Shifting Illuminations

She looked up from the petri dish in front of her and caught his eye. She gave a small wave and smile, before resuming her work. Maybe he could catch up with her at lunch, he thought. The morning went as routine and regimented as always. He discovered nothing earth-shattering, nor very helpful for their research. She seemed to also plod along at a slow, but steady pace. When 12pm came around, Dr. Le removed his safety goggles and headed for the lunch room. Aine spied him heading out and followed him.

He paused at the doorway to the Men's room and looked back at her. He pointed to the door. She mouthed. "OK," and slipped past him into the bathroom, wrinkling her nose up at the terrible smell.

"Would you prefer the Ladies' room?" He asked her, seeing the gesture.

"No. The Ladies' room is more likely to have people dawdling about. How about one of our cars? I had told Elisa that I needed to get some Advil from my car for this raging headache. Meet me at my car?" He nodded and she left first. He followed shortly after. She was standing on tiptoe, rummaging around in her trunk. He could see the curve of her bottom and remembered the feel of it against him last night, when she had lain in his lap. He stepped close to look over her shoulder. She spun around and knocked into him.

"How are you?" His question a loaded one.

"Recovering. I wish I could tell you that last night didn't happen." She began, quietly.

"No. Please. No regrets. It is over and done with for what, another month?" He calculated the exact date of the next full moon. She shook her head.

"It doesn't work that way, Le. I wish it did. If it worked that way, I could have a little more control in at least getting myself somewhere safe. This thing happens to me without warning, whenever. It's the reason I disappear so often during the day, only to return to work late into the night." She explained, as she sat on the bumper of her car. He joined her.

"Is there an impetus, an emotional connection that you have noticed with these attacks?" He delved in with questions that seemed pertinent to what he had learned. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I've never really thought of it. I guess, well..." She let her words hang in the air.

"Yes?" He encouraged.

"Sometimes during menstruation when I'm really hormonal." He gave her a look. "I can be a real bitch, in the literal sense." She tried a little laugh, but it failed to lighten the mood. "When I am, um, in an aroused state." She stood up and opened her car door and sat in her driver's seat. He opened the passenger door and climbed in.

"And, well, how often does the aroused state happen? When was the last time?" This time, his normally non-plussed colleague blushed.

"Last night." She confessed.

"Last night. But you were in the lab nearly all night with me." She shot him a look and he snapped his mouth closed.

"It doesn't matter. You are asking if I've noticed any patterns. Yes, I have. I'd rather not get into the specific dates and times. Is that really required?" She quirked her eyebrow.

"Yes and no. Alright, for now we'll leave that one alone." Le tried to force his mind away from last night.

"What has got you so excited, anyway?" She grumbled at him. She was exhausted and dreaded reading the morning newspaper. It lay, like a hang-nail on her back seat, irritating her with its presence. She didn't know why she was being so bitchy. He had seen the transformation, not run, stayed at her side, and kept her safe. She should be thanking him. But, she couldn't bring herself to do that. She had to stay strong. Her hands were gripping the steering wheel and he took one of them, lowering it to her lap. She was on the verge of damnable tears again, and she was getting tired of it. She needed to gain control, somehow.

Le's soft touch steadied her and she let the steering wheel go with the other hand and placed it in his. They sat silently for a moment. She took a deep breath and turned to him, looking into his worried brown eyes.

"I'm fine." She told him. "Did you have something to tell me?"

"Last night, after I reluctantly left you outside, howling." He forced the word out and he saw her wince. "I went back into the lab and did a websearch on shapeshifting."

"Did you find anything?" She did not let the glimmer of hope show on her face, rather she kept a poker-face on.

"Nothing helpful." He answered.

"Oh." Her shoulders slumped as she let out the breath she had been holding.

"But, then I went to the book store. I found a few books that might be helpful. A few chapters seem to be along the lines of what has been happening to you with the shadows." He continued.

"Shadows?" Her expression was lost.

"The shadows that were stalking you right before your change?" Le hadn't considered that she might not know the source of the force plaguing her.

"Back up." She held her hand up to him.

