To Love a Stray Ch. 20

"Rosy is learning to communicate as a cat, she is learning the language! She doesn't like to be touched but she is getting better!" Sam denies.

"Even a stray just needs 'reminding' of our language in cat form," I tell Sam with a sinking feeling. The more Sam says, the more Alan says, the more it sounds like Rosy has been unable to adjust to life as a werecat.

"You hear your sister in there before? Arguing with herself?" Alan asks slowly.

"You got a point to make?" Sam asks tightly.

"I think we just got an idea of what is happening in her mind. And it is eroding any progress she makes whenever doubt raises its head." Alan says regretfully.

Sam turns away as he raises both hands to the back of his head, he lowers his chin to his chest then tips his head back so his face is turned up towards the sky. He repeats this several times and I can hear his laboured breathing, he is fighting with everything he's got not to give in to the despair that has to be swamping him.

"Medication?" I ask Alan quietly.

"I can't think of anything powerful enough to use considering there is two sides to her personality, her very nature. Nothing we can use while she is pregnant without running some kind of risk to the kitt," Alan says with a worried frown. "And most medication would go through the breast milk once the kitt is born and she is feeding it."

"Wean the kitt, put her on contraception for a year, and see if she can be stabilised." I suggest thought I know he would be hoping to get her pregnant with his own kitt as soon as possible.

"We could try counselling of a kind," Alan says with a bit of optimism. "See if her human side can be coaxed to accept enough of what her feline side needs to make her more balanced,"

"And what if it doesn't work? Rosy has been trying to live with what she is for over eight years. If she hasn't come to accept it by now ..." Sam trails off as he turns to face Alan. "I won't allow you to murder my sister!"

"As far as I am concerned that is not an option," Alan says gently. "I don't expect her to adapt to life as one of us. We will have to make things around her the way she needs them so that she can function..."

"Hey Boss, Kurt!" Dave's voice interrupts and I look towards my son where he is hurrying from the building.

"Trouble?" I ask with a frown.

"Jake Perkins wants you all back inside, she's calmed down a little bit and is asking for her brother." Dave says seriously.

"No fast movements, no arguing and above all no raised voices," Alan orders as soon as Dave has spoken.

Sam heads inside at a run and we follow swiftly. I guess Alan wants to be sure his instructions are followed and I am concerned about the state of mind my niece may be in.

When I enter the room behind Alan I am relieved to see Sam is hugging Rosy who has her face buried against his chest.

"...Please Sam, I need to get out of here, please, please. Please take me away from here. I can't stand it," Rosy is begging.

"I'm not allowed to Rosy. I would if I was able to," Sam says gently.

"Take me home with you Sam!" Rosy implores with a sob.

"Excuse me," Alan breaks in and Sam sends him a savage look but remains silent as Alan ignores him to move closer.

"Hey Rosy, maybe I can help," Alan says to her in a gentle tone.

"Piss off you pervert! Keep away from me!" Rosy spits savagely and turns her head to glare at Alan. The way she speaks, her pronunciation of the words is slightly different to when she was imploring her brother, definitely a difference in personality.

"Tell me what's troubling you and I'll tell you if I can help," Alan says in that same gentle tone.

"Go away and leave me alone!" Rosy hisses before rubbing her face against Sam's chest. "Take me away from here Sam! I can't stand it! I hafta get away, I just hafta!"

"Are there too many strangers Rosy? Is that it? Do you need somewhere nice and quiet and peaceful? Somewhere you can be by yourself for a while?" Alan asks softly as he takes several steps towards them.

Rosy goes still in Sam's arms but her head is cocked to one side slightly and I suspect she is listening to Alan.

"My wife couldn't take too many strangers for very long," Alan says softly with a touch of sadness in his voice. "There were times she couldn't stand anyone around. I had a special wing built onto my house for her where she could lock herself away. It's nice and quiet there, virtually a two bedroom unit with views of some forest that is on my land."

"Darcy used to lock us all out, then when she was ready she would come to the living room in the main part of the house," Perkins says levelly.

"There's a pool in the smaller forest, a one room hut. A fresh water spring and several tall rock outcrops she used to love sunbathing on," Alan says in a low tone.

No one speaks for several minutes, even Rosy is silent not crying or sniffling.

"I know I am a stranger to you but I am offering you the use of these places my wife used to enjoy so much. Your brother can go do what he has to do and then come stay with you," Alan coaxes quietly.

Rosy turns her head to look at Alan suspiciously, her eyes are narrowed and I can see her nostrils flaring with each breath as she lifts her chin slightly.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Rosy asks suspiciously.

"Because I loved my wife dearly and I wouldn't do anything to sully her memory or the memory of the times she spent where she was the happiest," Alan says and there is no mistaking the sincerity in his voice.

I can only hope Rosy will take Alan up on his offer peaceably. I am not sure I will be able to prevent the arranged marriage the Board has allowed, I am not sure it would be a bad thing but I am a firm believer in my niece's right to choose.

*****

For all my faithful readers please do not despair. I do need Micah for this story to reach its conclusion. I hope this chapter has made it clear why the story has taken the turn it has.

I hope Rosy's character does not come across as a weak hysterical wreak. She is a strong individual; she has had to be to survive. That said please feel free to vote and comment.