was removed from my custody to get dumped with strangers. After he had been kidnapped, forced to perform for drug dealers, watch someone get whipped half to death, and then had to attack and watch me kill someone to save a little girl, his friend." The woman had grown paler and paler, the red leeching out of her face. "I'm sure there are any number of reporters that would kill to have an exclusive on that story, especially if I was willing to show them all the scars I got protecting these children. So I think you need to decide if you're going to leave this child with me, or if you're going to try to force him to leave and watch me destroy you and your department. Because I can guarantee I'll be on the phone with the press before you make it out of the hospital."

By the time McKenna was done, the woman made the eggshell white walls look full of color.

"I see. I believe you have a compelling argument. Why don't I go get the paperwork for you to be declared a temporary guardian until the courts locate his parents." Her words tumbled out faster and faster as she backed out the door, then turned and fled down the hall.

JD choked on his laughter, looking at McKenna with sparkling eyes. "Way to be a bitch, I'm impressed."

Everyone in the room cracked up, and DeSoto pushed herself way from the wall. "I have to say I enjoyed that. Francine is a bit too fond of paperwork and rules for my taste." She tilted her head, looking at McKenna. "Would you have really done that?"

"Yep. And given Charley the address to my house." She smiled sardonically. "He can turn into a wolf, I don't really think that woman could have kept him thirty seconds after they walked out of this room." She glanced down to smile at Charley. "Did you really think I'd let anyone who didn't want you, take you?"

He shrugged, burying his head into her hair. She'd noticed the kids had slightly more animalistic emotional tells now, but hoped it would fade with time. But either way, she didn't really care.

"JD, if you'll take Charley to get the car packed up. I'm going to change then we can head to my house. You have anything he can sleep on? I've only got one bed at the moment."

"Not like I'm leaving you two alone. You know damn well the press is probably already there. I've got a camp mat and sleeping bag for me, we'll make up the couch for Charley."

"Good." Exhaustion hit her like a giant hand and she had to fight back the wave of dizziness. "Scootch. Let me get dressed in private for the first time in way too long."

Everyone flashed half-humorous half-uncomfortable smiles at her and left her alone for a moment. She wondered if she was crazy keeping Charley, but the idea of letting that waste of a human to take him with no consideration of what he'd already been through made her stomach churn. It hadn't been an option. With a sigh she forced herself to her feet and started pulling on the clothes JD had left for her. She could hear him and Charley talking in the hall.

Smiling, she dressed. They'd tested her and the dead rapist for STDs, and she still needed to wait for that result. She couldn't get pregnant, she'd made sure of that when she turned twenty-one, so as long as the idiot didn't have HIV or something, she'd probably be okay in the long run. At least physically. She'd deal with the rape later. When she had time.

That only left… her mind shied away from it as she finished dressing, the bra feeling odd after so long without one, and didn't fit correctly anymore. Another thing to deal with - later.

Ready to go home, she pulled open the door and stumbled to a halt as a voice whispered through her head.

[We do need to discuss this, and relatively soon, Commander.]

Epilogue

"We must beware the devil in our midst. This ability to change is not a gift, it is a reflection of the evil in our souls, our beasts that care not for the word of God, and spit on His promise to us. I implore you, fight the demon in your body, forsake the way of the animal and remain true to the promise God made to Christ, to allow all His children into heaven. For only the children of God will make their way into heaven, not the animals of the forest. These animal forms are temptation and sin wrapped up in one. If you were weak enough to be so inflicted I implore you to resist, and stay human, turn your back on the beast within." ~ Popular TV Televangelist

The crisp white linen suit looked off-yellow in the overhead fluorescent light. An older man, with a touch of silver at his temples the only marring of his dark brown hair, leaned back watching the news story playing out on all the channels. No close-ups of the bodies were being displayed due to their 'gruesome demise' but the names of the identified were displayed. Including one Alfonso Jones.

He finished watching the special report, then clicked mute on the TV. Pulling out a key from his waistcoat, he walked over and unlocked a file cabinet. Pulling open a drawer with 'Tax Returns' on the little card in the window, he pulled out a ledger. Moving back over to the desk he flipped it open and scrolled down until he came to a name – C-Tac, Alfonso Jones. With a neat, deliberate movement he drew a line through that name.

Steepling his fingers for a minute he looked over the numbers, a small moue of distaste crossing his face. Then he picked up his business phone, flipped off all geolocator tags, opened an IP randomizer, then pulled up the VoIP app, and dialed a number. It rang once, then a young man's voice answered.

"Yes, boss?"

"Mister Jones's experiment has failed, most spectacularly I might add. Please find someone else to cover his territory and see his people are reassigned or dealt with. I'd like to have you double check the books before you send them on. It occurs to me he had a bit too much free cash."

"Immediately. But I would offer, C-Tac didn't use. So any extra he always sold."

"Ah. Interesting. He had promise. Please get any video he had. Utilize the police contacts as needed. I believe he had at least one cop he sold to."

"Of course. Anything else?"

The man shot a look up at the TV and frowned. "Yes, please prepare a dossier on McKenna Largo. I don't know how much he might have let slip and at this point I believe she has proved she is a dangerous woman."

"Will do."

The man hung up, wiped the call from his phone, deleted all the apps, then reinstalled them. As he waited he put the ledger away. He noted on his calendar to do a full wipe of the phone in a week. Then he turned to the speech he had to give that afternoon. His audience always liked something relevant to the current state of the world.

"The power of children. Yes, I think that will do perfectly." He began to write in clear elegant long hand as he worked out his thoughts, and the message he wanted to convey.

Authors Note:

I hope you enjoyed book one of the Kaylid Chronicles. This series has a lot more in store for McKenna, JD, Toni, and the kids.

Visit my website at www.badashpublishing.com to sign up for my newsletter and find out about the next books coming out in this series.  If you enjoyed, please leave a review – it makes a huge difference to authors!

Kaylid Chronicles:

No Choice is available now!

Commander is available now!

Incoming is available now!

Allies is available now!

Family is available now!

Kaylid Novellas:

New Games is available now!

Home Alone is available now!

Decisions is available now!

Trust is available now!

Read my other series if you want something a bit darker and more military:

Blood War: Rage

Blood War: Fight

Blood War: Power

Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mel Todd has three cats, none of which can turn into a form with opposable thumbs, which is good. If they could do that they wouldn't need her anymore. Writing and trying to start her empire, she decided creating her own worlds was less work than ruling this one.