"I observed a non-distinct shadow on a few occasions last night; while you were stitching me up, when you were standing at your station, and then again outside in the darkness. I thought it was my eyes at first and the wave of dizziness from the blood. The image is burned forever in my mind. This shadow seemed to hover around you, then it stalked you, and finally it attacked. It was during this attack that you fell to the ground each time, writhing in pain. Shortly after was when the transformation started to begin." He reached for her hand again, which was cold and Le automatically brought it up to his mouth to blow warm breath across it. Now she felt dizzy. She was glad that they were sitting down.

"A shadow?" She asked. He put their hands in his lap and he gave hers a reassuring squeeze.

"Have you not seen it? Have you not felt the force overtake you?" He urged.

"Of course I've felt it!" She snapped at him, yanking her hand from his. She slammed it on the steering wheel in frustration, her head following the motion and imitating it. "But what does it mean?" She took a few deep breaths, and lifted her head up, recalling the events of last night.

"The only shadow I saw was when I was in the hallway. When I looked under the window again, it was gone. I figured it was a trick of moonlight." Confusion evident in her eyes.

"What do you remember?" He prodded. "About last night."

"I remember the pain mostly. The look of horror in your eyes. I remember waking up in your arms. You kissed me. I had no clothes on. I kissed you back. Blood down your chest." She caught her breath. "The kiss was nice. It really was." She paused and saw him blush. "After that, I remember going outside. I woke up in my bed, naked, alone." Le was remembering that nakedness all too vividly. She had lovely feminine curves in all the right places. He knew it probably wasn't the best time ask, but he needed to know.

"Do you remember anymore from that kiss?" She did in fact remember more and the core of her tingled at the memory of his thumb skating across her breast.

"That was right before I left the building." She was annoyed feeling the heat of a blush coming on her. "I think that is what prompted the changes."

"Yes, energy." He smiled at her then, his mouth curving up. "You do remember." He said softly, leaning towards her, framing her face in his hands. She wanted those lips on hers.

"Not a wise decision, considering." She tried to explain. But her words were lost as his lips caressed hers.

"Shh. It will be fine. It's just a kiss. You said so yourself." He promised her, as he gently tilted her face, his lips running along the curve of her bottom lip.

"A kiss that could very easily lead to more." She protested.

"In the middle of the day, on our lunch hour, in the parking lot?" He grinned at her.

"Again, you make a sound case." She let her arms wrap around his neck, but the center console prevented much more closeness. She idly glanced behind him at the back seat and laughed silently to herself at the silliness the thoughts were taking her, both of them. His eyes had also traveled back there. "Tell me more?"

"Ah yes. Well, mostly the werewolves and other shapeshifting stories that are popularized and immortalized in our lexicon and brains, are of a more physical shifting. Did you know there are several types of shapeshifting?" She shook her head no, intrigued. "There are. Anyway, I've been reading about a couple of those types in particular. Physical shifting: This is when the molecular structure of the body actually changes and transforms. The body morphs into the animal. It is a rarity. Bilocation shifting: This is when your soul/aura/essence, what-have-you, separates from the physical body, allowing the shifter to be in two places at one time. In that case, their soul takes the shape of the animal they transform into. Psychic shifting can be where possession can come into play."

"Possession?" She interrupted, not liking the sounds of that word, at all. "Do you think that is what is happening to me with the shadow?" Her voice rose a pitch.

"It is a possibility. But wait, there are other possibilities as well to still explore." He tried reassuring.

"Possession sounds sinister." A high pitched beep startled the two and they froze, then relaxed and laughed om relief.

"It's my watch. I knew we'd get caught up in the conversation. Lunch-time is over." Le said. He gave Aine's hand one more squeeze. "Are you working late again?" He released it.

"Yes. Shall we continue this after-hours?" Her words hung in the air. Did he sense a hint of more, in the after-hours part? He would put it aside for now. He got out of the car and came around, but she beat him to the door and opened it herself. He took her hand, like the gentleman he was, and helped her out.

"After you, my lady." He winked, his hand resting on the small of her back, as they walked back into the building.

***

Dr. Le was pouring over the chapter entitled "Familiars and Spirit Guides," when a shadow dashed across his peripheral vision. He slowly lowered the book and turned around on his stool, so he was facing the lab.

"Aine, are you there?" His voice calm, soothing. When they had returned from lunch, she had told him she had a meeting to attend and that she would see him that evening. She was going to head home for a bite to eat, before returning. After a few hours alone, Le began to wonder if she needed more time to process the new information. Maybe she would stay home and return with questions in the morning.

A plaintive whimper came from the corner of the room. Le cautiously walked over to investigate. He wasn't worried for himself, but he remained concerned for Aine. They still did not know what they were dealing with, yet. Very likely they were dealing with a malevolent force of some kind. He knew he had to be street smart in approaching. He held his hands up in a gesture of surrender and peace. He could see a form crouched between the wall and counter. He reached his hand out. A warning growl had him taking a few steps backwards.

"Aine, it's me. It's Le. Don't be afraid. Come out sweetheart." The russet furred creature cowered and howled, before uncurling herself and lunging forward, knocking trash cans and stools out of her way. She made it to her refrigerated case and pawed at the lock, whining. Le unlocked the the case and saw the glass vile of green fluorescence. He knew she wanted him to inject her again, but he had a hunch. He squatted beside her. As a wolf, she was slender and had a small stature, much like her human form. His brown eyes gazed into hers.

"Aine, I am not going to give you the antidote. It won't last, as you said yourself." The growl rumbled through the room and he hardened his resolve, where a lesser man may have fled. Her white fangs were bared and sharp claws were digging into the linoleum. "You need to try and overcome the changes without the drug. I am going to try and help you. Do you understand me? If you understand, lift your paw up." He watched her still form and thought she could not comprehend his words in the shifted form. But then, slowly she lifted her paw in the air, resting it on his knee, tilting her head in understanding.

"Good girl." He stroked her ear with one finger as she butted her head against his hand, wanting him to touch her. "I'm going to just touch you. Do I have your permission to do that?" The other paw came up and rested on his other knee. She balanced on her haunches, thumping her tail. His tanned hand gently stroked her head, pausing to rub her ears between his thumb and fingers. Her tongue lolled out and she leaned up to lick his face. He smiled at her and tickled under her chin. "That's it." He encouraged. This made her happy, she stretched up on her feet and pushed him onto the ground. He laughed and tried to roll away from her. She stood over him, two paws on the sides of his head and two paws down by his legs. She licked his cheek again. He lifted his arms up to give her the kind of bear hug you would give a big dog. She let out a happy sound.

"Your fur is so soft." He told her, rubbing her flanks. "Such a beautiful creature." He murmured. "You don't have to fear this part of yourself, you know." She arched her back and stretched her body. "It is best to embrace the beast within, to come to peace with her. There is plenty of room for you to reside together." He said, thinking through the passages he had been reading. If a malevolent spirit held her captive, he was pretty sure that it would not allow him to show her this kind of affection; unless, that is what it craved. But, he doubted it and was rewarded with his answer as the creature standing over him merged and disappeared. She was swept off her feet. In place of a wolf, a warm woman's body was laying on top of him. Her naked, lithe form pressed against him. Long coppery locks feathered against his cheek. Her eyes were closed, as if she were in repose; her breathing slow, but steady.

Le wrapped his arms around Aine and held her close. Her heart beat was rapid, like a frightened butterfly that threatened to fly from her chest. Her hair smelled of sunshine. He kissed her neck and when a whiff of earthiness tickled his nose, he let his tongue trace where his lips had been, up to her ear. He took the lobe between his lips and sucked gently. A gasp came from her and her vivid green eyes blinked into his.

"Le." Her skin was flushed and hot. "How did you do that?" She tried to lift herself off of him, but was too weakened by the energy drain. She lay still and kept staring at him. "Thank you." She whispered and lowered her head to take his lips in a soul-searing kiss. Her tongue slipping inside his mouth, tasting him, consuming him. Her teeth grazed against his bottom lip, tugging it into her mouth to caress with her tongue. Le returned the kiss with equal passion and slid his hands up into her hair.

A fire burned within her, spurred on by the lingering nature of the beast. Her pussy was wet. She pushed herself off of his chest and to her knees, dragging his body up with hers. She unbuttoned his striped blue shirt. The defined muscles of his chest urging her on. She used her teeth to untie his Lightning McQueen tie, briefly grinning at him and tossing it aside. He had worked with the kids again today. He wore the tie specially for one five-year-old patient. The boy had an obsession for "Cars." The thought he put into his patients were part of the charm that had been drawing Aine to him, ever since she first started working with him.

She yanked the shirt free from his black slacks. His firm hands came down and stilled her movement, moving her hands aside and finishing what she started. He then lowered his pants down. His black boxer-briefs were straining, barely about to contain his erection. Aine grew wetter at the sight and skimmed her hands over the bulge. Le's cock jumped at her touch.

Little glimpses of her breasts were tantalizing him and he finally brushed her long hair off her chest, and over her shoulder. He caressed each perfect pale globe, holding and molding them to his hands. Her rosy nipples pebbled up, and he found his fingers squeezing gently, watching them elongate slightly; and then releasing, watching them settle back to their normal shape. Aine arched her back, pushing her breasts back into his hands. He cupped and squeezed them, his thumb brushing against the sensitive peaks. She pushed against his chest, until he lay back down and rearranged herself so that she was sitting with her legs on either side of his thighs. His cloth covered hardness teased at her folds.

She slipped her hand down to play with her lips. Seeing this, he took the initiative and replaced her hand with his, sliding a long finger against the slickness. Her fingers trailed the muscles of his abdomen to his slim waist, moving to his waist band. She slipped her hands into the waistband and pulled them down, freeing his cock to her view and her touch. She teased and stroked the length of him, being sure to use her other hand to cup his balls and manipulate them in her hot hand. His fingers were doing magical things inside of her, and she panted as she felt herself building up.

"Aine." Le lifted his head up to look at her flushed face. She growled at him and let him go. He was afraid he might have awoken the beast and lay still, watching her. "Control yourself." He instructed her. "Embrace the wolf, but don't let it consume you." Her eyes flashed gold and she lifted up and moved up his body to sit on his chest. Her pussy was inches from his face. He stared into her heat, touching a finger to a drop of moisture that dripped down. He rubbed it between his fingers. The musky fragrance coming off her had his head in a whirl. Aine tried her best to tamp down on the wild energy. She groaned, as she felt Le's hands on her thighs, coaxing her further upwards.

"Not a good idea." Her voice coming out in pants.

"Focus on something else. Focus on work. Focus on the article we are working on. Don't focus on what I am doing to you. Don't focus on the pleasure." His fingers eased into her heat, exploring her folds, his thumb stretching up to massage the small nub nestled there, as his fingers delved deeper seeking her G-spot.

"I can't." She whined. Her body pitching forward when his fingers found and stroked the sensitive spot.

"Try." He said gently, as he looked between her thighs at the pearl nestled there and let his tongue flick out and touch it gently. She nearly jumped off of him.

"This isn't working." Her voice husky, her body trembling.

"You can do this." His gaze held hers, surprisingly commanding. Her amber eyes bore into his and claws came out, as she held his head in her hands.

"No, you don't understand. I can't." She snarled, lurching away from him.

"Then don't." His hands clamped down on her, his tongue dipped into her core and she shuddered. Her muscles clenched and a red haze filled her vision. His tongue fluttered inside her. "I believe in you." A voice said from somewhere in the darkness.

When had it become dark? Aine cried and reached out blindly, her heart beating a mile a minute and her hands sweating. She shook with such force that she was afraid she would collapse. She felt a steady lapping against her lips, a flicking against her clit, a humming vibrating her being.

"Where am I?" She asked the darkness. She startled when she felt something wet on her face and turned her head to look. She was staring into golden eyes. They belonged to the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. A long body, softest, thick red-brown fur, a black nose, large teeth. "Are you me?" Her voice asked the creature, unsteadily.

"I am part of you." A lilting voice, with a hint of a gravelly tone replied.

"But how?" She questioned, moving closer.

"I am your within animal. We animals have been guiding you throughout your life." Aine spun around and gasped when she saw a bear in the background, a lion, a hawk circling over her head. There was even an elephant stomping around with trunk raised. Several more animals appeared. Her head swam with it.